A bridge spanned the river, and the broad, well-trodden path along which they had come turned over the bridge.

There was indeed a track that continued along the left bank, but it was over-grown, and looked little used.

Which were they to take?
That was a question which required discussion.
"The girl said: 'keep along the river bank on the left,'" urged Ingred.
"Yet the path so plainly goes across here," demurred Verity.
"That's certainly the left bank, but that way looks as if it led to nowhere," vacillated Beatrice.
"Can't we ask anybody ?" "There isn't a soul in sight." "Isn't there a signpost ?" "Nothing of the sort." "Then which way _shall_ we go ?" "Better take votes on it." "Right-o! I'm for 'bypath meadow.'" "And I'm for the 'king's highway.'" "So am I, so we're two to one!" "I'll give in, then," said Ingred, "only I've a sort of feeling we're going wrong, all the same!" The new path led along the opposite bank, and was very much a replica of the former.

It ran on and on for what seemed quite a long distance, but they met nobody from whom they could inquire the way.

For nearly a quarter of a mile a belt of trees obscured the view, and when at last the prospect could once more be seen, Beatrice stopped short with a groan of despair.