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A BRIDE FROM THE BUSH

invitation. But it was of no use. She would not listen to him. She would go nowhere without her husband; she should write that to Ada plainly.

Later in the morning, Lady Bligh, of her own deliberate design, came in contact with her daughter-in-law. Gladys attempted escape. Lady Bligh caught her by the hand.

'You are angry, Gladys!'

Gladys said nothing.

'I don't think you are the one to be angry,' Lady Bligh said, nettled by the other's sullen manner.

Gladys raised her eyes swiftly from the ground; they were filled with bitterness. 'Haven't I a right to be what I like with myself?' she cried. 'I am angry with no one else. But I shall never forgive myself—no, nor I won't be forgiven either; I am hopeless! I feared it before; now I know it. Let me go, Lady Bligh!'

She broke away, and found a quiet spot, by-and-by, among the trees by the river.

'If only I were in there!' cried Gladys, out of the tumult of shame and rebellion within her. 'In there—or else back in the