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？’\"
