er wall had been entirely removed and replaced by two stout
oaken pillars, which in no way impeded the view. Before her stretched
the wide expanse of Bessmoor, glimmering and gorgeous with heather,
while far away in the distance was the blue line of the sea.

Immediately in front of the building was a small garden where lilies,
blue delphiniums, lupins and other old-fashioned flowers were in bloom,
but no fence or hedge divided it from the moorland, which ran like a
purple wave right up to the flower border.

"Sit down," said Isabella. "Sit down and gloat over the wonder of it,
as I do. I am very rich, am I not, with a vision like this ever before
my eyes? Now you see why I told you that I spent my life on the moor.
It was literally true, for I live in the very heart of it, don't I?"

"However did you manage to discover such a wonderful spot?" asked
Philippa at last.

"Quite by accident. I had a longing to re-visit scenes which I had
known very well many years ago, and I planned a solitary tour, and rode
my bicycle all over this part of the country. One day I just happened
to see in the distance the smoke curling out of a chimney, and some
impulse made me turn off the road to explore. I found these two
cottages and Mrs. Palling, and it ended in my coming to live here. At
first for a year or more I lodged with her next door. This side was
occupied by some people who moved away later on, and about the same
time the little property was put up for sale, and I bought it. It is
my very own, and you cannot wonder that I am proud of it. Then I
altered this side to suit myself, and Mrs. Palling continued to look
after me; the cooking is all done next door, and she saves me all
trouble."

"It was a stroke of genius--this arrangement, I mean. How did you
think of it?"

"We are sitting in what corresponds to Mrs. Palling's wash-house,"
returned Isabella, laughing. "Only, I knocked the outside wall down,
much to the dismay of the good lady and of the local carpenter whom I
employed. I am sure they thought I was a little mad. What sane person
would think of living in a room without a wall? Mrs. Palling did not
express her opinion quite in those words, but that was what she meant.
I live out here, and have all my meals here, and sometimes, to tell you
the truth, I sleep here."

"But what about the winter?"

"If it is too desperately cold I retire into the parlour, but there
really is hardly a day in the whole