I am strongly inclined to take it and avoid that tiresome road." "Believe me, do nothing of the kind," said Lucan; "what is a very easy path for the country people may prove a very arduous one for you and even for me." After further conference with the fisherman: "He says," rejoined Julia, "that there is really no danger, and that children go up and down that way every day.

He is going to guide me to the foot of the path, and then I'll only have to go straight up.

Tell mother I'll be up there as soon as you all are." "Your mother will be dreadfully anxious." "Tell her there is no danger." Lucan, giving up the attempt to resist any longer a fancy that was growing impatient, went up to the footman who carried Julia's album and shawl; he requested him to reassure Clotilde and Monsieur de Moras, who had already disappeared behind one of the angles of the road; then returned to Julia.
"Whenever you are ready," he said.
"You are coming with me ?" "As a matter of course." The old fisherman preceded them, following close to the foot of the cliffs.

After leaving the sandy beach of the bay, the shore was covered with angular rocks and gigantic fragments of granite that made walking extremely painful.

Although the distance was very short, they were already breaking down with fatigue when they reached the entrance to the path, which appeared to Lucan, and perhaps to Julia herself, much less safe and commodious than the fisherman had pretended.