ank of clouds rose higher and higher every instant,
and the sun became obscured, as it swept round towards the west. And
now it appeared directly overhead. The wind, before soft and balmy,
began to blow from the north, increasing every instant in strength, till
we found a chill and furious blast in our faces. It rapidly increased
in strength. The wind might be endured, but the air grew damper, and
more and more chilling. I dreaded the effect on Aveline, to whom such
air as was then blowing was especially dangerous. I again looked round
in vain for shelter, and in a few minutes the expected storm burst, and
the water rushed down from the clouds in heavy sheets. I took off my
own cloak, and placed it round Aveline, though she entreated me to wear
it. I replied that that would be impossible while she was exposed to so
pelting a storm, and that neither the wetting nor cold would have any
effect on me. Madam Clough was tolerably well guarded, so that I did
not concern myself about her; and I let A'Dale look after Mistress
Margery.

The wind blew more furiously; the rain descended in torrents.
Notwithstanding the protection my cloak afforded Aveline, I was sure
that she would be wet through in a few minutes.

As we were pushing on, I thought I saw on the side of a slight mound of
earth, at a little distance, the roof of a cottage: I pointed it out to
Madam Clough, and we pushed towards it. On a nearer approach, I saw
that the roof rose a very little way above the ground--that it was, in
fact, the covering of a sort of cave or hollow in the side of the hill,
such as perhaps some shepherd or cattle-keeper might have formed to
obtain protection during a similar storm to that which had overtaken us.
It was somewhat larger, however, than might have been expected for that
purpose; at all events, I welcomed the sight, as I was in hopes that the
ladies might find shelter within. As we got up to it, we saw that there
was a door to the hut, formed of rough planks. Helping the ladies from
their horses, we attempted to open it, but it resisted our efforts.

"Who is there, who comes to disturb me in my retreat?" said a voice from
within, in harsh, croaking accents.

It was that of a female, I thought.

"Good mother," I said, wishing to speak her fair, "there are delicate
females here exposed to this raging storm--they entreat you to give them
shelter."

"Let them go the way they came," answered the voice; "I shall treat