t she
was somewhat astonished at its length, and turning over the leaves once
or twice saw it was very closely written and had many words underlined.
"What can it be about?" was her thought as she read the first words,
"My own beloved sister--"

There was no one in the carriage to notice the varied expressions on
her face as she read the closely-written pages; but had anyone been
there to see the rapturous happiness which lightened up her features
and brightened her eyes as she drew towards the conclusion, they would
have wondered what joyful information could have so entranced and
delighted the girl who entered the carriage, although with a serene and
peaceful countenance, yet with a certain plaintive wistfulness in the
shadows of her blue eyes, which betokened no exemption from the
ordinary fate of mankind. But now! what unspeakable joy, what ecstatic
delight seemed to infuse fresh life and vigour to the fragile, graceful
form! For a few moments she crossed her hands on her bosom, and with
closed eyes remained silent; then, starting up and pacing backwards and
forwards in the limited space of a railway carriage, she gave the rein
to her delight and let her thoughts drop out in words of uncontrolled
expression.

"Cardo, oh, Cardo! what happiness for me at last, and for you,
dearest--it shall be for you, too! Oh, I see it all. He sought me out
and found Gwladys, and the strong, strange likeness between us deceived
him, though I cannot think how that was possible. Did he not feel the
difference? Let me see--what does she say?" And again she read
Gwladys's repentant, beseeching words. "Can you ever forgive me,
darling? I tried to look as like you as possible, and I tried to be as
harsh as I could at the same time. 'If I ever loved you,' I said, 'I
have ceased to do so, and my greatest wish is never to see you again.'"

"Oh! how dreadful," said Valmai, "how could he bear it? and how he must
have suffered since then; but I will make it all up to him, and now I
understand his conduct the other evening. Oh, you slow old puffing
engine, make haste, and take me to Blaenos Station, then there will be
a whole hour in that crawling coach, and then comes dear Caer Madoc!
and oh! it is market day. Cardo always drives in with Dr. Hughes on
that day, and walks home in the evening. I will walk! It will be like
that dear, happy night when we first met!" And at last her excitement
calming down, she settled herself again