a courtly
kind of note, apologising for being unable to call, and expressing a
hope that we might be able to go and see him. The house stands on the
edge of the village, looking out on the churchyard, a many-gabled
building of grey stone, a long flagged terrace in front of it,
terminated by posts with big stone balls; a garden behind, and a wood
behind that--the whole scene unutterably peaceful and beautiful. We
entered by a little hall, and a kindly, plain, middle-aged woman, with
a Quaker-like precision of mien and dress, came out to greet us, with a
fresh kindliness that had nothing conventional about it. She said that
her uncle was not very well, but she thought he would be able to see
us. She left us for a moment. There was a cleanness and a fragrance
about the old house that was very characteristic. It was most simply,
even barely furnished, but with a settled, ancient look about it, that
gave one a sense of long association. She presently returned, and said,
smiling, that her uncle would like to see us, but separately, as he was
very far from strong. She took Maud away, and returning, walked with me
round the garden, which had the same dainty and simple perfection about
it. I could see that my hostess had the poetical passion for flowers;
she knew the names of all, and spoke of them almost as one might of
children. This was very wilful and impatient, and had to be kept in
good order; that one required coaxing and tender usage. We went on to
the wood, in all its summer foliage, and she showed us a little arbour
where her uncle loved to sit, and where the birds would come at his
whistle. "They are looking at us out of the trees everywhere," she
said, "but they are shy of strangers"--and indeed we heard soft
chirping and rustling everywhere. An old dog and a cat accompanied us.
She drew my attention to the latter. "Look at Pippa," she said, "she is
determined to walk with us, and equally determined not to seem to need
our company, as if she had come out of her own accord, and was
surprised to find us in her garden." Pippa, hearing her name mentioned,
stalked off with an air of mystery and dignity into the bushes, and we
could see her looking out at us; but when we continued our stroll, she
flew out past us, and walked on stiffly ahead. "She gets a great deal
of fun out of her little dramas," said Miss ----. "Now poor old Rufus
has no sense of drama or mystery--he is frankly glad of our company in
a very low and comm