To find that he had drifted out of her life, and that the wealth remained, was the most blissful state of affairs that she could have desired.
Slowly spring merged into summer, and more and more did it seem to Nan that the past was nothing but a dream.

She returned to her customary pursuits with all her old zest, rising early in the mornings to follow the otter-hounds, tramping for miles, and returning ravenous to breakfast; or, again, spending hours in the saddle, and only returning at her own sweet will.

Colonel Everard's household was one of absolute freedom.

No one ever questioned the doings of anyone else.

From the earliest they had one and all been accustomed to go their own way.