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fruit； the gooseberry…bushes were so laden that their branches
arched and rested on the earth； the strawberries and raspberries
grew in like profusion； and the peaches basked by the hundred on
the wall。 Tumbled about among the spread nets and the glass
frames sparkling and winking in the sun； there were such heaps of
drooping pods； and marrows； and cucumbers； that every foot of
ground appeared a vegetable treasury； while the smell of sweet
herbs and all kinds of wholesome growth （to say nothing of the
neighbouring meadows where the hay was carrying） made the
whole air a great nosegay。 Such stillness and composure reigned
within the orderly precincts of the old red wall； that even the
feathers hung in garlands to scare the birds hardly stirred； and the
wall had such a ripening influence that where； here and there high
up； a disused nail and scrap of list still clung to it； it was easier to
fancy that they had mellowed with the changing seasons； than that
they had rusted and decayed according to the common fate。
The house； though a little disorderly in comparison with the
garden； was a real old house； with settles in the chimney of the
brick…floored kitchen； and great beams across the ceilings。 On one
side of it was the terrible piece of ground in dispute； where Mr
Boythorn maintained a sentry in a smock…frock； day and night；
whose duty was supposed to be； in case of aggression； immediately
to ring a large bell hung up there for the purpose； to unchain a
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great bulldog established in a kennel as his ally； and generally to
deal destruction on the enemy。 Not content with these
precautions； Mr Boythorn had himself composed and posted
there； on painted boards to which his name was attached in large
letters； the following solemn warnings： “Beware of the Bulldog。 He
is most ferocious。 Lawrence Boythorn。”
“The blunderbuss is loaded with slugs。 Lawrence Boythorn。”
“Mulldogs and spring…guns are set here at all times of the day
and night。 Lawrence Boythorn。”
“Take notice。 That any person or persons audaciously
presuming to trespass on this property； will be punished with the
utmost severity of private chastisement； and prosecuted with the
utmost rigour of the law。 Lawrence Boythorn。” These he showed
us； from the drawing…room window； while his bird was hopping
about his head； and he laughed； “Ha ha ha ha！ Ha ha ha ha！” to
that extent as he pointed them out； that I really thought he would
have hurt himself。
“But this is taking a good deal of trouble；” said Mr Skimpole in
his light way； “when you are not in earnest after all？”
“Not in earnest！” returned Mr Boythorn； with unspeakable
warmth。 “Not in earnest！ If I could have hoped to train him； I
would have bought a Lion instead of that dog； and would have
turned him loose upon the first intolerable robber who should
dare to make an encroachment on my rights。 Let Sir Leicester
Dedlock consent to come out and decide this question by single
combat； and I will meet him with any weapon known to mankind
in any age or country。 I am that much in earnest。 Not more！”
We arrived at his house on a Saturday。 On the Sunday morning
we all set forth to walk to the little church in the park。 Entering
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the park； almost immediately by the disputed ground； we pursued
a pleasant footpath winding among the verdant turf and the
beautiful trees； until it brought us to the church porch。
The congregation was extremely small and quite a rustic one；
with the exception of a large muster of servants from the House；
some of whom were already in their seats； while others were yet
dropping in。 There were some stately footmen； and there was a
perfect picture of an old coachman； who looked as if he were the
official representative of all the pomps and vanities that had ever
been put into his coach。 There was a very pretty show of young
women； and above them； the handsome old face and fine
responsible portly figure of the housekeeper； towered pre…
eminent。 The pretty girl； of whom Mr Boythorn had told us； was
close by her。 She was so very pretty； that I might have known her
by her beauty； even if I had not seen how blushingly conscious she
was of the eyes of the young fisherman； whom I discovered not far
off。 One face； and not an agreeable one； though it was handsome；
seemed maliciously watchful of this pretty girl； and indeed of
everyone and everything there。 It was a Frenchwoman’s。
As the bell was yet ringing and the great people were not yet
come； I had leisure to glance over the church； which smelt as
earthly as a grave； and to think what a shady； ancient； solemn little
church it was。 The windows； heavily shaded by trees； admitted a
subdued light that made the faces around me pale； and darkened
the old brasses in the pavement； and the time and damp…worn
monuments； and rendered the sunshine in the little porch； where
a monotonous ringer was working at the bell； inestimably bright。
But a stir in that direction； a gathering of reverential awe in the
rustic faces； and a blandly…ferocious assumption on the part of Mr
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Boythorn of being resolutely unconscious of somebody’s existence；
forewarned me that the great people were come； and that the
service was going to begin。
“‘Enter not into judgment with thy servant； O Lord； for in thy
sight—’”
Shall I ever forget the rapid beating of my heart； occasioned by
the look I met； as I stood up！ Shall I ever forget the manner in
which those handsome proud eyes seemed to spring out of their
languor； and to hold mine！ It was only a moment before I cast
mine down—released again； if I may say so—on my book； but； I
knew the beautiful face quite well； in that short space of time。
And； very strangely； there was something quickened within me；
associated with the lonely days at my godmother’s； yes； away even
to the days when I had stood on tiptoe to dress myself at my little
glass； after dressing my doll。 And this； although I had never seen
this lady’s face before in all my life—I was quite sure of it—
absolutely certain。
It was easy to know that the ceremonious； gouty； grey…haired
gentleman； the only other occupant of the great pew； was Sir
Leicester Dedlock； and that the lady was Lady Dedlock。 But why
her face should b