He was
obliged to be at home that evening for a service in the church.
Late at night Howel returned, anxious and pale. Netta and Mrs Griffey
had been to see Albert Smith's entertainment, and the latter was in a
great state of descriptive excitement, when Howel interrupted her by
saying,--
'Mother, I am very sorry to seem so unkind and inhospitable, but I am
afraid I must ask you to return home to-morrow.'
'To-morrow! I am feeling too tired to be up in time to-morrow, and,
seure! if you 'on't give your own mother a home for as long as she do
like to stay, there's my Lady Simpson who is asking me there, and--'
'Impossible, mother, I must see you off for Wales. I am in great trouble
about money, and I must leave to-morrow myself or shall be in jail.'
'Name o' goodness, Howel, what wos you doing with what I did give you?'
'Never mind; only, if anything is said to you about that money by any
one, take care what you say in answer. Don't answer at all, indeed, or
it may ruin you and me. Now you must pack up your things to be ready for
the first train. Tell the servants--I will--that you are summoned home
by a telegraphic message.'
Howel impelled his mother upstairs, and then said to Netta, who was
standing looking very pale, with her hand on her heart,--
'Netta, you must fill your pockets, and every corner of your dress that
will contain them, with such jewels and plate as are of value.
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