At the bottom of the cliff they were helped out of their prison by a humid young Englishman, with much clay on him, whose face was red and bathed in perspiration, for it was very hot down there in his little inclosure of baking pine boards, and it was not much cooler out on the rocks upon which the party issued, descending and descending by repeated and desultory flights of steps, till at last they stood upon a huge fragment of stone right abreast of the rapids.  Yet it was a magnificent sight, and for a moment none of them were sorry to have come.  The surges did not look like the gigantic ripples on a river’s course as they were, but like a procession of ocean billows; they arose far aloft in vast bulks of clear green, and broke heavily into foam at the crest.  Great blocks and shapeless fragments of rock strewed the margin of the awful torrent; gloomy walls of dark stone rose naked from these, bearded here and there with cedar, and everywhere frowning with shaggy brows of evergreen.  The place is inexpressibly lonely and dreadful, and one feels like an alien presence there, or as if he had intruded upon some mood or haunt of Nature in which she had a right to be forever alone.  The slight, impudent structure of the elevator rises through the solitude, like a thing that merits ruin, yet it is better than something more elaborate, for it looks temporary, and since there must be an elevator, it is well to have it of the most transitory aspect.  Some such quality of rude impermanence consoles you for the presence of most improvements by which you enjoy Niagara; the suspension bridges for their part being saved from offensiveness by their beauty and unreality.

Ascending, none of the party spoke; Isabel and the other matron blanched in each other’s faces; their husbands maintained a stolid resignation.  When they stepped out of their trap into the waiting room at the top, “What I like about these little adventures,” said Mr. Richard to Basil, abruptly, “is getting safely out of them.  Good-morning, sir.”  He bowed slightly to Isabel, who returned his politeness, and exchanged faint nods, or glances, with the ladies.  They got into their separate carriages, and at that safe distance made each other more decided obeisances.

“Well,” observed Basil, “I suppose we’re introduced now.  We shall be meeting them from time to time throughout our journey.  You know how the same faces and the same trunks used to keep turning up in our travels on the other side.  Once meet people in travelling, and you can’t get rid of them.”

“Yes,” said Isabel, as if continuing his train of thought, “I’m glad we’re going to-day.”

“O dearest!”

“Truly.  When we first arrived I felt only the loveliness of the place.  It seemed more familiar, too, then; but ever since, it’s been growing stranger and dreadfuller.  Somehow it’s begun to pervade me and possess me in a very uncomfortable way; I’m tossed upon rapids, and flung from cataract brinks, and dizzied in whirlpools; I’m no longer yours, Basil; I’m most unhappily married to Niagara.  Fly with me, save me from my awful lord!”