The great, painted thing moved slowly forward, bearing the unconscious Colonel, and the two pedestrians walked behind it: he with his horse's reins over his arm and his hat in his hand; she lifting her silken skirts from contact with the ground, and looking, not at her companion, but at the greening boughs, and at the sunlight striking upon smooth, pale beech trunks and the leaf-strewn earth beneath.

Out of the woods came a sudden medley of bird notes, clear, sweet, and inexpressibly joyous.
"That is a mockingbird," said Haward.

"I once heard one of a moonlight night, beside a still water"-- He broke off, and they listened in silence.

The bird flew away, and they came to a brook traversing the road, and flowing in wide meanders through the forest.

There were stepping-stones, and Haward, crossing first, turned and held out his hand to the lady.