And if you knew what I am feeling now at this moment you will tell me the truth.
Will you answer me a few questions ?' 'Yes, Mr Owen, if I can without doing or saying what is wrong.' Owen looked Gladys again in the face, as she slightly raised her head to answer his question.

Why that burning blush?
Why those bright, expressive eyes, if she did not care for him?
For a moment he had hope, and pressed the hand he held.

Again she bent over the cow that divided them, and tried to withdraw her hand.
At any other time Owen would have laughed at the notion of making an offer, divided from his beloved by a fine Alderney cow, but now he was too much in earnest for laughing.
'Gladys, do you love my brother Rowland ?' he asked.
Gladys now looked at him in unfeigned astonishment as she answered,-- 'No, Mr Owen; surely I have never given you reason to suppose so.

A grand gentleman like him!' 'But there is a still grander of whom I am jealous,' continued Owen.
'Colonel Vaughan, I have often seen him here upon every excuse--and always to look at you.

I have seen him, and know it well.