There is snow on the ground, but frozen so hard that I thought Lucy and I might venture to that distance, as the footpath leading there was well beaten by the repair of those who frequented it for pastime.

Hazlewood instantly offered to attend us, and we stipulated that he should take his fowling-piece.

He laughed a good deal at the idea of going a-shooting in the snow; but, to relieve our tremors, desired that a groom, who acts as gamekeeper occasionally, should follow us with his gun.

As for Colonel Mannering, he does not like crowds or sights of any kind where human figures make up the show, unless indeed it were a military review, so he declined the party.
'We set out unusually early, on a fine, frosty, exhilarating morning, and we felt our minds, as well as our nerves, braced by the elasticity of the pure air.

Our walk to the lake was delightful, or at least the difficulties were only such as diverted us,--a slippery descent, for instance, or a frozen ditch to cross, which made Hazlewood's assistance absolutely necessary.