Buttheprivations,orratherthehardships,ofLowoodlessened.Springdrewon:shewasindeedalreadye;thefrostsofwinterhadceased;itssnowsweremelted,itscuttingwindsameliorated.Mywretchedfeet,flayedandswollentolamenessbythesharpairofJanuary,begantohealandsubsideuhegentlerbreathingsofApril;thenightsandmsnoloheiradiantemperaturefrozetheverybloodinourveins;wecouldnoweheplay-hourpassedinthegarden:sometimesonasunnydayitbegaobepleasantandgenial,andagreennessgrewoverthosebrownbeds,which,fresheningdaily,suggestedthethoughtthatHopetraversedthematnight,aeachmbrightertracesofhersteps.Flowerspeepedoutamongsttheleaves;snow-drops,crocuses,purpleauriculas,andgolden-eyedpansies.OnThursdayafternoons(half-holidays)wenowtookwalks,andfoundstillsweeterflowersopeningbythewayside,uhehedges.

    Idiscovered,too,thatagreatpleasure,anenjoymentwhichthehorizononlybounded,layalloutsidethehighandspike-guardedwallsarden:thispleasuresistedinprospeoblesummitsgirdlingagreathill-hollow,riverdureandshadow;inabrightbeck,fullofdarkstonesandsparklingeddies.HowdifferenthadthisselookedwhenIvieweditlaidoutbeheironskyofwiiffenedinfrost,shroudedwithsnow!—whenmistsaschillasdeathwaheimpulseofeastwindsalongthosepurplepeaks,androlleddown“ing”andholmtilltheyblehthefrozenfogofthebeck!Thatbeckitselfwasthenatorrent,turbidandcurbless:ittoreasuhewood,aaravingsoundthroughtheair,oftenthiedwithwildrainorwhirli;andfortheforestonitsbanks,thatshowedonlyranksofskeletons.

    ApriladvaoMay:abrightsereneMayitwas;daysofbluesky,placidsunshine,a