At its base was a line of half-discovered window-spaces, the lower
parts of which had become long since the prey of the waves. Above it
were more window-spaces, fully visible, and flanking a high doorway,
once, no doubt, connected with a staircase, but now giving upon mid-
air. Formerly there had been another floor, but this had fallen into
decay and disappeared, with the exception of one small and narrow
chamber situated immediately over the doorway. Isolated, for there was
no means of approach to it, this chamber had something of the aspect
of a low and sombre tower sluggishly lifting itself towards the sky.
The palace was set upon rock and flanked by rocks. Round about it
grass grew to the base of a high cliff at perhaps two hundred yards
distance from it. And here and there grass and tufts of rank herbage
pushed in its crevices, proclaiming the triumph of time to exulting
winds and waters.
As Gaspare rowed in cautiously and gently to this deserted place, to
which from the land no road, no footpath led, he stared at the
darkness of the palace with superstitious awe, then at the small,
familiar boat, which followed in their wake because he held the tow-
rope.
Pages:
913
914
915
916
917
918
919
920
921
922
923
924
925
926
927
928
929
930
931
932
933
934
935
936
937