Tamar had prepared a curtain of some
light drapery for the window; a well-darned carpet covered the floor,
the Laird's bookcases occupied one entire end of the room opposite the
window, the wonted table of the old study at the Tower was placed in the
centre of the floor, and was covered with its usual cloth, a somewhat
tarnished baize, with a border worked in crewels by Mrs. Margaret in
days gone by. In the centre of this table the inkstand was placed, and
on the opposite wall, a venerable time-piece, asserted, with what truth
we presume not to say, to be nearly as old as the clock sent by Haroun
Al Raschid to the emperor Charlemagne. A few high-backed chairs, certain
strange chimney ornaments, and other little matters dear to the Laird,
finished the furniture of this room, and Tamar perfectly laughed with
joy, when, having seen all done, she became aware that this small
apartment was in fact more comfortable than the cold, wide, many-drafted
study in the Tower.
Those who were with her caught the merry infection and laughed too, and
Shanty said, "But dear one, whilst you thus rejoice in your own
contrivances, have you not a word of praise to give to Him, who has
spread such glories as no human skill could create, beyond yon little
window?" The old man then opened the casement, and showed the sweet and
peaceful scene which there presented itself; for the cottage was
enclosed in a small dell, the green sides of which seemed to shut out
all the world, enclosing within their narrow limits, a running brook,
and hives of bees, and many fragrant flowers.
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