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carriage…door； when all was ready； “that I am obliged to conduct
you nearly two miles out of the way。 But our direct road lies
through Sir Leicester Dedlock’s park； and； in that fellow’s
property； I have sworn never to set foot of mine； or horse’s foot of
mine； pending the present relations between us； while I breathe
the breath of life！” And here； catching my Guardian’s eye； he
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broke into one of his tremendous laughs； which seemed to shake
even the motionless little market…town。
“Are the Dedlocks down here； Lawrence？” said my Guardian as
we drove along； and Mr Boythorn trotted on the green turf by the
roadside。
“Sir Arrogant Numskull is here；” replied Mr Boythorn。 “Ha ha
ha！ Sir Arrogant is here； and I am glad to say； has been laid by the
heels here。 My Lady；” in naming whom he always made a courtly
gesture as if particularly to exclude her from any part in the
quarrel； “is expected； I believe； daily。 I am not in the least
surprised that she postpones her appearance as long as possible。
Whatever can have induced that transcendent woman to marry
that effigy and figure…head of a baronet； is one of the most
impenetrable mysteries that ever baffled human inquiry。 Ha ha ha
ha！”
“I suppose；” said my Guardian laughing； “we may set foot in the
park while we are here？ The prohibition does not extend to us；
does it？”
“I can lay no prohibition on my guests；” he said； bending his
head to Ada and me； with a smiling politeness which sat so
gracefully upon him； “except in the matter of their departure。 I am
only sorry that I cannot have the happiness of being their escort
about Chesney Wold； which is a very fine place！ But； by the light of
this summer day； Jarndyce； if you call upon the owner； while you
stay with me； you are likely to have but a cool reception。 He
carries himself like an eight…day clock at all times； like one of a
race of eight…day clocks in gorgeous cases that never go and never
went—Ha ha ha！—but he will have some extra stiffness； I can
promise you； for the friends of his friend and neighbour
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Boythorn！”
“I shall not put him to the proof；” said my Guardian。 “He is as
indifferent to the honour of knowing me； I dare say； as I am to the
honour of knowing him。 The air of the grounds； and perhaps such
a view of the house as any other sightseer might get； are quite
enough for me。”
“Well！” said Mr Boythorn； “I am glad of it on the whole。 It’s in
better keeping。 I am looked upon； about here； as a second Ajax
defying the lightning。 Ha ha ha ha！ When I go into our little church
on a Sunday； a considerable part of the inconsiderable
congregation expect to see me drop； scorched and withered； on
the pavement under the Dedlock displeasure。 Ha ha ha ha！ I have
no doubt he is surprised that I don’t。 For he is； by Heaven！ the
most self…satisfied； and the shallowest； and the most coxcomical
and utterly brainless ass！”
Our coming to the ridge of a hill we had been ascending；
enabled our friend to point out Chesney Wold itself to us； and
diverted his attention from its master。
It was a picturesque old house； in a fine park； richly wooded。
Among the trees； and not far from the residence； he pointed out
the spire of the little church of which he had spoken。 O； the
solemn woods over which the light and shadow travelled swiftly；
as if Heavenly wings were sweeping on benignant errands through
the summer air； the smooth green slopes； the glittering water； the
garden where the flowers were so symmetrically arranged in
clusters of the richest colours； how beautiful they looked！ The
house； with gable and chimney； and tower； and turret； and dark
doorway； and broad terrace…walk； twining among the balustrades
of which； and lying heaped upon the vases； there was one great
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flush of roses； seemed scarcely real in its light solidity； and in the
serene and peaceful hush that rested all around it。 To Ada and to
me； that； above all； appeared the pervading influence。 On
everything； house； garden； terrace； green slopes； water； old oaks；
fern； moss； woods again； and far away across the openings in the
prospect； to the distance lying wide before us with a purple bloom
upon it； there seemed to be such undisturbed repose。
When we came into the little village； and passed a small inn
with the sign of the Dedlock Arms swinging over the road in front；
Mr Boythorn interchanged greetings with a young gentleman
sitting on a bench outside the inn…door； who had some fishing…
tackle lying beside him。
“That’s the housekeeper’s grandson； Mr Rouncewell by name；”
said he； “and he is in love with a pretty girl up at the House。 Lady
Dedlock has taken a fancy to the pretty girl； and is going to keep
her about her own fair person—an honour which my young friend
himself does not at all appreciate。 However； he can’t marry just
yet； even if his Rosebud were willing； so he is fain to make the best
of it。 In the meanwhile； he comes here pretty often； for a day or
two at a time； to—fish。 Ha ha ha ha！”
“Are he and the pretty girl engaged； Mr Boythorn？” asked Ada。
“Why； my dear Miss Clare；” he returned； “I think they may
perhaps understand each other； but you will see them soon； I dare
say； and I must learn from you on such a point—not you from me。”
Ada blushed； and Mr Boythorn； trotting forward on his comely
grey horse； dismounted at his own door； and stood ready； with
extended arm and uncovered head； to welcome us when we
arrived。
He lived in a pretty house； formerly the Parsonage…house； with
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a lawn in front； a bright flower…garden at the side； and a well…
stocked orchard and kitchen…garden in the rear； enclosed with a
venerable wall that had of itself a ripened ruddy look。 But； indeed；
everything about the place wore an aspect of maturity and
abundance。 The old lime…tree walk was like green cloisters； the
very shadows of the cherry…trees and apple…trees were heavy with
fruit； the gooseberry…bushes were so laden that their branches
arched and rested on