ditations momentarily wrapped themselves up more and more in
inextricable mysteries, from which his utmost ingenuity of thought
failed entirely to disentangle him. In a maze of conjecture he passed
from the room into the passage adjoining, and, taking advantage of its
long range promenaded with steps, and in a spirit, equally moody and
uncertain. In a little time he was joined by Forrester, who seemed
solicitous to divert his mind and relieve his melancholy, by describing
the country round, the pursuits, characters, and conditions of the
people--the habits of the miners, and the productiveness of their
employ, in a manner inartificial and modest, and sometimes highly
entertaining.

While engaged in this way, the eye of Ralph caught the look of Rivers,
again fixed upon him from the doorway leading into the great hall; and
without a moment's hesitation, with impetuous step, he advanced towards
him, determined on some explanation of that curious interest which had
become offensive; but when he approached him with this object the latter
hastily left the passage.

Taking Forrester's arm, Ralph also left the house, in the hope to
encounter this troublesome person again. But failing in this, they
proceeded to examine the village, or such portions of it as might be
surveyed without too much fatigue to the wounded man--whose hurts,
though superficial, might by imprudence become troublesome. They rambled
till the sun went down, and at length returned to the tavern.

This building, as we have elsewhere said, was of the very humblest
description, calculated, it would seem, rather for a temporary and
occasional than a lasting shelter. Its architecture, compared with that
even of the surrounding log-houses of the country generally, was
excessively rude; its parts were out of all proportion, fitted seemingly
by an eye the most indifferent, and certainly without any, the most
distant regard, to square and compass. It consisted of two stories, the
upper being assigned to the sleeping apartments. Each floor contained
four rooms, accessible all, independently of one another, by entrances
from a great passage, running both above and below, through the centre
of the structure. In addition to the main building, a shed in the rear
of the main work afforded four other apartments, rather more closely
constructed, and in somewhat better finish than the rest of the
structure: these were in the occupation of the family exclusively. The
logs, in