"
Ruth smiled. "It is, indeed, sir. Our workroom must be so
different to anything you ever saw. I think you must have passed
through Milham often on your way to Lowford."
"Then you don't think it is any stretch of fancy to have so clear
an idea as I have of Milham Grange? On the left hand of the road,
is it, Ruth?"
"Yes, sir, just over the bridge, and up the hill where the
elm-trees meet overhead and make a green shade; and then comes
the dear old Grange, that I shall never see again."
"Never! Nonsense, Ruthie; it is only six miles off; you may see
it any day. It is not an hour's ride."
"Perhaps I may see it again when I am grown old; I did not think
exactly what 'never' meant; it is so very long since I was there,
and I don't see any chance of my going for years and years at any
rate."
"Why, Ruth, you--we may go next Sunday afternoon, if you like."
She looked up at him with a lovely light of pleasure in her face
at the idea.
"How, sir? Can I walk it between afternoon-service and the time
Mrs. Mason comes home? I would go for only one glimpse; but if I
could get into the house--oh, sir! if I could just see mamma's
room again!"
He was revolving plans in his head for giving her this pleasure,
and he had also his own in view. If they went in any of his
carriages, the loitering charm of the walk would be lost; and
they must, to a certain degree, be encumbered by, and exposed to
the notice of servants.
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