It was Shoni who first suggested to him the idea of a change of scene and companionship.
A strange friendship had grown up between these two men.

Shoni had been kind and tender to Valmai in her sorrow, and seemed to belong to the bright, happy past which was gone for ever.
"Where that Mr.Gwynne Ellis wass ussed to be with you at Brynderyn?
Very good sort, indeed! Why you not go and stop with him a bit, and bring him back here with you ?" Cardo thought the matter over silently, while Shoni whittled a stake for a hay band.
"I think I will, Shoni; I feel I must go away from here for a time." "Yes, you so rich there's no need for you to work like you do." "No--that's the worst of it," said Cardo; "I feel my hard work is benefiting nobody." "Iss, benefit you, cos it help to fill your mind." "Yes, but I am tired of myself," and Cardo heaved a deep sigh.

"Well, it's no use grumbling and grunting, Shoni, and if you don't see me about next week you will know where I am gone to." "Yes--but, indeed, I am thinking Essec Powell will miss you.

He think now s'no one like you in the world, 'he help me a lot, Shoni,' he say, 'with his Latin and his Greek,' and the Vicare, he says, 'it wass wonderful how many books he got on his shelfs!' and indeed I think," continued Shoni, "the two old men will live much longer now they got their noses over the same old book so often!" "I hope so," said Cardo, "and I am glad to think that the provision we have made for him has taken the sting out of his brother's 'will.'" And he went homewards as broad-shouldered and as handsome as ever, but not whistling or humming as was his wont.
His father, who saw how utterly his son was failing in his endeavour to regain his peace of mind, fell in with his proposal of a visit to Gwynne Ellis with great willingness.
"The very thing, Cardo, and bring him back with you if you can; he was a nice fellow on the whole in spite of his radical ideas." Once more Cardo took his way from Caer Madoc to the little wayside station which connected that secluded neighbourhood with the busy, outside world.

He had written to Gwynne Ellis to inform him of his coming, and had received a warm and welcoming answer to his letter.
"Come, my dear fellow; I shall be delighted to receive you in my diggings, and bring some of the poetry and charm of your lovely neighbourhood with you if you can, for this place is flat, and dull, and gray.