Beyond the secluded
district which they now traversed ran the more frequented road,
where progress would be easy, the snow being probably already beaten
there to some extent by traffic; but they had not yet reached it,
and having no one to guide them their journey began to appear less
feasible than it had done before starting. When the little lane
which they had entered ascended another hill, and seemed to wind
round in a direction contrary to the expected route to Cliff-Martin,
the question grew serious. Ever since overhearing the conversation
at the turnpike, Laura had maintained a perfect silence, and had
even shrunk somewhat away from the side of her lover.
'Why don't you talk, Laura,' he said with forced buoyancy, 'and
suggest the way we should go?'
'Oh yes, I will,' she responded, a curious fearfulness being audible
in her voice.
After this she uttered a few occasional sentences which seemed to
persuade him that she suspected nothing. At last he drew rein, and
the weary horse stood still.
'We are in a fix,' he said.
She answered eagerly: 'I'll hold the reins while you run forward to
the top of the ridge, and see if the road takes a favourable turn
beyond. It would give the horse a few minutes' rest, and if you
find out no change in the direction, we will retrace this lane, and
take the other turning.'
The expedient seemed a good one in the circumstances, especially
when recommended by the singular eagerness of her voice; and placing
the reins in her hands--a quite unnecessary precaution, considering
the state of their hack--he stepped out and went forward through the
snow till she could see no more of him.
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