They had, as Barbara predicted, a very quick and pleasant run down the Bay; and on the morning of the eighth day, at sunrise, anchored off the Headland. Lord Montressor came on deck, where he found Barbara giving her orders. On seeing him she came aft. “Good-morning, sir! You are out early! We have just cast anchor. We shall lie here all day. Look, sir! there is my dear, old home.” Lord Montressor looked across the water to the dark Headland that, crested with its old forest trees, loomed to leeward. The sun, rising behind the shore, threw the whole place into the deepest shadow—altogether it presented a gloomy, weird, and forbidding aspect. “It is very picturesque,” said Lord Montressor. “Yes!—and very interesting in some of its features. They are getting ready the boat for me to go on shore. I should be happy to have you over, if you would like to accompany me.” “I thank you, Miss Brande—if you or your tenant will give me the privilege of a day’s shooting in your woods, I shall be pleased to go on shore,” said Lord Montressor, bowing. “Oh, sir! We have no game laws or preserves here! Our game is as free as it is abundant—our woods as open as they are extensive. I am very glad that you should be able to amuse yourself for a day. There are also stanch pointers at the Headland, and old Neptune who has them in charge will be as good a guide as any gamekeeper in England,” said Barbara. Lord Montressor expressed his thanks. “And now, my lord, let us to breakfast; and then to the boats.” Lord Montressor first went below to order his groom to get out his fowling-piece, powder-flask, shot-pouch, game-bag, etc., and then followed Barbara into the cabin, where the early morning meal was spread. After breakfast, leaving Willful and two sailors in charge of the vessel, Barbara, her younger brother, Lord Montressor, and his groom entered the boat and were rowed rapidly toward the Headland. On reaching the beach Barbara said— “Will you go up to the house, sir?” “No, I thank you very much, Miss Brande; I think not,” replied his lordship, feeling unwilling to intrude upon the unknown Lady, who was Barbara’s tenant. “Then—come hither, Edwy! attend Lord Montressor to Uncle Nep’s quarter. Tell the old man to take the dogs, and show his lordship where to find the birds,” said Barbara. Edwy came forward and bowed, expressing his readiness. And with a mutual “good-morning,” the parties separated—Barbara Brande going up to the house, while Lord Montressor and his companions sought the woods. CHAPTER XVIII. THE RECLUSE. “Oh! might I here In solitude live hidden—in some glade Obscure, where highest woods, impenetrable To star or sunlight, spread their umbrage broad And dark as evening. Cover me, ye pines, Ye cedars; with innumerable boughs Hide me where they may never find me more.”—_Milton._