butintheforegroundwerepartofthegnarledtrunkandofthespreadingboughsofalargeforesttree，whosefoliagewasofabrilliantgoldengreen——notgoldenfromautumnalmellowness，butfromthesunshine，andtheveryimmaturityofthescarceexpandedleaves。Uponthisbough，thatstoodoutinboldreliefagainstthesombrefirs，wereseatedanamorouspairofturtledoves，whosesoftsad-colouredplumageaffordedacontrastofanothernature；andbeneathit，ayounggirlwaskneelingonthedaisy-spangledturf，withheadthrownbackandmassesoffairhairfallingonhershoulders，herhandsclasped，lipsparted，andeyesintentlygazingupwardinpleased，yetearnestcontemplationofthosefeatheredlovers——toodeeplyabsorbedineachothertonoticeher。
Ihadscarcelysettledtomywork——which，however，wantedbutafewtouchestothefinishing——whenthesportsmenpassedthewindowontheirreturnfromthestables。Itwaspartlyopen，andMrHuntingdonmusthaveseenmeashewentby，forinhalfaminutehecameback，andsettinghisgunagainstthewall，threwupthesash，andsprangin，andsethimselfbeforemypicture。
`Verypretty，i’faith！’saidhe，afterattentivelyregardingitforafewseconds——`andaveryfittingstudyforayounglady——Springjustopeningintosummer——morningjustapproachingnoon——girlhoodjustripeningintowomanhood——andhopejustvergingonfruition。She’sasweetcreature！butwhydidn’tyoumakeherblackhair？’
`Ithoughtlighthairwouldsuitherbetter。YouseeIhavemadeherblue-eyed，andplump，andfairandrosy。’
`Uponmyword——averyHebe！Ishouldfallinlovewithher，ifIhadn’ttheartistbeforeme。Sweetinnocent！she’sthinkingtherewillcomeatimewhenshewillbewooedandwonlikethatprettyhen-dove，byasfondandferventalover；andshe’sthinkinghowpleasantitwillbe，andhowtenderandfaithfulhewillfindher’