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law to the servants and dependants； and his sympathy necessary to his
father： now he was as a cipher in his father's house； and the
Squire； estranged in the first instance by a feeling of the injury he
had done his son in not sooner acquainting him with his purposed
marriage； seemed rather to avoid than to seek him as a companion； and
too frequently showed the most utter indifference to the feelings and
wishes which a young man of a high and independent spirit might be
supposed to indulge。
Perhaps Owen was not fully aware of the force of all these
circumstances； for an actor in a family drama is seldom unimpassioned
enough to be perfectly observant。 But he became moody and soured；
brooding over his unloved existence； and craving with a human heart
after sympathy。
This feeling took more full possession of his mind when he had left
college； and returned home to lead an idle and purposeless life。 As
the heir； there was no worldly necessity for exertion： his father
was too much of a Welsh squire to dream of the moral necessity； and
he himself had not sufficient strength of mind to decide at once upon
abandoning a place and mode of life which abounded in daily
mortifications； yet to this course his judgment was slowly tending；
when some circumstances occurred to detain him at Bodowen。
It was not to be expected that harmony would long be preserved； even
in appearance； between an unguarded and soured young man； such as
Owen； and his wary stepmother； when he had once left college； and
come； not as a visitor； but as the heir to his father's house。 Some
cause of difference occurred； where the woman subdued her hidden
anger sufficiently to become convinced that Owen was not entirely the
dupe she had believed him to be。 Henceforward there was no peace
between them。 Not in vulgar altercations did this show itself； but
in moody reserve on Owen's part； and in undisguised and contemptuous
pursuance of her own plans by his stepmother。 Bodowen was no longer
a place where； if Owen was not loved or attended to； he could at
least find peace； and care for himself： he was thwarted at every
step； and in every wish； by his father's desire； apparently； while
the wife sat by with a smile of triumph on her beautiful lips。
So Owen went forth at the early day dawn； sometimes roaming about on
the shore or the upland； shooting or fishing； as the season might be；
but oftener 〃stretched in indolent repose〃 on the short； sweet grass；
indulging in gloomy and morbid reveries。 He would fancy that this
mortified state of existence was a dream； a horrible dream； from
which he should awake and find himself again the sole object and
darling of his father。 And then he would start up and strive to
shake off the incubus。 There was the molten sunset of his childish
memory； the gorgeous crimson piles of glory in the west； fading away
into the cold calm light of the rising moon； while here and there a
cloud floated across the western heaven； like a seraph's wing； in its
flaming beauty； the earth was the same as in his childhood's days；
full of gentle evening sounds； and the harmonies of twilightthe
breeze came sweeping low over the heather and blue…bells by his side；
and the turf was sending up its evening incense of perfume。 But
life； and heart； and hope were changed for ever since those bygone
days！
Or he would seat himself in a favourite niche of the rocks on Moel
Gest； hidden by a stunted growth of the whitty； or mountain…ash； from
general observation； with a rich…tinted cushion of stone…crop for his
feet； and a straight precipice of rock rising just above。 Here would
he sit for hours； gazing idly at the bay below with its back…ground
of purple hills； and the little fishing…sail on its bosom； showing
white in the sunbeam； and gliding on in such harmony with the quiet
beauty of the glassy sea； or he would pull out an old school…volume；
his companion for years； and in morbid accordance with the dark
legend that still lurked in the recesses of his minda shape of
gloom in those innermost haunts awaiting its time to come forth in
distinct outlinewould he turn to the old Greek dramas which treat
of a family foredoomed by an avenging Fate。 The worn page opened of
itself at the play of the OEdipus Tyrannus； and Owen dwelt with the
craving disease upon the prophecy so nearly resembling that which
concerned himself。 With his consciousness of neglect； there was a
sort of self…flattery in the consequence which the legend gave him。
He almost wondered how they durst； with slights and insults； thus
provoke the Avenger。
The days drifted onward。 Often he would vehemently pursue some
sylvan sport； till thought and feeling were lost in the violence of
bodily exertion。 Occasionally his evenings were spent at a small
public…house； such as stood by the unfrequented wayside； where the
welcome； hearty； though bought； seemed so strongly to contrast with
the gloomy negligence of homeunsympathising home。
One evening （Owen might be four or five…and…twenty）； wearied with a
day's shooting on the Clenneny Moors； he passed by the open door of
〃The Goat〃 at Penmorfa。 The light and the cheeriness within tempted
him； poor self…exhausted man！ as it has done many a one more wretched
in worldly circumstances； to step in； and take his evening meal where
at least his presence was of some consequence。 It was a busy day in
that little hostel。 A flock of sheep； amounting to some hundreds；
had arrived at Penmorfa； on their road to England； and thronged the
space before the house。 Inside was the shrewd； kind…hearted hostess；
bustling to and fro； with merry greetings for every tired drover who
was to pass the night in her house； while the sheep were penned in a
field close by。 Ever and anon； she kept attending to the second
crowd of guests； who were celebrating a rural wedding in her house。
It was busy work to Martha Thomas； yet her smile never flagged； and
when Owen Griffiths had finished his evening meal she was there；
ready with a hope that it had done him good； and was to his mind； and
a word of intelligence that the wedding…folk were about to dance in
the kitchen； and the harper was the famous Edward of Corwen。
Owen； partly from good…natured compliance with his hostess's implied
wish； and partly from curiosity； lounged to the passage which led to
the kitchennot the every…day； working； cooking kitchen； which was
behind； but a good…sized room； where the mistress sat； when her work
was done； and where the country people were commonly entertained at
such merry…makings as the present。 The lintels of the door formed a
frame for the animated picture which Owen saw within； as he leaned
against the wall in the dark passage。 The red light of the fire；
with every now and then a falling piece of turf sending forth a fresh
blaze； shone full upon four young men who were dancing a measure
something like a Scotch reel； keeping admirable time in their rapid
mov