But soon they were to be hidden from her eye . Densely and dark the mists began to gather below , casting black spots of shadow on the vast landscape and sailing heavily to one centre , as if the loftiest mountain-peak had summoned a council of its kindred clouds . Finally the vapors welded themselves , as it were , into a mass , presenting the appearance of a pavement over which the wanderers might have trodden , but where they would vainly have sought an avenue to the blessed earth which they had lost . And the lovers yearned to behold that green earth again -- more intensely , alas ! than beneath a clouded sky they had ever desired a glimpse of heaven . They even felt it a relief to their desolation when the mists , creeping gradually up the mountain , concealed its lonely peak , and thus annihilated -- at least , for them -- the whole region of visible space . But they drew closer together with a fond and melancholy gaze , dreading lest the universal cloud should snatch them from each other 's sight . Still , perhaps , they would have been resolute to climb as far and as high between earth and heaven as they could find foothold if Hannah 's strength had not begun to fail , and with that her courage also . Her breath grew short . She refused to burden her husband with her weight , but often tottered against his side , and recovered herself each time by a feebler effort . At last she sank down on one of the rocky steps of the acclivity . `` We are lost , dear Matthew , '' said she , mournfully ; `` we shall never find our way to the earth again . And oh how happy we might have been in our cottage ! '' `` Dear heart , we will yet be happy there , '' answered Matthew . `` Look ! In this direction the sunshine penetrates the dismal mist ; by its aid I can direct our course to the passage of the Notch . Let us go back , love , and dream no more of the Great Carbuncle . '' `` The sun can not be yonder , '' said Hannah , with despondence . `` By this time it must be noon ; if there could ever be any sunshine here , it would come from above our heads . '' `` But look ! ''
repeated Matthew , XXXXX a somewhat altered tone .
By against between for from in lest on over to