Read "The Ancient Law" by Ellen Glasgow online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
As the train rounded the long curve, Ordway leaned from the window and saw spread before him the smiling battlefields that encircled Botetourt. From the shadow and sunlight of the distance a wind blew in his face, and he felt suddenly younger, fresher, as if the burden of the years had been lifted from him. The Botetourt to which he was returning was the place of his happiest memories; and closing his eyes to the landscape, he saw Lydia standing under the sparrows that flew out from the ivied walls of the old church. He met her pensive gaze; he watched her faint smile under the long black feather in her hat.
"His death was unexpected," said a strange voice in his ear, "but for the past five years I've seen that he was a failing man."