a'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.

'Howel,' he said, 'I do not think my father would approve of Netta's
meeting you here, and, I therefore, must beg to break up an interview
that had been better avoided.'

'Whatever right your father may have, sir, to prevent my seeing your
sister, at any rate you have none,' was Howel's indignant reply.

'Then I shall take a brother's right, and in the absence of my father,
assume his place. Netta, you know you are doing wrong; come with me.'

Netta hesitated, but her brother's manner was authoritative, and she
felt that she dared not disobey.

'I tell you what it is, Rowland, you have always assumed a tone with me
that I neither can nor will brook,' passionately exclaimed Howel.' I beg
you to account for your conduct, and to understand that I will have
either an apology or satisfaction for your ungentlemanly proceedings.'

'I never apologise when I have done no wrong; and as for satisfaction,
as you understand it, I have not the power of making it. I will not
desecrate