We were at the foot of the hillock, on which stood the swing.
'There must be a fine view from the top of that rising ground,' said I.
Politeness obliged her to ascend the bank. Gustav and his friend followed us at a little distance in earnest conversation; the rest of the party had gone to the summer-house, where coffee was prepared.
'Really, this is a lovely view!' I remarked, mechanically.
'Yonder lies your uncle's church,' said Hannè; 'it makes the twelfth spire we can see from this hill.'
'I have remarked this place from my uncle's window; these white poles shine out against the dark-green background.'
'Were you afraid of them? Did you fancy they were ...'
'A gallows!' I exclaimed, interrupting her. 'No, Miss Hannè; I am rather more rational than my foolish friend.'
Hannè looked inquisitively at me.
'Have you remembered what he begged of you on this spot? That when you heard evil of him, and doubts of his honour, you would come up here, and judge leniently of the absent; that you would not condemn him totally, although appearances might be against him?'