The iron
tramp of the steeds rang shrilly from underneath the arched gateway;
Hildebrand stood by the platform; he bade them good speed. Anthony
passed first; Michael checked his horse for a moment, when Hildebrand
took the hand of the boy, and pressed it; but one portentous look, as at
the recognition of some sinister purpose, passed between Michael and the
old man, unobserved by his colleague. Hildebrand raised his hand above
his mouth, and slowly whispered--
"Remember!--the gulf underneath the waterfall."
The horsemen departed. Passing the bridge they were just rising over the
green slope when the children recognised Alice upon her mistress's
palfrey. They screamed out loudly to her; but she was riding in a
contrary direction, and soon passed out of their sight.
The narrow glades of the forest suddenly encompassed them. The morning
was pretty far advanced; the merry birds twittered in their dun covert,
brushing the dewdrops from the boughs with their restless wings. The
thrush and blackbird poured forth a more melancholy note; whilst the
timid rabbit, scared from his morning's meal, rushed by and sought his
burrow.
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