distant glory and of grand repose, which so often meets the eye, and so forcibly strikes the mind, of him who travels in the deep valleys and embedded lakes of Switzerland.  The glacier of Valsorey descended from the upper region nearly to the edge of the valley, bright and shining, its lower margin streaked and dirty with the debris of the overhanging rocks, as if doomed to the fate of all that came upon the earth, that of sharing its impurities.

There no longer existed any human habitation between the point which the travellers had now attained and the convent, though more modern speculation, in this age of curiosity and restlessness, has been induced to rear a substitute for an inn in the spot just described, with the hope of gleaning a scanty tribute from those who fail of arriving in season to share the hospitality of the monks.  The chilliness of the air increased faster even than the natural change of the hour would seem to justify, and there were moments when the dull sound of the wind descended to their ears, though not a breath was stirring a withered and nearly solitary blade of grass at their feet.  Once or twice, large black clouds drove across the opening above them, resembling heavy-winged vultures sailing in the void, preparatory to a swoop upon their prey.

Chapter XXII.

                        Through this gap
  On and say nothing, lest a word, a breath,
  Bring down a winter’s snow, enough to whelm
  The armed files that, night and day, were seen
  Winding from cliff to cliff in loose array,
  To conquer at Marengo.

  Italy.

Pierre Dumont halted in the middle of the sterile little plain, while he signed for those he conducted to continue their ascent.  As each mule passed, it received a blow or a kick from the impatient guide, who did not seem to think it necessary to be very ceremonious with the poor beasts, and had taken this simple method to give a general and a brisker impulsion to the party.  The expedient was so natural, and so much in accordance with the practice of the muleteers and others of their class, that it excited no suspicion in most of the travellers, who pursued their way, either meditating on and enjoying the novel and profound emotions that their present situation so naturally awakened, or discoursing lightly, in the manner of the thoughtless and unconcerned.  The Signor Grimaldi alone, whose watchfulness had already been quickened by previous distrust, took heed of the movement.  When all had passed, the Genoese turned in his saddle, and cast an apparently careless look behind.  But the glance in truth was anxious and keen.  Pierre stood looking steadily at the heavens, one hand holding his hat, and the other extended with an open palm.  A glittering particle descended to the latter, when the guide instantly resumed his place in advance.  As he passed the Italian, however, meeting an inquiring