r of languor; he had stood the long days of rough
riding without the smallest fatigue. It really seemed as if the old
Wendot had come back again, and she smilingly asked him how it was that
he had gained such strength in so short a time.

"Ah, that question is soon answered, sweet wife. It is freedom that is
the elixir of life to us sons of Cambria. I know not if your
English-born men can brook the sense of fetter and constraint, but it is
death to us.

"Let us not think of it more. That page has closed for ever; and never
shall it reopen, for sooner will I die than fall alive into the hands of
a foe. Nay, sweetest Gertrude, look not so reproachfully at me. Thou
shalt soon see that I mean not to die, but to live for thee. Here in
this fair, free spot we begin our new life together. It may be even yet
-- for see, is not that bright sky, illumined by those quivering shafts
of light athwart our path, an omen of good? -- that as thou showest me
this fair spot with which thou hast endowed me, I may one day show thee
again and endow thee with the broad lands of Dynevor."

CHAPTER XIII. THE NEW LORD OF DYNEVOR.

"Vychan, Vychan, the hour has come! That false traitor Sir Res has risen
in revolt against England's king. Loyal men are called upon to put down
the rebellion, and such as do so will be rewarded with the lands reft
from the traitor. Vychan, Vychan, lose not a moment; arm and take the
men, and fly to Dynevor! Now is the time to strike the blow! And I will
to Edward's court, to plead with him for the lands and castle of Dynevor
as my husband's guerdon for his services. O Vychan, Vychan, have not I
always said that thou shouldest live to call thyself Lord of Dynevor again?"

Gertrude came flying to her husband with these words, looking scarce
less young and certainly none less bright and happy than she had done
four years back, when she and her husband had first stood within the
walls of her ancestral home. A beautiful, sturdy boy hung upon her hand,
keeping pace gallantly even with her flying steps, and the joy of
motherhood had given something of added lustre to the soft beauty of her
dark eyes; otherwise she was scarce changed from the Gertrude of past
days. As for Vychan, he still retained the eagle glance, the almost
boyish freshness of colouring, and the soldier-like bearing which
distinguished his race, and the gold of his hair had not tarnished or
faded, though he had developed from the youth to the