the laird's generous offer. My father started for Wigtown that very
night, while Esther and I followed a few days afterwards, bearing with
us two potato-sacksful of learned books, and such other of our household
effects that were worth the trouble and expense of transport.




Chapter II


OF THE STRANGE MANNER IN WHICH A TENANT CAME TO CLOOMBER

Branksome might have appeared a poor dwelling-place when compared with
the house of an English squire, but to us, after our long residence in
stuffy apartments, it was of regal magnificence.

The building was broad-spread and low, with red-tiled roof,
diamond-paned windows, and a profusion of dwelling rooms with
smoke-blackened ceilings and oaken wainscots. In front was a small
lawn, girt round with a thin fringe of haggard and ill grown beeches,
all gnarled and withered from the effects of the sea-spray. Behind lay
the scattered hamlet of Branksome-Bere--a dozen cottages at most--
inhabited by rude fisher-folk who looked upon the laird as their natural
protector.

To the west was the broad, yellow beach and the Irish Sea, while in all
other directions the desolate moors, greyish-green in the foreground and
purple in the distance, stretched away in long, low curves to the
horizon.