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。