In the soft light the distant hills became melted, and the shadows in the valleys and gorges of velvety blackness.

The mere beauty seemed to cheer me.

There was peace and comfort in every breath I drew.

As I leaned from the window my eye was caught by something moving a storey below me, and somewhat to my left, where I imagined, from the order of the rooms, that the windows of the Count's own room would look out.

The window at which I stood was tall and deep, stone-mullioned, and though weatherworn, was still complete.