The old gentleman now bowed and took his leave, and Mrs. Merton returned his salutation very coldly, as she had been disgusted with the violent rage he had displayed, and which was so unbefitting his age and general intelligence. Agnes was also quite hurt to find him so very different from what she had expected. “I never could have believed he would have behaved so; his appearance was so respectable,” said she. “My dear Agnes,” returned her mother; “this is your first experience in that important lesson in life—that it is always dangerous to place much reliance on appearances.” They now returned to the inn, where they found the carriage waiting; on the road they stayed a moment to look again at Brading Haven, with the little town of Bembridge, forming the southern point of the harbour, and approaching nearly to the pretty village of St. Helen’s at its northern point. Mrs. Merton was anxious to pass through St. Helen’s, as she wanted to show Agnes the old church-tower which is now washed by the sea, though it is said to have been once a mile from it, and the green, round which the houses of the village are built; but as Mr. Merton was far from well, she thought it advisable to proceed to Ryde as speedily as possible, and after a very dull ride, only varied by the beautiful view from St. John’s of the town of Ryde, they arrived at that place, and drove to the Pier Hotel. CHAPTER X. Ryde.—Handsome Shops.—Binstead.—Wootton Bridge.—Newport.—East Cowes.—Horse Ferry.—Steam Boat.—Arms of the German Empire.—Return home. [Illustration: _Fig. 33._ RYDE PIER. ]