words."

Howel looked a little discomfited by his younger brother's rebuke,
though he read nothing but sympathy and mute approbation in Llewelyn's
sullen face and gloomy eyes. He dropped a pace or so behind and joined
his twin, whilst Wendot and Griffeth led the way in front.

"Who are these folks?" asked Wendot; "and whence come they? And why have
they thus presented themselves unarmed at Dynevor? Is it an errand of
peace? And why speakest thou of women and children?"

"Why, brother, because the traveller has his little daughter with him,
and her woman is in their train of servants. I know not what has brought
them hither, but I gather they have lost their road, and lighted by
chance on Dynevor. Methinks they are on a visit to the Abbey of Strata
Florida; but at least they come as simple, unarmed strangers, and it is
the boast of Wales that even unarmed foes may travel through the breadth
and length of the land and meet no harm from its sons. For my part I
would have it always so. I would not wage war on all alike. Doubtless
there are those, even amongst the English, who are men of bravery and
honour."

"I doubt it not," answered Wendot, with a gravity rather beyond his
years. "If all our mother teaches us be true, we Welshmen have been
worse enemies to one another than ever the English have been. I would
not let Llewelyn or Howel hear me say so, and I would fain believe it
not. But when we see how this fair land has been torn and rent by the
struggles after land and power, and how our own kinsman, Meredith ap
Res, is toying with Edward, and striving to take from us the lands we
hold yet -- so greatly diminished from the old portion claimed by the