AN UNFORTUNATE RESOLVE 117 



body showed above the edge of the chasm where 

 she sat examining the slope. She kept looking 

 in the direction of the furze-bush as If she 

 saw something of interest there, then suddenly 

 turned, leapt the opening without an effort, and 

 disappeared along the very ledge from which she 

 had tried to drop on the back of the chough. 



The visit of the marten greatly disquieted 

 the hare. He believed that if she had discovered 

 him he could hardly have got away. So the 

 question. Should he abandon the retreat ? con- 

 fronted him. He was loath to leave, but In the 

 end decided to forsake the spot, because he 

 felt that even If the marten did not return, he 

 would enjoy no peace through fear that she 

 would. It was an unfortunate resolve ; had he 

 decided otherwise, he might have avoided the 

 most harassing trials of his life. 



