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214 were being milked, and whose fragrant breath was sweet even in the distance. In the middle was a large dunghill covered with poultry; while one very fine hen, with a brood of half-grown speckled chickens, started off with her fluttering company beneath the very horses' feet, who apparently were too used to the confusion to mind it.

Lawrence Aylmer came to the door and helped Francesca to dismount. A spacious porch opened into what was at once kitchen and sitting-room. An immense hearth filled up one end of the apartment; two small square windows were on each side the chimney-place, too high to serve any purpose of observation, but their light shewed the curious carving of the mantle-shelf; a matchlock, and a cross-bow suspended above. The floor was of red brick; the walls were whitewashed, though but little of them could be seen, from the delf and pewter which crowded the shelves; and here it was obvious, that, unlike those of the Sun, no mistress's eye rejoiced in their splendour, for though perfectly clean, there was little attempt at display. At the other extremity was a large window, which, from the white sprays that hung before the glass, seemed to look into a garden. The table, which was spread for dinner, was drawn