said to have hung over the family for some centuries. In what its nature lies I have never known, nor indeed does my foster-father or any one else know it, to the best of my belief. There is at times some talk thereon among our villagers, but it is now to them an old tale, and no one among them appears to know its true origin or the cause of its continuance. All I have ever learnt is, that for some generations past the Earls of Bryn Afon have refused to reside at the castle, save at short intervals, during which they have lived in great retirement and secrecy, their stay within its walls being sometimes known only by the lights in the windows, and the shrieks heard from time to time from within by those bold enough to venture near the walls. There is a tale too, that at such times as the shrieks are heard, a lady may be seen walking to and fro in the dark avenue, wringing her hands and weeping; and this, I must confess, I have myself seen, for one day--only once, dear mother!--my childish curiosity got the better of my obedience, and I stole round the lanes at the farther side of the hill, and stood a long while peering through the great iron gates of the avenue, hoping I might see the mysterious lady. For which I was chidden afterwards by my foster-father, yet found consolation, I fear me, in the fact that I had verily seen the ghost, sin though it had been! She wore a long dark cloak, and came so near the iron gates that I feared she must see me, and as she came, she wrung her hands and sobbed pitifully. Suddenly she raised her head, and fixing her eyes for a moment upon me, as I gazed speechless with wonder between the iron bars, turned and fled, with a bitter cry, up the long avenue again towards the castle. I told no one what I had seen till long afterwards, when at last, my conscience having oft reproached me for my disobedience, I confessed my vision to dad and to good Master Rhys, who bade me put the matter speedily from my thoughts." "It was your mother, yearning with breaking heart to clasp you to her arms, whom you saw, sweet one!" interrupted Lady Bryn Afon. "But go on, my child." "Also I heard at one time, that although the lords of the castle avoided it so strangely during their lifetime," continued Primrose, "yet that each one of them had always come thither to die, being driven so to do, as people say, by some strong spell, which they may not overcome. And the people say too, dear mother, that they have all died in turn a terrible death, and that at such times the castle is full of shrieking and wailing, though none can tell the cause of their departing this life amid such woe. That is all I can tell, dear mother. What the curse may be, I know not, nor have I much fear of it, for I have ever held such reports to be but idle tales." "I am thankful that you have not learned the knowledge of its nature, my child," said Lady Bryn Afon, drawing a quick breath of relief as Primrose ended her tale.