The topic was productive of
goodwill. We exchanged tobacco and talked about the season, and
agreed at last that we should go to the same hotel at Keswick and sup
in company. As he had some business in the town which would occupy
him some hour or so, on our arrival I was to improve the time and go
down to the lake, that I might see a glimpse of the promised wonders.
The night had fallen already when I reached the water-side, at a
place where many pleasure-boats are moored and ready for hire; and as
I went along a stony path, between wood and water, a strong wind blew
in gusts from the far end of the lake. The sky was covered with
flying scud; and, as this was ragged, there was quite a wild chase of
shadow and moon-glimpse over the surface of the shuddering water. I
had to hold my hat on, and was growing rather tired, and inclined to
go back in disgust, when a little incident occurred to break the
tedium. A sudden and violent squall of wind sundered the low
underwood, and at the same time there came one of those brief
discharges of moonlight, which leaped into the opening thus made, and
showed me three girls in the prettiest flutter and disorder.
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