“This way, if you please, sir.”
CHAPTER XXX
ENDERBY CASTLE
There were two spacious open barouches and one large wagon.
“My lord ordered me, sir, if the weather should be fine, to bring the barouches for the ladies, as they would be so much pleasanter,” the man explained, touching his hat, as he held the door of the first carriage open for Mrs. Force.
The travelers were soon seated—Mr. and Mrs. Force, Wynnette and Elva in the first barouche, Le, Odalite and Rosemary in the second, and the two servants, with the dog and the luggage, in the wagon.
“Oh, how jolly!” exclaimed Wynnette, looking about her.
By this time it was light enough to see their surroundings—the hoary cliffs and the picturesque fishing village on their right; the far-spread rocky beach, with the fishing boats drawn up, on their left; the expanse of ocean beyond, dotted at long distances with sails; and right near them the only street of the hamlet that ran from the beach up through a natural cleft in the rocks, and looked something like a rude, broad staircase of flagstones, which were paved on edge to afford a hold to horses’ feet in climbing up the steep ascent.
By this time, too, the denizens of the village were out before their doors to stare at the unusual sight of three carriages and a large party of visitors for Enderby Castle.
For, of course, as his lordship’s carriages and liveried servants were there to meet the party of travelers, they must be visitors to the castle.
The men took off their hats and the women courtesied as the open carriages passed slowly up the steep street to the top of the cliff, where it joined the road leading northward along the sea toward Enderby Castle.