AsMissVanderpoelwalkedatalight，swingingpacethroughtheonevillagestreetthegazersfeltwithKedgersthatsomethingnewwaspassingandstirringtheatmosphere。Shelookedstraight，andwithafriendlinesssomehowdominating，atthecuriouswomen；herhandsomeeyesmetthoseofthemeninahumanquestioning；shesmiledandnoddedtothebobbingchildren。Oneofthese，youngenoughtobeuncertainonitsfeet，inrunningtojoinsomeothersstumbledandfellonthepathbeforeher。Openingitsmouthintheinevitableresultantroar，itwasshockedalmostintosilencebythetallyoungladystoopingatonce，pickingitup，andcheerfullydustingitspinafore。
　　"Don’tcry，"shesaid；"youarenothurt，youknow。"
　　Thedeepdimplenearhermouthshoweditself，andthelaughinhereyeswassoreassuringthatthepennysheputintothegrubbyhandwaslessproductiveofeffectthanhermereself。Shewalkedon，leavingthegroupstaringafterherbreathless，becauseofasenseofhavingmetwithawonderfuladventure。Thegrandyoungladywiththeblackhairandthebluehatandtall，straightbodywastheadventure。Sheleftthesamesenseofeventwiththevillageitself。Theytalkedofheralldayovertheirgardenpalings，ontheirdoorsteps，inthestreet；ofherlooks，ofherheight，oftheblackrimoflashesroundhereyes，ofthechancethatshemightberichandreadytogivehalf—crownsandsovereigns，ofthe"Meriker"shehadcomefrom，andaboveallofthereasonforhercoming。
　　Bettyswungwiththelight，firmstepofagoodwalkeroutontothehighway。Towalkuponthefine，smootholdRomanroadwasapleasureinitself，butshesoonstruckawayfromitandwentthroughlanesandby—ways，followingsign—postsbecausesheknewwhereshewasgoing。HerwalkwastotakehertoMountDunstanandhomeagainbyanotherroad。Inwalking，anobjectivepointformsaninterest，andwhatshehadheardoftheestatefromRosaliewasavaguereasonforhercaringtoseeit。ItwasanotherplacelikeStornham，oncedignifiedandnoblyrepresentativeoffinethings，nowlosingtheirmeaningsandvalues。Valuesandmeanings，otherthanmeresignsofwealthandpower，therehadbeen。Centuriesagostrongcreatureshadplannedandbuiltitforsuchreasonsasstrengthhasforitsplanningandbuilding。InBettinaVanderpoel’simaginationtheFirstManheldpowerfulandmovingsway。Itwashewhomshealwayssaw。Inhistory，asachildatschool，shehadunderstoodanddrawnclosetohim。TherewasalwaysaFirstManbehindallthatonesaworwastold，onewhowasthefighter，thehumanthingwhosnatchedweaponsandtoolsfromstonesandtreesandwieldedtheminthecarryingoutofthethoughtwhichwashispossessionandhisstrength。HewastheGodmadehuman；otherswaited，withoutknowledgeoftheirwaiting，forthesignalhegave。A
　　manlikeothers——withman’sbody，hands，andlimbs，andeyes——
　　themovingofawholeworldwassubtlyalteredbyhisbirth。
　　Onecouldnotalwaystracehim，butwithstoneaxeandspearpointhehadwonsavagelandsinsavageways，andsoruledthemthat，leavingthemtootherhands，theirmarchtowardslesssavagelifecouldnotstayitself，butmustsweepon；othersofhiskind，strikingrudeharps，hadsosungthattheloudclearnessoftheirwildsongshadrungthroughtheages，andechostillinstrainswhicharetheirs，thoughvoicesofto—dayrepeatthenoteofthem。TheFirstMan，aBritonstainedwithwoadandhungwithskins，hadtilledthelusciousgreennessofthelandsrichlyrollingnowwithinhedgeboundaries。Thesquarechurchtowersrose，holdingtheirslendercornerspiresabovethetrees，asaresultoftheFirstMan，NormanWilliam。Thethoughtwhichhelditsplace，theworkwhichdidnotpassaway，hadpaiditsFirstManwages；butbeautiescrumbling，homesfallingtowaste，werebitterthings。TheFirstMan，who，havingwonhissplendidacres，hadbuilthishomeuponthemandrearedhisyoungandpassedhispossessiononwithaproudheart，seemedbutilltreated。Throughcenturiesthehomehadenricheditself，itsacreshadborneharvests，itstreeshadgrownandspreadhugebranches，fullliveshadbeenlivedwithintheembraceofthemassivewalls，therehadbeenlovesandlivesandmarriagesandbirths，thebreathingsofthemmadewarmandfulltheveryair。ToBettyitseemedthatthelanditselfwouldhavewornanotherfaceifithadnotbeentroddenbysomanyspringingfeet，ifsomanyharvestshadnotwavedaboveit，ifsomanyeyeshadnotlookeduponandlovedit。
　　ShepassedthroughvariationsoftherurallovelinessshehadseenonherwayfromthestationtotheCourt，andfeltthemgrowinbeautyasshesawthemagain。ShecameatlasttoavillagesomewhatlargerthanStornhamandmarkedbythesignsofthelackofmoney—spendingcarewhichStornhamshowed。Justbeyonditslimitsabigparkgateopenedontoanavenueofmassivetrees。Shestoppedandlookeddownit，butcouldseenothingbutitscurvesand，underthebranches，glimpsesofaspacioussweepofparkwithothertreesstandingingroupsoraloneinthesward。Theavenuewasunsweptanduntended，andhereandthereboughsbrokenoffbywindstormslayuponit。Sheturnedtotheroadagainandfollowedit，becauseitenclosedtheparkandshewantedtoseemoreofitsevidentbeauty。Itwasverybeautiful。Asshewalkedonshesawitrolledintowoodsanddeepsfilledwithbracken；shesawstretchesofhillocky，fine—grassedrabbitwarren，andhollowsholdingshadowypools；shecaughtthegleamofalakewithswanssailingslowlyuponitwithcurvednecks；therewerewonderfullightsandwonderfulshadows，andbroodingstillness，whichmadeherfootfallupontheroadatoomaterialthing。
　　Suddenlysheheardastirringinthebrackenayardortwoawayfromher。Somethingwasmovingslowlyamongthewavingmassesofhugefrondsandcausedthemtoswaytoandfro。Itwasanantleredstagwhorosefromhisbedinthemidstofthem，andwithmajesticdeliberationgotuponhisfeetandstoodgazingatherwithacalmnessofposesosplendid，andaliquiddarknessandlustreofeyesostillyandfearlesslybeautiful，thatshecaughtherbreath。Hesimplygazedasherasagreatkingmightgazeatanintruder，scarcelydeigningwonder。
　　Asshehadpassedonherway，Bettyhadseenthattheenclosingparkpalingsweredecaying，coveredwithlichenandfallingatintervals。Ithadevenpassedthroughhermindthatherewasoneofthedemandsforexpenditureonalargeestate，whichlimitedresourcescouldnotconfrontwithcomposure。Thedeerfenceitself，athingofwiretenfeethigh，toformanobstacletoleaps，shehadmarkedtobeinsuchconditionastothreatentobecomeshortlyauselessthing。Untilthismomentshehadseennodeer，butlookingbeyondthestagandacrosstheswardshenowsawgroupsneareachother，stagscroppingorlookingtowardsherwithliftedheads，doesatarespectfulbutaffectionatedistancefromthem，somecaringfortheirfawns。Thestagwhohadrisennearherhadmerelywalkedthroughagapintheboundaryandnowstoodfreetogowherehewould。
　　"Hewillgetaway，"saidBetty，knittingherblackbrows。
　　Ah！whatashame！
　　Evenwiththebestintentionsonecouldnotgivechasetoastag。Shelookedupanddowntheroad，butnoonewaswithinsight。Herbrowscontinuedtoknitthemselvesandhereyesrangedovertheparkitselfinthehopethatsomelabourerontheestate，somewoodmanorgame—keeper，mightbeabout。
　　"Itisnoaffairofmine，"shesaid，"butitwouldbetoobadtolethimgetaway，thoughwhathappenstostraystagsonedoesn’texactlyknow。"
　　Asshesaiditshecaughtsightofsomeone，amaninleggingsandshabbyclothesandwithagunoverhisshoulder，evidentlyanunderkeeper。Hewasabig，ratherrough—lookingfellow，butashelurchedoutintotheopenfromawoodBettysawthatshecouldreachhimifshepassedthroughanarrowgateafewyardsawayandwalkedquickly。
　　Hewasslouchingalong，hisheaddroopingandhisbroadshouldersexpressingthedefiniteantipodesofgoodspirits。
　　Bettystudiedhisbackasshestrodeafterhim，herconclusionbeingthathewasperhapsnotagood—humouredmantoapproachatanytime，andthatthiswasbyillluckoneofhislessfortunatehours。
　　"Waitamoment，ifyouplease，"herclear，mellowvoiceflungoutafterhimwhenshewaswithinhearingdistance。"I
　　wanttospeaktoyou，keeper。"
　　Heturnedwithanairoffarfrompleasedsurprise。Theafternoonsunwasinhiseyesandmadehimscowl。Foramomenthedidnotseedistinctlywhowasapproachinghim，buthehadatoncerecognisedacertaincooltoneofcommandinthevoicewhosesuddennesshadrousedhimfromablackmood。Afewstepsbroughtthemtoclosequarters，andwhenhefoundhimselflookingintotheeyesofhispursuerhemadeamovementasiftolifthiscap，thencheckinghimself，touchedit，keeperfashion。
　　"Oh！"hesaidshortly。"MissVanderpoel！Begpardon。"
　　Bettinastoodstillasecond。Shehadhersurprisealso。Herewastheunexpectedagain。Theunderkeeperwasthered—hairedsecond—classpassengeroftheMeridiana。
　　Hedidnotlookpleasedtoseeher，andthesuddennessofhisappearanceexcludedthepossibilityofherrealisingthatuponthewholeshewasatleastnotdispleasedtoseehim。
　　"Howdoyoudo？"shesaid，feelingtheremarkfantasticallyconventional，butnotbeinginspiredbyanyalternative。
　　"Icametotellyouthatoneofthestagshasgotthroughagapinthefence。"
　　"Damn！"sheheardhimsayunderhisbreath。Aloudhesaid，"Thankyou。"
　　"Heisasplendidcreature，"shesaid。"Ididnotknowwhattodo。Iwasgladtoseeakeepercoming。"
　　"Thankyou，"hesaidagain，andstrodetowardstheplacewherethestagstillstoodgazinguptheroad，asifreflectingastowhetheritalluredhimornot。
　　Bettywalkedbackmoreslowly，watchinghimwithinterest。
　　Shewonderedwhathewouldfinditnecessarytodo。Sheheardhimbeginalow，flute—likewhistling，andthensawtheantleredheadturntowardshim。Thewoodlandcreaturemoved，butitwasinhisdirection。Ithadwithoutdoubtansweredhiscallbeforeandknewitsmeaningtobefriendly。
　　Itwenttowardshim，stretchingoutatendersniffingnose，andheputhishandinthepocketofhisroughcoatandgaveitsomethingtoeat。Afterwardshewenttothegapinthefenceanddrewthewirestogether，fasteningthemwithotherwire，whichhealsotookoutofthecoatpocket。
　　"Heisnotafraidofmakinghimselfuseful，"thoughtBetty。
　　"Andtheanimalsknowhim。Heisnotasbadashelooks。"
　　Shelingeredamomentwatchinghim，andthenwalkedtowardsthegatethroughwhichshehadentered。Heglancedupasshenearedhim。
　　"Idon’tseeyourcarriage，"hesaid。"Yourmanisprobablyroundthetrees。"
　　"Iwalked，"answeredBetty。"Ihadheardofthisplaceandwantedtoseeit。"
　　Hestoodup，puttinghiswirebackintohispocket。
　　"Thereisnotmuchtobeseenfromtheroad，"hesaid。
　　"Wouldyouliketoseemoreofit？"
　　Hismannerwascivilenough，butnotthecorrectoneforaservant。Hedidnotsay"miss"ortouchhiscapinmakingthesuggestion。Bettyhesitatedamoment。
　　"Isthefamilyathome？"sheinquired。
　　"Thereisnofamilybut——hislordship。Heisofftheplace。"
　　"Doesheobjecttotrespassers？"
　　"Notiftheyarerespectableandtakenoliberties。"
　　"Iamrespectable，andIshallnottakeliberties，"saidMissVanderpoel，withatouchofhauteur。ThetruthwasthatshehadspentasufficientnumberofyearsontheContinenttohavebecomefamiliarwithconventionswhichledhernottoapprovewhollyofhisbearing。PerhapshehadlivedlongenoughinAmericatoforgetsuchconventionsandtolacksomethingwhichcenturiesofcustomhaddecidedshouldbelongtohisclass。Acertainsuggestionofroughforceinthemanratherattractedher，andherslightdistasteforhismannerarosefromtherealisationthatagentleman’sservantwhodidnotaddresshissuperiorsaswasrequiredbycustomwasnotdoinghisworkinafinishedway。Inhisplacesheknewherowndemeanourwouldhavebeenfinished。
　　"IfyouaresurethatLordMountDunstanwouldnotobjecttomywalkingabout，Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseethegardensandthehouse，"shesaid。"Ifyoushowthemtome，shallIbeinterferingwithyourduties？"
　　"No，"heanswered，andthenforthefirsttimeratherglumlyadded，"miss。"
　　"Iaminterested，"shesaid，astheycrossedthegrasstogether，"becauseplaceslikethisarequitenewtome。IhaveneverbeeninEnglandbefore。"
　　"Therearenotmanyplaceslikethis，"heanswered，"notmanyasoldandfine，andnotmanyasnearlygonetoruin。
　　EvenStornhamisnotquiteasfargone。"
　　"Itisfargone，"saidMissVanderpoel。"Iamstayingthere——withmysister，LadyAnstruthers。"
　　"Begpardon——miss，"hesaid。Thistimehetouchedhiscapinapology。
　　Enormousasthegulfbetweentheirpositionswas，heknewthathehadofferedtotakeherovertheplacebecausehewasinasensegladtoseeheragain。Whyhewasgladhedidnotprofesstoknoworeventoaskhimself。Coarselyspeaking，itmightbebecauseshewasoneofthehandsomestyoungwomenhehadeverchancedtomeetwith，andwhileheryouthwasapparentintherichredofhermouth，themassofherthick，softhairandthesplendidblueofhereyes，therespokeineverylineoffaceandposesomethingintenselymoreinterestingandcompellingthangirlhood。Also，sincethenighttheyhadcometogetherontheship’sdeckforanappallingmoment，hehadlikedherbetterandrebelledlessagainsttheunnaturalwealthsherepresented。Heledherfirsttothewoodfromwhichshehadseenhimemerge。
　　"Iwillshowyouthisfirst，"heexplained。"KeepyoureyesonthegrounduntilItellyoutoraisethem。"
　　Oddasthiswas，sheobeyed，andherloweredglanceshowedherthatshewasbeingguidedalonganarrowpathbetweentrees。Thelightwasmellowgolden—green，andbirdsweresingingintheboughsaboveher。Inafewminuteshestopped。
　　"Nowlookup，"hesaid。
　　Sheutteredanexclamationwhenshedidso。Shewasinafairydellthickwithferns，andatbeautifuldistancesfromeachotherincrediblysplendidoaksspreadandalmosttrailedtheirlovelygiantbranches。Theglowshiningthroughandbetweenthem，theshadowsbeneaththem，theirgreatbolesandmoss—coveredroots，andthestately，mellowdistancesrevealedundertheirbranches，theancientwildnessandrichness，whichmeant，afterall，centuriesofcultivation，madeapictureinthisexact，perfectmomentofripeningafternoonsunofanalmostunbelievablebeauty。
　　"Thereisnothinglovelier，"hesaidinalowvoice，"inallEngland。"
　　Bettinaturnedtolookathim，becausehistonewasacuriousoneforamanlikehimself。Hewasstandingrestingonhisgunandtakinginthelovelinesswithastrangelookinhisruggedface。
　　"You——youloveit！"shesaid。
　　"Yes，"butwithasuggestionofstubbornreluctanceintheadmission。
　　Shewasrathermoved。
　　"Haveyoubeenkeeperherelong？"sheasked。
　　"No——onlyafewyears。ButIhaveknowntheplaceallmylife。"
　　"DoesLordMountDunstanloveit？"
　　"Inhisway——yes。"
　　Hewasplainlynotdisposedtotalkofhismaster。Hewasperhapsnotonparticularlygoodtermswithhim。Heledherawayandvolunteerednofurtherinformation。Hewas，uponthewhole，uncommunicative。Hedidnotoncerefertothecircumstanceoftheirhavingmetbefore。Itwasplainthathehadnointentionofpresuminguponthefactthathe，asasecond—classpassengeronaship，hadoncebeenforcedbyaccidentacrossthebarriersbetweenhimselfandthesaloondeck。
　　Hewasstubbornlyresolvedtokeephisplace；sostubbornlythatBettinafeltthattobroachthesubjectherselfwouldvergeuponoffence。
　　Butthegoldenwaysthroughwhichheledhermadetheafternoononesheknewsheshouldneverforget。Theywanderedthroughmosswalksandalleys，throughtangledshrubberiesburstingintobloom，beneathavenuesofblossominghorse—
　　chestnutsandscentedlimes，betweenthicketsofbuddingredandwhitemay，andjunglesofneglectedrhododendrons；
　　throughsunkengardensandwalledones，pastterraceswithbrokenbalustradesofstone，andfallenFlorasandDianas，pastmoss—grownfountainssplashinginlovelycorners。Arches，overgrownwithyetunbloomingroses，crumbledintheirtimestainedbeauty。Stillnessbroodedoveritall，andtheymetnoone。Theyscarcelybrokethesilencethemselves。Themanledthewayasonewhoknewitbyheart，andBettinafollowed，notcaringforspeechherself，becausethestillnessseemedtoaddaspellofenchantment。Whatcouldonesay，toastranger，ofsuchbeautysolostandgivenovertoruinanddecay。
　　"But，oh！"shemurmuredonce，standingstill，within—
　　drawnbreath，"ifitweremine！——ifitweremine！"Andshesaidthethingforgettingthatherguidewasalivingcreatureandstoodnear。
　　Afterwardshermemoriesofitallseemedtoherlikethememoriesofadream。Thelackofspeechbetweenherselfandthemanwholedher，hisoftenavertedface，herownsenseofthedesertednessofeachbeauteousspotshepassedthrough，themossypathswhichgavebacknosoundoffootfallsastheywalked，suggested，oneandall，unreality。Whenatlasttheypassedthroughadoorhalfhiddeninaniviedwall，andcrossingagrassedbowlinggreen，mountedashortflightofbrokenstepswhichledthemtoapointthroughwhichtheysawthehousethroughabreakinthetrees，thislastwasthefinaltouchofall。Itwasagreatplace，statelyinitsmassesofgreystonetowhichthickivyclung。ToBettinaitseemedthatahundredwindowsstaredatherwithclosed，blindeyes。
　　Allwereshutteredbuttwoorthreeonthelowerfloors。Notoneshowedsignsoflife。Thesilentstonethingstoodsightlessamongallofwhichitwasdeadmaster——rollingacres，greattrees，lostgardensanddesertedgroves。
　　"Oh！"shesighed，"Oh！"
　　Hercompanionstoodstillandleaneduponhisgunagain，lookingashehadlookedbefore。
　　"Someofit，"hesaid，"washerebeforetheConquest。ItbelongedtoMountDunstansthen。"
　　"Andonlyoneofthemisleft，"shecried，"anditislikethis！"
　　"Theyhavebeenabadlot，thelasthundredyears，"wasthesurlylibertyofspeechhetook，"abadlot。"
　　Itwasnothisplacetospeakinsuchmannerofthoseofhismaster’shouse，anditwasnotthepartofMissVanderpoeltoencouragehimbyresponse。Sheremainedsilent，standingperhapsatriflemorelightlyerectasshegazedattherowsofblindwindowsinsilence。
　　Neitherofthemutteredawordforsometime，butatlengthBettinarousedherself。Shehadasix—milewalkbeforeherandmustgo。
　　"Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，"shebegan，andthenpausedasecond。Acurioushesitancecameuponher，thoughsheknewthatunderordinarycircumstancessuchhesitationwouldhavebeentotallyoutofplace。Shehadoccupiedtheman’stimeforanhourormore，hewasoftheworkingclass，andonemustnotbeguiltyoftheerrorofimaginingthatamanwhohasworktodocanjustlyspendhistimeinone’sserviceforthemerepleasureofit。Sheknewwhatcustomdemanded。
　　Whyshouldshehesitatebeforethisman，withhisnottoocourteous，surlyface。Shefeltslightlyirritatedbyherownunpracticalembarrassmentassheputherhandintothesmall，latchedbagatherbelt。
　　"Iamverymuchobliged，keeper，"shesaid。"Youhavegivenmeagreatdealofyourtime。Youknowtheplacesowellthatithasbeenapleasuretobetakenaboutbyyou。I
　　haveneverseenanythingsobeautiful——andsosad。Thankyou——thankyou。"Andsheputagoldpieceinhispalm。
　　Hisfingersclosedoveritquietly。Whyitwastohergreatreliefshedidnotknow——becausesomethinginthesimpleactannoyedher，evenwhileshecongratulatedherselfthatherhesitancehadbeenabsurd。Thenextmomentshewonderedifitcouldbepossiblethathehadexpectedalargerfee。Heopenedhishandandlookedatthemoneywithagrimsteadiness。
　　"Thankyou，miss，"hesaid，andtouchedhiscapinthepropermanner。
　　Hedidnotlookgraciousorgrateful，buthebegantoputitinasmallpocketinthebreastofhisworncorduroyshootingjacket。Suddenlyhestopped，asifwithabruptresolve。
　　Hehandedthecoinbackwithoutanychangeofhisglumlook。
　　"Hangitall，"hesaid，"Ican’ttakethis，youknow。IsupposeIoughttohavetoldyou。Itwouldhavebeenlessawkwardforusboth。Iamthatunfortunatebeggar，MountDunstan，myself。"
　　Apausewasinevitable。Itwasaratherlongone。Afterit，Bettytookbackherhalf—sovereignandreturnedittoherbag，butshepleasedacertainperversityinhimbylookingmoreannoyedthanconfused。
　　"Yes，"shesaid。"Yououghttohavetoldme，LordMountDunstan。"
　　Heslightlyshruggedhisbigshoulders。
　　"Whyshouldn’tyoutakemeforakeeper？YoucrossedtheAtlanticwithafourth—ratelookingfellowseparatedfromyoubybarriersofwoodandiron。Youcameuponhimtrampingoveranobleman’sestateinshabbycorduroysandgaiters，withagunoverhisshoulderandascowlonhisuglyface。WhyshouldyouleaptotheconclusionthatheisthebeltedEarlhimself？Thereisnocauseforembarrassment。"
　　"Iamnotembarrassed，"saidBettina。
　　"ThatiswhatIlike，"gruffly。
　　"Iampleased，"inhermellowestvelvetvoice，"thatyoulikeit。"
　　Theireyesmetwithasingulardirectnessofgaze。Betweenthemasparkpassedwhichwasnotafterwardstobeextinguished，thoughneitherofthemknewthemomentofitskindling，andMountDunstanslightlyfrowned。
　　"Ibegpardon，"hesaid。"Youarequiteright。Ithadadeucedlypatronisingsound。"
　　AshestoodbeforeherBettywasgivenheropportunitytoseehimasshehadnotseenhimbefore，toconfrontthesumtotalofhisphysique。Hisred—browneyeslookedoutfromratherfineheavybrows，hisfeatureswerestrongandclear，thoughruggedlycut，hisbuildshowedweightofbone，notofflesh，andhislimbswerebigandlong。Hewouldhavewieldedabattle—axewithpowerincenturiesinwhichmenhewedtheirwaywiththem。Alsoitoccurredtoherhewouldhavelookedwellinacoatofmail。Hedidnotlookillinhiscorduroysandgaiters。
　　"Iamaself—absorbedbeggar，"hewenton。"Ihadbeenslouchingabouttheplace，almostdrivenmadbymythoughts，andwhenIsawyoutookmeforaservantmyfancywasforlettingthethinggoon。IfIhadbeenarichmaninsteadofapauperIwouldhavekeptyourhalf—sovereign。"
　　"IshouldnothaveenjoyedthatwhenIfoundoutthetruth，"saidMissVanderpoel"No，Isupposeyouwouldn’t。ButIshouldnothavecared。"
　　Hewaslookingatherstraightlyandsummingherupasshehadsummedhimup。Amanandyoung，hedidnotmissalineoratintofherchinorcheek，shoulder，orbrow，ordense，liftedhair。Hehadalready，eveninhisguiseofkeeper，noticedonething，whichwasthatwhileattimeshereyesweretheblueofsteel，sometimestheymeltedtothecolourofbluebellsunderwater。Theyhadbeenofthislasthuewhenshehadstoodinthesunkengarden，forgettinghimandcryinglow：
　　"Oh，ifitweremine！Ifitweremine！"
　　HedidnotlikeAmericanwomenwithmillions，butwhilehewouldnothavesaidthathelikedher，hedidnotwishheryettomoveaway。Andshe，too，didnotwish，justyet，tomoveaway。Therewassomethingdramaticandabsorbinginthesituation。Shelookedoverthesoftlystirringgrassandsawthesunshinewasdeepeningitsgoldandtheshadowsweregrowinglong。Itwasnotahabitofherstoaskquestions，butsheaskedone。
　　"DidyounotlikeAmerica？"waswhatshesaid。
　　"Hatedit！Hatedit！Iwentthereluredbyabeliefthatamanlikemyself，withmuscleandwill，evenwithoutexperience，couldmakeafortuneoutofsmallcapitalonasheepranch。Windandweatheranddiseaseplayedthedevilwithme。IlostthelittleIhadandcamebacktobeginoveragain——
　　onnothing——here！"Andhewavedhishandovertheparkwithitsswardandcoppiceandbrackenandthedeercroppinginthelateafternoongold。
　　"Tobeginwhatagain？"saidBetty。Itwasanextraordinaryenoughthing，seeninthelightofconventions，thattheyshouldstandandtalklikethis。Butthesparkhadkindledbetweeneyeandeye，andbecauseofittheysuddenlyhadforgottenthattheywerestrangers。
　　"YouareanAmerican，soitmaynotseemasmadtoyouasitwouldtoothers。Tobegintobuildupagain，inoneman’slife，whathastakencenturiestogrow——andfallintothis。"
　　"Itwouldbeasplendidthingtodo，"shesaidslowly，andasshesaidithereyestookontheircolourofbluebells，becausewhatshehadseenhadmovedher。Shehadnotlookedathim，butatthecroppingdeerasshespoke，butathernextsentencesheturnedtohimagain。
　　"Whereshouldyoubegin？"sheasked，andinsayingitthoughtofStornham。
　　Helaughedshortly。
　　"ThatisAmericanenough，"hesaid。"Yourpeoplehavenotfinishedtheirbeginningsyetandliveinthespiritofthem。
　　Itellyouofawildfancy，andyouacceptitasapossibilityandturnonmewith，`Whereshouldyoubegin？’"