CHAPTER XX.
"So this," the Duke said, "is your wonderful land." "Is there anything like it in the world ?" Jeanne asked as she stood bareheaded on the grass-banked dyke with her face turned seaward.
Above their heads the larks were singing.

To their right stretched the marshes and pasture land, as yet untouched by the sea, glorious with streaks of colour, fragrant with the perfume of wild lavender and mosses.

To their left, through the opening in the sandbanks, came streaming the full tide, rushing up into the land, making silver water-ways of muddy places, bringing with it all the salt and freshness and joy of the sea.

Over their heads the seagulls cried.

Far away a heron lifted its head from a tuft of weeds, and sent his strange call travelling across the level distance.
"Oh, it is beautiful to be here again!" Jeanne said.