During one of these excursions into the forest he discovered a beautiful lake.

He looked down on the water from the summit of one of the green mountains.
It was, he thought, half a mile across, and the opposite shore was open woodland, grassy and meadow-like, and dotted with fine old oaks.

By degrees these closed together, and the forest succeeded; beyond it again, at a distance of two miles, were green hills.

A little clearing only was wanted to make the place fit for a castle and enclosure.
Through the grass-land opposite he traced the course of a large brook down to the lake; another entered it on the right, and the lake gradually narrowed to a river on his left.

Could he erect a tower there, and bring Aurora to it, how happy he would be! A more beautiful spot he had never seen, nor one more suited for every purpose in life.
He followed the course of the stream which left the lake, every now and then disturbing wild goats from the cliffs, and twice he saw deer under the oaks across it.