Plenty of time remained yet, when we had passed the central ridge on our return. Thyrza seemed in no hurry to reach home. She was in high spirits, no longer disposed to sit still and meditate. She had repeatedly expressed a wish to climb the steep hillside lying now to our left: and as we advanced, the desire came over her more strongly.
"I really do think I must," she said at length. "It is quite too tempting. And I am as fresh as a lark still. You shall just sit here, and wait for me."
"Why should I not go too?" I asked.
"Oh, because you are not so robust as I am: and there is always the chance of your hurting your knee again. No: you must sit perfectly still, and be lazy. I know you enjoy being alone in such a place as this. I dare say I shall not be long. When I come down, we'll finish off the cake, before going on."
[CHAPTER XXXV.]
ENTIRELY VANISHED!
THE SAME—continued.
I WATCHED Thyrza, as she crossed actively the broken but on the whole level space, between the road and the steep mountain-sides: and I saw her begin to climb with easy speed.
It was a temptation to me to join her, even then. I am a good climber by nature: and an ascent has always a fascination for me. But I knew that without any such additional exertion, I should have taxed my powers pretty severely by the time we reached home. So I followed Thyrza's advice, and remained quiet, seated on a rock by the roadside, with my face toward the flowing green slopes.
The deep stillness of the scene impressed me again, more forcibly than ever. For now I had not a companion. I was entirely alone. Not even the trickling of water was to be heard. One solitary dream-like "ba-a-a" sounded, to be answered by a second. Then silence again. No human being was in sight, except the figure of Thyrza, growing momentarily smaller, as she went upward.