Page:Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey (1st edition), Volume 3 (Agnes Grey).djvu/131

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
AGNES GREY.
123

The house was a very respectable one, superior to Mr. Bloomfield's both in age, size, and magnificence: the garden was not so tastefully laid out; but instead of the smoothshaven lawn, the young trees guarded by palings, the grove of upstart poplars, and the plantation of firs, there was a wide park, stocked with deer, and beautified by fine old trees. The surrounding country itself was pleasant, as far as fertile fields, flourishing trees, quiet green lanes, and smiling hedges, with wild flowers scattered along their banks, could make it; but, it was depressingly flat, to one born and nurtured among the rugged hills of ———.

We were situated nearly two miles from the village church, and, consequently, the family carriage was put in requisition every Sunday morning, and sometimes oftener.

Mr. and Mrs. Murray generally thought it sufficient to show themselves at church once in the course of the day; but frequently the children preferred going a second time to wandering about the grounds all day with nothing to do.

If some of my pupils chose to walk and take me with them, it was well for me; for other-

O 3