However, she protests it is what she likes, that she prefers a high chair to a low one, and a hard to a soft one; and I hope she is sincere; indeed, I am persuaded she is." She never gave the slightest reason for doubting her sincerity; so Mr.Scott's coarse theory of the "two women" falls to the ground, though, as Lady Hesketh was not Lady Austen, room is still left for the more delicate and interesting hypothesis.
By Lady Hesketh's care Cowper was at last taken out of the "well" at Olney and transferred with his partner to a house at Weston, a place in the neighbourhood, but on higher ground, more cheerful, and in better air.

The house at Weston belonged to Mr.Throckmorton of Weston Hall, with whom and Mrs.Throckmorton, Cowper had become so intimate that they were already his Mr.and Mrs.Frog.

It is a proof of his freedom from fanatical bitterness that he was rather drawn to them by their being Roman Catholics, and having suffered rude treatment from the Protestant boors of the neighbourhood.

Weston Hall had its grounds, with the colonnade of chestnuts, the "sportive light" of which still "dances" on the pages of _The Task_; with the Wilderness,-- Whose well-rolled walks, With curvature of slow and easy sweep, Deception innocent, give ample space To narrow bounds-- with the Grove,-- Between the upright shafts of whose tall elms We may discern the thresher at his task, Thump after thump resounds the constant flail That seems to swing uncertain, and yet falls Full on the destined ear.

Wide flies the chaff, The rustling straw sends up a fragrant mist Of atoms, sparkling in the noonday beam.
A pretty little vignette, which the threshing-machine has now made antique.