The Ranger took not the direct road to Minster, which he ought to have

passed on his way to the Gull's Nest, where he resolved to ascertain if

Barbara's body was at Cecil Place; but after crossing the downs, that

were brightening in the summer's sun and alive with multitudes of sheep,

wound round the base of the hill on which the mansion stood, and as its

mixture of ancient and modern architecture became developed, he paused

to look upon a spot so endeared by many affectionate recollections. The

trees that encircled the fairy ring were conspicuous for their height

and beauty of colour; there, too, was the casement window which he had

so often watched, knowing that Barbara must pass it in her morning and

evening attendance on her lady; there, peeping from beneath a turret,

the lattice admitting light to Barbara's own little chamber; there, the

window of Constantia's sitting-room; there---- But he could gaze no

longer, his heart sickened within him, and covering his face with his

hands, he rushed into a narrow glen that skirted the hillside, and was

completely overshadowed by trees, whose unpruned branches were matted

and twined together in most fantastic and impervious underwood. He

pursued this track, with which he was well acquainted, as leading

directly to the back entrance, where he more than once resolved to

inquire where Barbara's remains were placed; but he had scarcely

proceeded a dozen yards towards the house, when his attention was

excited by a sudden and loud rustling amongst the bushes, and on looking

towards the spot, he saw first one and then another raven mount in the

air, uttering, at short intervals, the peculiar dull and complaining

cry of rapacious birds when frightened from their prey. The creatures

evidently meditated another descent, for, instead of betaking themselves

to the neighbouring trees, they circled round and round in the air, now

higher, now lower, mingling their monotonous notes with an occasional

scream--thus inharmoniously disturbing the sweet solitude by their

unholy orgies. In the mean time, the rustling beneath was renewed, and

then as suddenly ceased; but the birds, instead of descending, whirled

still higher, as if the object they had sought was for a time hidden

from their sight. The Ranger proceeded more cautiously than before, and

peering into the bushes, descried one whom he immediately recognised as

Jack Roupall, unfastening something of considerable bulk that was

contained in a handkerchief, and had apparently lain there for some

days, as the grass from which it had been taken was completely levelled

by its pressure. Roupall's ears were nearly as quick as those of Robin,

and an exclamation of recognition escaped his lips as he turned round to

where the Ranger stood.




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