whither she was sent.

She found her patient better, and having given him some wine, read to
him, and helped his wife to make his bed. She was preparing to leave the
farm, when Owen made his appearance. He came, ostensibly to see the sick
man, but prefaced his visit to him by shaking hands with Gladys, and
talking to her.

When she left the house, he followed her into the yard.

'I have caught you at last, Gladys. You always run away from me as if I
were a monster.'

'No, Mr Owen, you are mistaken.'

'Then why don't you come and see us oftener?'

'Because I have a great deal to do, sir; and I do not think Mr Prothero
wishes to see me.'

'You thrive upon your absence, Gladys. I never saw any one look so much
better.'

'How is the dear mistress, Mr Owen? and your father? and Lion? and the
cows? and--and--'

'Not so fast, Gladys. Come and see. They are all quite well. And the
Alderney is my particular charge.'

Gladys blushed and smiled.

'You see I came home because you told me, and am as steady as old Time.
Don't I look so? I am going to shave off my beard--do you approve?'

'No,' said Gladys, laughing. She scarcely knew why she felt more at ease
with Owen in her present than in her past position.

'Then I won't do it. Did you hear that I was going to be married to Miss
Richards, Dr Richards' daughter?'

'Yes, sir. I was told so.'

Why did Gladys blush so very much more than before, and say the 'sir' so
stiffly?

'Then you may deny it, for it is not true. I have not changed, Gladys,
since--do you remember the Alderney?'

Gladys' smile said that she did.

'But I am on parole, both to you and my father. I am quite ready to
break it with your leave.'

'I must go, Mr Owen--Miss Gwynne will be waiting for me. Will you give
my duty to the dear mistress?'

'I will take your love to her, Gladys, and keep half of it. May I walk
with you?'

'If you please not, Mr Owen. I would rather not.'

'Are you happy? just tell me this.'

'Very--very. Miss Gwynne is so good. I can only be happy. Good-bye, Mr
Owen.'

'Good-bye, dear Gladys,' said Owen, pressing her trembling hand that she
held out to him, and opening the farm-yard gate for her to go out.

As Gladys hurried on with a light heart and light step, she little
thought that those kind eyes which had looked so lovingly at her were
clouded with the mists of jealousy in less than five minutes after she
had left the farm. She could not guess that the bo