A glimpse behind might have shown him the error of his ways, reflected in the disappearance of Hobbs's head below the top of the wall.

But he was looking ahead, drinking in the forbidden beauties of this fascinating little nook of nature.
Never in all his wanderings had he looked upon a more inviting spot than this.

He came to the edge of the deep blue pool, above which could be seen the entrance to the Grotto.

Little rivulets danced down through the crannies in the rocks and leaped joyously into the tree-shaded pool.
Below and to the right were the famed Basins of Venus, shimmering in the sunlight, flanked by trees and banks of the softest green.

On their surface swam the great black swans he had heard so much about.