He even proposed to go to the summer-house directly, and his wife accompanied him.

They took the longest way, round the outside of the garden, so as to avoid meeting any one.

At the farthest end they came to a little garden-gate which led directly to the secluded summer-house.

Close to the little house were two old nut-trees and a weeping willow, with thick pendent branches, and behind, far away into the distance, stretched the soft green meadows.

Far and near, all was perfectly still.