f that," said I--"the swell coves spare no expense
for their education--so that they may be able to play parts according to
circumstances. I strongly advise you, Mr, to put that bag somewhere else
lest something should happen to it."

"Well, Mr, I'll take your advice. These are my quarters, and I was
merely going to keep the money here for convenience' sake. The money
belongs to the bank, so it is but right to stow it away in the bank safe.
I certainly should be loth to leave it here with you in the room, after
what you have said." He then got up, unlocked the drawer, took out the
bag, and with a "Goodnight, Mr," left the room.

I "trifled" over my brandy and water till I finished it, and then walked
forth to look at the town. I turned up a street, which led to the east,
and soon found myself beside the lake at the north-west extremity of
which Bala stands. It appeared a very noble sheet of water stretching
from north to south for several miles. As, however, night was fast
coming on I did not see it to its full advantage. After gazing upon it
for a few minutes I sauntered back to the square, or marketplace, and
leaning my back against a wall, listened to the conversation of two or
three groups of people who were standing near, my motive for doing so
being a desire to know what kind of Welsh they spoke. Their language as
far as I heard it differed in scarcely any respect from that of
Llangollen. I, however, heard very little of it, for I had scarcely kept
my station a minute when the good folks became uneasy, cast side-glances
at me, first dropped their conversation to whispers, next held their
tongues altogether, and finally moved off, some going to their homes,
others moving to a distance and then grouping together--even certain
ragged boys who were playing and chattering near me became uneasy, first
stood still, then stared at me, and then took themselves off and played
and chattered at a distance. Now what was the cause of all this? Why,
suspicion of the Saxon. The Welsh are afraid lest an Englishman should
understand their language, and, by hearing their conversation, become
acquainted with their private affairs, or by listening to it, pick up
their language which they have no mind that he should know--and their
very children sympathise with them. All conquered people are suspicious
of their conquerors, The English have forgot that they ever conquered the
Welsh, but some ages will elapse before the Wel