He knew the country well, and partly on
this account, partly because he did not wish to be recognised, he struck
across unbeaten paths, where he was not likely to meet anyone, avoiding
the high roads as much as he could, and travelling as near as possible
as the crow flies, over downs and meadows to the village he was seeking.
It was a good six miles, and he had neither time nor inclination to
pause and look at the scenery around him, so full of charm to those who
live among it, so repellent at first to the stranger's eye, which has
not been educated to notice the various tints and colours which sweep
over the soft rounded outlines of those purple downs, but is at once
caught by the grey hollows of the hills and the patches of white chalk
which peep out every here and there on the steeps, and at a distance
look like the perpetual snow of Alpine regions. The scenery of the
Sussex Downs is like the Sussex people in this respect--it requires to
be well known to be thoroughly appreciated; cold and reserved at first,
it is only on better acquaintance you learn the sterling worth, the
truth, the real kindness of heart, and the hospitality which
characterise the Sussex people.
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