in at the higher end of the valley, and going out through a natural
cleft in a block of granite at the other end. There were many tall trees
scattered on the banks within the dell; and the place was so sheltered,
that many a plant would flourish in the garden on the south side of the
house, which could hardly be kept alive in any other situation in
the country.

The cottage was an old, black, timbered and thatched edifice, and had
four rooms of considerable dimensions, two above and two below, with a
porch in the front, overgrown with briony and another hardy creeper. As
soon as this tenement was vacated, and the Laird's intention of
inhabiting it known, the ancient tenants of the family all manifested
their affection by using their several crafts in repairing the cottage,
and setting the house to rights,--one mended the thatch, another
repaired the wood-work, a third white-washed the walls, another mended
the paling, and old Shanty did any little job in his way which might
be required.

The labours of love never hang long on hand, and though the old tenant
had gone out only at Lady-day, the hawthorn had scarcely blossomed when
the affectionate people pronounced the work complete.

Poor Dymock had become very restless when he saw the changes which were
going on at the Tower; but when there was no longer an excuse to be
found for delaying the removal, he gave way altogether, or rather, we
should say, made a cut and run, and went off to botanize the lakes in
Westmoreland, with a knapsack on his back, and a guinea in his pocket.

Before he went, however, he had opened his heart to his daughter Tamar,
saying, "I now take leave, dear child, of the life of a gentleman;