Bessie Costrell

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bessie Costrell, by Mrs. Humphry WardThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Bessie CostrellAuthor: Mrs. Humphry WardRelease Date: July 26, 2007 [EBook #22128]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BESSIE COSTRELL ***Produced by Al HainesBESSIE COSTRELLBYMRS. HUMPHRY WARDAUTHOR OF"ROBERT ELSMERE," "THE HISTORY OF DAVID GRIEVE," "MARCELLA," ETC.HODDER AND STOUGHTONLONDON —— NEW YORK —— TORONTO1912SCENE IIt was an August evening, still and cloudy after a day unusually chilly for the time of year. Now, about sunset, thetemperature was warmer than it had been in the morning, and the departing sun was forcing its way through the clouds,breaking up their level masses into delicate lattice-work of golds and greys. The last radiant light was on the wheat-fieldsunder the hill, and on the long chalk hill itself. Against that glowing background lay the village, already engulfed by theadvancing shadow. All the nearer trees, which the daylight had mingled in one green monotony, stood out sharp anddistinct, each in its own plane, against the hill. Each natural object seemed to gain a new accent, a more individualbeauty, from the vanishing and yet lingering sunlight.An elderly labourer was walking ...