ow
weak I could be until these last few days. But we must be strong,
Frisk--we must be strong, and not care for this old place, and the
beautiful park, and all the--oh, why will those bells ring? and what are
they ringing for? And there is the dinner-bell, too, harsh as my lot.
And I must try to be dutiful, and show a bold face and good courage to
the world, who will pity me, or rejoice over me, and say that I wanted
something to pull down my pride. And so, perhaps, I do; but this shall
not be the something. No, no; it shall only make me prouder. Poor papa,
too; he will be more wretched than I--I am sure he will. I cannot bear
to think of him. Frisk! Frisk! don't make such a noise. Don't jump so,
Frisk. There! I will take you in. Good dog! good Frisk! You love me if
no one else does; you and Gladys.'

CHAPTER XXXVI.

THE FIRST-BORN.

Those Llanfawr bells which, as Freda said, certainly did ring for
everything, were sending forth their chimes to celebrate the birth of a
daughter at Plas Abertewey. But whilst they were ringing, and Freda was
abusing them, the mother of the little daughter was, apparently, about
to depart for that other country where bells shall no longer 'ring out
the old, and ring in the new,' welcome the babe, or speed the spirit of
the dead.

Good Dr Richards and the nurse stood, one on either side of Netta's bed,
pouring brandy and wine down her throat, whilst her infant was on its
grandmother's, Mrs Jenkins's lap, in the next room. The doctor was in a
state of intense anxiety. He had sent off one man and horse for another
surgeon, and a second to Swansea, to telegraph for Howel, who had not
yet returned from London, where he had been nearly three months. He felt
the great responsibility of his situation, and that if Netta did not
rally, she must die.

It was six o'clock in the evening; the baby had been born in the
morning, and Netta's continual cry had been 'Howel! Howel! When will my
husband come?' But she had not spoken for some hours, and seemed to be
sinking out of the world.

As Dr Richards leaned over her, he thought she murmured something.
Putting his ear close to her, he heard the words, 'Mother! oh, mother!'

'She shall come! you shall see her!' said Dr Richards. He went to a
writing-table, and wrote as follows:--

'Mrs Howel Jenkins is dying. The only chance to save her is her mother's
presence. Come, for God's sake.'

He went out of the room, and ordered the carria