Toward noon, however, it gradually changed, a fact that Helen believed she might have observed sooner had she been more keen.

The general lay of the land began to ascend, and the trees to grow denser.
She made another discovery.

Ever since she had entered the forest she had become aware of a fullness in her head and a something affecting her nostrils.

She imagined, with regret, that she had taken cold.

But presently her head cleared somewhat and she realized that the thick pine odor of the forest had clogged her nostrils as if with a sweet pitch.
The smell was overpowering and disagreeable because of its strength.
Also her throat and lungs seemed to burn.
When she began to lose interest in the forest and her surroundings it was because of aches and pains which would no longer be denied recognition.