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dim； what seemed like a fly crawling upon the window…pane would turn
out to be a boat in the bay。
When breakfast was over； Ethelberta sat leaning on the window…sill
considering her movements for the day。 It was the time fixed for
the meeting of the Imperial Association at Corvsgate Castle； the
celebrated ruin five miles off； and the meeting had some
fascinations for her。 For one thing； she had never been present at
a gathering of the kind； although what was left in any shape from
the past was her constant interest； because it recalled her to
herself and fortified her mind。 Persons waging a harassing social
fight are apt in the interest of the combat to forget the smallness
of the end in view； and the hints that perishing historical remnants
afforded her of the attenuating effects of time even upon great
struggles corrected the apparent scale of her own。 She was reminded
that in a strife for such a ludicrously small object as the entry of
drawing…rooms； winning； equally with losing； is below the zero of
the true philosopher's concern。
There could never be a more excellent reason than this for going to
view the meagre stumps remaining from flourishing bygone centuries；
and it had weight with Ethelberta this very day； but it would be
difficult to state the whole composition of her motive。 The
approaching meeting had been one of the great themes at Mr。
Doncastle's dinner…party； and Lord Mountclere； on learning that she
was to be at Knollsea； had recommended her attendance at some； if
not all of the meetings； as a desirable and exhilarating change
after her laborious season's work in town。 It was pleasant to have
won her way so far in high places that her health of body and mind
should be thus consideredpleasant； less as personal gratification；
than that it casually reflected a proof of her good judgment in a
course which everybody among her kindred had condemned by calling a
foolhardy undertaking。
And she might go without the restraint of ceremony。
Unconventionalityalmost eccentricity…was de rigueur for one who
had been first heard of as a poetess； from whose red lips magic
romance had since trilled for weeks to crowds of listeners； as from
a perennial spring。
So Ethelberta went； after a considerable pondering how to get there
without the needless sacrifice either of dignity or cash。 It would
be inconsiderate to the children to spend a pound on a brougham when
as much as she could spare was wanted for their holiday。 It was
almost too far too walk。 She had； however； decided to walk； when
she met a boy with a donkey； who offered to lend it to her for three
shillings。 The animal was rather sad…looking； but Ethelberta found
she could sit upon the pad without discomfort。 Considering that she
might pull up some distance short of the castle； and leave the ass
at a cottage before joining her four…wheeled friends； she struck the
bargain and rode on her way。
This was； first by a path on the shore where the tide dragged
huskily up and down the shingle without disturbing it； and thence up
the steep crest of land opposite； whereon she lingered awhile to let
the ass breathe。 On one of the spires of chalk into which the hill
here had been split was perched a cormorant； silent and motionless；
with wings spread out to dry in the sun after his morning's fishing；
their white surface shining like mail。 Retiring without disturbing
him and turning to the left along the lofty ridge which ran inland；
the country on each side lay beneath her like a map； domains behind
domains； parishes by the score； harbours； fir…woods； and little
inland seas mixing curiously together。 Thence she ambled along
through a huge cemetery of barrows； containing human dust from
prehistoric times。
Standing on the top of a giant's grave in this antique land；
Ethelberta lifted her eyes to behold two sorts of weather pervading
Nature at the same time。 Far below on the right hand it was a fine
day； and the silver sunbeams lighted up a many…armed inland sea
which stretched round an island with fir…trees and gorse； and amid
brilliant crimson heaths wherein white paths and roads occasionally
met the eye in dashes and zigzags like flashes of lightning。
Outside； where the broad Channel appeared； a berylline and opalized
variegation of ripples； currents； deeps； and shallows； lay as fair
under the sun as a New Jerusalem； the shores being of gleaming sand。
Upon the radiant heather bees and butterflies were busy； she knew；
and the birds on that side were just beginning their autumn songs。
On the left； quite up to her position； was dark and cloudy weather；
shading a valley of heavy greens and browns； which at its further
side rose to meet the sea in tall cliffs； suggesting even here at
their back how terrible were their aspects seaward in a growling
southwest gale。 Here grassed hills rose like knuckles gloved in
dark olive； and little plantations between them formed a still
deeper and sadder monochrome。 A zinc sky met a leaden sea on this
hand； the low wind groaned and whined； and not a bird sang。
The ridge along which Ethelberta rode divided these two climates
like a wall； it soon became apparent that they were wrestling for
mastery immediately in her pathway。 The issue long remained
doubtful； and this being an imaginative hour with her； she watched
as typical of her own fortunes how the front of battle swayednow
to the west； flooding her with sun； now to the east； covering her
with shade： then the wind moved round to the north； a blue hole
appeared in the overhanging cloud； at about the place of the north
star； and the sunlight spread on both sides of her。
The towers of the notable ruin to be visited rose out of the
furthermost shoulder of the upland as she advanced； its site being
the slope and crest of a smoothly nibbled mount at the toe of the
ridge she had followed。 When observing the previous uncertainty of
the weather on this side Ethelberta had been led to doubt if the
meeting would be held here to…day； and she was now strengthened in
her opinion that it would not by the total absence of human figures
amid the ruins； though the time of appointment was past。 This
disposed of another question which had perplexed her： where to find
a stable for the ass during the meeting； for she had scarcely liked
the idea of facing the whole body of lords and gentlemen upon the
animal's back。 She now decided to retain her seat； ride round the
ruin； and go home again； without troubling further about the
movements of the Association or acquaintance with the members
composing it。
Accordingly Ethelberta crossed the bridge over the moat； and rode
under the first archway into the outer ward。 As she had expected；
not a soul was here。 The arrow…slits； portcullis…grooves； and
staircases met her eye as familiar friends； for in her childhood she
had once paid a visit to the spot。 Ascending the green incline and
through another arch into the second ward； she still pressed on；
till at last the ass was unable to clamber an inch further。 Here
she dismounted； and tying him to a stone which projected like a fang
from a raw edge of wall； performed the remainder of the