The sun-light rested on a broad patch of green heath, covered with furze, and around it were scattered the cottages and farm-houses of the little village. On the other side, as Walter descended the gentle hill that led into this remote hamlet, wide and flat meadows, interspersed with several fresh and shaded ponds, stretched away towards a belt of rich woodland gorgeous with the melancholy pomp by which the “regal year” seeks to veil its decay. Among these meadows you might now see groups of cattle quietly grazing, or standing half hid in the still and sheltered pools. Still farther, crossing to the woods, a solitary sportsman walked careless on, surrounded by some half a dozen spaniels, and the shrill small tongue of one younger straggler of the canine crew, who had broke indecorously from the rest, and already entered the wood, might be just heard, softened down by the distance, into a wild, cheery sound, that animated, without disturbing, the serenity of the scene. “After all,” said Walter aloud, “the scholar was right--there is nothing like the country!” “‘Oh, happiness of sweet retired content, To be at once secure and innocent!’” “Be them Verses in the Psalms, Sir?” said the Corporal, who was close behind. “No, Bunting; but they were written by one who, if I recollect right, set the Psalms to verse:--[Denham.] I hope they meet with your approbation?” “Indeed, Sir, and no--since they ben’t in the Psalms, one has no right to think about ‘em at all.” “And why, Mr. Critic?” “‘Cause what’s the use of security, if one’s innocent, and does not mean to take advantage of it--baugh! One does not lock the door for nothing, your honour!” “You shall enlarge on that honest doctrine of yours another time; meanwhile, call that shepherd, and ask the way to Mr. Elmore’s.” The Corporal obeyed, and found that a clump of trees, at the farther corner of the waste land, was the grove that surrounded Mr. Elmore’s house; a short canter across the heath brought them to a white gate, and having passed this, a comfortable brick mansion of moderate size stood before them. CHAPTER III. A SCHOLAR, BUT OF A DIFFERENT MOULD FROM THE STUDENT OF GRASSDALE.--NEW PARTICULARS CONCERNING GEOFFREY LESTER.--THE JOURNEY RECOMMENCED.