ck thee like that furze."

"And I will stamp them out as I do these furze, mother," and again she
laughed merrily, but ceased suddenly, and, with her finger held up,
listened intently.

"What is that sound?" she asked. "It is some one brushing through the
heather and furze. Who can it be? Is it Will?"

Both women were fluttered and frightened, for such a thing as a
footstep approaching their door at so late an hour was seldom heard,
for at Garthowen they all retired early, and the cottagers in the
village below avoided Sara as something uncanny, and looked askance
even at Morva, who seemed not to have much in common with the other
girls of the countryside.

"'Tis a man's step," she whispered, "and he is coming into the cwrt,"
and, while she was still speaking, there came a firm, though not loud,
knock at the door.

Morva shrank a little under the big chimney, where she stood in the
glow of the flaming furze; but Sara rose without hesitation, and going
to the door, opened it wide.

"Who is here so late at night?" she asked.

"Shall I come in, Sara, and I will explain?" said a pleasant, though
unknown voice. "'Twas to Garthowen I was going, but when I reached
there every light was put out, so I wouldn't wake the old man from his
first sleep, and I have come on here to see can you let me sleep here
to-night? Dost know me, Sara?"

"Gethin Owens!" exclaimed the old woman, with delighted surprise. "My
dear boy, come in!"

There was no light in the cottage except that of the fitful furze fire,
so that when Gethin entered he exclaimed at the darkness,

"Sara fach, let's have a light, for I am longing to see thee!"

Morva threw a fresh furze branch on the fire. The motion attracted
Gethin's attention, and as the quick flame leaped up, the girl stood
revealed. While Sara fumbled about for the candle the flame burnt out,
and for a moment there was gloom again.

"Hast one of thy spirits here, or was it an angel I saw standing there
by the fire?" said the newcomer; but when Sara had succeeded in
lighting the candle, he saw it was no spirit, but a creature of flesh
and blood who stood before him.

"No, no, 'tis only Morva," said Sara, dusting a chair and pushing it
towards him. "Sit thee down, my boy, and let me have a good look at
thee. Well! well! is it Gethin, indeed? this great big man, so tall
and broad."

But Gethin's eyes were fixed upon the girl, who still stood astonished
and bewildered under the