Did not something extraordinary occur at this cliff, this morning, and in connection with this very Mr.Thomas Wychecombe?
Sir Gervaise was my informant; but he did not relate the matter very clearly." Mildred explained the mistake, and then gave a vivid description of the danger in which the young lieutenant had been placed, as well as of the manner in which he had extricated himself.

She particularly dwelt on the extraordinary presence of mind and resolution, by means of which he had saved his life, when the stone first gave way beneath his foot.
"All this is well, and what I should have expected from so active and energetic a youth," returned the rear-admiral, a little gravely; "but, I confess I would rather it had not happened.

Your inconsiderate and reckless young men, who risk their necks idly, in places of this sort, seldom have much in them, after all.

Had there been a motive, it would have altered the case." "Oh! but there _was_ a motive, sir; he was far from doing so silly a thing for nothing!" "And what was the motive, pray ?--I can see no sufficient reason why a man of sense should trust his person over a cliff as menacing as this.
One may approach it, by moonlight; but in the day, I confess to you I should not fancy standing as near it, as we do at this moment." Mildred was much embarrassed for an answer.

Her own heart told her Wycherly's motive, but that it would never do to avow to her companion, great as was the happiness she felt in avowing it to herself.