At the breakfast-table he was cheerful and alert.

After breakfast he amused himself in playing with the child till the carriage was brought round.
It was such a morning as does not come a dozen times a year in England.
The sweet, moist air blew from the meadows and up through the lime trees with a warm, insinuating gladness.

The lawn sloped delightfully away to the flowered embrasures of the park, and a fragrant abundance of flowers met the eye and cheered the senses.

While Richard loitered on the steps with the child and its nurse, more excited than he knew, Lali came out and stood beside him.

At the moment Richard was looking into the distance.