Into a Wilderness

The journey to the peak was a pointless labyrinth. The roads always ended by turning away from it, and sneaking back towards the valley or northward along the margin of the hills. An infinity of little country by roads led hither and thither among the fields. I think every decent step that Modestine took must have cost me at least two emphatic blows. There was not another sound in the neighbourhood but that of my unwearying Bastionato. At last, leaving Moda Steen by herself, I was constrained to run after them, hailing the while.