CHAPTER XXXI.
THE PATRON'S WIFE.
The following morning, Netta was not well, and did not appear at the breakfast-table.

Howel said she had a bad headache, and did not intend going to church.
Breakfast was hurried over to prepare for a six miles' drive to church, and the carriage conveyed the two ladies and three of the gentlemen thither, resplendent with fashion and emblazoned prayer-books.

Mr Deep did not go, and Owen determined to remain at home, in order to secure the desired conversation with Netta.
Mr Deep, however, seized upon him first of all.
It had not escaped that keen observer, that Howel had hinted the previous evening that Owen possessed property in reversion; which, indeed, he did, inasmuch as his father was a small landed proprietor, and had several farms of his own, descended to him from his father, and entailed upon Owen.
Mr Deep was reading some racing calendar, and called Owen's attention to his brother-in-law's name in connection with the names of men of note on the turf.

Also to his horse, Campaigner as being one of those entered for the Ascot races.
Then he went very cautiously to work to see whether he could not induce Owen to bet; but he, holding up again his nearly empty purse, laughed his merry laugh, and said,-- 'I am not to be caught, Mr Deep.

I hate horse-racing, and never laid a wager of any kind in my life.