We arrived at the house, and entered between the row of limes clipped
in arches. Never did I behold such a coup d'oeil as the garden
presented, with its paved and tiled paths between little beds of the
most gorgeous hyacinths and tulips, their colours assorted to
perfection, and all in full bloom. I could not restrain a childish
cry of wonder and absolute joy at the first glance; it was such a
surprise, and yet I recollected the next moment that there was
something very sad in the display, for it was in going to superintend
this very garden that poor Mymheer van Hunker had caught his death,
and here were these his flowers blooming away gaily in the sun unseen
by him who had cared for them so much.
Veronica had come to meet us, and she and her step-mother wept in
each other's arms at the sight and the remembrances it excited; but
their grief was calm, and it appeared that Veronica had had a visit
from her betrothed and his mother, and had no reason to be
dissatisfied with their demeanour. Indeed, the young lady's portion
must be so much augmented by her sister's death that it was like to
compensate for the seams in her cheeks.
No matter of business had yet come before the widow, but it was
intimated to her that the notary, Magister Wyk, would do himself the
honour of coming to her at Hunkerslust so soon as she felt herself
strong enough to receive him, and to hear the provisions of the will.
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