Both, then, actually lay down on the grass, and approached the edge of the cliff again, in that humble attitude, even trembling as they lay at length, with their chins projecting over the rocks, staring downwards at the victim.

The young man could see nothing of all this; for, as he stood with his back against the cliff, he had not room to turn, with safety, or even to look upwards.

Mildred, however, seemed to lose all sense of self and of danger, in view of the extremity in which the youth beneath was placed.
She stood on the very verge of the precipice, and looked down with steadiness and impunity that would have been utterly impossible for her to attain under less exciting circumstances; even allowing the young man to catch a glimpse of her rich locks, as they hung about her beautiful face.
"For God's sake, Mildred," called out the youth, "keep further from the cliff--I see you, and we can now hear each other without so much risk." "What can we do to rescue you, Wychecombe ?" eagerly asked the girl.
"Tell me, I entreat you; for Sir Wycherly and my father are both unnerved!" "Blessed creature! and _you_ are mindful of my danger! But, be not uneasy, Mildred; do as I tell you, and all will yet be well.

I hope you hear and understand what I say, dearest girl ?" "Perfectly," returned Mildred, nearly choked by the effort to be calm.
"I hear every syllable--speak on." "Go you then to the signal-halyards--let one end fly loose, and pull upon the other, until the whole line has come down--when that is done, return here, and I will tell you more--but, for heaven's sake, keep farther from the cliff." The thought that the rope, small and frail as it seemed, might be of use, flashed on the brain of the girl; and in a moment she was at the staff.

Time and again, when liquor incapacitated her father to perform his duty, had Mildred bent-on, and hoisted the signals for him; and thus, happily, she was expert in the use of the halyards.