Classics Out Loud

Valancy discovers that Dr Trent has made a serious mistake in her diagnosis. Dr Trent was ashamed that he caused Valancy a year of needless distress, and was shocked to find that she had married a rapscallion from 'up back'. But where does that leave Valency now, who is shocked that her entire marriage has been based on false pretences? 

Valancy is unable to sleep and can sense that Barney is not either. She has a dream of him being made of glass and shatters, which she wakes up from with horror and relief. When she wakes up, Barney is gone, and she knows he has gone to the wilds. She forces herself to eat breakfast and tidy the house and then goes to Deerwood to see Dr Trent, to find out the truth.

Barney and Valancy experience a close call when Valancy gets her shoe stuck in a train switch. As a result of the excitement, Valancy realizes that the heart specialist that told her she had a serious heart condition was incorrect. The chapter ends with her feeling lost and scared since the basis for her marriage proposal, that she would die in a year, wasn't true. She feels she has trapped Barney into marriage and her deliriously happy life unravels.

Valancy had two wonderful moments that spring. She met the renowned painter Allan Tierney, who wanted to paint her, and she discovered her husband Barney actually liked her. Despite not wanting to be painted, the thought that Allan Tierney wanted to paint her and the knowledge that Barney liked her made Valancy incredibly happy, and she wished she could die in that very moment. Later, however, she realised that her heart had not given her any trouble for two months, and she knew that meant the end was near. She hoped she would remember Barney in heaven, and that even though they would be apart, she would always remember that he liked her.

Valancy and Barney experience the beauty of spring in Mistawis, including wild plum trees, dandelions and other wildflowers, accompanied by John Foster-esque musings. On their way back home through Deerwood, Valancy takes a moment to visit her old home but decides against it upon seeing her mother and cousin knitting, still as dreary and uninviting as ever.

Valancy and Barney spent a peaceful winter in the Blue Castle. They celebrated storms, went skating, watched the stars, read, made candy and occupied their time with checkers and conversation. Valancy had one night of distress, when Barney was late coming home during a fierce snowstorm, but he emerged safely, a moment that transformed them both. They shared a sense of wonder and contentment, a freedom from the outside world, and being close to nature.

Valancy and Barney spend the autumn and winter months experiencing the beauty of nature and each other's company. They go for long treks and find beautiful moments with the winter landscape. There is a sense of spellbound serenity, and Valancy quotes her beloved John Foster books to describe her beautiful landscape. She receives a string of milky pearl beads as a Christmas present from Barny.

Valancy and Barney spend their time wandering through the enchanted Muskoka country, immersing themselves in nature. Valancy was a quick learner and was able to mimic bird calls, paddle a canoe and cook trout. They sometimes stayed out in the woods until late and made beds of bracken and fir boughs in order to sleep. Valancy had also bought some new clothes and Barney began calling her 'Moonlight', due to her beauty in the smoke-blue chiffon she wore. Valancy found happiness and joy in her adventures with Barney, feeling that it had permeated her life even before they married, making her life all the more sweet.

Valancy and Barney escape to the Blue Castle on the island, where they luxuriate in the beauty of nature, enjoying the colours of Mistawis and the lights of the islands across the lake. They appreciate the freedom to do anything they want, whether it's exploring the islets, attending masquerade dances, or simply sitting in beautiful silence. Valancy finds freedom in this escape from her old life, and Barney is glad to be home when he returns from his mysterious journeys.

The Stirlings settle with treating Valancy as if she were dead, and when that wasn't possible such as when Valancy and Barnie show in Uncle Benjamin's grocery store, they resort to confrontation.  Uncle Benjamin accuses Barnie of having tricked her to leave her family and friends. Of course, Barnie is having none of that.
“I have made her happy,” he said coolly, “and she was miserable with her friends. So that’s that.”
 
Otherwise, Valancy is settlings into her Blue Castle.