say, and getting on to forty or past, and so, you know, if she
didn't jump at this hopportunity, she thought she'd never get
a better. I guess she thought such a handsome young
husband was worth all 'at ever she had, and he might take it
and welcome; but I lay she'll rue her bargain afore long.
They say she begins already to see'at he isn't not altogether
that nice, generous, perlite, delightful gentleman 'at she
thought him afore marriage--he begins a being careless and
masterful already. Ay, and she'll find him harder and
carelesser nor she thinks on.'

'You seem to be well acquainted with him,' I observed.

'I am, sir; I've known him since he was quite a young
gentleman; and a proud 'un he was, and a wilful. I was
servant yonder for several years; but I couldn't stand their
niggardly ways--she got ever longer and worse, did missis,
with her nipping and screwing, and watching and grudging;
so I thought I'd find another place.'

'Are we not near the house?' said I, interrupting him.

'Yes, sir; yond's the park.'

My heart sank within me to behold that stately mansion
in the midst of its expansive grounds. The park as beautiful
now, in its wintry garb, as it could be in its summer glory:
the majestic sweep, the undulating swell and fall, displayed
to full advantage in that robe of dazzling purity, stainless
and printless--save one long, winding track left by the troop-
ing deer--the stately timber-trees with their heavy-laden
branches gleaming white against the dull, grey sky; the deep,
encircling woods; the broad expanse of water sleeping in
frozen quiet; and the weeping ash and willow drooping
their snow-clad boughs above it--all presented a picture,
striking indeed, and pleasing to an unencumbered mind, but
by no means encouraging to me. There was one comfort,
however,--all this was entailed upon little Arthur, and
could not under any circumstances, strictly speaking, be his
mother's. But how was she situated? Overcoming with a
sudden effort my repugnance to mention her name to my
garrulous companion, I asked him if he knew whether her

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