"They say that the youth is to be made my Lord Bryn Afon's chaplain," said Jack the boatman, while discussing the young prophet one day in the following summer with Master Rhys. "An it be true, I would that he might persuade the noble earl to reside more among his people! So we should doubly profit, being the better for the presence of our master in our midst, and I trow not much the worse for so godly an example of sobriety as this young man might show us." "It would doubtless be well," said Master Rhys, somewhat sadly; "for though our valley be in good sooth fair as the Garden of Eden, it is yet but over plainly marked by the trail of the serpent. For my own part, I lament sorely that I have grown old ere this matter has been plainly brought before me, and that now when my eyes are opened to see the evil, my age renders me thus incapable of embarking on such a work as our unknown young friend, even ere he enters upon his ministry, has been bold enough to begin. Methinks he must indeed be fully armed with the courage of his opinions, for at the university it can be no light thing boldly to stand out against a multitude of gay companions and denounce the evil. He will, I fear me, likewise find himself a sorry subject for jesting when he enters upon the duties of his chaplaincy, for at Court this question will scarce yet commend itself for discussion, save in ridicule. Nevertheless our king doth set his Court a godly example in private life, whatever may be said of his kingly qualities, and I would fain know it to be more widely followed." "Our king is a good man," assented Jack heartily, "but I would have seen him wedded to a lady of our own church rather than to a Papist, for there is much talk against her in many parts of our land, and that is greatly to be bewailed, since the Scripture forbids us to 'speak evil of dignities,' let alone the loyalty of our own hearts! Alas, that even in our own principality, than which no part of his Majesty's domains is more loyal, there should already be a wagging of bitter tongues, and a passing to and fro of seditious words, such as cause my spirit to burn within me! Had it not been for the favour shown to my Lord Bryn Afon by his late Majesty, I fear me we might have lent even more readily than now an ear to the pestilent doctrine of Master Jones and his followers, whose number, I thank God, is yet but few! But King James showed ever a true discernment of the worth of an honest Welshman, and who indeed more fit to be counted his friend than the Lord Bryn Afon, who can boast of lineage as ancient as any in our principality, and whose British blood dates back to a time when the Saxon conqueror was unknown?" "You are verily a true patriot, friend Jack," laughed the vicar, "and withal can speak a good word for your conquerors, which bespeaks the nobility of your soul! Well, should troublous times be before us, for which we do well to be prepared, you will at least ever remain