mistook you, must I needs leave you to the blazing heat of this noonday sun, or may I have permission to escort you somewhither--be it only to caves in the rocks, where pixies dwell?" "You mistrust me even now," said Primrose. "I fear me your nightly vision hath wrought overmuch upon your mind. I was myself but now searching after the damsel's footprints, but she has left not one behind her. Could I but show you the print of a mortal shoe, perchance it would set your mind at rest, and you would feel less disturbed? I am going below to Glyn Melen Farm, where I wait upon my Lady Bryn Afon. An your way should lie in that direction, I will gladly accept of your company, good sir, for the great silence that ever reigns upon this mountain doth seem to press like a weight upon the brow! Is it not a marvellous stillness, and does not the distant tinkle of the sheep-bells steal sweetly from the heights above? Have you come from the summit of the mountain? I would fain climb there one day, for the view must be passing wonderful!" "It is so indeed," said Master Vere enthusiastically; "and though the climb is steep, yet its trouble is well repaid. Yet I would beg of you not to venture the climb in solitude, for it is giddy work, whether you ascend by yon precipitous greensward, or by one of these dry watercourses, where a loose rock giving way or a false step might hurl you back headlong." "Nay, I will not be over venturesome," answered Primrose, "for I am in Lady Bryn Afon's charge, and must needs do her bidding, but she will not refuse to let me adventure myself in company with her serving-maids or the farm damsels." "I am also going to the farm," said the chaplain, "being likewise in attendance of a different sort upon her ladyship, whom I treated but discourteously yestere'en, in leaving her to arrive without a welcome. But I was summoned unawares to the bedside of a dying man, and am but now returning from the lonely hamlet where his body lies, on the farther side of the mountain." "And you have not slept all the night?" said Primrose gently, for she noted that he walked wearily. "I will rest anon," he said. "Nay, I am not much to be pitied, for surely since I could give up my rest two nights agone for the sight of an idle vision, I might well do so again, to give peace to an immortal soul. I am glad, fair mistress, to learn that we are both to be for a time inmates of the same household, since I would fain benefit myself for a season in the presence of those virtues which rumour has for some time past whispered in my ear as being the rich dower of the fair maid of Gwynnon." "You compliment me too well, good sir," said Primrose, blushing rosy red. "Rumour hath been over bold, I do assure you, and methinks the gain will be on my side rather, for I will confess that I have more than once wished to meet with one of whom both the Lady Bryn Afon and Lady Rosamond have spoken with so great affection.