The figure that met his scrutiny was clad in a dark cloak. The
hood, partly thrown back, showed a somewhat "frosty poll," though the
vivacity of a wild and restless eye, peering from under his dark and
luxuriant brow, would scarcely have betokened an age at which the coming
winter of life usually scatters these chill warnings of its approach.
His features were finely moulded. A weather-beaten cheek, mingling with
a complexion evidently sallow, gave a rich autumnal hue to his visage: a
slight furrow, extending from the outer angle of the nostril around each
corner of a narrow and retreating mouth, gave a careless expression of
scorn to the countenance when at rest; but, as he smiled, this sinister
aspect disappeared, and the soft gleam of benevolence which succeeded
looked the brighter from the portentous scowl that had just passed. His
beard was grey, and of a most reverent equipment, well calculated to
excite veneration and respect. He was above the middle size: his humble
garb but ill concealed a majesty of deportment indicating a disposition
rather to command than to solicit favours. He seated himself on a low
stool, and honest Giles, whose courage did not feel sufficiently
invigorated, in the presence of this proud palmer, to dare an open
warfare, began hostilities covertly, in manner as follows:--
"What ails ye, to disturb honest folks i' their beds at these hours? You
might ha' tarried in your last baiting-place--at any rate till the kye
were astir.
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