here than a retired
Danish parsonage.

"I am expecting the gardener you have sent over to survey Rosendal and
plan some improvement in the grounds. He has been two days at
Rosendal, and, I fear, has had the usual difficulty of language.
Garth, however, has been with him, to assist his measuring. Pastor
Lindal and his daughter are in a state of alarm at what I am going to
do there. They fear I shall destroy the natural beauty of the place. I
shall soon be home now, and am longing to see your dear kind face
again."

The tobacco parliament, as Hardy always called it, had scarcely began,
when Kirstin announced that there was an Englishman at the door.

"It is the Scotchman, Macdonald, the gardener, my mother has sent over
to see Rosendal," said Hardy. "May he come in and show you his plans?"

"We should like to see them beyond everything," said Froken Helga,
eagerly.

"The difficulty about the place is that the farmyard is at the house,"
said Macdonald. Hardy interpreted.

"We cannot interfere with that now, Macdonald. We must make the best
of it as it is," said Hardy.

"Just what I expected," said Macdonald, unfolding his plans. "There is
the plan of Rosendal as it now is--that is, the house, woods, lake,
and gardens; you must look it all over first, and see if you know the
place, and then you'll be prepared for the next plan. You see,
Mr. Hardy, there is practically little room for alteration. The little
low whitewashed wall round the house can come down, the kitchen garden
made into a shrubbery with walks; the turf is so coarse that you
cannot make anything of it. The kitchen garden can be placed at the
back. The valley of roses can be made into a pretty place, and I
should advise the _Pinus Montana_ being planted, to contrast with its
dark green the roses when in bloom; it will shelter them also. The
little wall being down, the ground can be sloped and planted, as shown
in plan. For the valley of roses I have prepared a large plan."

Hardy interrupted, but seeing the Pastor about to speak, said--

"No, Herr Pastor; we must have Froken Helga's opinion first. She it is
that has so blamed the obstinacy of my conduct in thinking that
Rosendal can be improved. Let her speak; but, first, Macdonald has
more to say."

Macdonald suggested several other changes, which, although small in
themselves, yet in the aggregate made considerable alteration.

"Well, Froken Helga?" said Hardy, after she had seen the plans.