When, issuing from the gorge of a pass which terminated upon the lake,
the travellers came in sight of the ancient castle of Avenel, the old
man looked with earnest attention upon the scene before him. The
castle was, as we have said, in many places ruinous, as was evident,
even at this distance, by the broken, rugged, and irregular outline of
the walls and of the towers. In others it seemed more entire, and a
pillar of dark smoke, which ascended from the chimneys of the donjon,
and spread its long dusky pennon through the clear ether, indicated
that it was inhabited. But no corn-fields or enclosed pasture-grounds
on the side of the lake showed that provident attention to comfort and
subsistence which usually appeared near the houses of the greater, and
even of the lesser barons
