“Dynevor, Dynevor! me fight for Dynevor, too.”

The father picked up his son and held him in a close embrace.

“Ay, Griffeth, my man, thou shalt reign at Dynevor one of these days, please God to give us victory over false friends and traitorous allies.”

And even as the parents stood looking smilingly at the brave child, the blast from the warder’s trumpet gave notice that strangers were approaching the Hall; and hurrying to the entrance gate to be ready to receive the guests, Vychan and his wife beheld a little troop of horsemen winding their way up the valley, headed by a pair who appeared to be man and wife, and to hold some exalted position, for the trappings of their steeds and the richness of their own dress marked them as of no humble rank.

Visitors were sufficiently rare at this lonely place for this sight to cause some stir in the Hall; and Gertrude, shading her eyes with her hand, gazed eagerly at the two figures in advance.  Suddenly she gave a little cry of rapture, and bounded forward through the gateway.

“It is Arthyn —­ Arthyn and Llewelyn!  Vychan, thy brother and his wife are here.  Oh, they have come to bid thee to the fray!  They bring tidings, and are come to summon thee to the fight.

“Arthyn, sweetest sister, ten thousand welcomes to our home!  Nay, I can scarce believe this is not a dream.  How I have longed to see thee here!”

Vychan was at his brother’s side, as Arthyn, flinging herself from her saddle, flew into Gertrude’s arms.  For some moments nothing could be distinguished but the glad clamour of welcome, and scarce had that subsided before it recommenced in the eager salutations of the Welsh retainers, who saw in Vychan another of the sons of their well-loved Lord, Res Vychan, the former Lord of Dynevor and Iscennen, whose wise and merciful rule had never been forgotten.

Vychan was touched, indeed, to see how well he was remembered, and the sound of the familiar tongue sent thrills of strange emotion through him.  It was some time before he could free himself from the throng of servants who pressed round him; and when he could do so he followed his wife and guests into the banqueting hall, where the noonday repast was spread, giving charge to his seneschal for the hospitable entertainment of the retinue his brother had brought and their lodgment within the walls of the Hall.

When he reached the inner hall he found the servants spreading the best viands of the house upon the table; whilst Gertrude, Arthyn, and Llewelyn were gathered together in the embrasure of a window in eager discussion.  Gertrude broke away and came quickly towards him, her face deeply flushed and her eyes very bright.