To tell her before could serve no end, for even if she should wish to return to seek her late companion she could there obtain an escort.

So, with feeling of guiltiness in the part he was acting, and in the surly silence he assumed, Alec let her lead up the lane she must know better than he.

Her previous speeches, which he had followed so closely, were only remembered now to give food for conjecture as to who she might be and what relation she held to her late companion.

The interest in his own journey and its extraordinary object were lost for the time in the excitement of his knight-errantry.
He was astonished to see that the house, as they neared it, showed no sign of life and light.

The lady, whether inmate or guest, must surely be expected; but the very roofs of the house and huge barns seemed to droop in slumber, so black was the whole place and closely shut.