As Lady Mary is not at all certain that Colonel Vaughan's attentions are not exclusively meant for her, she divides her civilities with a charming tact between the two gentlemen, and looks so captivating whilst she does so, that the colonel wishes that her statue-like daughter had a little of her animation.
Everything that art and taste can devise is collected to adorn the ladies and their abode, and if nature is lacking within doors, she is profuse in her gifts without.
There is nothing worth recording in the conversation; if Colonel Vaughan had thought it over afterwards, he would probably have laughed at the platitudes he had uttered, and wondered why people paid morning visits.
The coming of age was a grand topic, and the colonel promised to go again the following day, and 'help in the decorations.' When the gentlemen took their leave, Mr Gwynne proposed a ride through his plantations, which he was improving and enlarging.

They went accordingly.

On their way they stopped at a small farm to inquire for one of Mr Gwynne's tenants, who was dangerously ill.

Mr Gwynne dismounted, and as he entered the house, Gladys came out; she curtseyed as she passed Colonel Vaughan, who said,-- 'How is the invalid, Gladys?
I take it for granted you have been to see him.' 'Yes, sir, Miss Gwynne sent me with some jelly.

He is better, I hope ?' 'And are you going home now ?' 'Yes, sir.' 'Stay one moment; will you give the poor man this half-crown when you see him again ?' Gladys approached, and took the half-crown, but with it there was half-a-sovereign.
'The rest is for yourself, to do what you like with,' added the colonel, in a low voice.
'Thank you, sir, but I never take money,' said Gladys, leaving the gold in his hand, 'I do not need it.' 'Give it to the poor, then,' said the colonel, letting it drop, and looking annoyed.
'Certainly, sir, if you wish it; I will tell Miss Gwynne, and she will know to whom to give it.' 'By no means--I mean it for you.' 'Sir, you will excuse me, I would rather not,' said Gladys, curtseying again, and hastening on.
Colonel Vaughan called to a boy who was near, and told him to pick up the money and give it to him.
'How often does that young lady come here ?' he asked.
'Almost every day, sir,' was the reply.
'At what time ?' 'In the afternoon, sir, from three to five, or thereabouts.' 'Goes back in time to help Miss Gwynne dress for dinner,' thought the colonel; 'what a lovely face it is! And what grace of movement.' He watched Gladys cross the farm-yard, and disappear in the plantations, through which there was a private path to the house.
Mr Gwynne and he passed her again as they rode on, and she curtseyed once more, Mr Gwynne nodding to her kindly as she looked at him.
'Who _is_ that girl, Mr Gwynne ?' 'Oh! my daughter's maid, I believe.