I Forbid the Banns! — page 174: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

164 “7 FORBID THE BANNS !” from Brackenhurst railway station, and on to Brackenhurst Court, which was a mile form Brackenhurst village, was the most delightful experience Bertha had ever undergone. The fields, covered over with the tender shoots of corn, the thick hedgerows, the silvery stream flowing down to the water wheel of anold mill, the church tower rendered shape- less in its forest of ivy, the forge at the crossroads—all were a delight to the girl fresh from Australia. She clapped her hands and laughed like a schoolgirl newly emancipated. The groom, sitting behind with rigid arms, hoped that she would not be seen by any person who was given to gossip— the rector, for instance. If her demonstrations were to become the subject of comment in the neighborhood he felt that he would never again be able to impart the regulation amount of rigidity to his arms behind her. The only one of all the spring’s delights which she was disposed to rate very low was the meadow with the'sheep and young lambs which Julian pointed out to her, ‘“Sheep,’’ said she, with a suspicion of contempt in her voice—‘‘there’s nothing particular about sheep.’’ He laughed. ‘“‘T forgot,’’ he said; ‘‘sheep are by no means uncommon in Australia.”’ Through the gates, and past the ivied lodge, with the old man in corduroys, and the old lady in a red shawl, making their courtesies at the door, the dogcart was driven, until, after about a mile of avenue, from which many a glimpse of deer wandering through the park was afforded Bertha, the imposing front of the Court came in sight. The avenue made a long sweep round by the terraces, so that every part of the mansion might be seen by anyone driving tc the door. Bertha felt that the happiness of this happy day could not be exceeded, as she eagerly scanned the many symmetrical features of the Court. Gomichooks sco