Page:Crotchet Castle - Peacock (1831).djvu/216

 ment which attends excited expectation, when imagination has outstripped reality, and from the accidents that mar the scheme of the tourist's single day, when the valleys may be drenched with rain, or the mountains shrouded with mist.

The Captain was one morning preparing to sally forth on his usual exploration, when he heard a voice without, inquiring for a guide to the ruined castle. The voice seemed familiar to him, and going forth into the gateway, he recognised Mr. Chainmail. After greetings and inquiries for the absent; "You vanished very abruptly, Captain," said Mr. Chainmail, "from our party on the canal."

To tell you the truth, I had a particular reason for trying the effect of absence from a part of that party.