went on. "I
know that the court is now in session at Blackville, and that the judge
has rooms at the hotel. I know also that the court takes a recess at one
o'clock. It is now eleven; if we make moderate haste, we can reach the
village in time to find the judge and secure an immediate interview. Do
you not think so?"

"Oh yes, madam, certainly."

"Does this path become more difficult as we descend?" inquired Sybil, as
they threaded their way along an obscure, disused foot-path, leading
down the narrow thickly wooded valley.

"Oh, no, madam, not more difficult, but much less so. It is a very, very
gradual descent down to the outlet of the valley. By the way, did you
ever observe, Mrs. Berners, how much all these long, narrow, tortuous
vales between the spurs of the mountains, and leading down to the great
valley, resemble the beds of water-courses emptying into some great
river?" inquired the boy artist, looking with interest into the face of
his companion.

"Oh yes, and many geologists declare them to have been really such,"
replied Sybil.

In such discourse as this, they beguiled the hour and a half that they
spent in walking down this hidden valley to its opening near the
ferry-house, on the Black river, opposite to Blackville.

Here, while waiting for the boat, which was on the other side, Sybil
drew her thick black veil closely over her face, and whispered to her
companion:

"I would not, upon any account, be recognized until I get before the
judge. So I will keep my face covered, and my lips closed. You must make
all the necessary inquiries, and do all the talking."

"I will do anything on earth to serve you, lady," replied the lad,
lifting his hat.

"And now here it comes," whispered Sybil, as the ferry-boat touched the
shore.

He handed her in, and placed her on a comfortable seat.

After that Sybil never removed her veil or opened her lips. But the boy
talked a little with the ferry-man until they reached the opposite
shore.

They landed, and went immediately up to the hotel.

"Is Judge Ruthven in?" inquired the lad.

"Yes, sir," answered the waiter.

"Is he disengaged?"

"I will see, sir. He has just finished luncheon," answered the man.

"Tell him that a lady wishes to speak to him on important business,"
said the boy.

The waiter left the room, and after an absence of five minutes returned
to say that the judge would see the lady, and that he, the waiter, would
show her up.

"This