"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.