It was ugly and broken.

No vegetation grew upon it, and through the haze of sunlight its barren sides and battlemented crags gleamed a dark and humid red after the morning mists, as if freshly stained with blood.

Aldous guessed its effect upon Joanne, and he determined to put an end to it.

Again he rode up close beside her.
"I want you to get better acquainted with old Donald," he said.

"We're sort of leaving him out in the cold, Ladygray.