Farther on came wide open meadows with numerous oak-trees scattered in the midst--the outposts of the great wood at hand.

The elms were flourishing and vigorous; but these detached oaks were decaying, and some dead, their hoar antiquity contrasting with the green grass and flowers of the mead.
The mansion was hidden by elm and chestnut, pines and sombre cedars.
From the edge of the lawn the steep slope of the Down rose, planted with all manner of shrubs, the walks through which were inches deep in dead leaves, needles, and fir-cones.

Long neglect had permitted these to accumulate, and the yew hedges had almost grown together and covered the walk they bordered.
The woods and preserves extended along the Downs, between the hills and the meadows beneath.

There was one path through these woods that led into a narrow steep-sided coombe, one side of which was planted with firs.

On the other was a little grass, but so thin as scarcely to cover the chalk.