DOWN A GREEN LANE' 83 



growing ferns. Then it widens, and admits you 

 on to a glade, whence away to the right from the 

 hill-top where you stand, you get a magnificent 

 view, far away over green lanes, woods, and meadows 

 of the wild moorlands which end the landscape. 



Now the lane suddenly narrows again ; but just 

 as it is about to commence its descent over the 

 hill, you suddenly come upon a turning to the 

 right. A lane within a lane ! Lovely as is the 

 course which you have been hitherto following, 

 you pause at this spot fairly spellbound by the 

 superlative loveliness of the little bit of scenery 

 which this new turning suddenly reveals. 'Tis 

 just a peep from where you stand; for this 

 lane within a lane seems to be a lane without 

 egress, a charming cul-de-sac. At a few yards 

 from the entrance, a hedge-bank bars the way, to 

 all appearance. The tiny "bit," as far as you 

 can see, is like a summer bower. The hedge- 

 banks stand on each side some seven feet apart. 

 But flowering plants and grass carpet the ground, 

 leaving a pathway two feet wide. Away in front 

 the bank which closes the view, gracefully clothed 



