Meanwhile the boatman sat long absorbed in thought before he could seek his own couch, for to him this possible six months' separation meant more than Primrose was likely to foresee. To him it appeared as the beginning of a long-dreaded new state of things, in which his darling must drift farther and farther from him, and which was but the beginning of the end, ever surely drawing nearer, when she would be his charge no longer, but would be called forth to that as yet unknown place in the great world for which he felt she must be destined. It was in his power to refuse Lady Bryn Afon's request without further parley, and without consulting the mysterious mother, of whom he often thought with deep indignation, that she could bring herself to dwell apart from her own offspring, and trust to her bringing-up by one who, if a relative, was none the less a stranger. Yet his unselfishness prevailed, for he could not but see that for the child's own sake he must not refuse to procure for her, if possible, the great good and pleasure of travelling in foreign lands. After making his unselfish resolve, he began to find consolation and food for his pride in the reflection that Primrose would no doubt be presented at Court by her ladyship during their brief sojourn in town, and that the king and queen themselves would have the honour of beholding his darling's wondrous loveliness. But the girl assured him that since she was as yet but fifteen years old she was likely to find herself far more at home in the royal nurseries than in the presence of their majesties, and would be better satisfied to look upon the beautiful countenance of King Charles at a safe distance. CHAPTER XI. A NEW NAME. "She hath no scorn of common things, And, though she seem of other birth, Round us her heart entwines and clings, And patiently she folds her wings To tread the humble paths of earth." --JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. "There is not any virtue the exercise of which even momentarily will not impress a new fairness upon the features."--RUSKIN.