y lodge just
inside, and then, for a quarter of a mile, they drove through a fine
avenue of shady trees, to look down which seemed to be like peering
through a long leafy green tunnel, at the end of which could be seen
portions of the noble castellated mansion of Lord Copsedale, built in
imitation of the feudal homes of former days, but with a greater
attention to comfort and the admission of light and air.

Mr Inglis drove into the large court, and, leaving the horse with one
of the stablemen, the party strolled down past the great walled garden
and the quaint parterre, past the head of the lake, where the water
rushed bubbling and foaming in, and where they could see the roach lying
by hundreds; and then along by the green edge of the lake to where, in a
semicircular sweep, a well-kept piece of lawn-like turf, backed up with
a mighty hedge of evergreens, formed about as delightfully retired a
spot as could be found anywhere for a fishing-party to make their
resting-place, and dip their lines in the deep water,--here and there
overshadowed with trees, down beneath whose roots, in the great holes,
the finest fish were said to lie. The water looked in beautiful
condition for fishing, not being too clear; and pushing about amidst the
lilies and great water weeds that occupied the surface, in many places
could be seen great chub and carp, snapping every now and then at the
flies, but in a lazy, half-hungry sort of manner.

The spots Mr Inglis chose for fishing were three, reserving one for
himself, and all these were well clear of weeds, and at a few yards'
distance the one from the other, so as to insure quiet,--about the
greatest requisite for making a basket of fish; for the finny denizens
of the water seem to be as keenly alive to strange sounds as they are to
strange sights, and the unlucky youngster who laughs, and talks, and
shows himself freely upon the bank of the place where he is fishing, may
fully expect that the fish near him will all be on the move, and seek
for quiet lodgings in some other part of the pond, lake, or river. They
don't seem to mind seeing one of their relations hooked, and then dart
frantically about in all directions, as though seized with a mad
exploring fit, till, panting and tired out, he is dragged to the side
and landed. They do not seem to mind this, for they will follow the
example of the hooked fish, and eagerly take the bait one after another,
until, perhaps, the greater part of