The Last of the Barons 97 



rocky ridges on its summit. Poised on even 

 wings, his tail deftly balancing him against the 

 breeze, he watched : and soon he knew that he 

 was being watched himself. For a human figure 

 was there, lying on its back in a cleft of the grey 

 rock, and looking up at him with a field-glass. 

 For a long time they watched each other, 

 motionless and in silence ; but at last the human 

 creature seemed to weary of it, and rose. A cry 

 escaped the Baron he could not help it ; and 

 from over the craggy side of the fortress came 

 the answering cry of the Baroness as she sat on 

 her treasures. 



" Fool that I am," thought the Baron, " I have 

 betrayed her, and she has betrayed the nest." 

 One hope remained ; the nest was in a stronger 

 position than last year. On the top of the cliff 

 towards the river no trees could grow ; but some 

 fifty feet below there was a mossy ledge on 

 which three oaks had rooted themselves. Then 

 came another ledge with more trees : then a 

 steep space covered with large boulders : and 

 then another cliff falling sheer into a deep pool of 

 the river. In the middle oak on the highest 



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