Was there some strange, magnetic attraction between Lord Arleigh and Madaline, or could it be that the _valet_, knowing or guessing the state of his master's affections, gave what he no doubt considered a timely hint?
Something of the kind must have happened, for Madaline, unable to sleep, unable to rest, had risen in the early morning, while the dew was on the grass, and had gone out into the shade of the woods.

The August sun shone brightly, a soft wind fanned her cheeks.
Madaline looked round before she entered the woods.

The square turrets of Verdun Royal rose high above the trees.

They were tall and massive, with great umbrageous boughs and massive rugged trunks, the boughs almost reaching down to the long, thick grass.

A little brook went singing through the woods--a brook of clear, rippling water.