'You know how it is, Howel. I am afraid of father, and could not bear to annoy mother, but--' 'But you love me better still, Netta; so do not cry, and we will be as happy as the day is long. Will you promise me?' Netta sobbed on and hesitated. 'I am going to London to-morrow, cousin Netta, to pay debts, and make myself clear of the world. If you will promise, in a few months I will return for you; we will travel, we will do anything in the world you like; I shall have plenty of money, I shall probably write a book when we are abroad, which will make me famous as well as rich; we will come home and astonish the world. If you do not promise, I shall never come here again, and shall probably live a gay, wretched life on the continent, or elsewhere, and be really the good-for-nothing fellow I am thought to be;--will you promise, dear cousin Netta?' Howel knew well how to assume a manner that should add force to the feelings he expressed, and rarely did he employ his powers of persuasion in vain, particularly with the fair sex, never with his cousin, to whom he was really attached, and who was wholly devoted to him. 'Netta,' he added, in a low, sad voice, 'I fear, after all, you do not love me, and I have very few who care for me in this world.' 'Do not say this, cousin,' sobbed Netta, 'you know I always promised--I always said--I--I--will do anything in the world you wish me, cousin Howel.' 'Even if your father refuses?' 'Yes, I will not care for any one but you.' 'Thank you, dear Netta; now I know that we shall be happy, and you shall have everything you can desire.' 'Stop, cousin; I shall not marry you because you are rich, or great, or likely to be as grand as other people--though I should like to put them down, just as well as you--but because we have loved each other ever since we were little children, and I could not care for any one else--not even if Sir Hugh Pryse were to ask me.' Howel was both touched and amused. 'You are a good, kind, little cousin, Netta; but what can you mean about Sir Hugh?' Netta tossed her head, and looked vain-glorious. 'Oh, I dined at Glanyravon on Thursday, and the Rice Rices, and Nugents, and Sir Hugh were there; and Sir Hugh was very attentive to me, and said a great many things to me. And he has been at our house since, and has met me in the road, and been as polite as possible.' 'But he is desperately in love with Miss Gwynne, or her fortune; so you need not alarm yourself, my little cousin.' 'You need not alarm _yourself_, you ought to say,' and Netta again tossed her head. 'Well, I am not jealous. Sir Hugh, with his loud voice, vulgar manners, and stupid fat face, could not light a candle to me, and as to his title, I will back my fortune against that.' 'It sounds very grand to be called my lady.' Netta said this to pique her cousin, and she succeeded; but she did not expect to provoke the storm that she raised. The dark brow lowered, and he said,--