unmusical-looking man began chanting "Pennillion," or a sort of
recitative stanzas, which were soon taken up by another, and this
amusement lasted so long that Owen grew weary, and was thinking of
retreating from his post by the door, when some little bustle was
occasioned, on the opposite side of the room, by the entrance of a
middle-aged man, and a young girl, apparently his daughter. The man
advanced to the bench occupied by the seniors of the party, who
welcomed him with the usual pretty Welsh greeting, "Pa sut mae dy
galon?" ("How is thy heart?") and drinking his health passed on to
him the cup of excellent cwrw. The girl, evidently a village belle,
was as warmly greeted by the young men, while the girls eyed her
rather askance with a half-jealous look, which Owen set down to the
score of her extreme prettiness. Like most Welsh women, she was of
middle size as to height, but beautifully made, with the most perfect
yet delicate roundness in every limb. Her little mob-cap was
carefully adjusted to a face which was excessively pretty, though it
never could be called handsome. It also was round, with the
slightest tendency to the oval shape, richly coloured, though
somewhat olive in complexion, with dimples in cheek and chin, and the
most scarlet lips Owen had ever seen, that were too short to meet
over the small pearly teeth. The nose was the most defective
feature; but the eyes were splendid. They were so long, so lustrous,
yet at times so very soft under their thick fringe of eyelash! The
nut-brown hair was carefully braided beneath the border of delicate
lace: it was evident the little village beauty knew how to make the
most of all her attractions, for the gay colours which were displayed
in her neckerchief were in complete harmony with the complexion.

Owen was much attracted, while yet he was amused, by the evident
coquetry the girl displayed, collecting around her a whole bevy of