n!" and it don't seem an hour
since they began!'

Mrs Jenkins stood up with the rest, and beat time emphatically Scarcely
was the last verse of 'God save the Queen' finished, when Howel came up
to his mother, and biting his tongue to keep in his ire, said--

'Mother, I will see you safe first!' and without allowing her time to do
more than make a curtsey to her companions, offered her his arm, and led
her quickly down the room. He did not venture to speak to her, but
nodding to one and another as he passed, said, 'I shall be back
directly. I am just going to send my mother home first,' reached the
door, and called for his carriage. It was close at hand, the hour for
ordering the carriages being past; and he speedily put his mother into
it. 'Drive Mrs Jenkins home, and return immediately,' he exclaimed.

'Which way, ma'am?' asked the servant.

'Go you down the street, then turn to the right, and the first house
with a railing and steps, and a brass knocker,' said Mrs Jenkins,
exulting as they drove off in her new dignity and importance. Howel, on
the contrary, returned to the concert-room, cursing his folly for having
settled in his native county, and wishing his mother anywhere else.

Nevertheless, he received the thanks of the conductor of the concert
with bland humility, and expressed his intention of using all his best
efforts in behalf of his country and countrymen. Finally he assisted in
cloaking and shawling the ladies, seeing them to their carriages, and
bidding them condescending good nights.

For himself, however, he had not a good night, being haunted with the
demons of jealousy and discontent. As soon as Netta and he were alone,
he addressed her in very different tones from those which he had called
forth for the ladies of the concert-room.

'Netta, why do you let Dancy pay you such attentions?' he began, with a
scowling brow and flashing eye.

'Why does Mme. Duvet let you pay her such attention?' was Netta's
instant reply.

Now Netta was too well pleased with herself, and the effect of her
beauty on others, to endure being snubbed, and was very angry that Howel
was not pleased also.

'Don't be a fool, Netta. You know Madame Duvet is doing all she can to
catch Owen.'

'Oh! jealous are you? Well, there were plenty of other ladies who let
you pay them attention; why was that I wonder?'

'I tell you what it is, Netta, I won't allow Dancy to devote himself to
you as he does.'

'Then you had bette