shesmiled，andinhernativelanguagesaidthatshehadnoSaxon。
OnmytellingherinWelshthatIwascometoseethePistyllshesmiledagain，andsaidthatIwaswelcome，thentakingmeroundthehouse，shepointedtoapathandbademefollowit。Ifollowedthepathwhichleddownwardtoatinybridgeofplanks，alittlewaybelowthefall。Iadvancedtothemiddleofthebridge，thenturningtothewest，lookedatthewonderfulobjectbeforeme。
TherearemanyremarkablecataractsinBritainandtheneighbouringisles，eventhelittleCelticIsleofManhasitsremarkablewaterfall；butthisRhyadr，thegrandcataractofNorthWales，farexceedsthemallinaltitudeandbeauty，thoughitisinferiortoseveraloftheminthevolumeofitsflood。Ineversawwaterfallingsogracefully，somuchlikethinbeautifulthreads，ashere。Yeteventhiscataracthasitsblemish。Whatbeautifulobjecthasnotsomethingwhichmoreorlessmarsitsloveliness？
Thereisanuglyblackbridgeorsemi—circleofrock，abouttwofeetindiameterandabouttwentyfeethigh，whichrisessomelittlewaybelowit，andunderwhichthewater，afterreachingthebottom，passes，whichinterceptsthesight，andpreventsitfromtakinginthewholefallatonce。Thisunsightlyobjecthasstoodwhereitnowstandssincethedayofcreation，andwillprobablyremaintheretothedayofjudgment。Itwouldbeadesecrationofnaturetoremoveitbyart，butnoonecouldregretifnatureinoneofherfloodsweretosweepitaway。
AsIwasstandingontheplanksawomanplainlybutneatlydressedcamefromthehouse。SheaddressedmeinveryimperfectEnglish，sayingthatshewasthemistressofthehouseandshouldbehappytoshowmeabout。Ithankedherforheroffer，andtoldherthatshemightspeakWelsh，whereuponshelookedglad，andsaidinthattonguethatshecouldspeakWelshmuchbetterthanSaesneg。Shetookmebyawindingpathupasteepbankonthesouthernsideofthefalltoasmallplateau，andtoldmethatwasthebestplacetoseethePistyllfrom。Ididnotthinkso，forwewerenowsonearthatwewerealmostblindedbythespray，though，itistrue，thesemicircleofrocknolongerimpededthesight；thisobjectwenowsawnearlylaterallyrisinguplikeaspectralarch，sprayandfoamaboveit，andwaterrushingbelow。\"Thatisabridgeratherforysprydoedd（9）topassoverthanmen，\"saidI。
\"Itis，\"saidthewoman；\"butIoncesawamanpassoverit。\"
\"Howdidhegetup？\"saidI。\"Thesidesarequitesteepandslippery。\"
\"Hewriggledtothesideslikeallysowen，（10）tillhegottothetop，whenhestooduprightforaminute，andthensliddownontheotherside。\"
\"Washeanyonefromtheseparts？\"saidI。
\"Hewasnot。Hewasadyndieithr，aRussian；oneofthosewithwhomwearenowatwar。\"
\"Wasthereasmuchwatertumblingthenasnow？\"
\"More，fortherehadfallenmorerain。\"
\"Isupposethetorrentissometimesverydreadful？\"saidI。
\"Itisindeed，especiallyinwinter；foritisthenlikeasea，androarslikethunderoramadbull。\"
AfterIhadseenallIwishedofthecataract，thewomanaskedmetocometothehouseandtakesomerefreshment。Ifollowedhertoaneatlittleroomwhereshemademesitdownandhandedmeabowlofbutter—milk。Onthetablewasabookinwhichshetoldmeitwascustomaryforindividualswhovisitedthecataracttoinserttheirnames。Itookupthebookwhichcontainedanumberofnamesmingledhereandtherewithpiecesofpoetry。AmongstthesecompositionswasaWelshenglynontheRhyadr，which，thoughincorrectinitsprosody，Ithoughtstirringandgrand。Icopiedit，andsubjoinitwithatranslationwhichImadeonthespot。
\"Crychiawg，ewynawganian—ywyRhyadrYnrhuomaltaran；
Colofnodwr，gloyw—dwrglan，Gorwyllt，unlliwagarian。\"
Foamingandfrothingfrommountainousheight，RoaringlikethundertheRhyadrfalls；
Thoughitssilverysplendourtheeyemaydelight，Itsfurytheheartofthebravestappals。
CHAPTERLXXI
WildMoors—TheGuide—ScientificDiscourse—TheLandofArthur—TheUmbrella—ArrivalatBala。
WHENIhadrestedmyselfandfinishedthebuttermilk，Igotup，andmakingthegoodwomanasmallcompensationforhercivility，inquiredifIcouldgettoBalawithoutreturningtoLlanRhyadr。
\"Ohyes，\"saidshe，\"ifyoucrossthehillsforaboutfivemilesyouwillfindyourselfuponaroadwhichwilltakeyoustraighttoBala。\"
\"Isthereanyonehere，\"saidI，\"whowillguidemeoverthehills，providedIpayhimforhistrouble？\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidshe，\"Iknowonewhowillbehappytoguideyouwhetheryoupayhimornot。\"
Shewentoutandpresentlyreturnedwithamanaboutthirty—five，stoutandwell—looking，anddressedinawaggoner’sfrock。
\"There，\"saidshe，\"thisisthemantoshowyouoverthehills；fewknowthepathsbetter。\"
Ithankedher，andtellingthemanIwasready，badehimleadtheway。Wesetout，thetwodogsofwhichIhavespokenattendingus，andseeminglyverygladtogo。Weascendedthesideofthehog—
backedhilltothenorthoftheRhyadr。Wewereabouttwentyminutesingettingtothetop，closetowhichstoodastoneorpieceofrock，verymuchresemblingachurchaltar，andaboutthesizeofone。Wewerenowonanextensivemooryelevation，havingthebrookwhichformstheRhyadralittlewayonourleft。Wewentnearlyduewest，followingnopath，forpaththerewasnone，butkeepingnearthebrook。Sometimeswecrossedwater—courseswhichemptiedtheirtributeintothebrook，andeverynowandthenascendedanddescendedhillockscoveredwithgorseandwhin。AfteralittletimeIenteredintoconversationwithmyguide。HehadnotawordofEnglish。
\"Areyoumarried？\"saidI。
\"IntruthIam，sir。\"
\"Whatfamilyhaveyou？\"
\"Ihaveadaughter。\"
\"Wheredoyoulive？\"
\"AtthehouseoftheRhyadr。\"
\"Isupposeyoulivethereasservant？\"
\"No，sir，Ilivethereasmaster。\"
\"IsthegoodwomanIsawthereyourwife？\"
\"Intruth，sir，sheis。\"
\"AndtheyounggirlIsawyourdaughter？\"
\"Yes，sir，sheismydaughter。\"
\"Andhowcamethegoodwomannottotellmeyouwereherhusband？\"
\"Isuppose，sir，youdidnotaskwhoIwas，andshethoughtyoudidnotcaretoknow。\"
\"Butcanyoubesparedfromhome？\"
\"Ohyes，sir，Iwasnotwantedathome。\"
\"Whatbusinessareyou？\"
\"Iamafarmer，sir。\"
\"Asheepfarmer？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Whoisyourlandlord。\"
\"SirWatkin。\"
\"Well，itwasverykindofyoutocomewithme。\"
\"Notatall，sir；Iwasgladtocomewithyou，forweareverylonesomeatRhyadr，exceptduringafewweeksinthesummer，whenthegentrycometoseethePistyll。Moreover，Ihavesheeplyingaboutherewhichneedtobelookedatnowandthen，andbycominghitherwithyouIshallhaveanopportunityofseeingthem。\"
Wefrequentlypassedsheepfeedingtogetherinsmallnumbers。Intwoorthreeinstancesmyguidesingledoutindividuals，caughtthem，andplacingtheirheadsbetweenhiskneesexaminedtheinsidesoftheireyelids，inordertolearnbytheircolourwhetherornottheywereinfectedwiththepwdormoordisorder。Wehadsomediscourseaboutthatmalady。Atlastheaskedmeiftherewasaremedyforit。
\"Ohyes，\"saidI；\"adecoctionofhoarhound。\"
\"Whatishoarhound？\"saidhe。
\"LlwydyCwn，\"saidI。\"Poursomeofthatdownthesheep’sthroattwiceaday，bymeansofahorn，andthesheepwillrecover，forthebitterness，doyousee，willdestroytheworm（11）intheliver，whichlearnedmensayisthecauseofthedisorder。\"
Weleftthebrookonourlefthandandpassedbysomeruinedwallswhichmyguideinformedmehadoncebelongedtohousesbutwerenowusedassheepfolds。Afterwalkingseveralmiles，accordingtomycomputation，webegantoascendaconsiderableelevationcoveredwithbrownheathandling。Aswewentonthedogsfrequentlyputupabirdofablackcolour，whichflewawaywithasharpwhirr。
\"Whatbirdisthat？\"saidI。
\"Ceiliogygrug，thecockoftheheath，\"repliedmyguide。\"Itissaidtobeverygoodeating，butIhavenevertastedit。Theceiliogygrugisnotfoodforthelikeofme。ItgoestofeedtherichSaxonsinCaerLudd。\"
Wereachedthetopoftheelevation。
\"Yonder，\"saidmyguide，pointingtoawhitebareplaceagreatwayofftothewest，\"isBalaroad。\"
\"ThenIwillnottroubleyoutogoanyfurther，\"saidI；\"Icanfindmywaythither。\"
\"No，youcouldnot，\"saidmyguide；\"ifyouweretomakestraightforthatplaceyouwouldperhapsfalldownasteep，orsinkintoapeatholeuptoyourmiddle，orloseyourwayandneverfindtheroad，foryouwouldsoonlosesightofthatplace。Followme，andIwillleadyouintoapartoftheroadmoretotheleft，andthenyoucanfindyourwayeasilyenoughtothatbareplace，andfromthencetoBala。\"ThereuponhemovedinasoutherlydirectiondownthesteepandIfollowedhim。Inabouttwentyminuteswecametotheroad。
\"Now，\"saidmyguide，\"youareontheroad；beartotherightandyoucannotmissthewaytoBala。\"
\"HowfarisittoBala？\"saidI。
\"Abouttwelvemiles，\"hereplied。
Igavehimatrifle，askingatthesametimeifitwassufficient。
\"Toomuchbyone—half，\"hereplied；\"many，manythanks。\"Hethenshookmebythehand，andaccompaniedbyhisdogsdeparted，notbackoverthemoor，butinasoutherlydirectiondowntheroad。
Wendingmycoursetothenorth，IcametothewhitebarespotwhichIhadseenfromthemoor，andwhichwasinfactthetopofaconsiderableelevationoverwhichtheroadpassed。HereIturnedandlookedatthehillsIhadcomeacross。Theretheystood，darklyblue，araincloud，likeink，hangingovertheirsummits。
Oh，thewildhillsofWales，thelandofoldrenownandofwonder，thelandofArthurandMerlin！
Theroadnowlaynearlyduewest。Raincameon，butitwasatmyback，soIexpandedmyumbrella，flungitovermyshoulderandlaughed。Oh，howamanlaughswhohasagoodumbrellawhenhehastherainathisback，ayeandoverhisheadtoo，andatalltimeswhenitrainsexceptwhentherainisinhisface，whentheumbrellaisnotofmuchservice。Oh，whatagoodfriendtoamanisanumbrellainraintime，andlikewiseatmanyothertimes。
Whatneedhefearifawildbulloraferociousdogattackshim，providedhehasagoodumbrella？Heunfurlstheumbrellainthefaceofthebullordog，andthebruteturnsroundquitescared，andrunsaway。Orifafootpadaskshimforhismoney，whatneedhecareprovidedhehasanumbrella？Hethreatenstododgetheferruleintotheruffian’seye，andthefellowstartsbackandsays，\"Lord，sir！Imeantnoharm。Ineversawyoubeforeinallmylife。Imerelymeantalittlefun。\"Moreover，whodoubtsthatyouarearespectablecharacterprovidedyouhaveanumbrella？Yougointoapublic—houseandcallforapotofbeer，andthepublicanputsitdownbeforeyouwithonehandwithoutholdingouttheotherforthemoney，forheseesthatyouhaveanumbrellaandconsequentlyproperty。Andwhatrespectableman，whenyouovertakehimonthewayandspeaktohim，willrefusetoholdconversationwithyou，providedyouhaveanumbrella？Noone。Therespectablemanseesyouhaveanumbrella，andconcludesthatyoudonotintendtorobhim，andwithjustice，forrobbersnevercarryumbrellas。
Oh，atent，ashield，alance，andavoucherforcharacterisanumbrella。Amongsttheverybestfriendsofmanmustbereckonedanumbrella。（12）
Thewaylayoverdreary，mooryhills；atlastitbegantodescend，andIsawavalleybelowmewithanarrowriverrunningthroughit，towhichwoodedhillsslopeddown；fartothewestwerebluemountains。Thescenewasbeautifulbutmelancholy；therainhadpassedaway，butagloomyalmostNovemberskywasabove，andthemistsofnightwerecomingdownapace。
Icrossedabridgeatthebottomofthevalleyandpresentlysawaroadbranchingtotheright。Ipaused，butafteralittletimewentstraightforward。Gloomywoodswereoneachsideofmeandnighthadcomedown。FearcameuponmethatIwasnotontherightroad，butIsawnohouseatwhichIcouldinquire，nordidIseeasingleindividualformilesofwhomIcouldask。AtlastIheardthesoundofhatchetsinadingleonmyright，andcatchingaglimpseofagateattheheadofapath，whichleddownintoit，I
gotoverit。AfterdescendingsometimeIhallooed。Thenoiseofthehatchetsceased。Ihallooedagain，andavoicecriedinWelsh，\"Whatdoyouwant？\"\"ToknowthewaytoBala，\"Ireplied。Therewasnoanswer，butpresentlyIheardsteps，andthefigureofamandrewnigh，halfundistinguishableinthedarkness，andsalutedme。
Ireturnedhissalutation，andtoldhimIwantedtoknowthewaytoBala。Hetoldme，andIfoundIhadbeengoingright。Ithankedhimandregainedtheroad。Ispedonward，andinabouthalf—an—
hoursawsomehouses，thenabridge，thenalakeonmyleft，whichIrecognisedasthelakeofBala。Iskirtedtheendofit，andcametoastreetcheerfullylightedup，andinaminutemorewasintheWhiteLionInn。
CHAPTERLXXII
CheerfulFire—ImmenseMan—DoctorJones—Recognition—AFastYoungMan—ExcellentRemarks—Disappointment。
IWASconductedintothecoffee—roomoftheWhiteLionbyalittlefreckledmaidwhomIsawatthebar，andwhomItoldthatIwascometopassthenightattheinn。Theroompresentedanagreeablecontrasttothegloomy，desolateplacesthroughwhichIhadlatelycome。Agoodfireblazedinthegrate，andtherewerefourlightsonthetable。LollinginachairbyonesideofthefirewasanindividualatthesightofwhomIalmoststarted。Hewasanimmenseman，weighingIshouldsayatleasteighteenstone，withbrownhair，thinnishwhiskers，half—ruddy，half—tallowycomplexion，anddressedinabrownsportingcoat，drabbreeches，andyellow—
toppedboots—ineveryrespecttheexactimageoftheWolverhamptongentorhog—merchantwhohadappearedtomeinmydreamatLlangollen，whilstasleepbeforethefire。Yes，theverycounterpartofthatsamegentlookedthisenormousfellow，saveandexceptthathedidnotappeartobemorethansevenoreightandtwenty，whereasthehog—merchantlookedatleastfifty。LayingmysatcheldownItookaseatandorderedthemaidtogetsomedinnerforme，andthenaskedwhathadbecomeofthewaiter，TomJenkins。
\"Heisnothereatpresent，sir，\"saidthefreckledmaid；\"heisathisownhouse。\"
\"Andwhyishenothere？\"saidI。
\"Becauseheisnotwanted，sir；heonlycomesinsummerwhenthehouseisfullofpeople。\"
Andhavingsaidthisthelittlefreckleddamsellefttheroom。
\"Reitheracoolnight，sir！\"saidtheenormousmanafterwehadbeenalonetogetherafewminutes。
Iagainalmoststarted，forhespokewiththesamekindofhalf—
piping，half—wheezingvoice，withwhichmethoughttheWolverhamptongenthadspokentomeinmydream。
\"Yes，\"saidI；\"itisrathercoldoutabroad，butIdon’tcareasI
amnotgoinganyfartherto—night。\"
\"That’snotmycase，\"saidthestoutman，\"Ihavegottogotenmiles，asfarasCerrigDrudion，fromwhichplaceIcamethisafternooninawehicle。\"
\"DoyouresideatCerrigDrudion？\"saidI。
\"No，\"saidthestoutman，whosedialectIshallnotattemptfurthertoimitate，\"butIhavebeenstayingtheresometime；forhappeningtogothereamonthortwoagoIwastemptedtotakeupmyquartersattheinn。Averyniceinnitis，andthelandladyaveryagreeablewoman，andherdaughtersveryagreeableyoungladies。\"
\"IsthisthefirsttimeyouhavebeenatBala？\"
\"Yes，thefirsttime。Ihadheardagooddealaboutit，andwishedtoseeit。Soto—day，havingtheofferofavehicleatacheaprate，Icameoverwithtwoorthreeothergents，amongstwhomisDoctorJones。\"
\"Dearme\"saidI，\"isDoctorJonesinBala？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthestoutman。\"Doyouknowhim？\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidI，\"andhaveagreatrespectforhim；hislikeforpolitenessandgenerallearningisscarcelytobefoundinBritain。\"
\"Onlythink，\"saidthestoutman。\"Well，Ineverheardthatofhimbefore。\"
WishingtoseemysleepingroombeforeIgotmydinner，Inowroseandwasmakingforthedoor，whenitopened，andincameDoctorJones。Hehadamufflerroundhisneck，andwalkedratherslowlyanddisconsolately，leaninguponacane。Hepassedwithoutappearingtorecogniseme，andI，thinkingitwouldbeaswelltodeferclaimingacquaintancewithhimtillIhadputmyselfalittletorights，wentoutwithoutsayinganythingtohim。Iwasshownbythefreckledmaidtoanicesleepingapartment，whereIstayedsometimeadjustingmyself。Onmyreturntothecoffee—roomIfoundthedoctorsittingnearthefire—place。Thestoutmanhadlefttheroom。IhadnodoubtthathehadtoldDoctorJonesthatIhadclaimedacquaintancewithhim，andthatthedoctor，nothavingrecollectedme，haddeniedthatheknewanythingofme，forI
observedthathelookedatmeverysuspiciously。
Itookmyformerseat，andafteraminute’ssilencesaidtoDoctorJones，\"Ithink，sir，IhadthepleasureofseeingyousometimeagoatCerrigDrudion？\"
\"It’spossible，sir，\"saidDoctorJonesinatoneofconsiderablehauteur，andtossinghisheadsothattheendofhischinwasabovehiscomforter，\"butIhavenorecollectionofit。\"
Iheldmyheaddownforalittletime，thenraisingitandlikewisemyforefinger，IlookedDoctorJonesfullinthefaceandsaid，\"Don’tyouremembertalkingtomeaboutOwenPughandCollGwynfa？\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidDoctorJonesinaverylowvoice，likethatofapersonwhodeliberates；\"yes，Ido。Irememberyouperfectly，sir，\"headdedalmostimmediatelyinatoneofsomeanimation；\"youarethegentlemanwithwhomIhadaveryinterestingconversationoneeveninglastsummerinthebaroftheinnatCerrigDrudion。I
regrettedverymuchthatourconversationwasratherbrief，butI
wascalledawaytoattendtoacase，aprofessionalcase，sir，ofsomedelicacy，andIhavesinceparticularlyregrettedthatIwasunabletoreturnthatnight，asitwouldhavegivenmemuchpleasuretohavebeenpresentatadialogue，whichIhavebeentoldbymyfriendthelandlady，youheldwithacertainItalianwhowasstayingatthehouse，whichwashighlyagreeableandinstructivetoherselfandherdaughter。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"Iamrejoicedthatfatehasbroughtustogetheragain。HowhaveyoubeeninhealthsinceIhadthepleasureofseeingyou？\"
\"Ratherindifferent，sir，ratherindifferent。Ihaveoflatebeenafflictedwithseveralailments，theoriginalcauseofwhich，I
believe，wasaresidenceofseveralyearsintheYnysoeddyGorllewin—theWestIndiaIslands—whereIhadthehonourofservingherpresentgraciousMajesty’sgraciousuncle，GeorgetheFourth—inamedicalcapacity，sir。Ihavelikewisebeenafflictedwithlownessofspirits，sir。ItwasthissamelownessofspiritswhichinducedmetoacceptaninvitationmadebytheindividuallatelyintheroomtoaccompanyhiminavehiclewithsomeotherpeopletoBala。Ishallalwaysconsidermycomingasafortunatecircumstance，inasmuchasithasgivenmeanopportunityofrenewingmyacquaintancewithyou。\"
\"Pray，\"saidI，\"mayItakethelibertyofaskingwhothatindividualis？\"
\"Why，\"saidDoctorJones，\"heiswhattheycallaWolverhamptongent。\"
\"AWolverhamptongent，\"saidItomyself；\"onlythink！\"
\"Wereyoupleasedtomakeanyobservation，sir？\"saidthedoctor。
\"Iwasmerelysayingsomethingtomyself，\"saidI。\"Andinwhatlineofbusinessmayhebe？Isupposeinthehogline。\"
\"Ohno！\"saidDoctorJones。\"Hisfather，itistrue，isahog—
merchant，butasforhimselfhefollowsnobusiness；heiswhatiscalledafastyoungman，andgoesabouthereandthereonthespree，asIthinktheytermit，drawing，wheneverhewantsmoney，uponhisfather，whoisinaffluentcircumstances。SometimeagohecametoCerrigDrudion，andwassomuchpleasedwiththeplace，thelandlady，andherdaughters，thathehasmadeithisheadquarterseversince。BeingfrequentlyatthehouseIformedanacquaintancewithhim，andhaveoccasionallymadeoneinhispartiesandexcursions，thoughIcan’tsayIderivemuchpleasurefromhisconversation，forheisapersonoflittleornoliterature。\"
\"Thesonofahog—merchant，\"thoughtItomyself。\"Dependuponit，thatimmensefellowwhomIsawinmydreampurchasethebighogatLlangollenfair，andwhowantedmetogivehimapoondforhisbargain，wasthisgent’sfather。Oh，thereismuchmoreindreamsthanisgenerallydreamtofbyphilosophy！\"
DoctorJonespresentlybegantotalkofWelshliterature，andwewerebusilyengagedindiscussingthesubjectwheninwalkedthefastyoungman，causingthefloortoquakebeneathhisponderoustread。Helookedrathersurprisedatseeingthedoctorandmeconversing，butDoctorJonesturningtohim，said，\"Oh，Irememberthisgentlemanperfectly。\"
\"Oh！\"saidthefastyoungman；\"verygood！\"thenflinginghimselfdowninachairwithaforcethatnearlybrokeit，andfixinghiseyesuponme，said，\"IthinkIrememberthegentlemantoo。IfIamnotmuchmistaken，sir，youareoneofourprincipalengineersatWolverhampton。Ohyes！Irememberyounowperfectly。ThelasttimeIsawyouwasatapublicdinnergiventoyouatWolverhampton，andthereyoumadeaspeech，andacapitalspeechitwas。\"
JustasIwasabouttoreplyDoctorJonescommencedspeakingWelsh，resumingthediscourseonWelshliterature。Before，however，hehadutteredadozenwordshewasinterruptedbytheWolverhamptongent，whoexclaimedinablubberingtone：\"OLord，youaresurelynotgoingtospeakWelsh。IfIhadthoughtIwastobebotheredwithWelshIwouldn’thaveaskedyoutocome。\"
\"IfIspokeWelsh，sir，\"saidthedoctor，\"itwasoutofcomplimenttothisgentleman，whoisaproficientintheancientlanguageofmycountry。As，however，youdislikeWelsh，IshallcarryontheconversationwithhiminEnglish，thoughperadventureyoumaynotbemoreedifiedbyitinthatlanguagethanifitwereheldinWelsh。\"
HethenproceededtomakesomeveryexcellentremarksonthehistoryoftheGwedirfamily，writtenbySirJohnWynn，towhichtheWolverhamptongentlistenedwithopenmouthandstaringeyes。
Mydinnernowmadeitsappearance，broughtinbythelittlefreckledmaid—theclothhadbeenlaidduringmyabsencefromtheroom。Ihadjustbeguntohandlemyknifeandfork，DoctorJonesstillcontinuinghisobservationsonthehistoryoftheGwedirfamily，whenIheardacarriagedriveuptotheinn，andalmostimmediatelyafter，twoorthreeyoungfellowsrollickedintotheroom：\"Comelet’sbeoff，\"saidoneofthemtotheWolverhamptongent；\"thecarriageisready。\"\"I’mgladofit，\"saidthefastyoungman，\"forit’sratherslowworkhere。Come，doctor！areyougoingwithusordoyouintendtostayhereallnight？\"Thereuponthedoctorgotup，andcomingtowardsmeleaningonhiscane，said：
\"Sir！itgivesmeinfinitepleasurethatIhavemetasecondtimeagentlemanofsomuchliterature。ThatweshallevermeetathirdtimeImaywishbutcanscarcelyhope，owingtocertainailmentsunderwhichIsuffer，broughton，sir，byaresidenceofmanyyearsintheOccidentalIndies。However，atallevents，Iwishyouhealthandhappiness。\"HethenshookmegentlybythehandanddepartedwiththeWolverhamptongentandhiscompanions；thegentashestumpedoutoftheroomsaying，\"Good—night，sir；IhopeitwillnotbelongbeforeIseeyouatanotherpublicdinneratWolverhampton，andhearanotherspeechfromyouasgoodasthelast。\"InaminuteortwoIheardthemdriveoff。LefttomyselfIbegantodiscussmydinner。OfthedinnerIhadnothingtocomplain，butthealewhichaccompanieditwasverybad。Thiswasthemoremortifying，for，rememberingtheexcellentaleIhaddrunkatBalasomemonthspreviously，Ihad，asIcamealongthegloomyroadsthepresentevening，beenpromisingmyselfadelicioustreatonmyarrival。
\"Thisisverybadale！\"saidItothefreckledmaid，\"verydifferentfromwhatIdrankinthesummer，whenIwaswaitedonbyTomJenkins。\"
\"Itisthesameale，sir，\"saidthemaid，\"butthelastinthecask；andweshan’thaveanymoreforsixmonths，whenhewillcomeagaintobrewforthesummer；butwehaveverygoodporter，sir，andfirst—rateAllsopp。\"
\"Allsopp’sale，\"saidI，\"willdoforJulyandAugust，butscarcelyfortheendofOctober。However，bringmeapint；Ipreferitatalltimestoporter。\"
Mydinnerconcluded，Itrifledawaymytimetillaboutteno’clock，andthenwenttobed。
CHAPTERLXXIII
Breakfast—TheFreckledMaid—LlanuwchLlyn—TheLandlady—
LlewarchHen—ConversionstotheChurch。
AWAKINGoccasionallyinthenightIheardmuchstormandrain。Thefollowingmorningitwasgloomyandlowering。AsitwasSundayI
determinedtopassthedayatBala，andaccordinglytookmyPrayerBookoutofmysatchel，andalsomysinglewhiteshirt，whichIputon。
HavingdressedmyselfIwenttothecoffee—roomandsatdowntobreakfast。Whatabreakfast！—potofhare；dittooftrout；potofpreparedshrimps；dishofplainshrimps；tinofsardines；beautifulbeef—steak；eggs，muffin；largeloaf，andbutter，notforgettingcapitaltea。There’sabreakfastforyou！
AsthelittlefreckledmaidwasremovingthebreakfastthingsI
askedherhowoldshewas。