By Berwen Banks

"Well, now," said Ellis, "I want to have a picture of Corwen."

"Yes, to-morrow, in the field, and me standing by her. I will put on

my new gaiters."

"The young lady has gone to ask your master's consent."

"The master!" said Shoni, locking the barn door; "pooh! 'sno need to

ask him. You kom to-morrow and make a picksher on Corwen and me.

Wherr you stop?"

"At Brynderyn."

"With the Vicare du? Oh, jâr i!" said Shoni, taking off his hat to

scratch his head, "there's a pity now. Essec Powell will nevare be

willing for that; but nevare you mind, you kom. Here's Valmai."

Cardo was nowhere to be seen.

"I asked my uncle, sir," she said, "but I am sorry to say when he heard

you were the Vicar's friend he was not willing, but he did not say no."

"Twt, twt," said Shoni, interrupting, "you wass no need to ask Essec

Powell. The gentleman is kom to-morrow to make a picksher on Corwen

and me."

Valmai could not resist a smile at Shoni's English, which broke the ice

between her and Gwynne Ellis; and as Shoni disappeared round the corner

of the barn, she gave him her hand, frankly saying: "Good-bye, Mr. Ellis; I must go in to tea."

"Good-bye," he said, "I will venture to bring my paints to-morrow to

Corwen's field. And you--you will keep your promise to come and make

the daisy chain?"

"Well, indeed, I can't promise, but I will try, whatever."

"And then you will honour me by looking over my portfolio."

"And the Vicar objects to that girl," he exclaimed to himself, as he

proceeded down the path to the shore. "What a sweet, sensitive mouth!

Oh, Cardo, Cardo Wynne, I can only say, as I said before, you are a

lucky dog!"

He had wondered what had become of Cardo, but with his full

appreciation of a secret love-affair, had had too much tact to ask

Valmai, and was not much surprised to find him lying at full length on

the sandy beach.

"Well, Wynne," he said, pretending to sulk a little, "you did leave

me in the lurch."

"Leave you in the lurch! my dear fellow, do forgive me. To tell the

truth I forgot all about you until Valmai went indoors to find her

uncle. I waited to see if she would come out again, but she never did.

I believe she was waiting until I had gone; she's dreadfully chary of

her company."

"Another charm," said Ellis; "one would get tired of an angel who was

always en evidence. She is an ideal girl. Tell me when you are

going to retire, old fellow, and then I will try my luck. That sweet

mouth, though the delight of a lover, is the despair of an artist."