In another direction the Downs were edged with trees, and that way she turned.

All but overcome with heat and weariness, she at length found a shaded spot where her solitude seemed secure.

And, after seating herself, the first thing she did was to have a good cry.
Then for an hour she sat thinking, and as she thought her face gradually emerged from gloom--the better, truer face which so often allowed itself to be disguised at the prompting of an evil spirit; her softening lips all but smiled, as if at an amusing suggestion, and her eyes, in their reverie, seemed to behold a pleasant promise.
Unconsciously she plucked and tasted the sweet stems of grass that grew about her.

At length, the sun's movements having robbed her of shadow, she rose, looked at her watch, and glanced around for another retreat.

Hard by was a little wood, delightfully grassy and cool, fenced about with railings she could easily have climbed; but a notice-board, severely admonishing trespassers, forbade the attempt.