deducible from the conversation, he could not avoid referring to some
peculiar origin, the youth rose, and bowed with respectful courtesy as
she retired. His eye followed her form for an instant, while his
meditations momentarily wrapped themselves up more and more in
inextricable mysteries, from which his utmost ingenuity of thought
failed entirely to disentangle him. In a maze of conjecture he passed
from the room into the passage adjoining, and, taking advantage of its
long range promenaded with steps, and in a spirit, equally moody and
uncertain. In a little time he was joined by Forrester, who seemed
solicitous to divert his mind and relieve his melancholy, by describing
the country round, the pursuits, characters, and conditions of the
people--the habits of the miners, and the productiveness of their
employ, in a manner inartificial and modest, and sometimes highly
entertaining.

While engaged in this way, the eye of Ralph caught the look of Rivers,
again fixed upon him from the doorway leading into the great hall; and
without a moment's hesitation, with impetuous step, he advanced towards
him, determined on some explanation of that curious interest which had
become offensive; but when he approached him with this object the latter
hastily left the passage.

Taking Forrester's arm, Ralph also left the house, in the hope to
encounter this troublesome person again. But failing in this, they
proceeded to examine the village, or such portions of it as might be
surveyed without too much fatigue to the wounded man--whose hurts,
though superficial, might by imprudence become troublesome. They rambled
till the sun went down, and at length returned to the tavern.

This building, as we have elsewhere said, was of the very humblest