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The time fixed for the beginning of their northern tour was now

fast approaching; and a fortnight only was wanting of it, when a

letter arrived from Mrs. Gardiner, which at once delayed its

commencement and curtailed its extent. Mr. Gardiner would be

prevented by business from setting out till a fortnight later in

July, and must be in London again within a month; and as that

left too short a period for them to go so far, and see so much as

they had proposed, or at least to see it with the leisure and

comfort they had built on, they were obliged to give up the

Lakes, and substitute a more contracted tour; and, according to

the present plan, were to go no farther northward than

Derbyshire. In that county there was enough to be seen to occupy

the chief of their three weeks; and to Mrs. Gardiner it had a

peculiarly strong attraction.