of the cliff and Brighton at the bottom of the sea. However,
we walked on and on, beyond the Parade, beyond the town, till we
had nothing but the broad open downs to contrast with the broad
open sea, and then I was completely happy. I gave my muff to my
father and my fur tippet to Dall, for the sun shone powerfully on
the heights, and I walked and ran along the edge of the cliffs,
gazing and pondering, and enjoying the solemn sound and the
brilliant sight, and the nervous excitement of a slight sense of
fear as I peeped over at the depth below me. From this diversion,
however, my father called me away, and, to console me for not
allowing me to run the risk of being dashed to pieces, offered to
run a race up a small hill with me, and beat me hollow.

We had walked about four miles when we halted at one of the
Preventive Service stations to look about us. The tide had not yet
come in, but its usual height when up was indicated, first by a
delicate, waving fringe of sea-weed, like very bright green moss,
and then, nearer in shore, by an incrustation of chalk washed from
the cliffs, which formed a deep embossed silver embroidery along
the coast as far as eye could see. The sunshine was dazzling, and
its light on the detached masses of milky chalk which lay far
beneath us made them appear semi-transparent, like fragments of
alabaster or carnelian. I was wishing that I _could but_ get down
the cliff, when a worthy sailor appeared toiling up it, and I
discovered his winding stair case cut in the great chalk wall, down
which I proceeded without further ado. I was a little frightened,
for the steps were none of the most regular or convenient, and I
felt as if I were hanging (and at an uncomfortable distance from
either) between heaven and earth. I got down safe, however, and ran
to the water's edge, danced a galop on one smooth little sand
island, waited till the tide, which was coming up, just touched my
toes, gave it a kick of cowardly defiance, and then showed it a
fair pair of heels and scrambled up the cliff again, very much
enchanted with my expedition.

I think a fight with smugglers up that steep staircase at night,
with a heavy sea rolling and roaring close under it, would be
glorious! When I reached the top my father said it was time to go