When it was fine he spent his days in the fields and woods; if it rained, he sat at a window where he could watch the grey mists, and the driving clouds, and the straight arrows of water falling wonderfully through the air.

His books, too, were a resource that never failed, and if he was unable personally to participate in beautiful scenes, he could always read about them, which was the next best thing after all.
The weather continued unsettled for some days, and then it cleared up gloriously, so that Austin was able to lead what he called his Daphnis life once more.

The rains had had rather a depressing effect upon his general health, and once or twice he had fancied that something was troubling him in his stump; but with the return of the sun all such symptoms disappeared as though by magic, and he felt younger and lighter than ever as he stepped forth again into the glittering air.
More than a week had elapsed since his day at the Court, and he began to think that now he really might venture to go and call.

So off he set one sunny afternoon, and with rather a beating heart presented himself at the park gates.
Here, however, a disappointment awaited him.

The lodge-keeper shook his head, and announced that Mr St Aubyn was away and wouldn't be back till night.