His wife was coming through the maze of deep-set, box-bordered flower-beds to speak to him.
"Mother and Piers will be here early," she said, putting her hand through her husband's arm; "and Gratian, and Melville, and Ralph will be later."
"Where are you going to put them all? You forget your country seat is not as accommodating as our Great George Street house."
"Oh! I will make room," she said; "it is so restful and lovely here. I wish——"
"What do you wish?"
"That we lived here. I know it is impossible while you are in the office every day. I only meant it is so delightful to be in the country; winter or summer, it is the best place."
Abbot's Leigh
"Few winter days are like this," Gilbert said; "but, darling, one day I may be able to give you a country home."