To the east and south vast woods closed in the horizon.
The carriage left the main road and entered an ill-defined track leading apparently through private property.
'Ah! I remember!' cried Eleanor, starting up.

'There is the _palazzo_--and the village.' In front of them, indeed, rose an old villa of the Renaissance, with its long flat roofs, its fine _loggia_, and terraced vineyards.

A rude village of grey stone, part, it seemed, of the tufa rocks from which it sprang, pressed round the villa, invaded its olive-gardens, crept up to its very walls.

Meanwhile the earth grew kinder and more fertile.

The vines and figs stood thick again among the green corn and flowering lucerne.