very
difficult to manage so small a place as Rosendal, with common sense
and the assistance of so good a class of people as are already on the
estate. I shall not, for instance, begin to cut down the beech trees,
or drain the lake, although in an economical sense both would pay to
do. The lake could be drained to a good meadow; draining at the same
time the meadows adjoining, while the beech trees could be sold, and
the land they occupy turned into tillage. The house is a poor
residence and out of repair, so are the farm-buildings; but the place
has its peculiar charm, which I should not interrupt."

Pastor Lindal regarded the practical self-possessed Englishman with
surprise.

Hardy observed a look of displeasure in Helga's face at the thought of
so pretty a situation being turned into a practical farm, so he said--

"I have not possession yet, and shall not have until after I leave
Denmark this summer, and I could do nothing now; but my intention is
to consult a professional English landscape gardener, with the view of
increasing the attraction of Rosendal. He would do nothing that would
appear inconsistent with the natural beauty of the place."

"But he will cut it up and make all sorts of changes!" said Helga, in
a disappointed tone.

"Yes," said Hardy; "and I see you think that it would not be the same
old Rosendal to you again; but you have not seen how pretty the
surroundings of our English homes are made by these means, and the
exercise of judicious taste."

"But it would not be the same Rosendal to me," said Helga,
unconsciously uttering the very thought Hardy had read in her handsome
face.

"Possibly not," replied Hardy; "but your first exclamation would be
that you could not have believed Rosendal could have been made so
beautiful. A natural gem must be polished to exhibit its full beauty."

"That may be; but the thought of seeing Rosendal changed, Hardy, is
what strikes us," said the Pastor.

"Well, Herr Pastor, there is one thing I will do," said Hardy, "and
that is, before I do anything the plans shall be submitted to your and
Froken Helga's judgment."

"Which, I fear, we shall not understand," said the Pastor.

"Yes, you will, because you will have the plan of the estate, as it
now exists, before you as well as the plan of the proposed
alterations; but, as far as I myself can see, no striking change would
be desirable, or would be suggested."

"But why have you bought Rosendal, Herr Hardy?