When she did so, her brain swam as she read the following words, written with trembling fingers:-- 'DEAR MOTHER,--I am going to marry cousin Howel.

Father won't consent, so we are going to London to be married.

I hope you will forgive me for not telling you, but I knew it was no good, as father is so much against it.

I am sure I shall be very happy, only I should like to have been married properly at home; but it is not my fault that father would not hear of it, and that Howel would not wait.

We are going to France and a great many other countries, and it grieves me to think how long it will be before I shall see you again.