"Not much farther, I hope," said she. "Are you frightened?"
"O no," I said; "only it is so dark and so lonely. I shouldn't like to be here by myself. But with you—"
"That makes a difference, doesn't it?" said she. "But I should not have minded coming alone, if it had been my duty. I've done so before!"
"And you would not have been afraid?"
"Perhaps a little nervous," said she. "But if one is doing one's duty, I do think one may always look to be taken care of."
Presently we came out together from among bushes and rocks to a place I didn't expect. There was an iron railing, and beyond the railing a depth going sheer down ever so far. A river lay below, shining in the moonlight, which at that very moment had broken out strong and clear. Beyond the river were high dark banks, covered with woods. It was a strange wild scene altogether to me, seen in the dim light.
Mary went straight to the railing, stepping quick over the roughnesses in our path, though indeed we were in no regular path, but among rocks and bushes and grass; and she stood there looking about.
"It is a beautiful place," said she.
"I should like it in the day-time," I said.
"I like it always," said she.