He had congenial friends, and occupations in which he took pleasure--sport, experiments in farming, and stock-raising.

It would be hard to drop them; but that, after all, was a minor trouble.

He would be separated from Sylvia until his work should be done.
"What a beautiful night!" she said at length.

Summoning his resolution, he turned and looked at her.

She stood with one hand resting on the gate, slender, graceful, and wonderfully attractive, the black dress emphasizing the pure whiteness of her face and hands.
Sylvia was an artist where dress was concerned, and she had made the most of her somber garb.