“There is a good view from here,” she said. “A tree used to intercept it, but we had it cut down in the spring to clear a piece of ground for tennis.”
From the hill, on which the house was built, a broad stretch of green park led the eye to a considerable distance in the direction of Salcot. The roof of the cottage at Wood End was just visible. Kingcote drew attention to it.
“I don’t see any smoke from the chimney,” Mrs. Clarendon remarked, with a pleasant glance. “It is to be hoped you keep good fires this damp weather. Is the place rainproof? These last two days will have tested it.”
“It seems to be sound.”
“And you still find it your ideal?”
“The cottage? I did not choose it as an ideal abode.”
“But the quietness, the retirement, I mean. In that, at all events, you have not been disappointed.”
“Certainly not.”
Isabel shuddered.
“How you live there I can’t understand. But I suppose you find it best for your studies.”