But once more the smooth gliding of the cushioned car, the soft peace of the meadows so permanently at grass, the churches, mansions, cottages embowered among their elms, the slow-flapping flight of the rooks and crows lulled Felix to quietude, and the faint far muttering of that thunder died away.
Nedda was in the drive when he returned, gazing at a nymph set up there by Clara.

It was a good thing, procured from Berlin, well known for sculpture, and beginning to green over already, as though it had been there a long time--a pretty creature with shoulders drooping, eyes modestly cast down, and a sparrow perching on her head.
"Well, Dad ?" "They're coming." "When ?" "On Tuesday--the youngsters, only." "You might tell me a little about them." But Felix only smiled.

His powers of description faltered before that task; and, proud of those powers, he did not choose to subject them to failure..