THE KEEPERS COTTAGE. 



CHAPTER I. 

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THE keeper's cottage stands in a sheltered ' coombe,' or 

 narrow hollow of the woodlands, overshadowed by a 

 mighty Spanish chestnut, bare now of leaves, but in 

 summer a noble tree. The ash wood covers the slope at 

 the rear ; on one side is a garden, and on the other a long 

 strip of meadow with elms. In front, and somewhat 

 lower, a streamlet winds, fringing the sward, and across it 



