CHAPTER XII.
THE CASTLE.
The next morning came a cart from the castle to fetch his box; and after breakfast he set out for his new abode.
He took the path by the river-side.

The morning was glorious.

The sun and the river and the birds were jubilant, and the wind gave life to everything.

It rippled the stream, and fluttered the long webs bleaching in the sun: they rose and fell like white waves on the bright green lake; and women, homely Nereids of the grassy sea, were besprinkling them with spray.

There were dull sounds of wooden machinery near, but they made no discord with the sweetness of the hour, speaking only of activity, not labour.