"
She received this remark with courtesy but did not reply.
"I think," continued the companion of Mr St Lys, "that this is
not the first time also that we have met?"
"I cannot recall our meeting before," said Sybil.
"And yet it was not many days past; though the sky was so very
different, that it would almost make one believe it was in
another land and another clime."
Sybil looked at him as if for explanation.
"It was at Marney Abbey," said the companion of Mr St Lys.
"I was there; and I remember, when about to rejoin my
companions, they were not alone."
"And you disappeared; very suddenly I thought: for I left the
ruins almost at the same moment as your friends, yet I never
saw any of you again."
"We took our course; a very rugged one; you perhaps pursued a
more even way."
"Was it your first visit to Marney?"
"My first and my last. There was no place I more desired to
see; no place of which the vision made me so sad."
"The glory has departed," said Egremont mournfully.
"It is not that," said Sybil: "I was prepared for decay, but
not for such absolute desecration. The Abbey seems a quarry
for materials to repair farm-houses; and the nave a cattle
gate.
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