old Vicar still more
infirm and somewhat blind; but the Vicar said that he was very happy
to see him, as he himself was near the end of life, and that he could
hope for but few years,--adding that it was far different for Gilbert,
who, he supposed, would very soon be a Dean with a Cathedral of his
own, and would forget his humble friend the old Vicar. But Gilbert put
the wit aside, and talked earnestly with the Vicar about the end of
life and what might be hereafter. But the old Vicar said solemnly that
he knew not, and indeed cared little. But that he would go into the
dark like a child holding a loving hand, and would have no need to
fear.

That night Gilbert lay in his bed awake, and very strange thoughts
passed through his mind, which he strove to quiet by prayers; and so
fell asleep; till at last in the dim dawn he awoke. Then after a
moment's thought he took a paper and wrote on it, saying that he was
gone out and knew not when he would return; but he prayed the Vicar
that when he should find the paper, he should at once fall to prayer
for him, for there was a sore conflict before him to fight out, both
in soul and body, and what would be the issue he knew not. "And if,"
the end of the writing ran, "I must depart hence, then pray that my
passage may be easy, and that I may find the valley bright." And he
laid the paper upon the table. Then he dressed himself, and went out
alone into the valley, walking swiftly and intently--so intently that
when he passed the farm he marked not that the old farmer was sitting
in an arbour in the garden, who called shrilly to him; but Gilbert
heard not, and the old farmer was too weak to follow; so Gilbert went
down to the Hill of Trouble.

It lay, as it had lain six years before, very still and beautiful in
the breathless sunshine. The water was in the creek, a streak of
sapphire blue; the birds called in the crags, and the bushes and lawns
glistened fresh with dew.

But Gilbert, very pale and with his heart beating fast, came to the
wall and surmounted it, and went swiftly up the Hill, till he found
himself near the stones; then he looked once round upon the hills and
the sea, and then with a word of prayer he stepped within the circle.

This time he had not long to wait. As he entered the circle he saw
the old man enter from the opposite side and come to meet him, with a
strange light of triumph in his eyes. Then Gilbert looked him in the
face with a rising horror, and sai