"A beautiful girl at Rye gained the affections of Captain ----, then in command of a cutter in that station. Her parents disapproved the connection and removed her to a farm house near the Lover's Seat, called the Warren-house. Hence she contrived to absent herself night after night, when she sought this spot, and by means of a light made known her presence to her lover, who was cruising off in expectation of her arrival. The difficulties thus thrown in their way increased the ardour of their attachment and marriage was determined upon at all hazards. Hollington Church was and is the place most sought for on these occasions in this part of the country; it has a romantic air about it which is doubtless peculiarly impressive. There are, too, some other reasons why so many matches are solemnized here; and all combined to make this the place selected by this pair. It was expected that the lady's flight would be discovered and her object suspected; but in order to prevent a rescue, the cutter's crew positively volunteered and acted as guards on the narrow paths leading through the woods to the church. However, the marriage ceremony was completed before any unwelcome visitors arrived, and reconciliation soon followed." [Sidenote: BEXHILL] Bexhill has now become so exceedingly accessible by conveyance from Hastings that it might perhaps be mentioned here as a contiguous place of interest; but of Bexhill, till lately a village, or Bexhill-on-Sea, watering place, with everything handsome about it, there is little to say. Both the tide of the Channel and of popularity seem to be receding. Inland there is some pretty country. CHAPTER XXXVII BATTLE ABBEY Le Souvenir Normande--The Battle of Hastings--Normans and Saxons on the eve--Taillefer--The battle cries--The death of Harold--Harold's body: three stories--The field of blood--Building the Abbey--The Abbot's privileges--Royal visitors--A great feast--The suppression of the Abbey--Present-day Battle--An incredible butler--Ashburnham--The last forge--Ninfield--Crowhurst. The principal excursion from Hastings is of course to Battle, whither a company of discreetly satisfied Normans--Le Souvenir Normande--recently travelled, to view with tactfully chastened enthusiasm the scene of the triumph of 1066; to erect a memorial; and to perplex the old ladies of Battle who provide tea. Except on one day of the week visitors to Battle must content themselves with tea (of which there is no stint) and a view of the gateway, for the rule of showing the Abbey only on Tuesdays is strictly enforced by the American gentleman who now resides on this historic site. But the gateway could hardly be finer. [Sidenote: BATTLE CRIES]