ON A LONGER TRIP ABROAD to Dorset and Cornwall, the Darcys made for the western road, travelling first to Birmingham, thence Worcester, Gloucester, and Bristol. Reaching the coast, they drove southward along the vast expanse of the Severn, with its views of the Monmouthshire hills to the west. The tides were displayed for the convenience of travellers at the tavern in Old Sudbury, at which they stopt for a meal at mid-day. It was determined that they could, with only a little expedient, meet the packet-boat that afternoon; accordingly, the Darcys decided to make a short excursion across the Severn to Strighill, Sudbrook, Chepstow, and Tintern, before returning to their road south.

From the old passage-house at Aust, the Wye could be seen across the Severn, along with the remnants of Strighill Castle atop Wentworth Forest and the verdant valley spread before it. The crossing at Aust was about two hours at low tide, and could be made an hour before the new passage, the latter requiring an additional hour to reach Port Skewith at that time of day. They left the carriage and servants at the old Passage-House, and took the packet across the river. Arriving at Beachley, the Darcys hired a chaise. The late Mr. Darcy had taken his young son to see the excavations of the entrenchments built by the Roman general Agricola, but a few years after their discovery. It being high summer, the sunset faded slowly, allowing sufficient time that evening for Mr. Darcy to shew Elizabeth and Georgiana where the ruins had been found in a field near-by Sudbrook. They staid at Chepstow and Tintern, recommencing their circuit of the various castles and other ancient ruins before returning by the express the following afternoon, meeting their horses at the new Passage-House a mile-and-a-half down-river at Pilning.