minutes, delicious butter and fresh butter-milk, with a liquor called
"diod griafol" (made from the berries of the Sorbus aucuparia,
infused in water and then fermented), composed the frugal repast; but
there was something so clean and neat, and withal such a true
welcome, that Owen had seldom enjoyed a meal so much. Indeed, at
that time of day the Welsh squires differed from the farmers more in
the plenty and rough abundance of their manner of living than in the
refinement of style of their table.

At the present day, down in Llyn, the Welsh gentry are not a wit
behind their Saxon equals in the expensive elegances of life; but
then (when there was but one pewter-service in all Northumberland)
there was nothing in Ellis Pritchard's mode of living that grated on
the young Squire's sense of refinement.

Little was said by that young pair of wooers during the meal; the
father had all the conversation to himself, apparently heedless of
the ardent looks and inattentive mien of his guest. As Owen became
more serious in his feelings, he grew more timid in their expression,
and at night, when they returned from their shooting-excursion, the
caress he gave Nest was almost as bashfully offered as received.

This was but the first of a series of days devoted to Nest in
reality, though at first he thought some little disguise of his
object was necessary. The past, the future, was all forgotten in
those happy days of love.

And every worldly plan, every womanly wile was put in practice by
Ellis Pritchard and his daughter, to render his visits agreeable and
alluring. Indeed, the very circumstance of his being welcome was