under the dark arch, to tumble over the great slimy wheel within.
On the other side of the mill-pond was an open place called the
Cross, because it was three-quarters of one, two lanes and a
cattle-drive meeting there. It was the general rendezvous and arena
of the surrounding village. Behind this a steep slope rose high
into the sky, merging in a wide and open down, now littered with
sheep newly shorn. The upland by its height completely sheltered
the mill and village from north winds, making summers of springs,
reducing winters to autumn temperatures, and permitting myrtle to
flourish in the open air.

The heaviness of noon pervaded the scene, and under its influence
the sheep had ceased to feed. Nobody was standing at the Cross, the
few inhabitants being indoors at their dinner. No human being was
on the down, and no human eye or interest but Anne's seemed to be
concerned with it. The bees still worked on, and the butterflies
did not rest from roving, their smallness seeming to shield them
from the stagnating effect that this turning moment of day had on
larger creatures. Otherwise all was still.

The girl glanced at the down and the sheep for no particular reason;
the steep margin of turf and daisies rising above the roofs,
chimneys, apple-trees, and church tower of the hamlet around her,
bounded the view from her position, and it was necessary to look
somewhere when she raised her head. While thus engaged in working
and stopping her attention was attracted by the sudden rising and
running away of the sheep squatted on the down; and there succeeded
sounds of a heavy tramping over the hard sod which the sheep had
quitted, the tramp being accompanied by a metallic jingle. Turning
her eyes further she beheld two cavalry soldiers on bulky grey