"Dear me," said Dr. Owen, "he never mentioned it to me! Well! I'll go and look him up today."
Noontide found Will seated at lunch at Llwynelen, Mr. Trevor plying him with questions concerning his studies and college life; Dr. Owen not a little pleased with his nephew's self-possessed, though unobtrusive, manner. He was pleased, too, to see that he made a favourable impression upon the genial host and hostess.
Gwenda was as delightfully agreeable as she knew how to be, and that is saying a good deal. Her naïve remarks and honest straightforward manner had made her a favourite with Dr. Owen, and it gratified him to see an easy acquaintance springing up between her and his nephew.
"It is Will's twenty-fourth birthday to-day, he tells me," he said.
"How odd!" said Gwenda; "it is my twenty-second."
"That is strange," said Mrs Trevor; "and you never let me know! But you need not tell everyone your age."
"Why not?"
"Oh! well, young ladies don't usually tell their ages; but you are not quite like other girls."
Gwenda laughed; and Will thought how charming were the dimple in her chin, the perfect teeth, the sparkling black eyes! Yes, she was very pretty, no doubt!
"Is that remark meant to be disparaging or complimentary?" asked the girl.