In the midst the sun broke out gaily
after the shower, and disclosed, beyond the window, a garden where
every leaf and spray were glittering and glorious with their own
diamond drops in the sunshine. A garden of herbs was a needful part
of an apothecary's business, as he manufactured for himself all of
the medicaments which he did not import from foreign parts, but this
had been laid out between its high walls with all the care, taste,
and precision of the Netherlander, and Grisell exclaimed in perfect
ecstasy: "Oh, the garden, the garden! I have seen nothing so fair
and sweet since I left Wilton."
Master Lambert was delighted, and led her out. There is no
describing how refreshing was the sight to eyes after the bare, dry
walls of the castle, and the tossing sea which the maiden had not yet
learnt to love. Nor was the garden dull, though meant for use.
There was a well in the centre with roses trained over it, roses of
the dark old damask kind and the dainty musk, used to be distilled
for the eyes, some flowers lingering still; there was the brown
dittany or fraxinella, whose dried blossoms are phosphoric at night;
delicate pink centaury, good for ague; purple mallows, good for
wounds; leopard's bane with yellow blossoms; many and many more old
and dear friends of Grisell, redolent of Wilton cloister and Sister
Avice; and she ran from one to the other quite transported, and
forgetful of all the dignities of the young Lady of Whitburn, while
Lambert was delighted, and hoped she would come again when his lilies
were in bloom.
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