
A leisurely stroll through the rolling hills of Orrinleigh becomes a portal to the past, as the narrator reunites with her old friend Cyril, a kindly curate whose true passion lies in uncovering ancient stonework. Together they wander past sheep‑dotted pastures, a tranquil trout‑stream, and the crumbling remains of Saint Ruth’s, a modest medieval ruin that sparks lively debate about faith, history, and the stubborn charm of forgotten saints. Their banter, tinged with affection and a hint of lingering curiosity, paints a vivid portrait of a countryside where scholarly devotion and personal connection intertwine.
The narrative balances gentle romance with a subtle sense of discovery, inviting listeners to explore the quiet mysteries that linger among the moss‑covered walls and the soft rustle of the surrounding fields. As the pair delves deeper into the site’s hidden stories, the listener is carried along on a contemplative journey that feels both timeless and warmly intimate.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (130K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Emmy, David E. Brown, MFR and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2017-09-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1861–1920
A poet, essayist, and editor with a gift for graceful language, this American writer moved easily between lyric verse, criticism, and literary history. Her work blends devotion, wit, and a deep love of old books and older traditions.
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