She locked the case up again, and felt all the
richer for that morning.
A day or two afterwards she left Hamley. Before she went she compelled
herself to go round the gardens and grounds of Ford Bank. She had made
Mrs. Osbaldistone understand that it would be painful for her to re-enter
the house; but Mr. Osbaldistone accompanied her in her walk.
"You see how literally we have obeyed the clause in the lease which ties
us out from any alterations," said he, smiling. "We are living in a
tangled thicket of wood. I must confess that I should have liked to cut
down a good deal; but we do not do even the requisite thinnings without
making the proper application for leave to Mr. Johnson. In fact, your
old friend Dixon is jealous of every pea-stick the gardener cuts. I
never met with so faithful a fellow. A good enough servant, too, in his
way; but somewhat too old-fashioned for my wife and daughters, who
complain of his being surly now and then."
"You are not thinking of parting with him?" said Ellinor, jealous for
Dixon.
"Oh, no; he and I are capital friends. And I believe Mrs. Osbaldistone
herself would never consent to his leaving us. But some ladies, you
know, like a little more subserviency in manner than our friend Dixon can
boast."
Ellinor made no reply. They were entering the painted flower garden,
hiding the ghastly memory.
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