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a rayless kind； into the castle chambers to show the confusion
that reigned there。
At this time an eye might have noticed a figure flitting in
and about those draughty apartments； and making no more noise
in so doing than a puff of wind。 Its motion hither and
thither was rapid； but methodical； its bearing absorbed； yet
cautious。 Though it ran more or less through all the
principal rooms； the chief scene of its operations was the
Long Gallery overlooking the Pleasance； which was covered by
an ornamental wood…and…plaster roof； and contained a whole
throng of family portraits； besides heavy old cabinets and the
like。 The portraits which were of value as works of art were
smaller than these； and hung in adjoining rooms。
The manifest occupation of the figure was that of removing
these small and valuable pictures from other chambers to the
gallery in which the rest were hung； and piling them in a heap
in the midst。 Included in the group were nine by Sir Peter
Lely； five by Vandyck； four by Cornelius Jansen； one by
Salvator Rosa （remarkable as being among the few English
portraits ever painted by that master）； many by Kneller； and
two by Romney。 Apparently by accident； the light being
insufficient to distinguish them from portraits； the figure
also brought a Raffaelle Virgin…and…Child； a magnificent
Tintoretto； a Titian； and a Giorgione。
On these was laid a large collection of enamelled miniature
portraits of the same illustrious line； afterwards tapestries
and cushions embroidered with the initials 'De S。'； and next
the cradle presented by Charles the First to the contemporary
De Stancy mother； till at length there arose in the middle of
the floor a huge heap containing most of what had been
personal and peculiar to members of the De Stancy family as
distinct from general furniture。
Then the figure went from door to door； and threw open each
that was unfastened。 It next proceeded to a room on the
ground floor； at present fitted up as a carpenter's shop； and
knee…deep in shavings。 An armful of these was added to the
pile of objects in the gallery； a window at each end of the
gallery was opened； causing a brisk draught along the walls；
and then the activity of the figure ceased； and it was seen no
more。
Five minutes afterwards a light shone upon the lawn from the
windows of the Long Gallery； which glowed with more brilliancy
than it had known in the meridian of its Caroline splendours。
Thereupon the framed gentleman in the lace collar seemed to
open his eyes more widely； he with the flowing locks and turn…
up mustachios to part his lips； he in the armour； who was so
much like Captain De Stancy； to shake the plates of his mail
with suppressed laughter； the lady with the three…stringed
pearl necklace； and vast expanse of neck； to nod with
satisfaction and triumphantly signify to her adjoining husband
that this was a meet and glorious end。
The flame increased； and blown upon by the wind roared round
the pictures； the tapestries； and the cradle； up to the
plaster ceiling and through it into the forest of oak timbers
above。
The best sitting…room at the Lord…Quantock…Arms in Markton was
as cosy this evening as a room can be that lacks the minuter
furniture on which cosiness so largely depends。 By the fire
sat Paula and Somerset； the former with a shawl round her
shoulders to keep off the draught which； despite the curtains；
forced its way in on this gusty night through the windows
opening upon the balcony。 Paula held a letter in her hand；
the contents of which formed the subject of their
conversation。 Happy as she was in her general situation；
there was for the nonce a tear in her eye。
'MY EVER DEAR PAULA （ran the letter）；Your last letter has
just reached me； and I have followed your account of your
travels and intentions with more interest than I can tell。
You； who know me； need no assurance of this。 At the present
moment； however； I am in the whirl of a change that has
resulted from a resolution taken some time ago； but concealed
from almost everybody till now。 Why？ Well； I will ownfrom
cowardicefear lest I should be reasoned out of my plan。 I
am going to steal from the world； Paula； from the social
world； for whose gaieties and ambitions I never had much
liking； and whose circles I have not the ability to grace。 My
home； and resting…place till the great rest comes； is with the
Protestant Sisterhood at …。 Whatever shortcomings may be
found in such a community； I believe that I shall be happier
there than in any other place。
'Whatever you may think of my judgment in taking this step； I
can assure you that I have not done it without consideration。
My reasons are good； and my determination is unalterable。
But； my own very best friend； and more than sister； don't
think that I mean to leave my love and friendship for you
behind me。 No； Paula； you will ALWAYS be with me； and I
believe that if an increase in what I already feel for you be
possible； it will be furthered by the retirement and
meditation I shall enjoy in my secluded home。 My heart is
very full； deartoo full to write more。 God bless you； and
your husband。 You must come and see me there； I have not so
many friends that I can afford to lose you who have been so
kind。 I write this with the fellow…pen to yours； that you
gave me when we went to Budmouth together。 Good…bye！Ever
your own sister； CHARLOTTE。'
Paula had first read this through silently； and now in reading
it a second time aloud to Somerset her voice faltered； and she
wept outright。 'I had been expecting her to live with us
always；' she said through her tears； 'and to think she should
have decided to do this！'
'It is a pity certainly；' said Somerset gently。 'She was
genuine； if anybody ever was； and simple as she was true。'
'I am the more sorry；' Paula presently resumed； 'because of a
little plan I had been thinking of with regard to her。 You
know that the pictures and curiosities of the castle are not
included in the things I cannot touch； or impeach； or whatever
it is。 They are our own to do what we like with。 My father
felt in devising the estate that； however interesting to the
De Stancys those objects might be； they did not concern us
were indeed rather in the way； having been come by so
strangely； through Mr。 Wilkins； though too valuable to be
treated lightly。 Now I was going to suggest that we would not
sell themindeed I could not bear to do such a thing with
what had belonged to Charlotte's forefathersbut to hand them
over to her as a gift； either to keep for herself； or to pass
on to her brother； as she should choose。 Now I fear there is
no hope of it： and yet I shall never like to see them in the
house。'
'It can be done still； I should think。 She can accept them
for her brother when he settles； without absolutely taking
them into her own possession。'
'It would be a kind of generosity which hardly amounts to more
than justice （although they were purchased） from a recusant
usurper to a dear friendnot that I am a usurper exactly；
well； from a representative of the new aristocracy of
internationality to a representative of the