There--she's actually condescending to purr! Now we'll come and disport ourselves under the trees, and you shall watch the birds from a safe distance.

I know your wicked ways, and I must teach you how to treat your inferiors with proper benignity and toleration." But Gioconda had plans of her own for the afternoon, and declined the proposed discipline; so Austin strolled off by himself, and lay down under the trees with a large book on Italian gardens to console him.
His improvised exertions in the water had produced a certain fatigue, and he felt lazy and inert.

Gradually he dropped off into a doze, which lasted more than an hour.

And he had a curious dream.

He thought he was in some strange land--a land like a garden seen through yellow glass--where everything was transparent, and people glided about as though they were skating, without any conscious effort.