before been known to invade the sanctity of the "big seat," and what
brought him there on this particular evening was one of those mysteries
which enshroud the possibilities of animal instinct. Perhaps he had
been struck by the dejected attitude of his master, as he followed his
daughter and son-in-law through the farmyard; at all events the loving
and loyal heart had felt that over that bent head and stooping figure a
cloud of trouble hung low, and as he followed his master through the
silent congregation he hung his head and drooped his tail as though he
himself were the delinquent.

"Come, Ann, let us follow him," whispered Morva.

"No," answered Ann, withdrawing her hand from Morva's warm clasp, "I
cannot. Go thou and comfort him. I will wait for Gwilym."

And Morva did not hesitate, though it required some courage to make her
way through that shocked and scandalised throng.

Gaining the door, where the fresh night air met her with refreshing
coolness, she saw the tall, stooping figure moving slowly up the stony
road, followed by the dejected Tudor, and in a moment was at his side.
Taking his hard, rough hand in both her warm palms she lifted it to her
cheek and pressed it to her neck.

"'N'wncwl Ebben dear, and dear, and very dear! my heart is breaking for
you! To think that while we knew nothing about it you were bearing all
the burden of your repentance alone. But there is plenty of love in
all our hearts to sink every sin you ever committed in its depths, for
the sake of all the good you have done and all the kindness you have
shown to me and to every one who came near you, and you know God's