They now went on more slowly, fearing the moment when they would have to retrace their steps.
So long as they walked onward, they felt as though they were advancing to the eternity of their mutual embrace; the return would mean separation and bitter leave-taking.
The declivity of the road was gradually becoming more gentle.

In the valley below there are meadows extending as far as the Viorne, which runs at the other end, beneath a range of low hills.

These meadows, separated from the high-road by thickset hedges, are the meadows of Sainte-Claire.
"Bah!" exclaimed Silvere this time, as he caught sight of the first patches of grass: "we may as well go as far as the bridge." At this Miette burst out laughing, clasped the young man round the neck, and kissed him noisily.
At the spot where the hedges begin, there were in those days two elms forming the end of the long avenue, two colossal trees larger than any of the others.

The treeless fields stretch out from the high road, like a broad band of green wool, as far as the willows and birches by the river.

The distance from the last elms to the bridge is scarcely three hundred yards.