ving.

Again Gladys is at her side to revive her, which she is able to do more
quickly than before. When she is better, Gladys raises her pillows, and
places her in a more comfortable posture. By degrees every one is
conscious that Gladys is present.

'Dear Gladys!' says Netta, 'I am better now; quite--quite well, father!'

'Drink this first,' says Gladys, giving her some wine and water that
Owen has brought.

She drinks the wine and water, and again calls her father

'I brought Gladys, father; I cannot do without her. She has saved my
life, I think, and mother's, so Owen told me--didn't you, Owen? May she
stay with me, father?'

Netta presses her hand to her head, and looks at her father with those
bewildered eyes, which are only too sadly irresistible.

'Gladys!' he replies. 'Oh, yes! I haven't seen her yet.'

Gladys is by his side, and he turns and shakes her hand warmly, and
says,--

'Thank you, Gladys, thank you, I have heard all; but we will talk of
this another time.'

'Best now, father, whilst I remember. She may stay? You like to have
her?'

'Of course, of course, my dear.'

Mr Prothero glances rather uneasily at the very lady-like looking young
woman, for whom he is thus humbly petitioned, and in doing so spies Owen
close behind her.

His feelings are too much softened by Netta to allow him to feel angry;
still he does not know what to make of if. Mrs Prothero kisses Gladys,
and Mr and Mrs Jonathan shake hands with her.

'Nothing like the present time,' thinks Owen; but Gladys declares
decidedly that Netta ought to go to her room, and everybody yields to
her calm, assured voice.

'Then you will stay with us?' asks gentle Mrs Prothero, looking the
while at her husband.

'To be sure she will,' says Mr Prothero.

'Thank you, sir; thank you, ma'am. I shall be only too glad,' replies
Gladys, as humbly as if she were really the servant she professes to be.
'Miss Gwynne will allow me to stay, if you wish it.'

After they had been upstairs they returned to tea, and Mr Prothero could
not quit Netta, but sat watching her with a painful anxiety.

She was greatly excited, and her mind and eyes appeared equally to
wander on the objects of her childhood. She asked her father a variety
of questions concerning scenes and people that she felt were
particularly associated with him, and he was quite overcome.

When the meal was finished, Owen carried Netta at once to her room, and
all the womankind acc