"Think you indeed that I may honestly so regard my love for her," interrupted Percival eagerly, "as indeed the means, graciously vouchsafed me in answer to my earnest prayers, by which the salvation of herself and her house from the fate of many generations may be accomplished? If I might verily believe such a high privilege to be accorded me by a merciful God, it would indeed be a rich reward for the petty denials of self and the ridicule and obloquy which in my weak moments have seemed hard to endure in that special path I have long felt myself called to tread!" "Such is my large hope for you, Percival," answered the physician. "Heaven grant that you may win your fair bride, and behold in your children's children the fruits of your own labours and mine for the noble House of Bryn Afon! Nay, prithee trouble not thyself to speak, nor e'en to think a thankful thought towards me! Whate'er I may have accomplished for the salvation of your love has been done for the sake of mine own!" And once again the Black Horseman's keen flashing eyes darkened with a mist of tears, as he gazed at the portrait on the wall, and his grey head was bowed for a moment upon his hand. Percival sprang from his seat, and boy-like, despite his reverend attire, flung his arms round his old friend's neck, and with a son's love and reverence kissed him on the forehead. "Heaven bless you for ever, Rhiwallon!" he murmured passionately; then, with sudden longing to be alone with God and his new-found happiness, he quitted the laboratory. The physician sat long, deep in thought, his face leaning on one hand, the other tightly closed around his precious phial, which he clutched once or twice convulsively. "Too late, too late!" he muttered in heart-broken accents. "But I have saved another in your stead, my Gwendolen--my poor lost love--victim of my boyish inexperience! A few years later, and perchance I had saved you!" Once more he held the phial to the light, and following his first look of pride and triumph, as he gazed upon it, came a sudden expression of strange irresolution and doubt. But it passed quickly, and he exclaimed fiercely; "Another fair young girl shall not be sacrificed! And Percival Vere shall not bear a life-long woe such as I have borne! May God forgive me if I have lied to him!" CHAPTER XXV. A NEW REVELATION. "Who loves a mistress of such quality, He soon hath found Affection's ground Beyond time, place, and all mortality. To hearts that cannot vary Absence is Presence, Time doth tarry." --ANON.