Price; "if you must go."

"Yes, I must go; I must not be late for the meeting at Caer-Madoc."

The vicar hunted for his walking-stick, and Will helped his uncle to
get into his greatcoat.

"Thank you, my boy," said the old man, almost warmly, for he was
beginning to feel the ties of blood awakening in his heart.

In truth, he was so pleasantly impressed by his new-found nephew's
appearance and manners that already visions of a lonely hearth passed
before him, lightened by the presence of a young and ardent spirit, who
should look up to him for help and sympathy, giving in return the warm
love of relationship, which no heart, however cold and isolated, is
entirely capable of doing without.

Will was elated, and conscious of having stepped easily into his
uncle's good graces, he walked up the street with the two clergymen,
full of gratified pride.

On their way, to his great annoyance, they met Gryff Jones of
Pont-y-fro, a farmer's son holding the same position as his own. He
would have passed him with a nod, but the genial vicar, to whom every
man was of equal importance, whether lord or farmer, stopped to shake
hands and make kindly inquiries.

Will and the doctor moved on, and John Thomas the draper, standing at
his shop-door, turned round with a wink at his assistant and a knowing
smile.

"Well, well," he said, "Will Owens Garthowen _is_ a gentleman at last.
That's what he's been trying to be all his life."

At the door of the Bear Hotel they came upon a knot of ladies, who at
once surrounded Dr. Owen. He was a great favourite amongst them, his
popularity being partly due to his good looks and pleasant manners,
partly to his good position in the Church, and in some measure
certainly to his reputed riches.

Soon after entering the Church he had married a lady of wealth and good
position, who was considerably older than himself, and who, having no
children, at her death had bequeathed to him all her property. Many a
net had been spread for the rich widower, but he had hitherto escaped
their toils, and appeared perfectly content with his lonely life.

Will was almost overwhelmed with nervousness and shyness as they
reached the group of ladies; but, true to his purpose, he put on a look
of unconcern which he was far from feeling.

"How do you do, Mr. Owen?" said one of the girls, holding out her hand
with a shy friendliness, "I am Miss Vaughan, you know, whom you saved
from that furious bull."

"Yes,