The serfs, understanding that they were no longer required, gathered their things together, and were shortly on their way home.

Oliver, holding Felix's horse by the bridle, had already ridden that way, but he presently halted, and waited till the three men overtook him.

He then gave the horse into their charge, and turning to the right, along a forest path which branched off there, went to Ponze.

Felix could therefore see no one when he looked back, and they were indeed already on their way from the place.
He now felt that he was alone.

He had parted from the shore, and from all the old associations; he was fast passing not only out upon the water, but out into the unknown future.