Accordingly,
he cast a scrutinizing glance around, in order to make sure that the facts
should not contradict his testimony, and then, first examining the
fastenings of the postern, he mounted the hill, and presented himself
before the family. The members of the latter, having in truth passed most
of the long interval of his absence in spiritual exercises, and in
religious conversation, were not so sensible of his delay in reporting, as
they might otherwise have been.
"What tidings dost thou bring us from without?" said Content, so soon as
the self-relieved sentinel appeared. "Hast seen any, or hast heard that
which is suspicious?"
Ere Dudley would answer, his eye did not fail to study the half-malicious
expression of the countenance of her who was busy in some domestic toil,
directly opposite to the place where he stood. But reading there no more
than a glance of playful though smothered irony, he was encouraged to
proceed in his report.
"The watch has been quiet," was the answer; "and there is little cause to
keep the sleepers longer from their beds.
Pages:
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248