He and my child have indeed forsworn all earthly love, but their hearts are knit in a bond which would make separation but a living death! And since I can trust Percival Vere as I would a saint in heaven, I can depart, leaving my darling safely to enjoy the shelter of his friendship and counsel. Fain would I bid her accompany me, as she hath oft entreated me, fearing lest her mother's spirit should chide her for suffering me out of her sight; but these are troublous times, and I dare not risk her safety. Every fighting man is being summoned to the banner of the king or parliament, and I carry with me, when I depart hence in some three days' time, many stout youths, who will, I trow, show Charles of what bravery our little Wales is capable. Poor youths, the Royal Commission of Array spares none whom Providence hath gifted with a sturdy arm and a brave heart, and I doubt not, good Jack, an you were now a fiery youth as of yore, you would be the first to follow me to the field! Ah, well, fain would I die on the battlefield, and so outwit the curse! Who knows?" * * * * * * * Not many days after this conversation between the earl and his faithful servant, the Royal Standard was uplifted at Nottingham, and ere many months had passed the Battle of Edgehill had begun the war, and Primrose and Lady Rosamond, dwelling together, in the absence of father and husband, in the lonely fastness of Bryn Afon, were daily watching with keen anxiety for the news which reached but tardily the solitary Welsh hamlet, wherein, nevertheless, a fierce strife reigned, and ever increased in bitterness, between the loyal followers of the king and the zealous partisans, led by Master Jones, of the opposing party. A mimic warfare raged likewise perpetually between Cavaliers and Roundheads of tender years, who, arrayed in lines on either side of the river, aimed harmless missiles across the foaming stream, and oft made the old boatman tremble for the fate of his bridge, which was stormed and taken by each party in turn till the rush of young feet made its light weight to quiver, and its timbers to creak ominously, and threaten to plunge the youthful armies into the swiftly-flowing current below.