k palings, when the old mossy ones look
lovely. But I'm not mean, doctor, when there is a proper need for
outlay. Now you go at once and make arrangements for that poor young
man to be taken up to town and placed in this institution. Mind, you
are to spare no expense. It was my fault that poor Grange lost his
sight, and I shall never love my garden again if his eyes are not
restored."

The doctor rose, shook hands, and went away, leaving the bailiff with
his mistress, who turned to him with her brow all in puckers.

"Well, James Ellis, I hardly know what to say. It is a dreadful shock,
and I don't like to do anything hastily. If there was a prospect of
poor Grange recovering I would wait."

The bailiff shook his head.

"Doctor Manning told me, ma'am, that he was afraid it was hopeless."

"And I'm afraid so too," said Mrs Mostyn, with a sigh.

"I can't superintend the garden myself, ma'am."

"No, Ellis, you have too much to do."

"And gardens are gardens, ma'am--ours in particular."

"Yes," said Mrs Mostyn, who was thinking of the poor fellow lying at
the bothy in darkness.

"And with all those glass-houses and their valuable contents, a day's
neglect is never recovered."

"No, James Ellis."

"The men, too, want some one over them whom they must obey."

"Of course--of course, Ellis. And you think Daniel Barnett is quite
equal to the duties?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am. He is quite as good a gardener as John Grange, so I
don't think you could do better, ma'am. You see we know him, that he is
trustworthy and clever."

"Well, well, I'll think about it. I will not decide this morning; but I
suppose it will have to be so. I can't go appointing another man
directly the breath is out of poor old Dunton's body, and with that poor
fellow lying there in misery. Come to me this day week, James Ellis,
and I will give my decision."

The bailiff bowed and withdrew, to go straight to the gardens, where,
quite by accident, of course, Daniel Barnett came along one of the
paths, and met him, looking at him inquiringly; but Ellis did not say a
word about the subject nearest then to the young man's heart. He asked
how the grapes were looking, and had a peep at them and the melons.
Then went on through the orchid-houses, reeking with heat and moisture,
and at last stood still wiping his head in the hot sunshine.

"They do you credit, Barnett," he said. "I'm very glad to see how you
have thrown yourself into the gap,