rather to his bright shining, knowing the darkness must surely pass. Yet I pray no shadow may fall across your path for many a long year, my darling! Now let us to bed, and may the sun shine fair on Caer Caradoc on the morrow!" [Illustration: "SHE HELD OUT A ROSY PALM, HALF IN FEAR, HALF IN AMUSEMENT."] CHAPTER IX. SIR GALAHAD. "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's heaven for?" --ROBERT BROWNING. Early next morning the old vicar, astride his faithful grey mare, appeared before the boatman's cottage; and Primrose, mounting the pillion behind him, rode away with him in high spirits, the two affording a pretty picture of old age and youth, their white and golden locks tossing in the fresh morning breeze. It was a gay ride, for the sun shone and the way was beautiful, and Primrose was triumphant at the thought of at last setting foot within one of the many renowned old castles of the neighbourhood, none of which, save Bryn Afon itself, interested her so much as Caer Caradoc, the ancient abode of her mythical hero. She could fancy at every turn in the road that she heard the clanking of King Arthur's knights, riding their brave steeds at full speed across the valley, and would scarcely have been surprised had she seen Sir Launcelot and Sir Galahad themselves guarding the postern-gate, at which at length, towards mid-day, they drew up, a trifle weary with their two hours' ride. Lady Rosamond greeted her old friend with much warmth of affection, and bade Primrose a hearty welcome, leading her by the hand into the long dining-hall, and giving her a place next to herself at the midday meal. She was young and beautiful, and in her manner there was a sort of breezy vivacity which might be compared in its effects upon those around her to the blowing of a strong west wind! It was impossible to be long shy or silent in her presence, and in spite of the state with which she was surrounded, Primrose ere long felt quite at her ease. "What, no wine!" exclaimed Lady Rosamond laughingly, as her young guest, with a slight flush upon her fair face, refused the sparkling fluid offered to her. "Is it then a fair Puritan maiden you have brought us, dear rector? She is firm, and will not be tempted? Why then, Primrose, I would the Lady Bryn Afon were already here to commend you. She comes anon to join us for an hour, and were she now here I should be fain to hide my wine-bottles beneath the table, such spite has she against them! What think you, dear Master Rhys, on these new-fangled notions about wine-drinking? Do you account it indeed such a deadly sin?" "I fear it is a subject to which I have hitherto given but little thought," answered Master Rhys candidly. "Dwelling much among my books, I have, I fear, too much neglected to note the evils wrought by the love of strong drink among my parishioners, and am but newly awakened to a sense of their greatness. It is but recently that I have given