It was the same spot where they had sat when Barker first brought him to see her.

Margaret had no particular feeling about the little nook under the trees.

It was merely the most convenient place to sit and work; that was all.

But to Claudius the circle of green sward represented the temple of his soul, and Margaret was to him Rune Wife and prophetess as well as divinity.

In such places, and of such women, his fair-haired forefathers, bare-armed and sword-girt, had asked counsel in trouble, and song-inspiration in peace.
Here they sat them down, she determined to do the right by him, and thinking it an easy matter; he utterly misunderstanding her.