But for the slope of ground beneath his feet and the aching of his knees, Linforth could almost have believed that they were not descending at all.

He struck a match and looked at his watch and saw that it was after nine; and a little while after they had come to water and taken their fill of it, that it was nearly ten, but now the low thunder of the river in the valley was louder in his ears, and then suddenly he saw that the lights of La Grave were bright and near at hand.
Linforth flung himself down upon the grass, and clasping his hands behind his head, gave himself up to the cool of the night and the stars overhead.
"I could sleep here," he said.

"Why should we go down to La Grave to-night ?" "There is a dew falling.

It will be cold when the morning breaks.

And La Grave is very near.