in the whole estate; but the lime trees did not reach quite so far. Between the last two of them and the pond there was an open space, slightly elevated, and large enough to admit of a carriage turning there. Beyond this, at the other side of the avenue, was the pond-sluice with several water-gates, and across the sluice six parallel beams were laid rather aslant, by way of a bridge. It was impossible, therefore, to drive with a carriage or cart into the fields at the other side—a fact which resulted in turning the avenue and the open place near the pond into an agreeable solitude. A short way beyond the sluice the bank of the pond formed a low semicircular slope, covered with an underwood of oak, that was cut down and sold every few years, and which shut out the view to the front. At the foot of this slope, quite close to the pond, there was a footpath, which made a very pleasant walk, especially on summer evenings.
Lastly, the elevation between the last two lime trees and the sluice jutted, on the side of the latter, into the pond in a three-cornered projection, and was covered on its sloping banks with wild syringas down to the water’s edge.
In the middle of a large space there stood an ancient walnut tree, surrounded by a rustic seat, and, at a sufficient height from the ground, a weather-beaten, six-cornered roof of shingle was fastened round the stem, and supported by six wooden props.
To this pleasant shady bower, in summer, sometimes in the morning, but oftener in the afternoon, Baroness Sály and her companion were fond of resorting. Here they spent many a leisure hour, either reading, working or talking, or, when they were tired of these occupations, looking at the pond, where some lively fish or sprightly
