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,—­

’Netta, I am in no mood to be trifled with.  If you wish to be ‘my lady,’ take Sir Hugh, if he will have you; but I go halves with nobody.  Now is the time to resolve; I shall never ask you again; and whatever your opinion may be upon the subject, I consider that I do you as great honour in asking you to be my wife, as if there were fifty Sir Hughs at your feet.’

It was now Netta’s time to pout and look cross.  She generally did before her private interviews with her cousin ended.  Their quick tempers were sure to inflame each other.

’I am sure I don’t care whether you ask me again or not.  It is not such a great favour on your part.’

’Very well; then “your ladyship” has probably decided in favour of this,’ and Howel made a face to represent Sir Hugh swelling his cheeks to their utmost extent.  Netta tried to smother a laugh.

’I am sure he is quite as good looking as you are, with your cross face.  You are enough to frighten one out of one’s wits.’

’If you had any, Miss Netta.  But come, this is absurd.  Is it to be Sir Hugh in perspective, or cousin Howel at once?’

Netta was still pouting, fidgeting with her parasol, and restlessly pushing her foot through the grass and flowers, when they were startled by a voice crying,—­

‘Is that you, Netta?’

Both looked up in affright, and, to their extreme disgust, perceived their very sedate brother and cousin, Rowland, threading his way down the opposite side of the ravine.  He was soon at the bottom, and in less than a minute had crossed from stone to stone over the brook, and stood by the side of his sister.

‘Netta, what can you be doing here?’ he asked abruptly.

‘I came for a walk,’ was the somewhat hesitating reply.

‘Then, perhaps, you will have no objection to walk home with me,’ said Rowland, looking reproachfully at Howel.  He met a defiant glance in return.