"To him were opening Paradise."

And when, for the first time, Love also entered into his life, the world
seemed to be transfigured. Although he had suffered much and lost much,
he found it possible to dream of a future in which he might make for
himself a home, and know once more the meaning of happiness. Was he
selfish in hoping that life still contained a true joy for him, in spite
of the sorrows that fate had heaped upon his head, as if she meant to
overwhelm him altogether? At least, the hope was a natural one, and
showed courage and resolution. He clung to it desperately, fiercely; he
felt that after all he had lost he could not bear to let it go. The hope
was too sweet--the chance of happiness too beautiful--to be lost. He
felt as if he had a right to this one blessing. He had lost all beside.
But, perhaps, this was a presumptuous mood, destined to rebuke and
disappointment.

The fourth day after his arrival dawned, and he had not yet perceived,
in his blindness of heart, the difference of position between the
Elizabeth of his dreams and the Elizabeth of reality. Could the crisis
be averted very much longer?

He fancied that Elizabeth was colder to him after that little scene in
the study than she had ever been before. She looked pale and dispirited,
and seemed to avoid speaking to him or meeting his eye. At
breakfast-time that morning he noticed that she allowed a letter that
had been brought to her to lie unopened beside her plate "It's from
Percival, isn't it?" said Kitty, thoughtlessly. "You don't seem to be
very anxious to read it." Elizabeth made no answer, but the colour rose
to her cheek and then spread to the very roots of her golden-brown hair.
Brian noticed the blush, and for the first time felt his heart contract
with a bitter pang of jealousy. What right had Percival Heron to write
letters to Elizabeth? Why did she blush when she was asked a question
about a letter from him?

The whole party set off soon after ten o'clock for an expedition to a
little loch amongst the hills. They intended to lunch beside the loch,
then to enjoy themselves in different ways: Mr. Heron meant to sketch;
Mrs. Heron took a novel to read; the others proposed to visit a spring
at some little distance known as "The Wishing Well." This programme was
satisfactorily carried out; but it chanced that Kitty and the boys
reached the well before the others, and then wandered away to reach a
further height, so that Brian an