piece of water, two miles from the house. My lord has not returned from
his moor in Scotland; my lady is alone. No company in the house: it is
like saying, "No acquaintance in a city." But the retinue is full.
Though she dined alone she might, had she pleased, have had almost as
many servants to gaze upon her as there were windows now staring at her
lonely walk with their glassy spectral eyes.

Just as Lady Montfort gains the wicket she is overtaken by a visitor,
walking fast from the gravel sweep by the front door, where he has
dismounted, where he has caught sight of her: any one so dismounting
might have caught sight of her; could not help it. Gardens so fine were
made on purpose for fine persons walking in them to be seen.

"Ah, Lady Montfort," said the visitor, stammering painfully, "I am so
glad to find you at home."

"At home, George!" said the lady, extending her hand; "where else is it
likely that I should be found? But how pale you are! What has
happened?"

She seated herself on a bench, under a cedar-tree, just without the
wicket; and George Morley, our old friend the Oxonian, seated himself by
her side familiarly, but with a certain reverence. Lady Montfort was a
few years older than himself, his cousin: he had known her from his
childhood.

"What has happened!" he repeated; "nothing new. I have just come from
visiting the good bishop."

"He does not hesitate to ordain you?" "No; but I shall never ask him to