As soon as she could collect her ideas she gently withdrew from his grasp, and explained what she had returned for: in getting up or down from the gig, or when sitting by the hut fire, she had dropped her purse.
"Now we will find it," said Fitzpiers.
He threw an armful of last year's leaves on to the fire, which made the flame leap higher, and the encompassing shades to weave themselves into a denser contrast, turning eve into night in a moment.

By this radiance they groped about on their hands and knees, till Fitzpiers rested on his elbow, and looked at Grace.

"We must always meet in odd circumstances," he said; "and this is one of the oddest.

I wonder if it means anything ?" "Oh no, I am sure it doesn't," said Grace in haste, quickly assuming an erect posture.

"Pray don't say it any more." "I hope there was not much money in the purse," said Fitzpiers, rising to his feet more slowly, and brushing the leaves from his trousers.
"Scarcely any.