'Gladys!' he replies. 'Oh, yes! I haven't seen her yet.'
Gladys is by his side, and he turns and shakes her hand warmly, and says,—
'Thank you, Gladys, thank you, I have heard all; but we will talk of this another time.'
'Best now, father, whilst I remember. She may stay? You like to have her?'
'Of course, of course, my dear.'
Mr Prothero glances rather uneasily at the very lady-like looking young woman, for whom he is thus humbly petitioned, and in doing so spies Owen close behind her.
His feelings are too much softened by Netta to allow him to feel angry; still he does not know what to make of if. Mrs Prothero kisses Gladys, and Mr and Mrs Jonathan shake hands with her.
'Nothing like the present time,' thinks Owen; but Gladys declares decidedly that Netta ought to go to her room, and everybody yields to her calm, assured voice.
'Then you will stay with us?' asks gentle Mrs Prothero, looking the while at her husband.
'To be sure she will,' says Mr Prothero.