"Heaven grant she may treasure you as I do, my darling!" murmured the old man solemnly; "and may let me find a place at your feet in those high places which my mind ever pictures as your portion! The bell ringeth for Evensong. I will lay aside my work and walk across the hills with you, sweet one, since some few lonely days must pass ere I kneel by your side again." CHAPTER XIV. THE LEGEND OF THE POOL. "... The legend tells how sad The shepherd left his flock to watch the mere; And how at times his grief grew wild, and glad He hail'd the star which tells that day is near; But ne'er to him his love did reappear. Yet some aver, when dawn begins to break On one, the longest day of all the year, A breathing's-space, the maid, for old love's sake, Doth raise her golden locks above the gloomy lake." --JOHN JERVIS BERESFORD. The gay-hearted Lady Rosamond greeted her old friend and his young charge on the following day with much enthusiasm, welcoming Primrose heartily as her guest, and herself leading her to her chamber, remarking as she did so, that she hated ever to have servants at her heels, and intended to wait upon so fair a maiden with her own hands. "For which I doubt not I shall presently suffer the wrath of my liege lord," she said with a gay laugh; "for he would have me so surrounded with my minions, for fear that I should in any wise overtax my strength, that I can at times scarce move a finger without their help! For my own part, I love greater freedom, and care not for my maidens' assiduities, wherefore my lord and I often come to high words, I do assure you, sweet Primrose, and you must e'en be prepared to keep the peace betwixt us, an you would not see blows exchanged betimes. You laugh, girl, and believe me not? Ah, well! I will not wish you a better consort than my own, for I were scarce so wild and wayward, I promise you, an he did not spoil me so! This, let me warn you, is King Arthur's own chamber, in which you shall take your rest right royally. Should his spirit haunt you in the night-time, you will not be afraid?" "That I dare not promise," answered Primrose, "for I have never yet chanced to see a ghost, and since they are fearsome things, I cannot tell how I might bear the sight. But I need scarce fear the shade of King Arthur, having ever held him in such admiration that he would not have the heart to harm me!" "Nay, then, the chamber is not really haunted," said Lady Rosamond, laughing; "and nought but the holy face of Sir Galahad shall visit your dreams, I promise you. You have never yet seen my Sir Galahad, have you?" "Never," replied Primrose, "for during his last visit to these parts, of which we heard rumours at Christmas-tide, he did not vouchsafe to offer his services either to Master Rhys or to any of our near neighbours, and his first visit of all was during my stay with the Lady Bryn Afon, so that I have never yet had the opportunity