“FairweatherValeprovedtobeanewneighborhood，situatedbelowthehighgroundofHampstead，onthesouthernside。Thedaywasovercast，andtheplacelookedverydreary。Weapproacheditbyanewroadrunningbetweentrees，whichmightoncehavebeentheparkavenueofacountryhouse。Attheendwecameuponawildernessofopenground，withhalf-finishedvillasdottedabout，andahideouslitterofboards，wheelbarrows，andbuildingmaterialsofallsortsscatteredineverydirection。Atonecornerofthissceneofdesolation，stoodagreatovergrowndismalhouse，plasteredwithdrab-coloredstucco，andsurroundedbyanaked，unfinishedgarden，withoutashruboraflowerinit，frightfultobehold。Ontheopenirongatethatledintothisinclosurewasanewbrassplate，with’Sanitarium’inscribedonitingreatblackletters。Thebell，whenthecabmanrangit，pealedthroughtheemptyhouselikeaknell;andthepallid，witheredoldman-servantinblackwhoansweredthedoorlookedasifhehadsteppedupoutofhisgravetoperformthatservice。Heletoutonmeasmellofdampplasterandnewvarnish;andheletinwithmeachillingdraftofthedampNovemberair。Ididn’tnoticeitatthetime，but，writingofitnow，IrememberthatI
shiveredasIcrossedthethreshold。
“Igavemynametotheservantas’Mrs。Armadale，’andwasshownintothewaiting-room。Theveryfireitselfwasdyingofdampinthegrate。Theonlybooksonthetablewerethedoctor’sWorks，insoberdrabcovers;andtheonlyobjectthatornamentedthewallswastheforeignDiplomahandsomelyframedandglazed，ofwhichthedoctorhadpossessedhimselfbypurchase，alongwiththeforeignname。
“Afteramomentortwo，theproprietoroftheSanitariumcamein，andhelduphishandsincheerfulastonishmentatthesightofme。
“’Ihadn’tanideawho“Mrs。Armadale“was！’hesaid。’Mydearlady，have_you_changedyournametoo？Howslyofyounottotellmewhenwemetthismorning！Comeintomyprivatesnuggery——Ican’tthinkofkeepinganoldanddearfriendlikeyouinthepatients’waiting-room。’