The sky over them was like a jewelled cup from which the dusk was pouring ; the air was crisp with the compelling tang of the sea , and the whole landscape was infused with the subtleties of a sea evening . A few dim sails drifted along the darkening , fir-clad harbor shores . A bell was ringing from the tower of a little white church on the far side ; mellowly and dreamily sweet , the chime floated across the water blent with the moan of the sea . The great revolving light on the cliff at the channel flashed warm and golden against the clear northern sky , a trembling , quivering star of good hope . Far out along the horizon was the crinkled gray ribbon of a passing steamer 's smoke . `` Oh , beautiful , beautiful , '' murmured Anne . `` I shall love Four Winds , Gilbert . Where is our house ? '' `` We ca n't see it yet -- the belt of birch running up from that little cove hides it . It 's about two miles from Glen St. Mary , and there 's another mile between it and the light-house . We wo n't have many neighbors , Anne . There 's only one house near us and I do n't know who lives in it . Shall you be lonely when I 'm away ? '' `` Not with that light and that loveliness for company . Who lives in that house , Gilbert ? '' `` I do n't know . It does n't look -- exactly -- as if the occupants would be kindred spirits , Anne , does it ? '' The house was a large , substantial affair , painted such a vivid green that the landscape seemed quite faded by contrast . There was an orchard behind it , and a nicely kept lawn before it , but , somehow , there was a certain bareness about it . Perhaps its neatness was responsible for this ; the whole establishment , house , barns , orchard , garden , lawn and lane , was so starkly neat .
`` It does n't seem probable that anyone with that taste in paint could be VERY kindred , '' acknowledged XXXXX , `` unless it were an accident -- like our blue hall .
Anne Gilbert Mary affair bareness chime church evening light-house ribbon