ves hurled themselves like fierce animals leaping up to reach their prey, but the adamant rocks, which had defied their rage for centuries, still stood firm, and flung them back panting a

ent from the sound sleep of youth, to turn on her pillow and fall asleep again; but to-night she could not rest, she was unnerved by the strain and excitement of the day, and felt like some wandering, shivering creature whose every nerve was exposed to th

you, Valmai? You bin out

ed, Shoni; there's a

me to the worst

third day that Valmai ventured to put on her cloak and pay a visit to Nance's cottage. The tide was low as she crossed the Rock Bridge, and there

remembered that night; but she set herself bravely to struggle wi

s had transformed into a nest of cosy comfort, she found h

etter from John, my brother, and i

matter, uncle

go down to take care of him. Will you go, Valmai? He got lot of money. I will drive you down to Caer Madoc to the

en there so lately, and now where was he? Out on that stor

e, uncle, and nurse h

you are reading very nice to me, and saving a great deal of my old eyes. He got a servant," h

manage very wel

for years. Along the high road Malen bore them at a steady trot, and when Valmai took her place in the coach, and bid her uncle good-bye, she called to mind that only two days ago Cardo had been its occupant, and her heart was full of wistful longings

ot far from the docks. Reaching the roadway, she caught sight of the foaming white waves in th

in his pockets and his cap very much at the back of his head. "Yes, miss, Aye knows him

was right; she had not far to go before she reached the little, uneven row of houses called Reube

" said the sailor, pushing th

ng?" said Valmai, nervo

rrying away, with a flush on his face that sho

his house whenever he was on dry land. Every morning he went in to shave him, and in the evening he mixed his toddy for him and made him comfortable for the night, expecting and receiving no more than the friendsh

ves here? Ca

train. There he is, knocking again. You go up to him, miss, that's all he wants. Ay'll bring your bag up, honey. There's your room, raight a-top of the stayurs;

ely, it missed its aim, and she stood for a moment irresolute at the door, while her uncle, without looking at her, continued to rail at his much-enduring domestic,

little ge

ching the bed with a frightened look, t

ead turned o

hour that you couldn't 'acome yet. Come here, my beauty, and shake han

o throw books at m

n the old man's face so much that Valmai, fearing he was goi

e. We were so sorry to hear of y

re-" and he began to gurgle again, to Valmai's horror, "there must always be a beginning to everything, so Ay slipped on a d-d stone, somehow or other, and, bein

ai, taking off her hat and cloak. "Uncle Essec

ouldn't. 'She'll come,' ay sez, 'and if she's like her father she'll come almost afore she's asked.' So

almai. "Shall I take my

room," and reaching a heavy stick, which stood by his bedside, he knocked impatiently on the bare boarded floor, cal

post," he s

bag up. Now, see how quickly I'll be back, and bring you a nice cup of tea, and one for myself i

closed. "Ay don't want her cup o' tea! Never could bear the slos

tea-things for two; and, drawing a little round table towards the bed, pl

I'm making myself quite at home.

turning to poor Mrs. Finch, whose only desire seemed to be to find a place fo

Mrs. Finch, while the old man fumbled a

hed, but ch

about like lightning to get the tea r

wed himself to be raised up on his pillo

said Valmai; "re

y dear. 'Twas very naice and refreshing. No

d bread and butter and ham, even hi

Finch to take these things awa

ws me and my ways, may dear, and Ay pay her well. Eight shillings a week regular! and she only comes at ten and leaves at faive. Oh! bless you, she knows when she's well off, or she wouldn't put up with the books and

e woman, with a sni

d there's a shilling overhead for good luck, Mrs. Finch, becos the lil gel has com

rs. Finch, disappearing with prac

uff ways and his tremendous voice, she felt more at home with him than with Essec Powell, for h

g of brightness and cheerfulness which she had not expected to feel so soon. Her new life would

rey skies and windswept streets made no cheerful impression upon her. The people, the hurrying footsteps, and the curious Pembrokeshire accent, gave her the impression of having travelled to a foreign country, all was so different to the peaceful seclusion of the Berwen banks. It was a "horrid dull town," she thought and with the consciousness of the angry white har

said, "and how is

being a great deal in the open air, and mixing much with the "sail

e added, looking at Valmai w

housekeeper in one. She is may niece

, shaking hands with her. "He wen

gers, as if there wasn't plenty of sinners in Wales for him to preach to. But there, he was a good

d the doctor, while he examine

it?" rumble

Just seen her tugged in-good deal damaged; they

appened to Captain Owen, and he's been sailing the last thirt

ith you?" inqui

e little back parlour and the bedr

ng on very nicely.

eal while his wrist was under manipulation. It

your about, doctor?

good-bye; come and see you again to-morrow. I daresay you'll see Captain Owen by and by. Good-bye, my dear," turning to

o his communications, and she was sitting, pale and sile

on! And Cardo, where was he? Was it possible

gel." "Here's the Burrawalla, Valmai, put back for repairs, may friend Captain Owen's ship, you know. Sech a thing has never happened afore. Y

d get his sheets aired at once." And she left the room, gl

was going to happen? Should she hear Cardo's name from Captain Owen? Could she find her way to the docks? and as a gleam of sun

et, ordering supplies for the following days. When she returned, the front door was open, and, entering the passage, she heard

r niece? Well, upon my word, I begin to repent of my bargain. Hard lines for me! to be tied to the docks night and day to watc

oped to learn something from their

s he took his departure,

g her hand, looked admiri

ly your dooty to your ship. Good-bye, come and see you again

for the guest who was to arrive about six o'clock. Mrs. Finch would prepare the tea and roast the fow

en he has once sat down to his meal, I can manage about taking

able under his roof. At last everything was ready, a bright fire burning in the grate threw its glow through the open door of the adjoining bedroom, and flickered

le she listened breathlessly to the opening of t

ng, and all the blood in her body rushed to her face and head. For a moment she

but, by Jingo, if he does, Ay'm not ashamed of you. Now, you go down, and make a nice curtsey, may dear, not like Mrs. Finch makes it, you know, but as, Ay bet, you have larnt

out yet from his bedroom. Won't I wait till he is s

ly on the floor, "where is she now? Why don't she come and tell me

Mrs. Finch is taking the fowl in; he is saying something t

he next quarter of an hour, Valmai had the greates

e time to fi

rse, may dear, we

sir? So she is going. Yes, there, she has shut the fro

and do as Ay tell you, and you can just say, as the ladies do, you know, 'I hope your tea is to your laiking,