in, and found Henrietta still
measuring the length of her bonnet strings before the glass. She hunted
her down stairs at last, and found the two uncles and grandpapa at
the door, playing with the various dogs, small and great, that usually
waited there. Fred and the other boys had gone out together some time
since, and the party now set forth, the three gentlemen walking together
first. Henrietta turned as soon as she had gone a sufficient distance
that she might study the aspect of the house. It did not quite fulfil
her expectations; it was neither remarkable for age nor beauty; the
masonry was in a sort of chessboard pattern, alternate squares of
freestone and of flints, the windows were not casements as she thought
they ought to have been, and the long wing, or rather excrescence,
which contained the drawing-room, was by no means ornamental. It was a
respectable, comfortable mansion, and that was all that was to be
said in its praise, and Beatrice's affection had so embellished it
in description, that it was no wonder that Henrietta felt slightly
disappointed. She had had some expectation, too, of seeing it in the
midst of a park, instead of which the carriage-drive along which they
were walking, only skirted a rather large grass field, full of elm
trees, and known by the less dignified name of the paddock. But she
would not confess the failure of her expectations even to herself, and
as Beatrice was evidently looking for some expressions of admiration,
she said the road must be very pretty in summer.

"Especially when this bank is one forest of foxgloves," said Queen Bee.
"Only think! Uncle Roger and the farmer faction wanted grandpapa to have
this hedge row grubbed up, and turned into a plain dead fence; but I
carried the day, and I dare say Aunt Mary will be as much obliged to
me as the boys who would have lost their grand preserve of stoats and
rabbits. But here are the outfield and the drill."

And going through a small gate at the corner of the paddock, they
entered a large ploughed field, traversed by a footpath raised and
gravelled, so as to be high and dry, which was well for the two girls,
as the gentlemen left them to march up and down there by themselves,
whilst they were discussing the merits of the brilliant blue machine
which was travelling along the furrows. It was rather a trial of
patience, but Beatrice was used to it, and Henrietta was in a temper to
be pleased with anything.

At last the inspec