A heavy mist lay at their feet, hiding most of the
intermediate space from the eye of the observer, so that the long line
of barren hills seemed to start out at once from a sea of vapour, like
the grim barriers of some gigantic lake. The clouds were following hard
upon the sun's flight, so that by the time he had disappeared the sky
was covered with a dense and impervious curtain, rendered darker by the
rapidity of the change. Chill and eddying gusts rustled over the dreary
heath; the voice of nature only responding to the chords of sadness and
of sorrow. The hollow roar of the wind was like the moaning of a
troubled ocean; a few big drops from the hurrying scud seeming to
presage an approaching tempest.
The two friends had crept behind a stone wall, built up in a hollow, by
a stagnant pool, taking but little heed of the darkness and the storm,
so intent were they upon the subject which engrossed their thoughts.
"I might flee, Ralph, but it would straightway be said, not that I had
left my country and my kin alone, but rather that I had deserted the
faith and doctrine I profess, after having unworthily ministered
hereabout for a season, which might be an occasion of much scandal, a
weakening of the faith of my poor flock, and a grievous discouragement
to those that remain.
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