"Not quite that; but a little one side of the middle I did cross the lawn."
"I do not know, ma'am, anybody that lives in that direction, nor any village."
"Brierley Cottage? You know Brierley Cottage?"
"I ask your pardon, ma'am; I thought that was standing empty for months."
"It was, I suppose. We have just moved in. My mother wants country air, and Mr. St. Leger has let us the cottage. My mother and I are living there, and we came only a day or two ago. I wanted to see the beautiful ground and trees on this side the brook, and came over the bridge. I did not mean to have come so far; I had no notion of seeing the house or getting near it; but everything was so beautiful, I was drawn on from one point to another, till I found myself at the edge of the lawn. And then I saw the cattle, but I never thought of them."
"Why, ma'am," said the woman, looking surprised, "you must have walked a good bit. You must have come all through the plantations."
"I should not have minded the walk so much, if I had not had the fright at the end of it. But now the thing is, to get home. Can you tell me which way? for I am completely out of my reckoning."
"You will take a cup of tea first, ma'am," said the woman, ringing the bell. "I had it made on purpose for you. I am sure you'll be the better for it. I am the housekeeper here, ma'am, and my name is Jersey."
"The housekeeper?" said Dolly. "I thought the family were abroad."
"So they are, ma'am; and to be sure that makes me less to do; but enough still to take care of the place. Put the table up by the sofa, Kitty."