Then they set off back down towards the cascade for which Pemberley was famous, and to which Charlotte had taken such a liking. It began as a fountain spilling from a shallow temple-like structure, with a tiled Italianate dome and arch that cupped a series of fountains. These fed a stream running down a stone staircase in an undulating sheet before being pumped back up to begin the journey again. It was a favourite object and point of admiration for visitors, and Charlotte walked there almost daily, but now Herr Rosenstein explained something she had not noticed before: that each of the twenty-four stone steps down which the rills of water ran produced a different tone or note, creating a musical scale.

Sarah and Laura were distracted from water that could sing by the opportunities for sport offered by the slope, and proceeded to roll down the grassy hill, shrieking with delight, while Lizzy, who had had the musicality of the cascade explained to her many times before, ran down the hill after them, laughing at the dizzy circles in which they staggered every time they got to their feet before lying down and propelling themselves downhill once again. Herr Rosenstein and Charlotte followed on behind at a less precipitate pace.

‘Your daughters are a delight, Frau Collins. They have been a bright part of my visit here. I commend you on being an excellent parent. I speak from observation, of course, but your children are not merely happy. They have a facility for happiness.’

‘I must thank you for these kind words. Nothing else you could say could give me half as much joy.’

‘Of course I know nothing of your late son, other than what you have told me. But looking at his sisters, I have no doubt that he too was a happy child. Your love and care would have made this a certainty.’

Charlotte looked out over the glowing scene, the late light saturating the greens, blues, silver, and gold of the scene before them, its lawns and liquids, hills and trees, all now wavering as her eyes filled. She did not attempt a reply, but the musician offered her his arm with solicitude as they trod down the slope towards where Lizzy was now applauding the girls as they attempted to turn somersaults on the lawn above the lake.