The time was now near at hand when it was necessary for the freedman to
return to his appointed post. He carefully rolled up his note of
instructions, stood for a few minutes vacantly regarding the amusements
which had hitherto engaged so little of his attention, and then,
turning, he proceeded through the pine-grove on his way back. We will
follow him.
On leaving the grove, a footpath conducted over some fields to the farm-
house. Arrived here, Carrio hesitated for a moment; then moved slowly
onward to await his master's approach in the lane that led to the
highroad. At this point we will part company with him, to enter the
garden by the wicket-gate.
The trees, the flower-beds, and the patches of grass, all remained in
their former positions--nothing had been added or taken away since the
melancholy days that were past; but a change was visible in Hermanric's
grave. The turf above it had been renewed, and a border of small
evergreen shrubs was planted over the track which Goisvintha's footsteps
had traced.
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