Seen at this hour, by the mild, tremulous evening light, the gardens attached to the mansion seemed twice their usual size.

The moving tops of the great trees stretched away like an immense plain, hiding the neighbouring houses; the flower-beds, set off by the green shrubs, looked like great black patches, while particles of shell, tiny pieces of glass, and shining pebbles sparkled in the carefully kept walks.

The horses stamped in the stable and the rattling of their halter chains against the bars of the manger could be distinctly heard.

In the coach-house the men were putting away for the night the carriage, always kept ready throughout the evening, in case the count should wish to go out.
Albert was reminded by these surroundings, of the magnificence of his past life.

He sighed deeply.
"Must I, then, lose all this ?" he murmured.