And thus excluded and isolated, a feeling of respect began to overcome them as they thought of the castle lost to view in surrounding immensity.
Soon, being quite unused to walking, they grew tired.

And the wall did not leave off; at every turn of the small deserted path the same range of gray stones stretched ahead of them.

Some of them began to despair of ever getting to the end of it and began talking of returning.

But the more their long walk fatigued them, the more respectful they became, for at each successive step they were increasingly impressed by the tranquil, lordly dignity of the domain.
"It's getting silly, this is!" said Caroline Hequet, grinding her teeth.
Nana silenced her with a shrug.

For some moments past she had been rather pale and extremely serious and had not spoken a single word.
Suddenly the path gave a final turn; the wall ended, and as they came out on the village square the mansion house stood before them on the farther side of its grand outer court.