Building of various kinds was in progress in the heart of the vale; a great massive chimney was rising to completion, and about it stood a number of sheds.

Beyond was to be seen the commencement of a street of small houses, promising infinite ugliness in a little space; the soil over a considerable area was torn up and trodden into mud.

A number of men were at work; carts and waggons and trucks were moving about.

In truth, the benighted valley was waking up and donning the true nineteenth-century livery.
The young man's face, hitherto thoughtfully sad, changed to an expression of bitterness; he muttered what seemed to be angry and contemptuous words, then averted his eyes and walked on.

He entered the village street and passed along it for some distance, his fixed gaze appearing studiously to avoid the people who stood about or walked by him.