It was, by this time within an hour of noon, and although a dense vapour still enveloped the city they had left, as of the very breath of its busy people hung over their schemes of gain and profit and found greater attraction there than in the quiet region, in the open country it was mostly clear and fair. Occasionally, in some low spots they came upon patches of mist which the sun had not yet driven form their strongholds; but these were soon passed, and as they laboured up the hills beyond, it was pleasant to look down and see how the sluggish mass rolled heavily off, before the cheering influence of day. A broad, fine honest sun lighted up the green pastures and dimples water, with the semblance freshness of that early time of year. The ground seemed elastic under their feet; the sheep-bells were music to their ears; and exhilarated by exercise, and stimulated by hope,, they pushed onward with strength of lions. The day wore on, and all these right colours subsided, and assumed a quieter tint, like young hopes softened down by time, or youthful features by degree resolving into the calm and serenity of age. But they were scarcely less beautiful in their slow decline, than they had been in their prime; for nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own. To Godalming they came at last, and here they bargained for two humble beds, and slept soundly.In the morning they were astir, though not quiet so early as the sun, and again afoot; if not with all the freshness of yesterday, still, with enough of hope and spirit to bear them cheerily on. It was a harder day's journey than yesterday's, for there were long and weary hill to climb; and in journeys, as in life, it is a great deal easier to go down hill than up. However, they kept on, the unabated perseverance, and the hill has not yet lifted its face to heaven that perseverance will not gain the summit of at last.