Trust the great and powerful Sir Stephen to choose the best nature and art can produce! What is this ?" "This" proved to be a newly built lodge which appeared on the left of the road.

Stafford slowed up, and a lodgekeeper came and flung open the new and elaborately wrought iron gates.
"This the way to--to Sir Stephen's house ?" asked Stafford.
The man touched his hat reverentially.
"Yes, sir," he replied.

"Sir Stephen's arrived.

Came an hour ago." Stafford nodded, and drove on.
The road was certainly a new one, but it was lined with rhododendrons and costly shrubs, and it wound and wound serpentine fashion through shrubberies and miniature plantations which indicated not only remarkably good taste, but vast expenditure.

At intervals the trees had been felled to permit a view of the lake, lying below, like a sapphire glowing in the sunlight.
Presently they came in sight of the house.