The garden was a small piece of ground in front of the hotel, between the hotel and the river. There was a large gate opening from it towards the hotel, and another towards the river. The garden was full of shade trees, with pleasant walks winding about among them, and here and there a border, or a bed of flowers. There were several carved images placed here and there, one of which amused Rollo and Minnie very much, for it represented a monkey sitting on a pole and looking at himself in a hand looking glass which he held before his face. In the other hand he had a parasol. In the front part of the garden, towards the river, were several tables under the trees, where people might take coffee or ices, or they might take their dinner there if they chose. In the front of the garden too, at the corners, were two summer houses, with tables and chairs in them. The sides of these houses that were turned towards the river, and also those that were towards the gardens, were open. The other two sides of each summer house had walls, on which were painted views of castles and other scenery of the Rhine. Over one of the summer houses was a little room for a lookout, where there was a very fine prospect up and down the river. Rollo and Minnie rambled about here for some time, examining every thing with great attention. They chose one of the pleasantest tables, and sat down before it. "This is a nice place," said Minnie. "I propose that you and I come out here to-morrow morning and have breakfast, all by ourselves." "O, we can't do that very well," said Rollo. "Yes we can," replied Minnie, "just as well as not. I'll plan it all." Minnie then jumped up and led the way, Rollo following, through the open gate towards the river. There was a sort of street outside, and Rollo and Minnie stood here for a few minutes to see a steamer go by. Minnie then proposed that they should get into a boat that was lying there, and take a sail. "You can row--can't you?" said she to Rollo. "No," said Rollo, "not on such a river as this. See how swift the current flows." "Never mind," said Minnie, "I can. Let us jump into this boat, and have a sail." "No," said Rollo, "not for the world. We should be carried off down the stream in spite of every thing." "Never mind," said Minnie; "we should land somewhere, and they would send down for us. We should have a great deal of fun." How far Minnie would have persevered in urging her plan for a venture in the boat on the river I do not know; but the conversation was here interrupted by the appearance of Mr. George, who had come down through the garden, and just at this instant joined the children on the quay. [Illustration] CHAPTER XIV. THE RUIN IN THE GARDEN. Mr. George said that he had come to ask Rollo to go and take a walk to see an old ruin in the town, and he told Minnie that he should be very glad to have her go too, if her mother would be willing. "O, yes," said Minnie, "she will be willing. I'll go."