ve also
pointed out that the ladies of the royal family and their female friends
formed an exception to the rule. It was, as it were, the dawn of
women's freedom--the insertion of the small end of that wedge which
Christianity and civilisation were destined to drive home--sometimes too
far home!

Gradually the hall began to fill, and the hum of conversation became
loud, when there was a slight bustle at the door which caused a
modification though not a cessation of the noise.

It was caused by the entrance of Gadarn leading Branwen by the hand.
The girl was now dressed in the costume that befitted her age and sex,
and it is best described by the word simplicity. Her rich auburn hair
fell in short natural curls on her neck--the luxuriant volume of it
having, as the reader is aware, been sacrificed some time before. She
wore no ornament of any kind save, on one side of her beautiful head, a
small bunch of wild-flowers that had survived the frost.

At the time of their entrance, Bladud was stooping to talk with Hafrydda
and did not observe them, but when he heard Gadarn's sonorous voice he
turned with interest to listen.

"King Hudibras," said the northern chief, in a tone that produced
instant silence, "I have found the lost one--my daughter Branwen."

As they moved through the crowd of tall warriors Bladud could not at
first catch sight of the girl.

"Ha! Hafrydda," he said, with a pleasant smile, "your young friend and
companion found at last. I congratulate you. I'm so glad that--"

He stopped, the colour fled from his cheeks, his chest heaved. He
almost gasped for breath. Could he believe his eyes, for there stood a
girl with the features, the hair, the eyes of Cormac, but infinitely
more beautiful!

For some time the poor prince stood utterly bereft of speech.
Fortunately no one observed him, as all were too much taken up with what
was going on. The king clasped the girl's hands and kissed her on both
cheeks. Then the queen followed, and asked her how she could have been
so cruel as to remain so long away. And Branwen said a few words in
reply.

It seemed as if an electric shock passed through Bladud, for the voice
also was the voice of Cormac!

At this point the prince turned to look at his sister. She was gazing
earnestly into his face.

"Hafrydda--is--is that really Branwen?"

"Yes, brother, that is Branwen. I must go to her."

As she spoke, she started off at a run and threw her arms