y after it.

The next morning Rowland was at Howel's house very early. He found Netta
alone, and heard from her that Howel had not been at home since the
previous morning. She had had a line from him telling her that he was
going with Mr Deep to Greenwich.

Netta looked ill and anxious. Rowland entreated her to tell him freely
what made her so unhappy. He said he did not wish to interfere between
her and her husband, only to advise her for her good.

Netta burst into tears, and said that Howel was very kind now, but that
she feared there was something on his mind. She knew they were in debt,
but that Howel told her all would soon be right.

Rowland begged her to come to him if she were in any difficulty; assured
her of his brotherly love and deep interest in her; pointed out her path
of duty to her, and urged her to be patient with her husband whatever
might happen, and to endeavour to win him to better courses; then left
her with a heavy heart and a promise to return on the morrow. He was
obliged to be at home that evening for a service in the church.

Late at night Howel returned, anxious and pale. Netta and Mrs Griffey
had been to see Albert Smith's entertainment, and the latter was in a
great state of descriptive excitement, when Howel interrupted her by
saying,--

'Mother, I am very sorry to seem so unkind and inhospitable, but I am
afraid I must ask you to return home to-morrow.'

'To-morrow! I am feeling too tired to be up in time to-morrow, and,
seure! if you 'on't give your own mother a home for as long as she do
like to stay, there's my Lady Simpson who is asking me there, and--'

'Impossible, mother, I must see you off for Wales. I am in great trouble
about money, and I must leave to-morrow myself or shall be in jail.'

'Name o' goodness, Howel, what wos you doing with what I did give you?'

'Never mind; only, if anything is said to you about that money by any
one, take care what you say in answer. Don't answer at all, indeed, or
it may ruin you and me. Now you must pack up your things to be ready for
the first train. Tell the servants--I will--that you are summoned home
by a telegraphic message.'

Howel impelled his mother upstairs, and then said to Netta, who was
standing looking very pale, with her hand on her heart,--

'Netta, you must fill your pockets, and every corner of your dress that
will contain them, with such jewels and plate as are of value. Money, I
fear, there is none, unless my m