Do you draw, Miss Powell ?" "Yes," said Gwladys.

"My efforts are very humble, but I have one drawing of the lake." And she fetched it from a portfolio.
"Show him all your drawings, dear," said Mrs.Power; "or, better still, would you like to see the lake, Mr Ellis ?" "If it would not tire Miss Powell to show it me--" "Oh, no! I can take you by it to the west gate, it will shorten your way home." "But not yet, here is tea," said Mrs.Power; and they were soon chatting over all the parish news.
At last Ellis rose to go, and Gwladys, putting on a broad-brimmed straw hat, passed out before him through the window--Mrs.Power detaining them with endless directions as to where to stop, where to turn to look at the sun through the fir trees, where to look back for a view of the house, etc., etc.
"This walk is lovely," said Ellis, as he watched the graceful movements of his companion, who glided over the velvet carpet of moss with noiseless footsteps, reminding him of a guardian spirit who walked silently beside some hum-drum man of the world.
"I wonder Valmai never mentioned you to me," she said.
"Did she not ?" he asked thoughtfully.

"Did she never mention Abersethin, Brynderyn, and the Berwen ?" "No, they are all strange names to me, except Abersethin; she lived there after her return from Patagonia." Ellis was lost in thought again.

"I should like to have seen her; I have something important to discuss with her." "She is coming here the week after next, and then you can speak to her about this interesting subject," said Gwladys.
And Ellis thought he saw a look of displeasure on the lovely face.
Certainly he had never seen that in Valmai; but then, on the contrary, there was a high-souled nobility of purpose in his present companion's looks which was absent in Valmai.
"I daresay when I have seen her she will tell you about all these places." "My sister shall do as she pleases," said Gwladys, a sweet smile chasing away the momentary look of anger; "it will make no difference in our love for each other--she is part of me, and the best part; I am part of her, and the worst part." When they reached the west gate, both were surprised to find that half-an-hour had slipped away.
"I will bring my portfolio," said Ellis, as he took his leave, "and you will help me to find the best view of the lake." During the next fortnight, Mrs.Power received frequent calls from the new Vicar; she was delighted with her neighbour, and did everything in her power to make his visits as pleasant to him as they were to herself.

His paintings were a never-ending source of interest and admiration to her, and when he proposed to make a sketch of the lake, with its background of fir trees, and glint of blue sky, she was charmed with the idea, and almost every day she and Gwladys accompanied him down the "Velvet Walk" and settled him to his painting, and Gwladys was sent on frequent journeys of inspection during the afternoon.
"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.