In fact, it was the kind of thing one does without thinking and forgets." "Ah," said Mrs.Dalton, "the consequences of one's deeds follow one, whether they're good or bad." Then she gave him a very friendly smile.
"But perhaps we had better join the rest outside." Festing found Helen in the garden with her aunt and some friends, but the others left them by and by, and they walked alone among the flowers.
The day was calm, the light clear, and the shadow of the dark beeches on the hill crept slowly across the lawn.

Beyond a low hedge, woods, smooth pastures, and fields of ripening corn rolled back and melted into the blue shadow beneath the rugged fells.

It seemed to Festing that the peaceful sylvan landscape was touched by a glamour that centered in the fresh beauty of the girl.

Sometimes they were silent, and sometimes they talked about the mountains, but when they went back to the house he thought they had got nearer.
He returned to the Scar without Muriel a week later, and went again, and one evening stood with Helen on the terrace.

Gentle rain had fallen for most of the day, but it had stopped, and a band of pale-saffron glimmered under heavy clouds in the West.