"I would rather go alone," said Gwladys, and she left him pulling his boat up the little strand.
Her mind was full of confused emotions—astonishment, pride, admiration for the man whom she considered so much above her, wonder why the events of the night left, her so dissatisfied; and above all, her heart was sore with longing for Ivor's love! She dropped her creel of laver-weed at Nance Owen's door, and as she reached the village road, with every step her heart asked the weary question, "Why—why is it not Ivor?"
Darkness had fallen, and the moon, hidden by a bank of clouds, shed no light on the scene; but every step of the road was familiar to Gwladys. She moved aside to make room for a rumbling car which came noisily down the hill, its occupants talking loudly, and—surely one of the voices was Ivor's! There were three sitting close together on the board which did duty for a seat, the driver and Ivor, and between them a girl, around whom the latter's arm was thrown, and who seemed content with his protection. She knew Ivor had been absent from the village since the previous day, for he had accompanied the delayed sails in the waggon to their destination on Aberython quay; and from there he was now returning rather hurriedly, for the purpose of consulting the Mishteer on some matter of business which had cropped up at the little town. He was bringing with him a cousin, who was to stay some weeks at his lodgings for change of air; she was a delicate girl, far gone in consumption, and his kindly thought had suggested a short sojourn at Mwntseison. The drive had shaken her much, and he had held her up with his strong arm, until he had lifted her safely out of the car, and placed her under his landlady's care.
After a hasty visit to Hugh Morgan he returned the same night to Aberython.
A spasm of jealousy was added to the dull aching already filling Gwladys' heart, and as she plodded on up the hill, she called herself to task, and blamed herself for her misery.
"Oh! if mother knew," she said, "that her little daughter had been so bold and so foolish as to give her heart to a man who had never asked for it, what would she say? What did she say about Gwen? 'When a girl shows her love too plainly, a wise man draws back!' Have I shown my love to Ivor? and is he drawing back because of that? I will be more careful—and I don't love him! to-night I feel I hate him! And who was that bold girl, I wonder, who sat with him? not Madlen, nor Shân, nor Ana! But why do I care?"
"Oh, mother, I am tired!" she added, as she entered the house, and threw herself wearily on the settle.
Her mother looked at her with surprise, for the words, "I am tired, mother!" had been left behind with her childish frocks and bare feet.
"Come to supper, merch i. Where hast been?"
"On the shore and the water," said Gwladys, in a listless tone. "Mother, I have something wonderful to tell thee!"