There is a tap at the door, upon which the man behind the bed goes out, and returns, almost immediately, followed by Rowland Prothero.  He goes towards the bed, and stooping down, whispers to the sick man.

‘Father, you wished to see Rowland—­he is here.’

Rowland advances, and takes the seat vacated for him by the woman.

The three inmates of the room are Mr and Mrs Griffith Jenkins, and their only son, Howel.  They are cousins of the Protheros, Mrs Jenkins being Mr Prothero’s first cousin, and the members of the younger generation being consequently second cousins.

Griffith Jenkins motions to his wife and son to leave the room, which they do immediately.  Rowland kneels beside his bed, the better to hear what he has to say.  He appears, however to revive, and is distinct enough in his enunciation of the following words, though very slow.

‘My son Howel is come back, Mr Rowland, and do promise to be study.’

‘I am very glad to hear it; it must be a great comfort to you,’

’But I am not seure of him.  He will be spending my money that I have been takking such pains to make.’

‘I hope he may do good with it, Uncle Griff.’

’Good! no such thing.  Squander, squander!  Spend the beauty gold!  Will you promise me to see to it? tak’ care of it?’

’I, Uncle Griff!  I have no power with Howel.  Would it not be better to pray to God to guide Howel, and trust in a higher power than mine?’

Mr Jenkins put a long, thin, bony hand out of bed, and grasped Rowland’s hand tightly.  He fixed two keen black eyes upon him, and, as he half raised himself in bed, displayed a withered face, the most remarkable feature of which was a very prominent, hooked nose, like the beak of a large bird.

’You wasn’t thinking I was going to die, was you, Rowland?  I ’ont just awhile, see you.  But tell you your father there’s more gold than he is thinking of; and Howel’ll be a husband for any one, much less for Miss Netta.  Promise me to be lending him a hand, if he do keep constant to your sister.’

’I am sorry, Uncle Griff, that I cannot promise anything for Howel.  If he grows steady as you say, there can be no objection; but he must prove it first.  Would you like me to read to you, and pray to Almighty God, for Christ’s sake, to change his and all our hearts?’

’I didn’t be wanting a parson, but a relation, sir; and I don’t be going to die yet.  Look you here.  There’s money in the bank—­there’s more in mortgages on Davies, Llansadwn, and Rees, Llanarthney—­there’s more on loan to Griffiths, Pontardewe,—­Jones, Glantewey,—­Pugh the draper, Llansant—­and others.  And there’s a box beside.  Mind you, I ’ont die yet, but I tell you, because I can trust you; and Howel don’t know nothing.’

‘May I write it down for you, Uncle Griff; or would you have a lawyer?’

’No, no.  I’ve had enough of law in paying for Howel, and nothing come of it.  But you may be writing down a little.  Here, in that chest, there’s pen, ink and paper; tak’ you my keys, and open you it.’