Only this monstrous, half-bestial creature could give her any detail of the awful thing that had happened in the night.

If Ralph were indeed dead, this man was the last who had seen him in life.
With a strong effort she subdued her repugnance and addressed him.

"I want," she said, "to be guided to the place from which you say he fell.
I must see for myself." He bent himself almost to the earth before her.

"Let the gracious lady follow her servant!" he said, and forthwith straightened himself and hobbled away.
She followed him in utter silence, Peter walking at her right hand.

Up the steep goat-path which Dacre had so arrogantly ascended in the wake of his halting guide they made their slow progress in dumb procession.
Stella moved as one rapt in some terrible dream.