held in her hand.

"Smell those, James Ellis. Look at them. Are they not beautiful?"

"Yes, ma'am, and if you sent them to the Guildstone Show they'd take the
first prize."

"And the plants come back half spoiled. No, I don't think I shall. I
have them grown for their beauty and perfection, not out of pride and
emulation. You never used to grow me and my dear husband such flowers
when you were head-gardener, James."

"No, ma'am," said Ellis, smiling at his mistress, as she sat down, drew
a great shallow china bowl to her side, and began to daintily arrange
the quaint, beautifully-tinted blooms according to her taste; "no,
ma'am, but there were no such orchids in those days."

"Ah, no! That's forty years ago, James Ellis. Well, what is it this
morning?"

"About the big oak, ma'am. It is three parts dead, and in another year
it will be gone. Of course, it's a bad time of year, but I thought if
it was cut down now, I might--"

"Don't! Never say a word to me again about cutting down a tree, James
Ellis," cried his mistress angrily.

The bailiff made a deprecating sign.

"Let them stand till they die. Tell Barnett to plant some of that
beautiful clematis to run over the dead branches. No more cutting down
dead boughs while I live."

"Very good, ma'am."

"Is that all?"

"No, ma'am; about the hay. Mr Nixon would be glad to have it at the
market price."

"Of course, let Mr Nixon have all you can spare. And now I'm very
busy, James Ellis--by the way, how is your wife, and how is Mary?"

"Quite well, thank you, ma'am," said the bailiff, hesitating, as he
turned when half-way to the door.

"I am glad of it. Mind that Mary has what flowers she likes for her
little greenhouse."

"Thank you, ma'am, she will be very pleased, but--"

"Yes! What?"

"There was one other thing, ma'am. Daniel Barnett has been speaking to
me about help, and there is one of Admiral Morgan's men wants to leave
to better himself. I know the young man well. An excellent gardener,
who would thoroughly suit. His character is unexceptionable, and he is
an excellent grower of orchids."

"Oh!" said Mrs Mostyn sharply; "and you want me to engage him to take
poor John Grange's place?"

"Yes, ma'am," said the bailiff respectfully. "The Admiral will
recommend him strongly, and I don't think you could do better."

"Then I do," cried the lady, bringing down one hand so heavily upon the
table that the water leaped out of th