Dalton Hall was one of the most magnificent country-seats in
Somersetshire. The village of Dalton, which bears the same name as the
old family seat, is situated on the banks of a little river which winds
through a pleasant plain on its course to the Bristol Channel, and at
this place is crossed by a fine old rustic bridge with two arches. The
village church, a heavy edifice, with an enormous ivy-grown tower,
stands on the further side; and beyond that the gables and chimneys of
Dalton Hall may be seen rising, about a mile away, out of the midst of a
sea of foliage. The porter's lodge is about half a mile distant from the
church, and the massive wall which incloses Dalton Park runs along the
road for some miles.

There was a railway station about four miles away from the village, and
it was at this station that Edith arrived on her way home. Miss Plympton
had come with her, with the intention of remaining long enough to see
Edith comfortably installed in her new abode, and with the hope of
persuading her to go back if circumstances did not seem favorable. A
footman and a maid also accompanied them.

On reaching the station they found themselves at first at a loss how to
proceed, for there were no carriages in waiting. Of course, as no notice
had been sent of her journey, Edith could not expect to find any
carriage from Dalton Hall; nor did she think much about this
circumstance. Dressed in deep mourning, with her pale face and dark,
thoughtful eyes, she seemed to be given up to her own mournful
reflections; and on finding that they would have to wait, she seated
herself on a bench, and looked with an abstracted gaze upon the
surrounding scene. Miss Plympton gave some directions to the footman,
who at once went off to seek a carriage; after which she seated herself
near Edith, while the maid sat on a trunk at a little distance. They had