some places, the path was overarched by trees, and the branches formed a delightful screen on that hot day.
Captain Danvers led the way with Mildred, and the path being only wide enough for two, the others were obliged to follow. As the wood seemed to inspire such a tone, his accents became low and tender.
Suddenly they burst upon the lake in all its sombre grandeur. The water looked intensely black, but when examined, it was found to be perfectly clear. The broad expanse was surrounded by trees, which, in some instances, advanced beyond the bank.
The surface of the mere was unruffled, for not a breath of wind was stirring, and reflected the trees as in a mirror. Occasionally, however, a fish would leap up, and the smooth water was, for a moment, rippled.
But the effect of the scene was not cheerful. An air of gloom brooded over the place, that impressed the beholder with melancholy. Both Mrs. Calverley and Mildred acknowledged the feeling.
At the point where the visitors had approached it, the lake was shallow, and occupied by a large bed of reeds and bullrushes; but, at the opposite extremity, the water was profoundly deep, and supposed, by the common folk, to be unfathomable.
On the left, and not far from where they stood, was a boat-house, and Captain Danvers offered to row them to the further end of the lake, so that they might have an opportunity of completely surveying it.
The proposal was gladly accepted.
Repairing to the shed, they embarked in a large flat-bottomed boat, better adapted for fishing than moving rapidly through the water.
However, it answered the purpose. Captain Danvers took the sculls, and contrived to get Mildred next him. The clumsy craft moved slowly on, and was now and then stopped that the ladies might look around.
As they drew near the lower end, the lake seemed to become darker, and the trees that shut it in assumed a yet more sombre appearance.
Here it was deepest.
Captain Danvers was tugging at the sculls, but still making very slow progress, when the boat struck against something in the water that gave it a great shock.
The captain ceased rowing, and looking round to see what he had come in contact with, to his surprise and consternation, he beheld the blackened trunk of a huge oak.
Hitherto, the dusky mass had scarcely appeared above the surface, but on being thus forcibly struck, it rolled round in such manner as to display its enormous bulk, and then gradually sank.
All three ladies saw the ill-omened piece of timber at the same time as Captain Danvers.
Uttering a cry of fright, Emmeline stood up, and, pointing to it, exclaimed:
“‘Tis the black oak I told you of. One of my father’s house is doomed!”
The others looked aghast, but spoke not. Even Captain Danvers seemed struck dumb.
Without a word, he turned the boat’s head, and began to row back.
While he was moving round, Emmeline sat down, and covered her eyes, to shut the hideous object from her view.
“It is gone,” said Mildred, in a low tone. “Try not to think about it.”
“I ought to think about it,” rejoined Emmeline, scarcely above her breath. “It is a death-warning!”
“But not to you, dearest girl,” said Mildred.
“I would rather it applied to me than to those I love,” she returned.
Silence prevailed among the party till they landed. No more jesting on the part of the captain. He looked very gloomy.
When they got out of the boat, he tried to cheer up his fair cousin, but did not succeed.
They walked back quietly to the Hall, where a painful surprise awaited them.
XIII. PURSUIT OF THE GIPSIES
Sir Leycester Barfleur, as we have shown, had ridden with his attendants to the further side of the morass, where he hoped to intercept the gipsies in their flight, but he could discover nothing of them.
Posting himself with Booth, the coachman, on a little mound near the marsh, he sent off the two grooms to the huts previously mentioned, to ascertain whether the fugitives had taken refuge there; but his emissaries brought him no satisfactory intelligence, and it was the opinion of the turf-cutters who inhabited the huts that the gipsies had gone off altogether.
Sir Leycester, however, felt convinced that the rascals were somewhere about, and ordered his men to make a careful search, directing the turf-cutters to assist them.
Again they were all at fault.
Sir Leycester next tried the wood that skirted the heath, and sent the men on by different routes, fixing a place of meeting in the heart of the thicket..
He himself pursued the main road, attended by Booth.
“It’s a pity we didn’t bring those two Scotch deerhounds with us, Sir Leycester,” observed the coachman. “If the gipsies have taken shelter in this wood, – we shall never be able to find ‘em without a dog of some sort.”
“I believe you’re right, Booth,” replied Sir Leycester. “I don’t like hunting men in that way. But what’s to be done, if we can’t catch them otherwise?”
“It’s the only sure plan,” rejoined Booth. “We’re wasting time now.”
“Well, go and fetch the hounds,” said Sir Leycester. “Ride to the keeper’s lodge as fast as you can. If Rushton shouldn’t be at home, go on to the Hall; but use despatch.”
“Shall I bring Rushton with me, as well as the hounds, Sir Leycester?” inquired Booth.
“Ay, do,” replied the baronet.
“And a bloodhound?” asked the coachman, with a grin.
Sir Leycester signified his assent, and Booth galloped off.
He had scarcely started, when the baronet regretted the last order given, and called out to him not to bring the bloodhound.
Booth, however, was out of hearing.
Sir Leycester then proceeded to the centre of the wood, keeping a sharp look-out on either side as he rode along.
The others had already arrived at the appointed spot, but had nothing to tell.
The baronet felt very much inclined to swear; but, just at the moment, a burly farmer, named Marple, who used to hunt with him, came up, mounted on a well-bred horse.
On hearing what was going on, Marple told the baronet he had just seen a couple of gipsies, who appeared to be hiding on the banks of the Weever, and offered to take him to the exact spot.
“No doubt they are the rogues you are looking for, Sir Leycester,” he added.
“No doubt of it!” cried the baronet, joyfully. “Come along!”
He then rode off with Marple, taking the two grooms with him, and leaving the turf-cutters
