'It is incident to the summer of life,' said their former guide, who suddenly stood before them as they turned a corner; 'especially when the sun of love shines warmly. It is not probable you will have much further occasion to complain of the heat to-day, for a storm is approaching.'
'With the sky so clear? Impossible!' cried Faith.
'You know nothing of the tricks of the mountain-sprites,' said the Bohemian. 'One moment we have sunshine, the next thunder and lightning. That is the way with them. You will do well to return to the valley betimes.'
He passed on and was soon out of sight.
'We had better follow him,' said Oswald.
'Yet but one quarter of an hour,' begged Faith; 'and then we will return as fast as we can.'
'Who can deny you any thing,' said the youth; 'even when you solicit what should not be granted?'
They still continued to advance, until they came where the rocks were less compactly clustered, and glimpses of the plain, presenting brilliant winter landscapes, were occasionally obtained through the openings.
'Ah, how much pleasanter it is here than in the pent up valley!' cried Faith, clapping her hands with childish joy.
Oswald suddenly started and listened. 'Did you hear nothing?' he asked the maiden. 'It sounded like a distant trumpet.'