A sound had startled me; I thought I heard a voice speaking close to me.

I looked up, and for some seconds I could not believe that I was not dreaming.

Beside me, within a few paces, stood Isabella, the beautiful vision that I had seen at Barmouth, but far, a thousand times, more beautiful.

She was dressed in something like a peasant's dress, and wore the round hat which, in Wales at least, seems to suit the character of the female face so well; her long and waving ringlets fell carelessly upon her shoulders, and her cheek flushed from walking.

Before I had a moment's notice to recover my roving thought, she spoke; her voice was full and round, but soft and thrilling, as she said,-- "'I beg pardon, sir, for having disturbed you unconsciously; but, having done so, may I request you will assist me to fill this pitcher with water ?' "She pointed at the same time to a small stream which trickled down a fissure in the rock, and formed a little well of clear water beneath.