Chapter XIV · Chapter 14

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

a group of persons together in one place

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

terminate

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

be in a state of movement or action

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

rural regions

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

having or marked by a curve or smoothly rounded bend

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

plural of “horseman” — a man skilled in equitation

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

and nothing more

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

darkened by clouds

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the force of workers available

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

above and across; more than

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

-ing form of “peep” — look furtively

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

the state of being present; current existence

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

one of four equal parts

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

shining with brilliant points of light like stars

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

plural of “steeple” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

sweep across or over

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

a dark cloud of great vertical extent charged with electricity; associated with thunderstorms

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

the act of going from one place to another

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This road curved down the side of a well-wooded hill, and then over the level for a quarter of a mile or so before opening on the other.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Just at the brow of the rising ground there stood a thick bristle of trees, amid the trunks of which there came and went a bright shimmer of sparkling steel, which proclaimed the presence of armed men.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

in or at the place that

From this reading Farther back, where the road took a sudden turn and ran along the ridge of the hill, several horsemen could be plainly seen outlined against the evening sky.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Some little distance from us a branch road ran into that along which we and our motley assemblage of companions-in-arms were travelling.

in the company of; together with

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading So peaceful, however, was the long sweep of countryside, mellowed by the golden light of the setting sun, with a score of village steeples and manor-houses peeping out from amongst the woods, that it was hard to think that the thundercloud of war was really lowering over that fair valley, and that at any instant the lightning might break from it.