Eastward , a thick fir wood grew , beginning with tiny treelets just feathering from the grass , and grading up therefrom to the tall veterans of the mid-grove , unbrokenly and evenly , giving the effect of a solid , sloping green wall , so beautifully compact that it looked as if it had been clipped into its velvet surface by art . Most of the orchard was grown over lushly with grass ; but at the end where Eric stood there was a square , treeless place which had evidently once served as a homestead garden . Old paths were still visible , bordered by stones and large pebbles . There were two clumps of lilac trees ; one blossoming in royal purple , the other in white . Between them was a bed ablow with the starry spikes of June lilies . Their penetrating , haunting fragrance distilled on the dewy air in every soft puff of wind . Along the fence rosebushes grew , but it was as yet too early in the season for roses . Beyond was the orchard proper , three long rows of trees with green avenues between , each tree standing in a wonderful blow of pink and white . The charm of the place took sudden possession of Eric as nothing had ever done before . He was not given to romantic fancies ; but the orchard laid hold of him subtly and drew him to itself , and he was never to be quite his own man again . He went into it over one of the broken panels of fence , and so , unknowing , went forward to meet all that life held for him . He walked the length of the orchard 's middle avenue between long , sinuous boughs picked out with delicate , rose-hearted bloom . When he reached its southern boundary he flung himself down in a grassy corner of the fence where another lilac bush grew , with ferns and wild blue violets at its roots . From where he now was he got a glimpse of a house about a quarter of a mile away , its gray gable peering out from a dark spruce wood . It seemed a dull , gloomy , remote place , and he did not know who lived there . He had a wide outlook to the west , over far hazy fields and misty blue intervales . The sun had just set , and the whole world of green meadows beyond swam in golden light . Across a long valley brimmed with shadow were uplands of sunset , and great sky lakes of saffron and rose where a soul might lose itself in colour . The air was very fragrant with the baptism of the dew , and the odours of a bed of wild mint upon which he had trampled . Robins were whistling , clear and sweet and sudden , in the woods all about him .
`` This is a veritable ` haunt XXXXX ancient peace , ' '' quoted Eric , looking around with delighted eyes .
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