?'

'Perhaps I may--far, far away; and perhaps I may go to heaven. I don't
know. But I should like, when I go away, to leave you a better daughter
than I have ever been to you. One that will take care of you and mother,
and my Minette, as long as you and she live; who will make Owen a good
wife and a happy man, as he is now, a good son and brother. Father, will
you take her for my sake?'

'My darling, I don't know what you mean?'

'I mean--You won't be cross, father, bach?'

'Never again with you, Netta, please God.'

'Will you promise to grant me this great favour, now that my head is
clear, and I have no pain, and can ask it right?'

'There is little I 'ould refuse you, Netta; but I should rather hear it
first.'

'It is about Owen and Gladys, father. They have loved one another ever
since they were first together. I found it out in the train; and when
Owen pressed Gladys very hard to tell him why she didn't love him, she
said it was because she had promised you something. I could not hear
what; but I heard enough to know that she loved Owen dearly. And she is
good and clever; and, oh! so kind and gentle to me. I never think now of
what I used to think so much--how she was a beggar at our gate; and
everybody in London looks up to her and loves her. Mr and Mrs Jones,
Miss Gwynne, and Rowland, all treat her like a lady. I should die, I
think I should, so much happier, or go away when I am fetched, so much
happier, if I could know she was with you as a daughter. I have been
very disobedient and wilful; but she has been obedient and grateful,
though she was not your child. When I left mother to die of fever, she
nursed her and saved her life. May God forgive me, for Christ's sake,
and bless her! She has made Owen steady. She has nursed the sick. She
has taught in the poor, wretched London ragged-schools, as well as in
the others. She has made clothes for the poor. What has she not done?
Oh, that I were like her! And now she is waiting on me, and helping
mother, and nursing my child, like a common servant. Oh, father! take to
her instead of me. Indeed indeed, you will never repent--never!'

As Netta spoke, her wasted cheek flushed, her eyes sparkled, and her
manner grew more and more animated. Her father listened attentively,
without interrupting her, and when she paused, said,--

'Netta, fach, are you seure you didn't dream or fancy this? Owen
declared to me, Gladys 'ouldn't have him, and didn't love him.'

'Be