world, independently of the exertion we have used."

"You call it a temptation?" said Ethel.

"Decidedly so."

"But one can't live or get on without it," said Norman.

There they were cut short. There was a plantation to be crossed,
with a gate that would not open, and that seemed an effectual barrier
against both Miss Winter and the donkey, until by persuasive
eloquence and great gallantry, Mr. Ernescliffe performed the
wonderful feat of getting the former over the tall fence, while
Norman conducted the donkey a long way round, undertaking to meet
them at the other side of the plantation.

The talk became desultory, as they proceeded for at least a mile
along a cart-track through soft-tufted grass and heath and young fir-
trees. It ended in a broad open moor, stony; and full of damp boggy
hollows, forlorn and desolate under the autumn sky. Here they met
Norman again, and walked on along a very rough and dirty road, the
ground growing more decidedly into hills and valleys as they
advanced, till they found themselves before a small, but very steep
hillock, one side of which was cut away into a slate quarry. Round
this stood a colony of roughly-built huts, of mud, turf, or large
blocks of the slate. Many workmen were engaged in splitting up the
slates, or loading wagons with them, rude wild-looking men, at the
sight of whom the ladies shrank up to their protectors, but who
seemed too busy even to spare time for staring at them.