"You will see," answered Agnes. "Come on my lap, Minnie; you will not be afraid if I describe something very dreadful?" "I don't _think_ so," said Minnie wondering; "but is it dreadful, Agnes?" "Don't you think that first page looks dreadful? So black and hopeless!" "Oh, yes, so it does." "Then listen: Black--Sin. I seemed to be dreaming, and in my dream I beheld a rocky country stretched out before me. On all sides were rugged stones, underneath which grew ferns and mosses, while short brushwood, growing luxuriantly, gave the place a wild, unfrequented appearance. By-and-by I heard the sound of voices approaching, and two boys came in view, who seemed to be travelling through this mountainous country. They were jumping lightly from stone to stone, or pushing their way through the bushes in the more open parts, talking gaily as they came towards me." "I have heard that there are some wonderful caverns somewhere about here, and I have determined to try and find them out," said one. "The Guide-book says they are most perilous," answered the other, opening his knapsack and looking in a book he carried there. "Oh, those old Guide-books always call everything dangerous," answered the other contemptuously, "and I am not going to be turned from my purpose by any such nonsense. Look here!" As he spoke he too opened his knapsack, and proceeded to pull out two candles triumphantly. "With these we shall do perfectly well," he added, laughing, "and shall prove the Guide-book to have been written for people with less sense." "I should like to see the caverns," said the younger boy hesitatingly, "but----" "No 'buts' for me," sneered the other, jumping up; "I am off to explore the mysteries. It is because you are afraid, I believe." I thought that the younger boy seemed not to like being called afraid, for he got up reluctantly and followed his companion somewhat slowly; not at all as he had bounded over the rocks a few minutes before. A call from the other announced that he had discovered the opening, and the colour flushed into the younger boy's face as he hastened on. In my dream I seemed permitted to follow them unseen, and saw before me the mouth of the caverns, large and wide. The boys laughed gaily, but I was not sure if I were right in imagining an uneasiness in their merriment. They eagerly traversed the outer caves, which were quite light, and chose one of the many winding turnings. "You will want your candle soon, Edred," said the younger. "So I shall, and I mean to have it too, and see all the beauties of which I have heard." They stopped to light the tapers, and I could not help wondering whether they would last long enough to guide them safely out again; but as I knew nothing of these dangerous caves, I could only follow silently, with an anxiety which increased as I perceived how headstrong Edred appeared to be.