Publisher's Synopsis
Only the housemaids were astir when Miss Muir left her room next morning and quietlyfound her way into the garden. As she walked, apparently intent upon the flowers, herquick eye scrutinized the fine old house and its picturesque surroundings."Not bad," she said to herself, adding, as she passed into the adjoining park, "but theother may be better, and I will have the best."Walking rapidly, she came out at length upon the wide green lawn which lay before theancient hall where Sir John Coventry lived in solitary splendor. A stately old place, rich inoaks, well-kept shrubberies, gay gardens, sunny terraces, carved gables, spacious rooms, liveried servants, and every luxury befitting the ancestral home of a rich and honorablerace. Miss Muir's eyes brightened as she looked, her step grew firmer, her carriage prouder, and a smile broke over her face; the smile of one well pleased at the prospect of the successof some cherished hope. Suddenly her whole air changed, she pushed back her hat, claspedher hands loosely before her, and seemed absorbed in girlish admiration of the fair scenethat could not fail to charm any beauty-loving eye. The cause of this rapid change soonappeared. A hale, handsome man, between fifty and sixty, came through the little gateleading to the park, and, seeing the young stranger, paused to examine her. He had onlytime for a glance, however; she seemed conscious of his presence in a moment, turned witha startled look, uttered an exclamation of surprise, and looked as if hesitating whether tospeak or run away. Gallant Sir John took off his hat and said, with the old-fashionedcourtesy which became him well, "I beg your pardon for disturbing you, young lady. Allowme to atone for it by inviting you to walk where you will, and gather what flowers you like.I see you love them, so pray make free with those about you."With a charming air of maidenly timidity and artlessness, Miss Muir replied, "Oh, thankyou, sir! But it is I who should ask pardon for trespassing. I never should have dared if I hadnot known that Sir John was absent. I always wanted to see this fine old place, and ran overthe first thing, to satisfy myself."