They lingered and seemed likely to linger ; yet, never at the beginning of the much dreaded winter had Elias Morgan wished his lodger to stay half as earnestly as he now longed for his departure.

Kezia had discovered--and shown to Elias certain cards-bearing the name of Mr. John R. Cunliff.

Kezia," he said one evening entering the kitchen and looking at the young woman with a sharp, anxious glance, "where is Hirell ?"

"She is gone with her work to Judy Griffiths'," answered Kezia.

"I thought so," said Elias, a gloom overspreading his face. "Mr. Rymer is standing at the door talking to some one."

Judy Griffiths was the bed-ridden mother of one of Elias' labourers, and lived in a hovel above Bod Elian.

Kezia said nothing in answer to Elias' last statement, but bent over her knitting with a tender concern and perplexity in her eyes. Elias sat down just as he had come in from work, in his soiled clothes and wet boots. He laid his tall-crowned, beaver hat on the

table, and with his elbow on its wide brim leant his head on his hand.

Kezia," he said, "you are right. Whereever Hirell goes he follows her, and she— have you noticed her? have you watched her? does it seem to you as it does to me, that she is not herself when he is away? Yesterday when he went to Aber, do you recollect how dull and tired she seemed all the afternoon-and then in the evening did notice her, Kezia?"

you

The question was asked in a voice yearning for a denial of the thing it intimated, but Kezia's eyes looked into his as they always did, with perfect truthfulness. Her looks at this moment sorrowfully confirmed his fears, while meekly claiming to share them.

"I know she thinks a great deal of him, Elias. I used to think it was his book learning only at first that made her brighten so when he spoke-but I'm afraid now," and Kezia finished by shaking her head gently. "He must go,

"He must go," said Elias. Kezia. I must tell him so."

Elias on saying this rose and went out as he generally did when he came to any im

portant decision; for though seldom overruled by any of his family, he judged it best not to allow himself to be tempted by listening to their arguments.

That night Mr. Rymer received notice to leave.

CHAPTER XIII.

A FRIENDLY LETTER.

WHILE yet the annoyance of Elias's notice to leave was upon Mr. Rymer's mind, and before he had even attempted to think out the many embarrassing questions involved, he had another surprise in the shape of a letter brought by the postman, addressed— Mr. John Rymer, Dolgarrog, but with a note appended in brackets, [Enquire in the neighbourhood of the gold mines].

""Tis from Arnold! How on earth has he found me out?"

Found me out! The words seemed to mock him with their double meaning. His cheek reddened as he remembered their last interview-and the falsehood he had told his friend about Mrs. Rhys. It was with no pleasure he began the perusal of the lengthy document.

"MY DEAR RYMER,

House of Commons, 186

"You will wonder to see yourself thus addressed; but your wonder will hardly be greater than mine in having so to write. Thus it happens: Our friend, Lord Bullyblow (to stick to the old name) has just been touring it through North Wales; and he tells me that one day he came somewhat abruptly on a gentleman lying on the sward, and seemingly in a deep reverie, who started at the intrusion, and looked disturbed as he turned away. Our noble friend apologisedreceived a polite bow in acknowledgment— and saw nothing more of the musing solitary, except his back as he walked off. Bullyblow is great in the knowledge of backs. He swears he can tell any man whom he has once known, no matter how different or disguising the address, by the look of his back. And thus he declares the owner of that back was Mr. John Cunliff

"He thought he would ask a question about the stranger at the toll-gate near; and learned he was a gentleman who looked

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