Read Online Free Book

By Berwen Banks

Page 167

"Go and see how he is progressing, dear." And she would go and linger

over the picture with comments and praise; but it must be confessed

that the drawing progressed more rapidly during her absence than during

these visits of inspection.

One afternoon she came running down the "Velvet Walk" with an open

letter in her hand, and a distressed look in her eyes.

"Oh, Mr. Ellis! such a disappointment! Valmai is not coming this week.

She has been feeling unwell lately, and the doctor advises a thorough

change for her, so she and Mifanwy Meredith are thinking of going to

Switzerland. Hear what she says:--'Mifanwy is longing for the Swiss

lakes and mountains, and wishes me to accompany her. I suppose I may

as well do so; but I must first make a hurried journey down to

Abersethin, and to see you on my way back. I hear from Dr. Francis

that dear old Nance is very ill, and it will depend upon how I find her

whether I go to Switzerland or not."

"Now, isn't that vexing! You would feel for me if you knew what Valmai

is to me! I seem to love her with all the accumulation of love which

had missed its object for so many long years before we met."

Gwynne Ellis was looking seriously into the distance.

"I do feel for you, Miss Powell; but don't think me a brute if I say I

am not sorry she's gone--something good may come of it."

"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?"

PrevPage ListNext