There was a short drive up to the house between tall evergreens.
Evergreens, however, had been planted about the grave of the village favorite, and osiers were bent over it to keep the turf uninjured.
These hours were at first occupied with exploring the old house, with all its attics, cuddies, cock-lofts and cellars; then in wandering through the old ornamental grounds, that were, even in winter and in total neglect, beautiful with their wild growth of evergreens; thence she extended her researches into the wild and picturesque country around.