Their feet hesitated upon the polished surface of the stone, or the short and slippery grass.

There were moments when they felt as if they stood upon an almost vertical slope, and if they attempted to stop and take breath, the vast spaces stretching before them, the boundless extent, the dazzling and metallic brilliancy of the sea, caused them a sensation of dizziness and as of a floating motion.

Though the sky was low and cloudy, a heavy and storm-laden heat weighed upon them and stimulated the action of their blood.

Lucan walked first, with a sort of feverish excitement, turning around from time to time to cast a glance at Julia, who followed him closely, then looking up to see some resting-point, some platform upon which they might breathe for a moment in safety.

But above him, as below, there was naught save the perpendicular and sometimes overhanging cliff.