Leaving the child, we turn to Sir Thomas, who on that morning, as was
his wont, together with his dame, awoke betimes, but he was sooner astir
and more anxious and bustling than usual. Their custom was, awaking with
the sun, to begin the day with a quiet stroll about the grounds; and on
this eventful morning their walk chanced happily towards the eagle's
nest. Being something farther and more out of their common track, it was
noticed good-humouredly by the lady, who seemed to possess a more than
ordinary portion of hilarity on the occasion. Evidently under some
exciting influence, their walk was unconsciously protracted.
In a gloomy dell, not far from the eyrie, Sir Thomas stood still, in the
attitude of listening. The lady, too, was silent and alarmed, but no
intimation of danger was visible. Her own senses, though, seemed to
gather acuteness,--a circumstance by no means rare in the vicinity of an
unusually timid and listening companion, who braces our perceptions to
the tension of his own. Soon, however, the short and feeble cry of the
babe was heard, when the knight sprang forward, feigning great
astonishment at the discovery.
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