Arthur Machen

“ Dyson looked to the north and south, and still he saw the wall of the hills, and the ancient woods, and the stream drawn in and out between them; all grey and dim with morning mist beneath a grey sky in a hushed and haunted air.
Mr. Vaughan's voice broke in upon the silence.
"I thought you would be too tired to be about so early," he said. "I see you are admiring the view. It is very pretty, isn't it, though I suppose old Meyrick Vaughan didn't think much about the scenery when he built the house. A queer grey old place, isn't it?" ”

“ Moreover, those overhanging trees would throw that wall into deep shadow even on a clear night."
"Well?"
"What struck me was this. What very peculiarly sharp eyesight, they, whoever 'they' are, must have to be able to arrange arrow-heads in intricate order in the blackest shadow of the wood, and then draw the eyes on the wall without a trace of bungling, or a false line."
"I have read of persons confined in dungeons for many years who have been able to see quite well in the dark," said Vaughan.
"Yes," said Dyson, "there was the abbe in Monte Cristo. But it is a singular point." ”

“ To my mind, the thing has an odd ancient air; and a touch that is not altogether pleasant. I can not help fancying that if we could see a whole face from the same head it would not be altogether agreeable. ”