into the beautiful grounds, the like of which she had never even
imagined. Green velvet lawns, bathed in sunshine, stretched away on
every side into the finely wooded park; if there were divisions and ha-
has between the soft sunny sweeps of grass, and the dark gloom of the
forest-trees beyond, Molly did not see them; and the melting away of
exquisite cultivation into the wilderness had an inexplicable charm to
her. Near the house there were walls and fences; but they were covered
with climbing roses, and rare honeysuckles and other creepers just
bursting into bloom, There were flower-beds, too, scarlet, crimson,
blue, orange; masses of blossom lying on the greensward. Molly held
Miss Browning's hand very tight as they loitered about in company with
several other ladies, and marshalled by a daughter of the Towers, who
seemed half amused at the voluble admiration showered down upon every
possible thing and place. Molly said nothing, as became her age and
position, but every now and then she relieved her full heart by drawing
a deep breath, almost like a sigh. Presently they came to the long
glittering range of greenhouses and hothouses, and an attendant
gardener was there to admit the party. Molly did not care for this half
so much as for the flowers in the open air; but Lady Agnes had a more
scientific taste, she expatiated on the rarity of this, and the mode of
cultivation required by that plant, till Molly began to feel very
tired, and then very faint. She was too shy to speak for some time; but
at length, afraid of making a greater sensation if she began to cry, or
if she fell against the stands of precious flowers, she caught at Miss
Browning's hand, and gasped out,--'May I go back, out into the garden?
I can't breathe here!'

'Oh, yes, to be sure, love. I dare say it's hard understanding for you,
love; but it's very fine and instructive, and a deal of Latin in it
too.'