Chapter 31

The sun had just risen on one of the loveliest vales of Caernarvonshire,
as a travelling chaise and six swept up to the door of a princely mansion,
so situated as to command a prospect of the fertile and extensive domains,
the rental of which filled the coffers of its rich owner, having a
beautiful view of the Irish channel in the distance.

Everything around this stately edifice bespoke the magnificence of its
ancient possessors and the taste of its present master. It was irregular,
but built of the best materials, and in the tastes of the different ages
in which its various parts had been erected; and now in the nineteenth
century it preserved the baronial grandeur of the thirteenth, mingled with
the comforts of this later period.

The lofty turrets of its towers were tipt with the golden light of the
sun, and the neighboring peasantry had commenced their daily labors, as
the different attendants of the equipage we have mentioned collected
around it at the great entrance to the building. The beautiful black
horses, with coats as shining as the polished leather with which they were
caparisoned, the elegant and fashionable finish of the vehicle, with its
numerous grooms, postillions, and footmen, all wearing the livery of one
master, gave evidence of wealth and rank.

In attendance there were four outriders, walking leisurely about, awaiting
the appearance of those for whose comforts and pleasures they were kept to
contribute; while a fifth, who, like the others, was equipped with a
horse, appeared to bear a doubtful station. The form of the latter was
athletic, and apparently drilled into a severer submission than could be
seen in the movements of the liveried attendants: his dress was peculiar,
being neither quite menial nor quite military, but partaking of both
characters. His horse was heavier and better managed than those of the
others, and by its side was a charger, that was prepared for the use of no
common equestrian. Both were coal-black, as were all the others of the
cavalcade; but the pistols of the two latter, and housings of their
saddles, bore the aspect of use and elegance united.

The postillions were mounted, listlessly waiting the pleasure of their
superiors; when the laughs and jokes of the menials were instantly
succeeded by a respectful and profound silence, as a gentleman and lady
appeared on the portico of the building. The former was a young man of
commanding stature and genteel appearance; and his air, although that of
one used to command, was softened by a character of benevolence and
gentleness, that might be rightly supposed to give birth to the willing
alacrity with which all his requests or orders were attended to.

The lady was also young, and resembled her