Then his heart beat with a warmer, quicker tide.

They blended inextricably with his thoughts of mother and wife, child and home, and he felt strongly that mystical communion between Man and Nature given to those Whose ears have heard The Ancient Word, Who walked among the silent trees.
Not that Nature in any form or any measure had supplanted his thoughts of Jane.

She had been the dominant note in every reflection during all the journey.

Mountain and stream, birds and trees and shifting clouds had only served as the beautiful background against which he set her in unfading beauty and tenderness.

For he was sure that she loved him and he believed that Love would yet redeem the past.
During his absence she had written him the most affectionate and charming letters and when the train reached Hatton-in-Elmete, she was waiting to receive him.