Who that has visited a scene of deep beauty by moonlight has not felt an awe stealing over him, as if some unseen presence were by? Such a presence seemed to be floating around us, whispering that we were on haunted ground. Was it the far-off murmur of a cascade or the faint voice of some one calling for help that was wafted to our ears?
So firm was my belief that the sound was of human origin that I appealed to my uncle, who had been strangely silent.
"Did you not hear a distant cry, as of some one in pain?"
"I thought so, but it must be fancy. Let us listen again."
We were silent for a time, but there was no repetition of the sound.
"Some shepherds calling one another," he said, resuming his cigar with a laugh. "We are becoming influenced by the superstitions of the place."
He seemed to have forgotten the communication he had promised to make, so I reverted to it.
"You were going to tell me a piece of news, I think?"
"Ah! so I was. (If you wouldn't mind turning your head from me, Frank; your eyes seem to have an unearthly gleam by this light. Thank you!) Well, here is my news. Daphne had a proposal to-day. You can guess from whom."
"Is that your news? Then it is no news at all. I know it already."