have liked to cut
down a good deal; but we do not do even the requisite thinnings without
making the proper application for leave to Mr. Johnson. In fact, your
old friend Dixon is jealous of every pea-stick the gardener cuts. I
never met with so faithful a fellow. A good enough servant, too, in his
way; but somewhat too old-fashioned for my wife and daughters, who
complain of his being surly now and then."

"You are not thinking of parting with him?" said Ellinor, jealous for
Dixon.

"Oh, no; he and I are capital friends. And I believe Mrs. Osbaldistone
herself would never consent to his leaving us. But some ladies, you
know, like a little more subserviency in manner than our friend Dixon can
boast."

Ellinor made no reply. They were entering the painted flower garden,
hiding the ghastly memory. She could not speak. She felt as if, with
all her striving, she could not move--just as one does in a nightmare--but
she was past the place even as this terror came to its acme; and when she
came to herself, Mr. Osbaldistone was still blandly talking, and saying--

"It is now a reward for our obedience to your wishes, Miss Wilkins, for
if the projected railway passes through the ash-field yonder we should
have been perpetually troubled with the sight of the trains; indeed, the
sound would have been much more distinct than it will be now coming
through the interlacing branches. Then you will not go in, Miss
Wilkins?" Mrs. Osbaldistone desired me to say how happy--"Ah! I can
understand such feelings--Certainly, certainly; it is so much the
shortest way to the town, that we elder ones always go through the stable-
yard; for young people, it is perhaps not quite so desirable. Ha!
Dixon," he continued, "on the watch for the Miss Ellinor we so often hear
of! This old man," he continued to Ellinor, "is never satisfied with the
seat of our young ladies, always comparing their way of riding with that
of a certain missy--"

"I cannot help it, sir; they've quite a different style of hand, and sit
all lumpish-like. Now, Miss Ellinor, there--"

"Hush, Dixon," she said, suddenly aware of why the old servant was not
popular with his mistress. "I suppose I may be allowed to ask for
Dixon's company for an hour or so; we have something to do together
before we leave."

The consent given, the two walked away, as by previous appointment, to
Hamley churchyard, where he was to point out to her the exact spot where
he wished to