'I will come again, Mr Jones, and see you, and Mrs Jones, and the little children,' said Minette, who was hugging Mr Jones warmly. He took her up in his arms, kissed her, and put her into the cab next her mother, who had been placed therein by Rowland. Gladys' farewells were the last. 'That's what I call something like it, Rowly,' said Owen tapping his brother's shoulder, as he watched Mr and Mrs Jones alternately give Gladys a most affectionate embrace. 'But why does the old parson hug her so? He shouldn't do that if I were Mrs Jones, or if she were Mrs--' The truth was, that at the last the uncle's feelings overcame Gladys' desire for secrecy, and exploded in a kiss long and fatherly. When she was in the cab Mr Jones called Owen aside, and said in a whisper,-- 'I know you will take care of Gladys, and remember, that although she is ready for everything that is good, she is not strong. If your father makes the least objection to her remaining with your sister, take her to the Park, whence she can return at once to us. As long as I live, no one will neglect her with impunity; but I am sure I can trust you and yours.' 'That you certainly may,' said Owen, nearly shaking Mr Jones' hand off, but saying to himself a few minutes after, 'What could he mean by putting her into my care? If his wife had done it, or Miss Gwynne, well and good; but I declare parsons are no better than the rest of us, I daresay Rowly isn't half as steady as he seems; he and Miss Gwynne are wonderfully polite to one another, and he's as grand as any lord.' Owen jumped upon the box, and Rowland by the side of Gladys inside the cab, and so they drove off through the thick fog, some five or six miles to the Paddington Station. Owen took a second-class ticket for himself, but when Netta heard that he had done so she begged so hard to be allowed to travel second class with him, or that he would come with her, that he was obliged to change it, and become, as he expressed it, 'a grand gentleman for once in his life.' They had a compartment to themselves, into which Rowland went, to be with Netta until the whistle sounded. 'Oh, brother!' sobbed Netta, 'if I never see you again, promise to be kind to Howel; promise to give him whatever I leave for him. Perhaps I shall die,--I don't know. Tell him all you have said to me; try to make him good, and give him the hope you have given me. Will you, brother? Say, will you?' 'I will do everything you wish, my darling sister, if I have the opportunity.' 'And will you write to me about what you have been saying to me?' 'I will, dear, regularly. But you have only to believe and pray. God bless you, Netta, dear! God for ever bless you!' The guard was at the door, Owen in the carriage. Rowland gave Netta one long, last kiss, and went out upon the platform. 'Kiss me, uncle,' said Minette, putting her little face out of the window. When she drew it in again she wiped off a tear that Rowland had left upon her cheek.