one word of his writings! An you will read the book all through, and meditate thereon with deep attention, I will gladly hear what you have to say upon it; but as yet I fear me I can feel but little respect for your opinion, and will be gone.' Whereupon he looked sadly foolish, and covering his face with both hands to hide his confusion, he murmured as I left him: 'Alas, that a lost soul should dwell in so fair an exterior!" "Beshrew me!" exclaimed Jack indignantly, "if I e'er suffer thee to set foot again within his doors! Let him meddle with thy soul at his peril! I fear me thy beauty doth subject thee to many an insult, sweetheart!" "Nay, I thought no harm of his speech," she answered, laughing. "He has ever been wont from time to time to make me a pretty compliment, but so carefully wrapped with bitter flavourings that it could scarce offend me by its sweetness! I pray you, dear dad, be not angry against him, for I doubt not he means well by his warnings, and I half fear that I ought perchance to repent me of my sauciness. Is it not such counsel which is on the tip of your tongue, dear Master Rhys?" and she looked up with a loving smile at the old vicar, who patted her head and smiled back at her benignantly. "Nay, my child," he answered; "my tongue is in no present mood for scolding. But I have news for you. The Lady Rosamond bids me take lunch with her on the morrow at Caer Caradoc, and says that being just now somewhat lonesome, without guests or gaieties, she would enjoy the favour of your company for a few days, should your guardian think fit to spare you to her, and to entrust me with your escort." Primrose clapped her hands, "A few days at Caer Caradoc!" she exclaimed. "I would indeed like to see more of King Arthur's old castle, if I might. What say you, dad? Will you let me take advantage of her kindness?" "Ay, right willingly, dear heart," he answered. "She shall accompany you, good sir, with my great good will, for it were hard on so sweet and dutiful a daughter to keep her from aught that can give her pleasure; and since your own friendship towards the Lady Rosamond is a warrant to me that she will be safe in her keeping, I can suffer her to depart without fear. It is ever before me that again ere long the Lady Bryn Afon may perchance have need of her company, and since her own mother too may likewise claim her ere many more years are past, I shall do well at times to accustom myself to her loss by dwelling for a season without having her sweet face to look upon." The old man heaved a heavy sigh as he spoke, and Primrose clung closely to him, for greatly though she longed for the time when her unknown mother should reveal herself, she yet felt her whole future to be so enshrouded in mystery, that she could but anticipate it with dread, and a certain shrinking from anything that threatened to break up her peaceful existence with her foster-father in the beautiful Gwynnon Valley.