"Valmai has neither father nor mother, and lives up there with an old uncle, who takes no more notice of her than he does of his cows or his sheep, but who would be quite capable of shutting her up and feeding her on bread and water if he knew that she ever exchanged greetings with a Churchman, for he is a Methodist preacher and her guardian to boot." A long-drawn whistle was Gwynne Ellis's only answer, but he rubbed his hands gleefully.
"Then," continued Cardo, "on this side of the valley there is my father, shut up with his books, taking no interest in anything much except his church and his farm, but with a bigoted, bitter hatred of all dissenters, especially Methodists, and most especially of the Methodist preacher.

Why, Ellis, they convene public meetings on purpose to pray for each other, and I believe if my father knew that I loved Essec Powell's niece he would _break his heart_.

Therefore, I cannot tell him--it is impossible; but it is equally impossible for me, as long as I have any being, to cease to love Valmai.

Now, there! what way do you see out of that maze ?" "Many ways," said Ellis, rubbing his hands with delight.

"My dear fellow, you have pitched upon the right person.