that she must be roused by a change of some kind. Rowland said that it
was absolutely necessary to write to summon his brother to fetch Netta,
and that by the time the letter reached home, and Owen reached London,
three days must elapse. Fortunately, Miss Gwynne arrived, and with her
usual promptitude, proposed that Netta should be taken for those three
days to Mrs Jones'; and she returned home at once to expedite any
arrangements Mrs Jones might have to make.

'I am afraid, my dear Serena,' she said, when she had begun the subject,
'that it will put you out. But the poor creature shall have my bedroom,
and I can sleep anywhere for those few nights. The dressing-room,
Gladys' workroom, will do beautifully for her to sit in if she shouldn't
be able to come into the drawing-room.'

'Yes,' said Mrs Jones, 'we can put a sofa in it and easy-chair, and make
a regular snuggery of it.'

Mr Jones came in and entered into consultation.

'I shall be thankful if she can come here,' he said, 'for poor Prothero
is making himself quite ill with anxiety and overwork. I don't think he
has slept four hours a night since he found her. And then, Gladys! she
is not strong, she will be laid up.'

'I believe you love Gladys better than me,' laughed Mrs Jones.

'It was love at first sight, my dear. She was the first pretty girl that
I saw after I came from Australia. And I have gone on loving her better
and better ever since.'

'The worst of it is, that it is mutual,' said Miss Gwynne. 'I wonder
whether it is on your account or Owen Prothero's that she has refused
all the London swains who are dying for her.'

Mrs Jones and Freda were soon hard at work arranging rooms. Every
available comfort was put into Freda's bedroom and dressing-room, and
her own clothes and general possessions were turned out to find a home
elsewhere. Gladys' little workroom soon wore a most cheerful aspect, and
the easiest chair and sofa the house afforded were put into it. Whilst
these matters were being arranged, Mr Jones was despatched to tell
Rowland to bring his sister as soon as possible, and in the course of a
few hours they arrived, accompanied by Gladys and Minette. The shock of
the morning had so weakened Netta's nervous system, that Rowland was
obliged to carry her upstairs. When she was put on the sofa in the
little room, and saw so many kind friends about her once more, the
bewildered, wandering eyes found relief in tears.

'Gladys! you will not