"Let us dispense with our guide," said Godolphin. "I know every part of
the way, and I am sure you share with me in dislike to these hackneyed
indicators and sign-posts for admiration. Let us leave him to Lady
Charlotte and Saville, and suffer me to be your guide to the cavern."
Constance readily enough assented, and they proceeded. Saville, by no
means liking the difficult and perilous path which was to lead only to a
very cold place, soon halted; and suggested to Lady Charlotte the
propriety of doing the same. Lady Charlotte much preferred the wit of her
companion's conversation to the picturesque. "Besides," as she said, "she
had seen the cave before." Accordingly, they both waited for the return
of the more adventurous countess and her guide.

Unconscious of the defalcation of her friends, and not--from the attention
that every step required--once looking behind, Constance continued. And
now, how delightful to her seemed that rugged way, as, with every moment,
Godolphin's care--Godolphin's hand became necessary; and he, inspired,
inflamed by her company, by her touch, by the softness of her manner, and
the devotion of her attention--no, no! not yet was Lucilla forgotten!

And now they stood within the Siren's Cave. From this spot alone you can
view that terrible descent of waters which rushes to earth like the coming
of a god! The rocks dripped around them--the torrent dashed at their very
feet. Down--down, in thunder, for ever and for ever, dashed the might of
the maddening element; above, all wrath; below, all blackness;--there, the
cataract; here, the abyss. Not a moment's pause to the fury, not a
moment's silence to the roar;--forward to the last glimpse of the sun--the
curse of labour, and the soul of unutterable strength, shall be upon
those waters! The demon, tormented to an eternity, filling his dread
dwelling-place with the unresting and unearthly voice of his rage and
despair, is the only type meet for the spirit of the cataract.