"Here it is, then," said Cardo. "Valmai has neither father nor mother,
and lives up there with an old uncle, who takes no more notice of her
than he does of his cows or his sheep, but who would be quite capable
of shutting her up and feeding her on bread and water if he knew that
she ever exchanged greetings with a Churchman, for he is a Methodist
preacher and her guardian to boot."
A long-drawn whistle was Gwynne Ellis's only answer, but he rubbed his
hands gleefully.
"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."