"Only the mill!" said Ivor again.
"Yes, there's pretty it is in the moonlight! and there's nice things the river is saying down there!"
"Yes, 'tis a pretty home; but lonely, lass—lonely for me; wilt not come and brighten it, Gwladys? Think how long I have waited; think how much I have suffered—and thee, too! Come, Gwladys, come to the mill with me! Come, f'anwylyd, I have not hurried thee; but every week has seemed a month lately and every month a year! Is there any reason in earth or heaven why we should not be married now? Why art so silent, Gwladys?"
"Only, Ivor, I am wondering can it be that there is so much happiness in store for me and thee?"
"Yes," said Ivor, in a loud, determined tone, "there is love and happiness in store for us, if thou wilt only give thyself to me. Come and be the mistress of the old mill, f'anwylyd; come and be the queen and idol of my heart, as thou hast always been! When will we be married? To-morrow?"
"Caton pawb, Ivor, thou art taking my breath away."
"Next week, then?"
"Well, indeed, it will only be on one condition," and she held up her finger playfully.
"Oh, listen to her," said Ivor delightedly, "she's beginning to lay down the law already; and what conditions does my queen enforce?" and taking off his hat he made her a sweeping bow.
"Well, 'tis this," said Gwladys; "there must be no wedding—I mean—only thee and me, Ivor."
"What! not the parson?"
"Oh, of course, fwlcyn dwl; but no one else."
"Agreed!" said Ivor.
"And no one at Mwntseison must know about it, only mother."
"Agreed!" said Ivor again. "And why must we have no one at our wedding, fanwylyd?"
"There will be two there indeed, I think," she said, the merry dimples giving place to a more serious, though happy smile.
Ivor looked at her for a moment inquiringly.
"Dost mean Hugh and Mari Vone?"
She nodded.
"'Tis a beautiful thought indeed, lass; and why not? and thou art right, Gwladys, 'twould be hard indeed to find fit company for them."
And so it was settled between them; and in the old mill by the Berwen, Ivor and Gwladys found in the long years to come that happiness, so long delayed and waited for, is sometimes found even on earth!
[1] Dear heart.
[2] Without pride.
[3] Bundle.
THE END