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shadows over rock and sward。 There was
an air of neglect and decay about the spot；
which amounted almost to desolation； the
symptoms of this increased in number as
we approached the building itself； near
which the ground had been originally more
artificially and carefully cultivated than
elsewhere； and whose neglect consequently
more immediately and strikingly betrayed
itself。
As we proceeded； the road wound near
the beds of what had been formally two
fish…ponds； which were now nothing more
than stagnant swamps； overgrown with
rank weeds； and here and there encroached
upon by the straggling underwood； the
avenue itself was much broken； and in
many places the stones were almost
concealed by grass and nettles； the loose
stone walls which had here and there
intersected the broad park were； in many
places； broken down； so as no longer to
answer their original purpose as fences；
piers were now and then to be seen； but
the gates were gone； and； to add to the
general air of dilapidation； some huge
trunks were lying scattered through the
venerable old trees； either the work of the
winter storms； or perhaps the victims of
some extensive but desultory scheme of
denudation； which the projector had not
capital or perseverance to carry into full
effect。
After the carriage had travelled a mile
of this avenue； we reached the summit of
rather an abrupt eminence； one of the
many which added to the picturesqueness；
if not to the convenience of this rude
passage。 From the top of this ridge the
grey walls of Carrickleigh were visible；
rising at a small distance in front； and
darkened by the hoary wood which
crowded around them。 It was a quadrangular
building of considerable extent；
and the front which lay towards us； and
in which the great entrance was placed；
bore unequivocal marks of antiquity； the
time…worn； solemn aspect of the old building；
the ruinous and deserted appearance
of the whole place； and the associations
which connected it with a dark page in the
history of my family； combined to depress
spirits already predisposed for the reception
of sombre and dejecting impressions。
When the carriage drew up in the grass…
grown court yard before the hall…door； two
lazy…looking men； whose appearance well
accorded with that of the place which they
tenanted； alarmed by the obstreperous
barking of a great chained dog； ran out
from some half…ruinous out…houses； and
took charge of the horses； the hall…door
stood open； and I entered a gloomy and
imperfectly lighted apartment； and found
no one within。 However； I had not long
to wait in this awkward predicament； for
before my luggage had been deposited in
the house； indeed； before I had well
removed my cloak and other wraps； so as
to enable me to look around； a young girl
ran lightly into the hall； and kissing me
heartily； and somewhat boisterously；
exclaimed：
'My dear cousin； my dear Margaret
I am so delightedso out of breath。 We
did not expect you till ten o'clock； my
father is somewhere about the place； he
must be close at hand。 JamesCorney
run out and tell your mastermy
brother is seldom at home； at least at any
reasonable houryou must be so tiredso
fatiguedlet me show you to your room
see that Lady Margaret's luggage is all
brought upyou must lie down and rest
yourselfDeborah； bring some coffeeup
these stairs； we are so delighted to see
youyou cannot think how lonely I have
beenhow steep these stairs are； are not
they？ I am so glad you are comeI
could hardly bring myself to believe that
you were really cominghow good of you；
dear Lady Margaret。'
There was real good…nature and delight
in my cousin's greeting； and a kind of
constitutional confidence of manner which
placed me at once at ease； and made me
feel immediately upon terms of intimacy
with her。 The room into which she
ushered me； although partaking in the
general air of decay which pervaded the
mansion and all about it； had nevertheless
been fitted up with evident attention to
comfort； and even with some dingy attempt
at luxury； but what pleased me most was
that it opened； by a second door； upon a
lobby which communicated with my fair
cousin's apartment； a circumstance which
divested the room； in my eyes； of the air
of solitude and sadness which would otherwise
have characterised it； to a degree
almost painful to one so dejected in spirits
as I was。
After such arrangements as I found
necessary were completed； we both went
down to the parlour； a large wainscoted
room； hung round with grim old portraits；
and； as I was not sorry to see； containing
in its ample grate a large and cheerful
fire。 Here my cousin had leisure to talk
more at her ease； and from her I learned
something of the manners and the habits
of the two remaining members of her
family； whom I had not yet seen。
On my arrival I had known nothing of
the family among whom I was come to
reside； except that it consisted of three
individuals； my uncle； and his son and
daughter； Lady Tn having been long
dead。 In addition to this very scanty stock
of information； I shortly learned from my
communicative companion that my uncle
was； as I had suspected； completely retired
in his habits； and besides that； having been
so far back as she could well recollect；
always rather strict； as reformed rakes
frequently become； he had latterly been
growing more gloomily and sternly
religious than heretofore。
Her account of her brother was far less
favourable； though she did not say anything
directly to his disadvantage。 From all
that I could gather from her； I was led to
suppose that he was a specimen of the idle；
coarse…mannered； profligate； low…minded
'squirearchy'a result which might
naturally have flowed from the circum…
stance of his being； as it were； outlawed
from society； and driven for companionship
to grades below his ownenjoying；
too； the dangerous prerogative of spending
much money。
However； you may easily suppose that
I found nothing in my cousin's communication
fully to bear me out in so very
decided a conclusion。
I awaited the arrival of my uncle；
which was every moment to be expected；
with feelings half of alarm； half of
curiositya sensation which I have often
since experienced； though to a less degree；
when upon the point of standing for the
first time in the presence of one of whom
I have long been in the habit of hearing
or thinking with interest。
It was； therefore； with some little
perturbation that I heard； first a slight
bustle at the outer door； then a slow step
traverse the hall； and finally witnessed the
door open； and my uncle enter the room。
He was a striking…looking man； from
peculiarities both of person and of garb； the
whole effect of his appearance amounted
to extreme singularity。 He was tall； and
when young his figure must