Then appeared an equally smart and fascinating French valet, who begged to be allowed the honour of conducting Monsieur to a bedroom, to arrange his toilet.
Owen laughed heartily and followed the man, who took up his knapsack daintily, and led him to a very handsome bedroom, where Owen brushed his hair as becomingly as he could, arranged his beard, and made himself as smart as his wardrobe would allow of his doing.

He was, as we have before said, a very handsome young man, and sufficiently well mannered to pass muster anywhere.
'What is the next act, I wonder ?' said he, as he found his way into the breakfast-room.

He was quite taken aback as he entered, when he saw a pale young lady sitting in one of the windows, reading.

He made his bow, she curtseyed, and said,-- 'Mrs Howel Jenkins' brother, I believe?
My name is Simpson.' Owen bowed again, and not being of a shy turn, and having seen ladies of various degrees during his travels, began to make himself agreeable.
In a few minutes, a little French fairy flitted into the room, with her hair off her face to display such eyes and complexion as are rare in all times; and muslins, laces, and ribbons so blended, as to set off a petite figure to the very best advantage.

Owen was going to bow again, when a little affected laugh, and a 'Ma foi! he doesn't know me, Miss Simpson,' proclaimed the fairy to be his sister Netta.
'Owen, you naughty boy, not to know me,' the little thing continued, more naturally, running up to her brother, who took her, despite muslins, laces, and ribbons, almost up in his big arms, and kissed her.
'How you have rumpled me, Owen?
did you ever see such a thing, Miss Simpson ?' she cried, half laughing, half in tears, as she smoothed down the point-lace sleeves and collar.
Just then a tall man entered, and Netta disengaging herself from Owen, who was on the point of kissing her again, and asking her what she had done to herself, simpered out an introduction between 'Captain Dancy and my brother, Captain Prothero.' 'Not quite that yet,' began Owen, anxious to disclaim the captaincy, when he was interrupted by the entrance of one or two other men, who were, in their turn, named to him as Sir Samuel Spendall and Mr Deep.
Owen did not like their appearance and looked towards his really lovely little sister, to see how she received them.