a sub-current
of their father's passionate nature.

The nobles, or rather warriors--for ability to fight constituted
nobility in those days--were clothed in garments which, with sundry
modifications, resembled those of the king. As for the women of the
court, their costumes were what may be styled flowing, and therefore
graceful, though difficult to describe. Like their lords, they were
profusely ornamented with precious metals and bands and loops of
coloured cloth. Hafrydda and her companion Branwen allowed their hair
to fall, after the manner of the times, in unrestrained freedom over
their shoulders--that of the former resembling a cataract of rippling
gold, while that of the latter was a wavy mass of auburn. Both girls
wore wild flowers among their tresses. Of course the queen had rolled
up her slightly grey hair in the simple knot at the back of the head,
which is more becoming to age, and she wore no ornament of any kind on
her head.

Public games are pretty much the same in all lands, and have probably
been similar in all times. We shall not weary the reader by describing
minutely all that went on. There was racing, of course, and jumping
both with and without a run, as well as over a willow-wand held high.
There was also throwing the heavy stone, but the method pursued in this
feat was not in accordance with modern practice, inasmuch as the
competitor turned his back to the direction in which the stone was to be
thrown, heeled instead of toed the line, seized the stone with both
hands and hurled it backwards over his head.

As the games proceeded it was evident that the concourse became much
excited and deeply interested in the efforts of the various
competitors--the king and his court not less so than the people.

After the conclusion of one of the races, Captain Arkal left the front
row, and pushing his way towards Bladud, whispered--

"It seems to me that you could easily beat the winner of that race,
smart though he be. What say you? Will you try?"

"I fear being discovered by my father if I go so prominently before him,
and I wish to announce myself in private."

"Pooh! discovery is impossible! Have you not told me that you were a
smooth-chinned boy, and not grown to near your present height when you
left home? How can they ever recognise one who returns a sunburnt
giant, with a beard that covers half his face?"

"Perhaps you are right," returned the prince, looking as if uncertain
how