"Be quiet, Austin. I want to enjoy the view."
Sidney was gazing out towards the ocean which lay before them in the distance. The land below them, with its shining valleys and winding river, its wooded hills, and the cluster of cottages dotted here and there round a turreted church tower, or spire, presented a fair picture of English country.
Austin threw himself upon the ground to rest. His eyes were fixed on Sidney's slim upright young figure.
"I wonder some fellow has not stepped in and laid siege to your heart," he remarked meditatively. "I always thought that Hughes would be the lucky chap. You don't mind my mentioning it. He has got tied up now, hasn't he?"
"I believe he has," Sidney answered quietly. "Now let us finish our climb."
They started again, and in another ten minutes were at the top of the Beacon. There, leaning against a pile of rocks, the foundation for many a bonfire, was Randolph Neville.
[CHAPTER III]
MONICA'S REQUEST
HE looked as surprised as they when they met each other. Sidney introduced Austin at once.
"I came up here for a blow," said Randolph.