At the same time, Julian resolved to seize the present opportunity, for such expostulations with Fenella on the strangeness of her conduct, as the poor maiden might be able to comprehend.

He took her hand with great kindness, but at the same time with much gravity, pointed to the boat, and to the Castle, whose towers and extended walls were now scarce visible in the distance; and thus intimated to her the necessity of her return to Holm-Peel.

She looked down, and shook her head, as if negativing his proposal with obstinate decision.

Julian renewed his expostulation by look and gesture--pointed to his own heart, to intimate the Countess--and bent his brows, to show the displeasure which she must entertain.

To all which the maiden only answered by her tears.
At length, as if driven to explanation by his continued remonstrances, she suddenly seized him by the arm, to arrest his attention--cast her eye hastily around, as if to see whether she was watched by any one--then drew the other hand, edge-wise, across her slender throat--pointed to the boat, and to the Castle, and nodded.
On this series of signs, Peveril could put no interpretation, excepting that he was menaced with some personal danger, from which Fenella seemed to conceive that her presence was a protection.