y of green trees;
hence its name of Greenbushes, given when these same trees were but
saplings.

The house, in the midst of this evergreen grove, was a building of hard,
dark red bricks, and so irregular in construction as to defy all
description; it had so many gable ends, tall chimneys, little dormer
windows and latticed windows, as to confuse the spectator; and so many
great doors, each with its own portico, as to make a strange visitor
utterly uncertain concerning the whereabouts of the main entrance.

Two old men, standing on a three-cornered portico in an angle of the wall,
drew the steps of the visitors thither, where they were met by Mr. Copp, a
tall, thin, fair-faced, gray-haired lawyer, and Mr. Beever, a short,
round, red-faced and bald-headed farmer.

Both were plainly dressed in business suits of heavy, black cloth.

"Do you know those persons?" inquired the colonel of Odalite.

"No, but I know who they are, and I have come to see them."

"Then let me speak to them first," he suggested, going up to the two men.

He addressed them in a low tone, and then brought them to the spot where
Odalite and her companions waited.

"Miss Force," he said, "this is Mr. Copp, legal steward of the late Miss
Laura Notley. This is Mr. Beever, manager of the plantation. They wish to
speak to you on business, and will show you into the house," he said.

The two men bowed very deferentially.

Odalite received them politely, and at Mr. Copp's invitation, followed
them into the building, accompanied by her sisters, their governess and
Col. Anglesea, who regarded all these proceedings with a sarcastic smile.

The lawyer led the whole party into a small, old-fashioned, oak-paneled
parlor, with a chimney in the angle of the wall, in which a large, wood
fire had been kindled, and near which a table and a few chairs had been
placed.

On this table lay various books of samples, and patterns, and catalogues
of prices.

"Will you sit down and look over these, or will you go through the house
first? I have had fires built in all the rooms, but still I think the
place is not thoroughly aired and dried yet," said Mr. Copp.

"We will look over these first, and then take them through the house for
reference," replied Odalite.

And the whole party sat down around the table, and began to examine
patterns, samples and prices.

A great chattering as of many magpies ensued.

There was a difference of opinion. For kalsomine, and f