now fully understood that she knew of his
meeting with Gladys, and guessed that he had designs upon Miss Nugent or
her fortune. For once in his life he felt somewhat abashed as he met the
eye of the pale, haughty girl, whom he really admired twenty times as
much as Miss Nugent, or any other young lady of his then devotees. And
he admired her still more, as she kissed her father's cheek, nodded a
haughty 'good-night' to himself, and went upstairs to her room in the
haste of strong excitement.

As soon as she was gone, Colonel Vaughan told Mr Gwynne that he had
promised Sir Hugh Pryse to go and spend a week with him, and that he
should leave Glanyravon for that purpose on the morrow.

'You will come back again, of course?' said Mr Gwynne.

'Oh yes, certainly! but I have only ten days more leave, and then I must
bid you all good-bye again.'

'I am so sorry, and so will be Freda when she hears it. What could have
been the matter with Freda to-night, I never saw her so odd? But I
suppose it was the heat, and all that sort of thing; good-night. I am
tired to death, though it was a charming party, certainly a charming
party.'

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE LADY IN HER OWN RIGHT.

When Freda reached her room, Gladys was awaiting her there.

'Why did you not go to bed, Gladys? you know I dislike your sitting up
so late.'

'I could not go to bed, ma'am, feeling that I have offended you, without
begging your pardon for having done so.'

'Then all you said was an invention.'

'I said nothing but the truth, ma'am, but perhaps offended you in saying
it to you, merely to excuse myself. I am very sorry.'

There were traces of tears on Gladys' face and she looked pale and
agitated.

'Gladys, you can go to bed, I have nothing to forgive. If you tell me
the truth, I am very sorry for it, and that such words should have been
said to you. Of course you did not believe them?'

'No, ma'am, I certainly did not.'

Miss Gwynne was fidgeting with her dress, and Gladys went to assist her,
uncalled for. When it was unfastened, Miss Gwynne again said, 'Thank
you, that will do; I wish you to go to bed; good-night,' and Gladys
again obeyed in sorrow.

Miss Gwynne had little sleep that night, and the next morning she felt
very ill. Much as she longed to lie in bed, however, and to avoid
meeting Colonel Vaughan again, she got up when Gladys called her, and
was, as usual, first downstairs. Much to her satisfaction, her father
appe