They sauntered unconsciously about the village, in little groups or individually, without concert or combination, and with suspicious or hesitating eye.

Occasionally, the accents of a single voice broke the general silence, though but for a moment; and then, with a startling and painful influence, which imparted a still deeper sense of gloom to the spirits of all.

It appeared to come laden with a mysterious and strange terror, and the speaker, aptly personifying the Fear in Collins's fine "Ode on the Passions," "shrunk from the sound himself had made." Ralph, in company with Forrester, made his appearance among the squatters while thus situated.

Seeing them armed as on the previous day, he was apprehensive of some new evil; and as he approached the several stray groups, made known his apprehensions to his companion in strong language.

He was not altogether assured of Forrester's own compunction, and the appearance of those around almost persuaded him to doubt his sincerity.
"Why are these people assembled, Forrester--is there anything new--is there more to be done--more bloodletting--more crime and violence--are they still unsatisfied ?" The earnestness of the inquirer was coupled with a sternness of eye and warmth of accent which had in them much, that, under other circumstances and at other times, would have been sorely offensive to the sturdy woodman; whose spirit, anything in the guise of rebuke would have been calculated to vex.