"How glad we ought to be that we live in times that are so very different."
"Indeed, we ought. It seems as if it can scarcely be the same world when we contrast the past with the present," said Grace.
They examined the castle very carefully, and then went to the hermitage. To reach this they had to cross the river, as it is on the opposite side.
There were wonders to delight them all; for the hermitage includes a room and chapel, cut in the solid rock. It contains the effigies of a lady and a hermit. It has been immortalised by Dr. Percy's beautiful ballad—
"Dark was the night, and wild the storm,
And loud the torrent's roar,
And loud the sea was heard to dash
Against the distant shore."
"How are we to get to the hermitage?" inquired the student.
"We have to walk along this narrow footpath, close to the river."
"It is quite a romantic path."
Indeed it was; for on one side were high perpendicular rocks, on the top of which was a grove of oaks, and on the other side the pretty river.
"These oaks are very valuable, not only because of the beauty they lend to the scene, but also because they make a shelter from the sun."