, be my friend in this matter.
You promised when I first told you of my love for Valmai that you would
help us out of our difficulties. You are an ordained priest; can you
not marry us in the old church on the morning of the 14th? You know
the _Burrawalla_ sails on the 15th, and I go down to Fordsea the day
before, but not till noon. Can you not marry us in the morning?"

"Has Valmai consented?" asked Ellis, sinking down in the prow of the
boat and looking seriously at his companion.

"I--I--have not pressed the question, but if she agrees, will you do
it?"

"Do it? My dear fellow, you talk as if it were a very simple affair.
Do it, indeed! Where are the banns?"

"I would buy a license."

"And the ring?"

"At Caer Madoc." And Cardo began to look in deadly earnest.

"And what about the witnesses?"

"I have even thought of that. Are not your two friends, Wilson and
Chester, coming to Abersethin next week?"

"So they are," said Ellis, "to stay until I leave. The very thing.
They will be delighted with such a romantic little affair. But, Cardo,
how about my duty to your father, who has been a very kind friend to
me?"

"Well," said Cardo, "shall you be doing me an unkindness or the reverse
when you make Valmai my wife? Is she not all that a woman can be? has
she not every virtue and grace--"

"Oh, stop, my dear fellow! don't trouble to go through the inventory.
I'll allow you at once she is perfect in mind, body, and soul--and the
man to whom I marry her will owe me an eternal debt of gratitude!"

"True, indeed!" said Cardo, beginning energetically to lower the sails,
and guide the boat safely to shore.

He said no more, until, after a tramp over the beach, both buried in
their own thoughts, they drew near the path to Brynderyn.

"You will help me, then, at the old church on the morning of the
fourteenth?"

"I will," said Ellis.

Before that morning arrived, Cardo had won from Valmai a frightened and
half-reluctant consent.

She was no longer a child, but seemed to have matured suddenly into a
woman of calm and reflective character, as well as of deep and tender
feeling.

To be married thus hurriedly and secretly! How different to the
beautiful event which she had sometimes pictured for herself! Where
was the long, white veil? Where were the white-robed bridesmaids?
Where were the smiling friends to look on and to bless? There would be
none of these indeed, but then--there would be Card