'He is a fine young fellow,' said Mrs Jones, when Owen and Rowland had
gone upstairs to Netta, accompanied by Minette.

'I almost wonder how two such sons, with such a fine, sturdy, sensible
father, should have had such a silly little sister as that poor child
upstairs; but I must go out. Ask them to dinner, my dear, and don't let
Gladys tire herself to death before she starts for her journey. Did you
ever see any one look prettier in your life than she did when she met
that fine young man? What a couple they will make!'

'What a romance you have worked up already, my dear,' said Mrs Jones
laughing, 'but certainly one may be proud of Gladys. How thoroughly
ladylike she is, and looks. And she is so happy; she told me just now
that she felt as if she had suddenly begun a new life.'

'God grant it may be a happy one, and may He bless you, my dear, for
taking to the poor child so kindly.'

Miss Gwynne, who had left the party to put on her bonnet, here appeared,
and Mr Jones and she set out on parochial business.

When Rowland and Owen had been some time with Netta, they returned to
Mrs Jones, who pressed them to come to dinner. They declined, however,
having much to talk of, that could not be discussed in public, even
before the kindest of friends. Moreover, when Owen had been in London
before, he told his brother that he would not dine in any house as guest
where Gladys was considered as a servant. In vain his brother assured
him that she was more friend than servant--she did not dine with her
friends, and therefore he would not dine with them.

When they had left the house, and reached Rowland's lodging, Owen said,
his usually joyful face clouded by an expression of sorrow and pain,--

'Curse that fellow! I say, Rowland, I can't help it, it breaks my heart
to see Netta as she is; and she will kill mother. As to father, there is
no getting a civil word from him ever since the news came.'

'I suppose every one knows it?' said Rowland.

'Of course Aunt 'Lizbeth has employed Mr Rice Rice and a counsel for
that scoundrel, to do what they can when the case is tried. You know
they have indicted him, and, present or absent, it is to come on at the
next assizes. Then, if they prove him guilty, or make out a case against
him, or whatever they call it, he will be brought to trial as soon as
they can catch him.'

'Sir Samuel Spendall and Sir Horatio Simpson are furious against him, I
hear,' said Rowland.

'No wonder; I