ten years were only a dream, and that I had
never left Cornwall at all, and again I felt as though my life prior to
my leaving home was an unreality.

I found a coach at Falmouth that would take me within a few miles of my
home, so I quickly took my place, and then fretted and fumed as we
slowly rumbled on. It was towards afternoon when the coach arrived at
the spot where I could be set down, and there with fast beating heart I
watched the retreating conveyance, while I stood not far from my
birthplace.

How quiet it was to be sure! There were no houses near, save one
little wayside cottage and a small farmhouse among the fields. All the
features were as familiar as if I had never left them. Hill and dale
alike were known to me, I had roamed over them all long years since.
All these rich green meadows were mine. I, who had been an alien and a
wanderer on the face of the earth, was the lawful master of all I saw,
and yet nothing was mine, for had I not renounced them long years ago,
renounced them for the sake of the woman I loved?

I set out for the old homestead and walked rapidly. Eagerly I passed
by every landmark which told me I was nearer home, and when at last
only one little hillock stood between me and the sight of the place
that was ever dear to me I almost lost control over my actions.

Up I rushed, heedless of everything, until nothing hid it from my gaze.
I was like the old Israelites who travelled towards Jerusalem, and
anxiously waited for the last hill to be reached in order that they
might see the place they loved best in the world.

And this was the place I loved best. There it stood, grey, rugged and
stern as in the olden days, its sturdy tower still braving the wind and
weather. Long I stood and looked at it. My home! The place where my
father had taught me to love him, the place where he had died, blessing
me! Eagerly I watched for signs of life, but I could seen none; all
was silent and lonely. I looked seaward and saw the smooth, glittering
waters as they played around the base of the "Devil's Tooth;" I watched
the yellow beach, which sloped up towards the witches' cave; I saw the
rugged cliffs and the rocks over which I had helped Ruth years before,
when Wilfred had left her alone. And, as I stood, memory after memory
flashed through my mind, old sayings came back to me, and scenes which
I had not thought about for years excited my mind, until my whole being
was moved to the ver