"Then," continued Cardo, "on this side of the valley there is my father, shut up with his books, taking no interest in anything much except his church and his farm, but with a bigoted, bitter hatred of all dissenters, especially Methodists, and most especially of the Methodist preacher. Why, Ellis, they convene public meetings on purpose to pray for each other, and I believe if my father knew that I loved Essec Powell's niece he would _break his heart_. Therefore, I cannot tell him--it is impossible; but it is equally impossible for me, as long as I have any being, to cease to love Valmai. Now, there! what way do you see out of that maze?" "Many ways," said Ellis, rubbing his hands with delight. "My dear fellow, you have pitched upon the right person. I'll help you out of your difficulties, but you must let me see her." "All right!--to-morrow!" said Cardo, as they neared Brynderyn. When their voices reached the Vicar's ears, he paused in his reading, and a look of pleasure softened his white face, but only for an instant, for as the young men passed the window a dark and mournful look chased away the momentary softness. "Soon!" he said, "soon I will tell him he ought to be prepared--I _will_ tell him!" It was no easy matter next day to find Valmai, though Cardo and Gwynne Ellis sought for her over shore and cliff and by the brawling Berwen. They were returning disconsolate through the turnip fields at noon, when Cardo caught sight of a red spot in the middle of a corn-field. "There she is, Ellis," he said, turning round; "have we time to go back?" "What! that little scarlet poppy in the corn?" "Yes; it is Valmai's red hood; she wears it sometimes, and sometimes a broad-brimmed white hat." Ellis looked at his watch. "Too late to go back now; it is close upon one o'clock." "Deucedly provoking!" said Cardo; "we will try again after dinner." But after dinner they seemed to be no more successful, although they found their way into the very field where they had seen the red hood. "Let us follow the path," said Ellis stoutly; "it seems to lead straight by the back of the house, and that old ivy-covered barn looks tempting, and suggestive of a beautiful sketch." Cardo hesitated. "Come along, Cardo; not all the Methodist preachers in the world can frighten me back when I am on the track of a pretty picture."