smackupontheprojectingledgesofrock——atfirstlouderandheavierthanthatofthebrook，andthenscarcelytobedistinguishedfromit——thenacessation，thenthesplashingofthestreamasbefore，andtheaccompanyingmurmurofthesea，werealltheincidentsthatdisturbedthecustomaryflowofthelittlewaterfall。
Thesingerwaitedinafixedattitudeforafewminutes，thenturning，herapidlyretracedhisstepsovertheinterveninguplandtowardtheroad，andinlessthanaquarterofanhourwasatthedoorofthehotel。Slippingquietlyinastheclockstruckten，hesaidtothelandlord，overthebarhatchway-
\'Thebillassoonasyoucanletmehaveit，includingchargesforthesupperthatwasordered，thoughwecannotstaytoeatit，Iamsorrytosay。\'Headdedwithforcedgaiety，\'Thelady\'sfatherandcousinhavethoughtbetterofinterceptingthemarriage，andafterquarrellingwitheachotherhavegonehomeindependently。\'
\'Welldone，sir!\'saidthelandlord，whostillsidedwiththiscustomerinpreferencetothosewhohadgiventroubleandbarelypaidforbaitingthehorses。\'\"Lovewillfindouttheway!\"asthesayingis。Wishyoujoy，sir!\'
SignorSmithozziwentupstairs，andonenteringthesitting-roomfoundthatLaurahadcreptoutfromthedarkadjoiningchamberinhisabsence。Shelookedupathimwitheyesredfromweeping，andwithsymptomsofalarm。