Bilbo has rested and recovered from his jet lag after having been delivered via the tender ministrations of his last Hostess, the lovely Catherine of A Gardener in Progress

Here is an account of Bilbo’s tour of my garden here, with sincere apologies to Jane Austen and much indebtedness to the Chapters 43-45 of Pride and Prejudice.

And so here it is…the tale of my garden, Bilbo and Miss Austen in…. 

Gardens and Gardenability

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On reaching the house, he was shewn through the hall into the garden-room , whose eastern aspect rendered it delightful for summer. Its windows, opening to the ground, admitted a most refreshing view of the garden behind the house. Bilbo, after slightly surveying it, went to a window to enjoy its prospect…

 

Bilbo looked out of the house for the first appearance of the gardens with some petruberation…

…when once he entered his spirits were in a high flutter.

Bilbo was delighted.

 

 

He had never seen a place for which nature had done more…

…or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. 

Bilbo’s mind was too full  for conversation…

…but he saw and admired every remarkable spot and point of view.

At that moment he felt that to be master of this garden would be something!

He entered the woods…

…where the opening of the trees gave the eye power to wander…

 

…and were many charming views….

 

In the Long Rose Border Bilbo was lively and unreserved, and danced every dance:

done

 

He expressed a wish of going round the whole garden, but feared it might be beyond a walk.

 

He was told that it was almost an acre all round.

The day passed most pleasantly away….

….the morning in bustle,

 and the evening at one of the theatres. 

 As Bilbo walked across the lawn towards the house, he turned back to look again ….

 

…and while he was conjecturing as to the date of the building,  Miss Austen herself suddenly came forward.

They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was her appearance that it was impossible to avoid her sight. Their eyes instantly met, and the cheeks of each were overspread with the deepest blush. She absolutely started, and for a moment seemed immoveable from surprise; but shortly recovering herself, advanced towards the party, and spoke to Bilbo, if not in terms of perfect composure, at least of perfect civility.

Bilbo had instinctively turned away; but, stopping on her approach, received her compliments with an embarrassment impossible to be overcome.

Miss Austen then asked him to walk into the house; but he declared himself not tired, and they stood together on the lawn. At such a time much might have been said, and silence was very awkward.

He wanted to talk, but there seemed an embargo on every subject. At last he recollected that he had been travelling, and they talked of Western Washington and Winnipeg with great perseverance. He was pressed to go into the house and take some refreshment.

 

The next variation which his  visit afforded was produced by the entrance of  tea, cake, and a variety of all the finest fruits in season…There was now employment for the whole party — for though they could not all talk, they could all eat…

The occurrences of the day were too full of interest to leave Bilbo  much attention  and he could do nothing but think, and think with wonder, of Miss Austen’s civility…..

Finis

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