ranwen, I hope you won't be
the death of me," cried the chief, flinging his huge limbs on a couch
and giving way to unrestrained laughter, till the tears ran down his
cheeks. "If they did not all look so grave when speaking about you, it
wouldn't be so hard to bear. It's the gravity that kills me. But come,
Branwen," he added, as he suddenly checked himself and took her hand,
"what makes you look so anxious, my child?"

"Because I feel frightened, and ashamed, and miserable," she answered,
with no symptom of her sire's hilarity. "I doubt if I should have
followed Bladud--but if I had not he would have died--and I don't like
to think of all the deceptions I have been practising--though I couldn't
very well help it--could I? Then I fear that Bladud will forget Cormac
when he learns to despise Branwen--"

"Despise Branwen!" shouted Gadarn, fiercely, as his hand involuntarily
grasped the hilt of his sword. "If he did, I would cleave him from his
skull to his waist--"

"Quiet you, my sweet father," said Branwen, with a little smile, "you
know that two can play at that game, and that you have a skull and a
waist as well as Bladud--though your waist is a good deal thicker than
his. I'm not so sure about the skull!"

"I accept your reproof, child, for boastfulness is hateful in a warrior.
But get up, my love. What would happen if some one came into the room
and found a little old hag sitting on my knee with her arm around my
neck?"

"Ah, true, father. I did not think of that. I'm rather given to not
thinking of some things. Perhaps that inquisitive servitor may be--no,
he's not there this time," said Branwen, reclosing the door and sitting
down on a stool beside the chief. "Now come, father, and learn your
lesson."

Gadarn folded his hands and looked at his child with an air of meek
humility.

"Well?"

"Well, first of all, you must tell the king tomorrow, at the right time,
that I have just come back, and am very tired and shall not appear till
you take me to him while the other people are being presented. Then you
will lead me forward and announce me with a loud voice, so that no one
shall fail to hear that I am Branwen, your daughter, you understand?
Now, mind you speak well out."

"I understand--with a shout, something like my battle-cry!"

"Not exactly so loud as that, but so as Bladud shall be sure to hear
you; and he will probably be near to his father at the time."

"Just so. What next?"

"