Gwladys

The week that followed Gwynne Ellis's induction to his new living had
been too full of business to allow him to call upon his near
neighbours, the most influential member of his congregation, Mrs.
Besborough Power of Carne Hall; but soon afterwards he began to look
around him and make acquaintance with his parishioners.

The Vicarage was large and his ideas of furnishing were limited, so
that after arranging and rearranging every room in the house he still
looked at them with a dissatisfied air.

"I don't know how it is, father; in spite of all this handsome
furniture you have given me, there seems something wanting, doesn't
there?"

"Don't see it," said the old man, "unless it is that wonderful piece of
furniture--a wife--you want."

"Perhaps, but that will have to wait," and as he drew his handkerchief
over the shining face of the sideboard he thought within himself,
"Where shall I find one? There are not two Valmai's in the world, and
I declare she has spoiled me for every other woman. By the by, I must
call on Mrs. Besborough Power, and see if I can't bring her visitor
into a better frame of mind."

The next day saw him entering the pleasant drawing-room at Carne Hall,
where Mrs. Power was as usual dozing in her arm-chair, with a piece of
wool-work in her hand, upon which she sometimes worked a few stitches
while she purred a little remark to Gwladys, who sat nearer the window,
making believe to work also. She had already remarked, "Auntie, this
is the new Vicar, I am sure," when the door opened and Gwynne Ellis
entered.