Book One - Chapter 21 Journeys End in Lover's Meetings

The moon was fast sinking below the treetops to our left, what
time we reached a road, or rather cart-track that wound away up a
hill. Faint and far a church clock slowly chimed the hour of
three, the solemn notes coming sweet and silvery with distance.

"What chimes are those?" I inquired.

"Cranbrook Church."

"Is it far to Cranbrook?"

"One mile this way, but two by the road yonder."

"You seem very well acquainted with these parts," said I.

"I have lived here all my life; those are the Cambourne Woods
over there--"

"Cambourne Woods!" said I.

"Part of the Sefton estates," she continued; "Cambourne village
lies to the right, beyond."

"The Lady Sophia Sefton of Cambourne!" said I thoughtfully.

"My dearest friend," nodded my companion.

"They say she is very handsome," said I.

"Then they speak truth, sir."

"She has been described to me," I went on, "as a Peach, a
Goddess, and a Plum; which should you consider the most proper
term? "My companion shot an arch glance at me from the corners
of her eyes, and I saw a dimple come and go, beside the curve of
her mouth.

"Goddess, to be sure," said she; "peaches have such rough skins,
and plums are apt to be sticky."