As Gladys hurried on with a light heart and light step, she little
thought that those kind eyes which had looked so lovingly at her were
clouded with the mists of jealousy in less than five minutes after she
had left the farm. She could not guess that the boy who had picked up
the half sovereign for Colonel Vaughan would give Owen the history of
the same, and would tell him that Gladys had dropped it, but that he was
pretty sure she had more money in her hand.
Unconscious of anything but sunshine above and within, she hastened on,
thinking of Owen, in spite of her resolution not to think of him--a
resolution she was making and breaking from morning till night. Her
thoughts were turned into another channel, however, by the appearance of
Colonel Vaughan, who suddenly came upon her from one of the many
cross-paths in the wood.
She curtseyed slightly, and was about to pass him, but he turned and
walked with her.
'Gladys,' he began, 'I wish to know why you refused the money I offered
you yesterday.'
'Because, sir, I did not think it right to take it,' answered Gladys,
promptly.
'Why! what harm could there have been?'
Gladys quickened her steps, but did not answer.
'Not so fast, Gladys. I have you at last, in spite of yourself.
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