I should like to see the place. _May_ I?"
"Yes, my lady, and welcome."
"How shall I get to it, sir?"
"You can ride to the 'Woodman's Rest,' my lady, and it is scarce a
stone's-throw from there; but 'tis baddish traveling for the likes of
you."
She appointed an hour, rode with her groom to the public-house, and
thence was conducted through bush, through brier, to the place where
her husband had been so annoyed.
Moss's comments became very intelligible to her the moment she saw the
place. She said very little, however, and rode home.
Next day she blushed high, and asked Sir Charles for a hundred pounds
to spend upon herself.
Sir Charles smiled, well pleased, and gave it her, and a kiss into the
bargain.
"Ah! but," said she, "that is not all."
"I am glad of it. You spend too little money on yourself--a great deal
too little."
"That is a complaint you won't have long to make. I want to cut down a
few trees. _May_ I?"
"Going to build?"
"Don't ask me. It is for myself."
"That is enough. Cut down every stick on the estate if you like. The
barer it leaves us the better."
"Ah, Charles, you promised me not. I shall cut with great discretion, I
assure you."
"As you please," said Sir Charles. "If you want to make me happy, deny
yourself nothing.
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