'In such places as these,' he said, as he rode alongside Mrs.Goodman, 'nature's powers in the multiplication of one type strike me as much as the grandeur of the mass.' Mrs.Goodman agreed with him, and Paula said, 'The foliage forms the roof of an interminable green crypt, the pillars being the trunks, and the vault the interlacing boughs.' 'It is a fine place in a thunderstorm,' said De Stancy.

'I am not an enthusiast, but to see the lightning spring hither and thither, like lazy-tongs, bristling, and striking, and vanishing, is rather impressive.' 'It must be indeed,' said Paula.
'And in the winter winds these pines sigh like ten thousand spirits in trouble.' 'Indeed they must,' said Paula.
'At the same time I know a little fir-plantation about a mile square not far from Markton,' said De Stancy, 'which is precisely like this in miniature,--stems, colours, slopes, winds, and all.

If we were to go there any time with a highly magnifying pair of spectacles it would look as fine as this--and save a deal of travelling.' 'I know the place, and I agree with you,' said Paula.
'You agree with me on all subjects but one,' he presently observed, in a voice not intended to reach the others.
Paula looked at him, but was silent.
Onward and upward they went, the same pattern and colour of tree repeating themselves endlessly, till in a couple of hours they reached the castle hill which was to be the end of their journey, and beheld stretched beneath them the valley of the Murg.

They alighted and entered the fortress.
'What did you mean by that look of kindness you bestowed upon me just now, when I said you agreed with me on all subjects but one ?' asked De Stancy half humorously, as he held open a little door for her, the others having gone ahead.
'I meant, I suppose, that I was much obliged to you for not requiring agreement on that one subject,' she said, passing on.
'Not more than that ?' said De Stancy, as he followed her.

'But whenever I involuntarily express towards you sentiments that there can be no mistaking, you seem truly compassionate.' 'If I seem so, I feel so.' 'If you mean no more than mere compassion, I wish you would show nothing at all, for your mistaken kindness is only preparing more misery for me than I should have if let alone to suffer without mercy.' 'I implore you to be quiet, Captain De Stancy! Leave me, and look out of the window at the view here, or at the pictures, or at the armour, or whatever it is we are come to see.' 'Very well.