5

distance from the avenue, she saw an elegant house, surrounded
with a garden, thither she turned, but by the time she
reached it, she was so exhausted that she had to sit down on
a stone that was lying outside of the garden, which was enclosed with
hollys, through which she saw what was passing within the
enclosure. The garden was full of evergreen shrubs, which contrasted
with the glittering snow gave it a gay appearance--on the south
side of the mansion was a large green-house; the grasses were
raised, and discovered a collection of bright and
beautiful flowers, glowing amidst the dark green of myrtles
and orange-trees etc. A lovely young woman, surrounded by
three charming little children was busily employed in
arranging the plants, -- some of which were removed to stand
in the gravel walk, to give a freer admittance of air to
others--She was singing gaily at her task, and tripping lightly
from one box to another, plucking now a flower, now a
leaf which she flung to the children as they eagerly followed
her, laughing and prattling, and