twice, he devoutly kissed it, and
exclaimed,--

'This favour, Gladys! ay, and a thousand more, if you will only write to
me, and let one little "_dear_" slip in unawares every time you ask one.
I suppose I had better write to father to-day, and follow my letter
to-morrow.'

Owen sat down at once, and wrote the following brief epistle:--

'MY DEAR FATHER,--If I have offended you in any way, I am very
sorry. I didn't mean to do so, and shall return to-morrow to ask
pardon in person; but, remember, I am just as much in love with
Gladys as ever, and don't mean to curry favour about her. With best
love to mother, I am, your affectionate son, OWEN.'

That day at luncheon Owen announced his intention of leaving Abertewey
the following morning.

'To see the fair lady who wrote that neat note?' said Howel.

'Probably so,' replied Owen.

'Where are you going? We shall miss you dreadfully,' said Madame Duvet,
with an entreating glance.

'I fear we must all leave on Tuesday or Wednesday,' said Miss Simpson:
'at least if you still intend going to London with us, Madame Duvet. I
have had a letter from home, positively refusing any further extension
of leave, and my brother promises to return with me.'

'We may as well all go together, then,' said Captain Dancy, 'as I must
be in town this week; and Deep goes up on Tuesday. When are you coming,
Jenkins?'

'Only in time for Ascot. I cannot leave home until to-morrow week, and
shall probably only remain the race week. Mrs Jenkins is not going up,
and I shall not like to leave her long alone. Owen, you must come over
and see her when I am away.'

'I think you had better stay at home, Howel. You will run less risk in
taking care of Netta than you will at Ascot.'

'Thanks for your advice, but I know my own business best.'

'I beg your pardon, Howel, I meant no offence. But although I am going
home, I don't know how long I may stay there. Perhaps shall be off to
sea in a few days.'

'I will use your own words,' said Madame Duvet, 'and say better stay at
home, and take care of--let me see--yourself, I suppose. You will run
less risk than at sea.'

Owen laughed, and said he would not reply in Howel's words, as he was
not sure that he knew his own business best. But he did not add that he
should like to take care of Madame Duvet as she wished him to do.

Neither did that afternoon and evening at Abertewey improve Owen's
opinion of its inmates. Frenc