tern man,
felt disposed to stand upon his dignity, and severely rebuke the son who
had run away from home and remained away so long. But an undercurrent
of tenderness, and pride in the youth's grand appearance, and great
prowess, induced him to give in with a good grace and extend to him
unreserved forgiveness.

As for the queen, she made no attempt to conceal her joy and pride, and
the same may be said of the princess.

There was instituted a series of fetes and games in honour of the return
of the prodigal, at which he was made--not unwillingly--to show the
skill which he had acquired from practising with the competitors at the
Olympic games, about which the islanders had heard from Phoenician
traders from time to time, and great was the interest thus created,
especially when he showed them, among other arts, how to use their fists
in boxing, and their swords in guarding so as to enable them to dispense
with a shield. But these festivities did not prevent him from taking an
interest in the search that his father and the hunters were still making
for Branwen.

When many days had passed, however, and no word of her whereabouts was
forthcoming, it was at last arranged that a message regarding her
disappearance should be sent to her father's tribe by a party of
warriors who were to be led by the prince himself.

"I will go gladly," he said to his sister, a day or two before the party
was to set out. "For your sake, Hafrydda, I will do my best to clear up
the mystery; and I think it highly probable that I shall find the
runaway safely lodged in her father's house."

"I fear not," returned Hafrydda, with a sad look. "It seems impossible
that she could have made her way so far alone through the wild forests."

"But she may not have been alone. Friends may have helped her."

"She had no friends in the town, having been here but a short time,"
objected the princess. "But do your best to find her, Bladud, for I
feel quite sure that you will fall in love with her when you see her."

The youth laughed.

"No fear of that," he said, "many a pretty girl have I seen in the East;
nevertheless I have, as you see, left them all without a thought of ever
returning again."

"But I did not say you would fall in love with Branwen because she is
pretty. I feel sure that you will, because she is sweet, and merry, and
good--yet thoughtful--wonderfully thoughtful!"

"Ay, and you may add," said the queen, who came into the ro