carce ventured to
raise its branches above the ground, caught his foot and sent him
headlong into a rotten stump, which seemed only too ready to receive
him. Extracting his head from its embrace, he stood up in a bewildered
frame of mind, found that the light-footed Branwen had escaped him, and
sat down again on the fallen tree to recover his equanimity.

Meanwhile the poor girl ran back to the palace, rushed into Hafrydda's
room, threw herself on a couch, and burst into tears.

This was such an unwonted exhibition of weakness in Branwen that the
princess stood looking at her for a few moments in silent surprise.
Then she sought to comfort her, and made her relate, bit by bit, with
many a sob between, what had occurred.

"But why do you cry so bitterly?" asked Hafrydda. "It is so unlike you
to give way to despair. Besides, you defied him, you say, and you were
right to do so, for my dear father will never force you to wed against
your wishes."

"I know better," returned the other, with some bitterness. "Did he not
intend to make _you_ wed against your wishes?"

"That is true," replied the gentle Hafrydda, with a sigh. "But I am
saved from that now," she added, brightening up suddenly, "and that
reminds me of the good news. Do you know who the handsome youth is who
rescued me from this monster?"

"No, I don't; and I'm sure I don't care," answered Branwen, with a touch
of petulance. "At all events, I suppose you will be glad of the change
of husbands."

"He will never be my husband," returned the princess, somewhat amused by
her friend's tone, for she suspected the cause. "He is my brother
Bladud--my long-lost brother!"

The change that came over Branwen's pretty face on hearing this was
remarkable.

"Your brother!" she exclaimed. "No wonder that he is beautiful, as well
as brave!"

A merry laugh broke from the princess as she kissed her friend. "Well,
but," she said, "what will you do? You know that always, when I have
been perplexed or in trouble, I have come to you for help and advice.
Now that things are turned the other way, I know not what advice to give
you."

"I have settled what to do," answered Branwen, drying her eyes, and
looking up with the air of one whose mind has been suddenly and firmly
made up. "Your father, I know, will consent to Gunrig's wishes. If he
did not, there would be war again--horrible war--between the tribes. I
will never be the cause of that if I can help it. A