108 A TOUR SOUND MY GARDEN. 



latter came and looked at the trees, and said, " They must be 

 cut down; the law is precise. The trees must not be less 

 than six feet from the party- wall ; and there are but four feet 

 between them and the wall." 



" But he planted them himself!" 



'' No matter ; the two properties were then his own. They 

 must be cut down." 



" And suppose I do not cut them down?" 



" You will be compelled." 



The poplars were magnificent; covered with their young 

 leaves of a transparent green, they made the most beautiful 

 green curtain imaginable. Arnold was in despair. She for 

 whom he had made the garden had promised to come and 

 see it as soon as the tulips should be in bloom, which could 

 not be many days later. If this screen were cut down, the 

 whole effect of his garden would be destroyed. He called the 

 gardener, and asked him if it were possible to remove the 

 poplars to a distance of six feet from the wall. 



" Certainly, Sir." 



« And will they live?" 



" No ; because it is not the season for transplanting. A 

 month ago there would have been no difficulty." 



He repaired again to the office of his man of business. 



" Make the matter up as well as you can : I must keep 

 my poplars." 



" That depends upon your neighbour." 



" Go and see him : offer him money." 



The man of business was very ill received, and M. Durut 

 only replied to his proposals by a fresh summons. Arnold 

 •arried it to his man of business. 



" Can you, by any chicanery, preserve my poplars for a 

 brtnight?" 



" Yes, by opposing the summons, and by citing ypur 

 adversary to prove the fact. We, on our part, will maintain 

 before the tribunal, that the trees are six feet and a half from 

 the wall; the tribunal will appoint proper persons to ascer- 

 tain the truth; these persons will make their report ; and we 

 shall gain by that means a good fortnight. But it will cost 

 you very dear ; you will have all the expenses to pay, and wiU 

 be obliged to cut down the trees at last." 



