ing; but he
passed it, and ran on to where the ground rose on one side of it still
more abruptly, and at the highest point was suddenly broken away and cut
off into a perpendicular crag, descending in some parts sheer down to
the sea, in others a little broken, and giving space for the growth of
stunted brushwood. He stood at the highest point, where the precipice
was most abrupt. The sea was dashing far beneath; the ripple, dash, and
roar were in his ears once more; the wind--such wind as only blows over
the sea--was breathing on his face; the broad, free horizon far before
him; the field of waves, in gray and brown shade indeed, but still his
own beloved waves; the bay, shut in with rocks, and with Black Shag
Island and its train of rocks projecting far out to the west, and almost
immediately beneath him, to the left, the little steep street of the
fishing part of the village, nestled into the cove, which was formed
by the mouth of a little mountain-stream, and the dozen boats it could
muster rocking on the water.

Guy stood and looked as if he could never cease looking, or enjoying the
sea air and salt breeze. It was real pleasure at first, for there were
his home, his friends, and though there was a throb and tightness of
heart at thinking how all was changed but such as this, and how all must
change; how he had talked with Amy of this very thing, and had longed to
have her standing beside him there; yet there was more of soothing than
suffering in the sensation.

So many thoughts rushed through his mind, that he fancied he had stood
there a long time, when he turned and hastened down again, but he had
been so rapid as to meet Markham before the servants had had time to
miss him.

The servants were indeed few. There was, alas! William of Deloraine,
waiting to hold Whiteface; there was Arnaud, an old Swiss, first courier
and then butler to old Sir Guy; there was Mrs. Drew, the housekeeper,
also a very old servant; and these were all; but their welcome was of
the heartiest, in feeling, if not in demonstration as the gig went with
an echoing, thundering sound under the deep archway that led into the
paved quadrangle; round which the house was built, that court where, as
Philip had truly averred, the sun hardly ever shone, so high were the
walls on each side.

Up the stone steps into the spacious dark hall, and into the large,
gloomy library, partially lighted by a great wood fire, replying to Mrs.
Drew's questions