y who had picked up
the half sovereign for Colonel Vaughan would give Owen the history of
the same, and would tell him that Gladys had dropped it, but that he was
pretty sure she had more money in her hand.

Unconscious of anything but sunshine above and within, she hastened on,
thinking of Owen, in spite of her resolution not to think of him--a
resolution she was making and breaking from morning till night. Her
thoughts were turned into another channel, however, by the appearance of
Colonel Vaughan, who suddenly came upon her from one of the many
cross-paths in the wood.

She curtseyed slightly, and was about to pass him, but he turned and
walked with her.

'Gladys,' he began, 'I wish to know why you refused the money I offered
you yesterday.'

'Because, sir, I did not think it right to take it,' answered Gladys,
promptly.

'Why! what harm could there have been?'

Gladys quickened her steps, but did not answer.

'Not so fast, Gladys. I have you at last, in spite of yourself. You have
avoided me hitherto, both when you were at Prothero's and here, and
purposely misunderstood me--now you must walk through the wood with me,
and at my pace, for I must speak to you.'

'Sir, Miss Gwynne expects me early,' said Gladys, with wonderful dignity
of manner, which was not lost upon the colonel--'_she_ is my mistress,
and I must obey her. I shall be obliged by your letting me go on.'

'We will both go on, but leisurely and together. I have much to say to
you, and I may not have another opportunity.'

Gladys tried to pass on, but finding that Colonel Vaughan's hand was on
her arm, and that he was resolved to detain her, she endeavoured to
summon up all her resolution and sense, and to answer his questions,
whatever they might be, according to what she might think right.

'You will be so good as to account to my mistress for this delay, sir,'
she said. 'I am no longer a free agent.'

'I shall do no such thing; neither will you, I hope?'

'I most certainly shall, if necessary.'

'Never mind; I must know, at all risks, who and what you are.'

'I am Irish on my father's side, and Welsh on my mother's; my name is
O'Grady.'

'But you were not born in the position you now occupy?'

'My father was a corporal in the Welsh Fusiliers; I was brought up to
work for my bread.'

'And your mother?'

'Was the daughter, I believe, of a clergyman.'

'I was sure of that--and she educated you?'

'She taught me what she herself