sixpence
to pay for it. She gave all the bread to the dog, and my master, who is
fond of dogs, told me to give 'em both a good supper. Poor dear! she
couldn't help crying; and my master, who is tender-hearted when he sees
a girl do be crying, tell me to give her and the dog a good supper and a
bed in the barn, which I did, is seure.'

Mr Prothero paid handsomely for his ale, and having learnt that Gladys
and Lion went straight to Carmarthen, went thither also. He made some
few inquiries at the small inns that he passed, but gained no
information. He accordingly rode through the town, and took the direct
route to Hob's Point, whence, he knew, she would probably sail for
Ireland.

The afternoon was far advanced, still he rode on. He began to feel as
anxious as he was angry and annoyed, and declared to himself that he
wouldn't turn back until he had found her. He soon began to track her
again. All the little boys on the way had noticed the big dog, and could
point out the route he and Gladys had pursued.

He stopped at one cottage where the mistress told him that she had made
the girl sit down in the porch, because she looked so tired; and at
another where she had asked how far it was to Pembrokeshire.

He had ridden about thirty miles, and twilight was creeping on. He began
to think of the necessity of finding a night's lodging, and once more
consigned Gladys and the Irish generally to any distant region where he
should never see them again.

'If she hadn't nursed mother so tenderly,' he muttered to himself, 'I'd
turn back now; but as she does seem to be running away from Owen, and
not with him, it 'ould be creuel.'

The moon, the young May moon, arose in the heavens, and the farmer
quickened his pace, for he knew the road, and that he was a good way
from an inn, or, indeed, from any habitation where he could ask a
night's lodging. Lights peeped out, one by one, from the cottages as he
passed, and when he glanced into them, and saw the cheerful little
fires, he thought more compassionately of Gladys, and wondered whether
she had found food and lodging for the night.

He was within a mile of a small village that he knew very well, when it
was about ten o'clock. The wind blew rather keenly, and he buttoned up
his great-coat, and began to whistle, by way of keeping himself warm.

'Come, old girl! we shall soon have something to eat! come along,' he
said to his mare, as he gave her a slight touch with his whip.

He