What say you?" "I would dearly love to see foreign lands!" exclaimed Primrose with sparkling eyes, "and could dad indeed spare me without too much sorrow, I would gladly go with you, sweet lady. But it is too much honour you do me, for you know I am but a country maiden, of lowly bringing-up, and knowing nought of the ways of houses such as this one, or of great ladies such as you are." "An your ways displease me, child, I will be at liberty to correct them," answered Lady Bryn Afon with a smile. "You must know that my lord, the earl, has oft brought this thought before my mind, and long since he bade me steal you away from the boatman, an I could do so, for a time, knowing how sorely I pined at times in my loneliness for a daughter of my own. An your mother and your foster-father will consent, you shall, when the summer is over, spend a week with me at Court, and see the gay world ere I part from my husband and take you over the seas. I love not the Court myself, nor the ways of the world, and am at all times glad to escape into peace and quietness; but men think not as we do, and a wife's place is beside her husband. I could not presently leave him, but that our physician bids me, with stern authority, to depart for my health's sake, and promises me faithfully to care well for him the while I am gone. Think you you will have means of communication with your mother betwixt the present time and Michaelmas?" "The Black Horseman's visit draws near," said Primrose. "Twice every year he comes to bring dad money from my mother, for my bringing-up in comfort. In a week from now we look for him, and much I long for his coming that I may send a letter to my mother, begging her to let me know my name without delay, since it is just before Michaelmas that my Lord Bishop will hold his confirmation, and so rarely are they held in these remote parts, that being already fifteen years of age, I am loth to lose my chance. In that letter also, if dad is willing, and our dear vicar thinks also well of it, I will beg her also to consider your great kindness, and to let me know at once her decision." "That is well," said Lady Bryn Afon. "Now, my child, farewell, and may we spend a happy winter in each other's company! You are very fair, sweet river-maiden! May you be as good as you are beautiful! It is not ever so." And as she kissed the young girl's blushing cheeks, she sighed, and a faint colour rose in her own pale face. "Methinks I have scarce had my fair share of your converse, dear friend!" cried Lady Rosamond, saluting the Lady Bryn Afon affectionately, as she was about to depart, "and I shall perforce charm you out of your solitude again ere you leave the castle. You have, moreover, made no inquiries as to the health of your future chaplain, who thus shamefully plays the truant while I entertain my guests! I fear me he hath perchance overheard somewhat of our converse at dinner, and having gathered so