There was a clump of dark Scotch firs close to them, which cut clear against the western sky, and threw back the nearest levels into distance.
The plain below them was richly wooded, and was tinted by the young tender hues of the earliest summer, for all the trees of the wood had donned their leaves except the cautious ash, which here and there gave a soft, pleasant greyness to the landscape.

Far away in the champaign were spires, and towers, and stacks of chimneys belonging to some distant hidden farm-house, which were traced downwards through the golden air by the thin columns of blue smoke sent up from the evening fires.

The view was bounded by some rising ground in deep purple shadow against the sunset sky.
When first they stopped, silent with sighing pleasure, the air seemed full of pleasant noises; distant church-bells made harmonious music with the little singing-birds near at hand; nor were the lowings of the cattle, nor the calls of the farm-servants discordant, for the voices seemed to be hushed by the brooding consciousness of the Sabbath.

They stood loitering before the house, quietly enjoying the view.

The clock in the little inn struck eight, and it sounded clear and sharp in the stillness.
"Can it be so late ?" asked Ruth.
"I should not have thought it possible," answered Mr Bellingham.
"But, never mind, you will be at home long before nine.