me needlework in her hands one bright afternoon,
when the sunlight was streaming into the chamber, and the air floating
in through the narrow casement was full of scent and song, his eyes
fixed themselves upon her face with more of purpose and reflection, and
he begged her to tell him all that had passed.

"For I know that our guests are still here. Gertrude comes daily to see
me. But where are Llewelyn and Howel? I have not seen them once. Is my
father angry with them still? or have they been punished and forgiven?"

"Your brothers are still close prisoners," answered the mother with a
sigh. "They have been chastised with more severity than any son of ours
has needed to be chastised before; but they still remain sullen and
obdurate and revengeful, and thy father will not permit them to come out
from their retirement so long as our guests remain. Perchance it is best
so, for it would but cause trouble in the house for them to meet. I
would that they could see matters differently; and yet there are many
amongst our people who would say that the true patriotism was theirs."

"And our guests, mother -- why linger they still? Methought they Would
leave so soon as Lord Montacute returned."

"So they purposed once; but he has wished to remain till thou art sound
once more, my son. He hath a very warm feeling towards thee, and would
speak to thee of something that is in his heart ere he quits Dynevor. He
has spoken of it to thy father and to me, but he wishes thee to hear it
from his own lips."

Wendot's interest was aroused. Something in his mother's expression told
him that the thing of which she spoke was a matter of some importance.
As an eldest son and forward for his years, and of a reflective and
thoughtful turn, he had often been consulted by his parents, and
particularly by his mother, in matters rather beyond his comprehension,
and had shared in discussions which many youths of his age would have
shunned and despised. Now, therefore, he looked eagerly at his mother
and said:

"What is it he wishes to say Canst thou not tell me thyself?"

The Lady of Dynevor paused awhile in thought; and when she spoke, it did
not appear to be in direct reply to her son's question.

"Wendot," she said gravely, "thou hast heard much talk of the troubled
state of these times and of the nation's affairs. Thou hast lived long
enough to see how hopeless some amongst us feel it ever to hope for
unity amongst ourselves. We are torn a