"I can't understand you," she said, seating herself on a log in front of him. "You have never told me how you became acquainted with her. Have you known her from childhood?" "Oh, dear, no," said Ellis, laying aside his painting, and stretching himself on the mossy bank. "I will tell you all about it; it is very simple. Being rather out of health about two years ago, I went down to Abersethin to stay at the Vicar's house, he being an old friend of my father's. I found his son, Caradoc Wynne, a fine fellow--a splendid specimen of a Welsh country gentleman--and he and I became great friends during the three months that I spent there." Gwladys's blue eyes opened in astonishment. "Caradoc Wynne?" she said, in an anxious tone, which surprised her companion. "Yes. Generally known as Cardo Wynne at Abersethin. I found him over head and ears in love with Valmai Powell--your sister, it seems, though I had no idea she had a sister. His rhapsodies about her amused me at first; but when I saw how deeply in earnest he was, I sympathised with him, and took a great interest in the progress of their courtship. His father and her uncle--one being the Vicar of the parish, and the other a Methodist preacher--hated each other with a deadly hatred--but you are looking pale," he said anxiously. "What is it? Am I saying anything to disturb you?" "Oh, yes! but go on. Tell me about this Cardo Wynne." "Well, it's a sad story. They were married; I married them without the knowledge of the two opinionated old men--I hope I sha'n't fall too low in your estimation, Miss Powell." "Oh! no, no! go on, please. Every word you say is like water to a thirsty man. They were married?" "Yes, safe enough; and straight from the church porch they separated, for he was leaving for Australia that afternoon at his father's earnest request, with the idea of making peace between him and a brother whom he had offended many years ago. Well, I heard no more of Cardo for nearly two years, when I received a letter from him from Australia, telling me of the series of misfortunes which had detained him there so long. First of all, a serious attack of typhoid fever, and a blow on the head which occasioned concussion of the brain. He was carried unconscious to a hospital, and remained there many months, utterly oblivious of all around him, as no operation had been attempted on his skull, nobody knowing of the blow he had received. One of the visiting doctors at the hospital took him home with him as an 'interesting case,' and then he discovered the indented bit of bone which was pressing upon the brain, and causing first the unconsciousness, and afterwards a complete lapse of memory. Poor old Cardo! the jolliest fellow in the world. What must he have felt when memory returned after a successful operation, and he realised that Valmai and his father were utterly ignorant of his whereabouts."