extremely unpleasant, a cold and piercing wind howled through the trees, of whose increasing violence the hoarse screams of water-fowl gave sure and melancholy intimation, the clouds seemed staggering with giddy poise, and the moon vainly endeavouring to emerge from them, if for a moment she was discovered,
Riding to her highest noon,
Like one that had been led astray,
Through the Heavens' wide pathless way.
Her watery lustre rather increased than diminished the solemn gloom. Madeline, however, pursued her way, and as she cast her eyes upon the long perspective of black and distant mountains, she thought of the friends that had so recently travelled over them, and her regret for their absence was heightened by believing their company would have been a source of pleasure and comfort to the Countess. From them her thoughts reverted to another object, one she
