Thechangingoftheoldorderincountrymanorsandmansionsmaybesloworsudden，mayhavemanyissuesromanticorotherwise，itsromanticissuesbeingnotnecessarilyrestrictedtoachangebacktotheoriginalorder；thoughthisadmissibleinstanceappearstohavebeentheonlyromanceformerlyrecognizedbynovelistsaspossibleinthecase。
Whetherthefollowingproductionbeapictureofotherpossibilitiesornot，itsincidentsmaybetakentobefairlywellsupportedbyevidenceeverydayforthcominginmostcounties。
Thewritingofthetalewasrenderedmemorabletotwopersons，atleast，byatediousillnessoffivemonthsthatlaidholdoftheauthorsoonafterthestorywasbeguninawell-knownmagazine；duringwhichperiodthenarrativehadtobestrenuouslycontinuedbydictationtoapredeterminedcheerfulending。
AssomeofthesenovelsofWessexlifeaddressthemselvesmoreespeciallytoreadersintowhosesoulstheironhasentered，andwhoseyearshavelesspleasureinthemnowthanheretofore，so\"ALaodicean\"mayperhapshelptowhileawayanidleafternoonofthecomfortableoneswhoselineshavefallentotheminpleasantplaces；aboveall，ofthatlargeandhappysectionofthereadingpublicwhichhasnotyetreachedripenessofyears；thosetowhommarriageisthepilgrim\'sEternalCity，andnotamilestoneontheway。
Thesunblazeddownanddown，tillitwaswithinhalf-an-hourofitssetting；butthesketcherstilllingeredathisoccupationofmeasuringandcopyingthechevroneddoorway——aboldandquaintexampleofatransitionalstyleofarchitecture，whichformedthetowerentrancetoanEnglishvillagechurch。Thegraveyardbeingquiteopenonitswesternside，thetweed-cladfigureoftheyoungdraughtsman，andthetallmassofantiquemasonrywhichroseabovehimtoabattlementedparapet，werefiredtoagreatbrightnessbythesolarrays，thatcrossedtheneighbouringmeadlikeawarpofgoldthreads，inwhosemazesgroupsofequallylustrousgnatsdancedandwailedincessantly。
Hewassoabsorbedinhispursuitthathedidnotmarkthebrilliantchromaticeffectofwhichhecomposedthecentralfeature，tillitwasbroughthometohisintelligencebythewarmthofthemouldedstoneworkunderhistouchwhenmeasuring；whichledhimatlengthtoturnhisheadandgazeonitscause。
Therearefewinwhomthesightofasunsetdoesnotbegetasmuchmeditativemelancholyascontemplativepleasure，thehumandeclineanddeaththatitillustratesbeingtooobvioustoescapethenoticeofthesimplestobserver。Thesketcher，asifhehadbeenbroughttothisreflectionmanyhundredsoftimesbeforebythesamespectacle，showedthathedidnotwishtopursueitjustnow，byturningawayhisfaceafterafewmoments，toresumehisarchitecturalstudies。
Hetookhismeasurementscarefully，andasifhereverencedtheoldworkerswhosetrickhewasendeavouringtoacquiresixhundredyearsaftertheoriginalperformancehadceasedandtheperformerspassedintotheunseen。Bymeansofastripofleadcalledaleadentape，whichhepressedaroundandintothefilletsandhollowswithhisfingerandthumb，hetransferredtheexactcontourofeachmouldingtohisdrawing，thatlayonasketching-stoolafewfeetdistant；wherewerealsoasketching-block，asmallT-square，abow-pencil，andothermathematicalinstruments。Whenhehadmarkeddownthelinethusfixed，hereturnedtothedoorwaytocopyanotherasbefore。
ItbeingthemonthofAugust，whenthepalefaceofthetownsmanandthestrangeristobeseenamongthebrownskinsofremotestuplanders，notonlyinEngland，butthroughoutthetemperatezone，fewofthehomeward-boundlabourerspausedtonoticehimfurtherthanbyamomentaryturnofthehead。Theyhadbeheldsuchgentlemenbefore，notexactlymeasuringthechurchsoaccuratelyasthisoneseemedtobedoing，butpaintingitfromadistance，oratleastwalkingroundthemouldypile。Atthesametimethepresentvisitor，evenexteriorly，wasnotaltogethercommonplace。Hisfeaturesweregood，hiseyesofthedarkdeepsortcalledeloquentbythesexthatoughttoknow，andwiththatrayoflightinthemwhichannouncesaheartsusceptibletobeautyofallkinds，——
inwoman，inart，andininanimatenature。Thoughhewouldhavebeenbroadlycharacterizedasayoungman，hisfaceborecontradictorytestimoniestohispreciseage。Thiswasconceivablyowingtoatoodominantspeculativeactivityinhim，which，whileithadpreservedtheemotionalsideofhisconstitution，andwithitthesignificantflexuousnessofmouthandchin，hadplayeduponhisforeheadandtemplestill，atwearymoments，theyexhibitedsometracesofbeingover-
exercised。Ayouthfulnessaboutthemobilefeatures，amatureforehead——thoughnotexactlywhattheworldhasbeenfamiliarwithinpastages——isnowgrowingcommon；andwiththeadvanceofjuvenileintrospectionitprobablymustgrowcommonerstill。Briefly，hehadmoreofthebeauty——ifbeautyitoughttobecalled——ofthefuturehumantypethanofthepast；butnotsomuchastomakehimotherthananiceyoungman。
Hisbuildwassomewhatslenderandtall；hiscomplexion，thoughalittlebrownedbyrecentexposure，wasthatofamanwhospentmuchofhistimeindoors。Ofbeardhehadbutsmallshow，thoughhewasasinnocentasaNazariteoftheuseoftherazor；buthepossessedamoustacheall-sufficienttohidethesubtletiesofhismouth，whichcouldthusbetremulousattendermomentswithoutprovokinginconvenientcriticism。
Owingtohissituationonhighground，opentothewest，heremainedenvelopedinthelingeringaureatehazetillatimewhentheeasternpartofthechurchyardwasinobscurity，anddampwithrisingdew。Whenitwastoodarktosketchfurtherhepackeduphisdrawing，and，beckoningtoaladwhohadbeenidlingbythegate，directedhimtocarrythestoolandimplementstoaroadsideinnwhichhenamed，lyingamileortwoahead。Thedraughtsmanleisurelyfollowedtheladoutofthechurchyard，andalongalaneinthedirectionsignified。
ThespectacleofasummertravellerfromLondonsketchingmediaevaldetailsintheseneo-Pagandays，whenalullhascomeoverthestudyofEnglishGothicarchitecture，throughare-awakeningtotheart-formsoftimesthatmorenearlyneighbourourown，isaccountedforbythefactthatGeorgeSomerset，sonoftheAcademicianofthatname，wasamanofindependenttastesandexcursiveinstincts，whounconsciously，andperhapsunhappily，tookgreaterpleasureinfloatinginlonelycurrentsofthoughtthanwiththegeneraltideofopinion。Whenquitealad，inthedaysoftheFrenchGothicmaniawhichimmediatelysucceededtothegreatEnglish-pointedrevivalunderBritton，Pugin，Rickman，Scott，andothermediaevalists，hehadcreptawayfromthefashiontoadmirewhatwasgoodinPalladianandRenaissance。
AssoonasJacobean，QueenAnne，andkindredaccretionsofdecayedstylesbegantobepopular，hepurchasedsuchold-schoolworksasRevettandStuart，Chambers，andtherest，andworkeddiligentlyattheFiveOrders；tillquitebewilderedonthequestionofstyle，heconcludedthatallstyleswereextinct，andwiththemallarchitectureasalivingart。Somersetwasnotoldenoughatthattimetoknowthat，inpractice，arthadatalltimesbeenasfullofshiftsandcompromisesaseveryothermundanething；thatidealperfectionwasneverachievedbyGreek，Goth，orHebrewJew，andneverwouldbe；andthushewasthrownintoamoodofdisgustwithhisprofession，fromwhichmoodhewasonlydeliveredbyrecklesslyabandoningthesestudiesandindulginginanoldenthusiasmforpoeticalliterature。Fortwowholeyearshedidnothingbutwriteverseineveryconceivablemetre，andoneveryconceivablesubject，fromWordsworthiansonnetsonthesingingofhistea-
kettletoepicfragmentsontheFallofEmpires。Hisdiscoveryattheageoffive-and-twentythattheseinspiredworkswerenotjumpedatbythepublisherswithalltheeagernesstheydeserved，coincidedinpointoftimewithaseverehintfromhisfatherthatunlesshewentonwithhislegitimateprofessionhemighthavetolookelsewherethanathomeforanallowance。Mr。Somersetjuniorthenawoketorealities，becameintentlypractical，rushedbacktohisdustydrawing-boards，andworkedupthestylesanew，withaviewofregularlystartinginpracticeonthefirstdayofthefollowingJanuary。
Itisanoldstory，andperhapsonlydeservesthelighttoneinwhichthesoaringofayoungmanintotheempyrean，andhisdescentagain，isalwaysnarrated。Butashasoftenbeensaid，thelightandthetruthmaybeonthesideofthedreamer:afarwiderviewthanthewiseoneshavemaybehisatthatrecalcitranttime，andhisreductiontocommonmeasurebenothinglessthanatragicevent。Theoperationcalledlunging，inwhichahalteredcoltismadetotrotroundandroundahorsebreakerwhoholdstherope，tillthebeholdergrowsdizzyinlookingatthem，isaveryunhappyonefortheanimalconcerned。Duringitsprogressthecoltspringsupward，acrossthecircle，stops，fliesovertheturfwiththevelocityofabird，andindulgesinallsortsofgracefulantics；buthealwaysendsinoneway——thankstotheknottedwhipcord——inaleveltrotroundthelungerwiththeregularityofahorizontalwheel，andinthelossforevertohischaracteroftheboldcontourswhichthefinehandofNaturegaveit。Yettheprocessisconsideredtobethemakingofhim。
WhetherSomersetbecamepermanentlymadeundertheactionoftheinevitablelunge，orwhetherhelapsedintomeredabblingwiththeartisticsideofhisprofessiononly，itwouldbeprematuretosay；butatanyrateitwashiscontritereturntoarchitectureasacallingthatsenthimonthesketchingexcursionundernotice。Feelingthatsomethingstillwaswantingtoroundoffhisknowledgebeforehecouldtakehisprofessionallinewithconfidence，hewasledtorememberthathisownnativeGothicwastheoneformofdesignthathehadtotallyneglectedfromthebeginning，throughitshavinggreetedhimwithwearisomeiterationattheopeningofhiscareer。Nowithadagainreturnedtosilence；indeed——suchisthesurprisinginstabilityofart\'principles\'astheyarefacetiouslycalled——itwasjustaslikelyasnottosinkintotheneglectandoblivionwhichhadbeenitslotinGeorgiantimes。ThisaccidentofbeingoutofvoguelentEnglishGothicanadditionalcharmtooneofhisproclivities；andawayhewenttomakeitthebusinessofasummercircuitinthewest。
Thequiettimeofevening，thesecludedneighbourhood，theunusuallygorgeousliveriesofthecloudspackedinapileoverthatquarteroftheheavensinwhichthesunhaddisappeared，weresuchastomakeatravellerloiteronhiswalk。Comingtoastile，Somersetmountedhimselfonthetopbar，toimbibethespiritofthesceneandhour。Theeveningwassostillthateverytriflingsoundcouldbeheardformiles。Therewastherattleofareturningwaggon，mixedwiththesmacksofthewaggoner\'swhip:theteammusthavebeenatleastthreemilesoff。Fromfaroverthehillcamethefaintperiodicyellofkennelledhounds；whilefromthenearestvillageresoundedthevoicesofboysatplayinthetwilight。
Thenapowerfulclockstruckthehour；itwasnotfromthedirectionofthechurch，butratherfromthewoodbehindhim；
andhethoughtitmustbetheclockofsomemansionthatway。
Butthemindofmancannotalwaysbeforcedtotakeupsubjectsbythepressureoftheirmaterialpresence，andSomerset\'sthoughtswereoften，tohisgreatloss，apttobeevenmorethancommontruantsfromthetonesandimagesthatmethisoutersensesonwalksandrides。Hewouldsometimesgoquietlythroughthequeerest，gayest，mostextraordinarytowninEurope，andletitalone，provideditdidnotmeddlewithhimbyitsbeggars，beauties，innkeepers，police，coachmen，mongrels，badsmells，andsuchlikeobstructions。
Thisfeatofquestionableutilityhebeganperformingnow。
Sittingonthethree-inchashrailthathadbeenpeeledandpolishedlikeglassbytherubbingsofallthesmall-clothesintheparish，heforgotthetime，theplace，forgotthatitwasAugust——inshort，everythingofthepresentaltogether。
Hismindflewbacktohispastlife，anddeploredthewasteoftimethathadresultedfromhisnothavingbeenabletomakeuphismindwhichofthemanyfashionsofartthatwerecomingandgoinginkaleidoscopicchangewasthetruepointofdeparturefromhimself。Hehadsufferedfromthemodernmaladyofunlimitedappreciativenessasmuchasanylivingmanofhisownage。Dozensofhisfellowsinyearsandexperience，whohadneverthoughtspeciallyofthematter，buthadblunderinglyappliedthemselvestowhateverformofartconfrontedthematthemomentoftheirmakingamove，werebythistimeacquiringrenownasnewlights；whilehewasstillunknown。Hewishedthatsomeaccidentcouldhavehemmedinhiseyesbetweeninexorableblinkers，andspedhimoninachanneleversoworn。
Thusbalancedbetweenbelievingandnotbelievinginhisownfuture，hewasrecalledtothescenewithoutbyhearingthenotesofafamiliarhymn，risinginsubduedharmoniesfromavalleybelow。Helistenedmoreheedfully。Itwashisoldfriendthe\'NewSabbath，\'whichhehadneveronceheardsincethelispingdaysofchildhood，andwhoseexistence，muchasithadthenbeentohim，hehadtillthismomentquiteforgotten。
Wherethe\'NewSabbath\'hadkeptitselfalltheseyears——whythatsoundandheartymelodyhaddisappearedfromallthecathedrals，parishchurches，minstersandchapels-of-easethathehadbeenacquaintedwithduringhisapprenticeshiptolife，anduntilhiswayshadbecomeirregularanduncongregational——
hecouldnot，atfirst，say。Butthenherecollectedthatthetuneappertainedtotheoldwest-galleryperiodofchurch-
music，anteriortothegreatchoralreformationandtheruleofMonk——thatoldtimewhentherepetitionofaword，orhalf-
lineofaverse，wasnotconsideredadisgracetoanecclesiasticalchoir。
Willingtobeinterestedinanythingwhichwouldkeephimout-
of-doors，Somersetdismountedfromthestileanddescendedthehillbeforehim，tolearnwhencethesingingproceeded。
II。
Hefoundthatithaditsorigininabuildingstandingaloneinafield；andthoughtheeveningwasnotyetdarkwithout，lightsshonefromthewindows。InafewmomentsSomersetstoodbeforetheedifice。Beingjustthenenrapportwithecclesiasticismbyreasonofhisrecentoccupation，hecouldnothelpmurmuring，\'ShadeofPugin，whatamonstrosity!\'
PerhapsthisexclamationratheroutofdatesincethediscoverythatPuginhimselfoftennoddedamazinglywouldnothavebeenindulgedinbySomersetbutforhisnewarchitecturalresolves，whichcausedprofessionalopinionstoadvancethemselvesofficiouslytohislipswheneveroccasionoffered。Thebuildingwas，inshort，arecently-erectedchapelofredbrick，withpseudo-classicornamentation，andthewhiteregularjointsofmortarcouldbeseenstreakingitssurfaceingeometricaloppressivenessfromtoptobottom。Theroofwasofblueslate，cleanasatable，andunbrokenfromgabletogable；thewindowswereglazedwithsheetsofplateglass，atemporaryironstovepipepassingoutnearoneofthese，andrunninguptotheheightoftheridge，whereitwasfinishedbyacoveringlikeaparachute。Walkingroundtotheend，heperceivedanoblongwhitestoneletintothewalljustabovetheplinth，onwhichwasinscribedindeepletters:——
Erected187-，ATTHESOLEEXPENSEOF
JOHNPOWER，ESQ。，M。P。
The\'NewSabbath\'stillproceededlinebyline，withalltheemotionalswellsandcadencesthathadofoldcharacterizedthetune:andthebodyofvocalharmonythatitevokedimpliedalargecongregationwithin，towhomitwasplainlyasfamiliarasithadbeentochurch-goersofapastgeneration。
WithawhimsicalsenseofregretatthesecessionofhisoncefavouriteairSomersetmovedaway，andwouldhavequitewithdrawnfromthefieldhadhenotatthatmomentobservedtwoyoungmenwithpitchersofwatercomingupfromastreamhardby，andhasteningwiththeirburdensintothechapelvestrybyasidedoor。Almostassoonastheyhadenteredtheyemergedagainwithemptypitchers，andproceededtothestreamtofillthemasbefore，anoperationwhichtheyrepeatedseveraltimes。Somersetwentforwardtothestream，andwaitedtilltheyoungmencameoutagain。
\'Youarecarryinginagreatdealofwater，\'hesaid，aseachdippedhispitcher。
Oneoftheyoungmenmodestlyreplied，\'Yes:wefilledthecisternthismorning；butitleaks，andrequiresafewpitcherfulsmore。\'
\'Whydoyoudoit?\'
\'Thereistobeabaptism，sir。\'
Somersetwasnotsufficientlyinterestedtodevelopafurtherconversation，andobservingtheminsilencetilltheyhadagainvanishedintothebuilding，hewentonhisway。
Reachingthebrowofthehillhestoppedandlookedback。Thechapelwasstillinview，andtheshadesofnighthavingdeepened，thelightsshonefromthewindowsyetmorebrightlythanbefore。Afewstepsfurtherwouldhidethemandtheedifice，andallthatbelongedtoitfromhissight，possiblyforever。Therewassomethinginthethoughtwhichledhimtolinger。Thechapelhadneitherbeauty，quaintness，norcongenialitytorecommendit:thedissimilitudebetweenthenewutilitarianismoftheplaceandthescenesofvenerableGothicartwhichhadoccupiedhisdaylighthourscouldnotwellbeexceeded。ButSomerset，ashasbeensaid，wasaninstrumentofnonarrowgamut:hehadakeyforothertouchesthanthepurelyaesthetic，evenonsuchanexcursionasthis。
Hismindwasarrestedbytheintenseandbusyenergywhichmustneedsbelongtoanassemblythatrequiredsuchaglareoflighttodoitsreligionby；intheheavingofthattunetherewasanearnestnesswhichmadehimthoughtful，andtheshineofthosewindowshehadcharacterizedasuglyremindedhimoftheshiningofthegooddeedinanaughtyworld。Thechapelanditsshabbyplotofground，fromwhichtheherbagewasalltroddenawaybybusyfeet，hadalivinghumaninterestthatthenumerousminstersandchurchesknee-deepinfreshgreengrass，visitedbyhimduringtheforegoingweek，hadoftenlacked。Moreover，therewasgoingtobeabaptism:thatmeanttheimmersionofagrown-upperson；andhehadbeentoldthatBaptistswereseriouspeopleandthatthescenewasmostimpressive。Whatmannerofmanwoulditbewhoonanordinaryploddingandbustlingeveningofthenineteenthcenturycouldsinglehimselfoutasonedifferentfromtherestoftheinhabitants，banishallshyness，andcomeforwardtoundergosuchatryingceremony?Whowashethathadpondered，goneintosolitudes，wrestledwithhimself，workeduphiscourageandsaid，Iwilldothis，thoughfewelsewill，forIbelieveittobemyduty?
Whetheronaccountofthesethoughts，orfromthecircumstancethathehadbeenaloneamongstthetombsalldaywithoutcommunionwithhiskind，hecouldnottellinafteryearswhenhehadgoodreasontothinkofthesubject；butsoitwasthatSomersetwentback，andagainstoodunderthechapel-
wall。
Insteadofenteringhepassedroundtowherethestove-chimneycamethroughthebricks，andholdingontotheironstayheputhistoesontheplinthandlookedinatthewindow。Thebuildingwasquitefullofpeoplebelongingtothatvastmajorityofsocietywhoaredeniedtheartofarticulatingtheirhigheremotions，andcravedumblyforafugleman——
respectablydressedworkingpeople，whosefacesandformswerewornandcontortedbyyearsofdrearytoil。Onaplatformattheendofthechapelahaggardmanofmorethanmiddleage，withgreywhiskersasceticallycutbackfromtheforepartofhisfacesofarastobealmostbanishedfromthecountenance，stoodreadingachapter。Betweentheministerandthecongregationwasanopenspace，andinthefloorofthiswassunkatankfullofwater，whichjustmadeitssurfacevisibleabovetheblacknessofitsdepthsbyreflectingthelightsoverhead。
Somersetendeavouredtodiscoverwhichoneamongtheassemblagewastobethesubjectoftheceremony。Butnobodyappearedtherewhowasatalloutoftheregionofcommonplace。Thepeoplewereallquietandsettled；yethecoulddiscernontheirfacessomethingmorethanattention，thoughitwaslessthanexcitement:perhapsitwasexpectation。Andasiftobearouthissurmiseheheardatthatmomentthenoiseofwheelsbehindhim。
Hisgazeintothelightedchapelmadewhathadbeenaneveningscenewhenhelookedawayfromthelandscapenightitselfonlookingback；buthecouldseeenoughtodiscoverthatabroughamhaddrivenuptotheside-doorusedbytheyoungwater-bearers，andthataladyinwhite-and-blackhalf-
mourningwasintheactofalighting，followedbywhatappearedtobeawaiting-womancarryingwraps。Theyenteredthevestry-roomofthechapel，andthedoorwasshut。Theservicewentonasbeforetillatacertainmomentthedoorbetweenvestryandchapelwasopened，whenawomancameoutclothedinanamplerobeofflowingwhite，whichdescendedtoherfeet。Somersetwasunfortunateinhisposition；hecouldnotseeherface，buthergaitsuggestedatoncethatshewastheladywhohadarrivedjustbefore。Shewasrathertallthanotherwise，andthecontourofherheadandshouldersdenotedagirlintheheydayofyouthandactivity。Hisimagination，stimulatedbythisbeginning，setaboutfillinginthemeagreoutlinewithmostattractivedetails。
Shestooduponthebrinkofthepool，andtheministerdescendedthestepsatitsedgetillthesolesofhisshoesweremoistenedwiththewater。Heturnedtotheyoungcandidate，butshedidnotfollowhim:insteadofdoingsosheremainedrigidasastone。Hestretchedouthishand，butshestillshowedreluctance，till，withsomeembarrassment，hewentback，andspokesoftlyinherear。
Sheapproachedtheedge，lookedintothewater，andturnedawayshakingherhead。Somersetcouldforthefirsttimeseeherface。Thoughhumanlyimperfect，asiseveryfacewesee，itwasonewhichmadehimthinkthatthebestinwoman-kindnolessthanthebestinpsalm-tuneshadgoneovertotheDissenters。Hehadcertainlyseennobodysointerestinginhistourhitherto；shewasabouttwentyortwenty-one——perhapstwenty-three，foryearshaveawayofstealingmarchesevenuponbeauty\'sanointed。Thetotaldissimilaritybetweentheexpressionofherlineamentsandthatofthecountenancesaroundherwasnotalittlesurprising，andwasproductiveofhypotheseswithoutmeasureastohowshecamethere。Shewas，infact，emphaticallyamoderntypeofmaidenhood，andshelookedultra-modernbyreasonofherenvironment:apresumablysophisticatedbeingamongthesimpleones——notwickedlyso，butonewhoknewlifefairlywellforherage。
Herhair，ofgoodEnglishbrown，neitherlightnordark，wasabundant——tooabundantforconvenienceintying，asitseemed；
anditthrewoffthelamp-lightinahazylustre。Andthoughitcouldnotbesaidofherfeaturesthatthisorthatwasflawless，thenamelesscharmofthemaltogetherwasonlyanotherinstanceofhowbeautifulawomancanbeasawholewithoutattaininginanyonedetailtothelinesmarkedoutasabsolutelycorrect。Thespiritandthelifewerethere:andmaterialshapescouldbedisregarded。
Whatevermoralcharacteristicsthismightbethesurfaceof，enoughwasshowntoassureSomersetthatshehadsomeexperienceofthingsfarremovedfromherpresentcircumscribedhorizon，andcouldlive，andwasevenatthatmomentliving，aclandestine，stealthyinnerlifewhichhadverylittletodowithheroutwardone。TherepressionofnearlyeveryexternalsignofthatdistressunderwhichSomersetknew，byasuddenintuitivesympathy，thatshewaslabouring，addedstrengthtotheseconvictions。
\'Andyourefuse?\'saidtheastonishedminister，asshestillstoodimmovableonthebrinkofthepool。Hepersuasivelytookhersleevebetweenhisfingerandthumbasiftodrawher；butsheresentedthisbyaquickmovementofdispleasure，andhereleasedher，seeingthathehadgonetoofar。
\'But，mydearlady，\'hesaid，\'youpromised!Consideryourprofession，andthatyoustandintheeyesofthewholechurchasanexemplarofyourfaith。\'
\'Icannotdoit!\'
\'Butyourfather\'smemory，miss；hislastdyingrequest!\'
\'Icannothelpit，\'shesaid，turningtogetaway。
\'YoucameherewiththeintentiontofulfiltheWord?\'
\'ButIwasmistaken。\'
\'Thenwhydidyoucome?\'
Shetacitlyimpliedthattobeaquestionshedidnotcaretoanswer。\'Pleasesaynomoretome，\'shemurmured，andhastenedtowithdraw。
DuringthisunexpecteddialoguewhichhadreachedSomerset\'searsthroughtheopenwindowsthatyoungman\'sfeelingshadflownhitherandthitherbetweenministerandladyinamostcapriciousmanner:ithadseemedatonemomentaratheruncivilthingofher，charmingasshewas，togivetheministerandthewater-bearerssomuchtroublefornothing；
thenext，itseemedlikerevivingtheancientcrueltiesoftheducking-stooltotrytoforceagirlintothatdarkwaterifshehadnotamindtoit。Buttheministerwasnotwithoutinsight，andhehadseenthatitwouldbeuselesstosaymore。
Thecrestfallenoldmanhadtoturnrounduponthecongregationanddeclareofficiallythatthebaptismwaspostponed。
Shepassedthroughthedoorintothevestry。Duringtheexcitingmomentsofherrecusancytherehadbeenaperceptibleflutteramongthesensitivemembersofthecongregation；
nervousDissentersseemingtobeatonewithnervousEpiscopaliansinthisatleast，thattheyheartilydislikedasceneduringservice。Calmwasrestoredtotheirmindsbytheministerstartingaratherlonghymninminimsandsemibreves，amidthesingingofwhichheascendedthepulpit。Hisfacehadasevereandevendenunciatorylookashegaveouthistext，andSomersetbegantounderstandthatthismeantmischieftotheyoungpersonwhohadcausedthehitch。
\'InthethirdchapterofRevelationandthefifteenthandfollowingverses，youwillfindthesewords:——
\'\"Iknowthyworks，thatthouartneithercoldnorhot:I
wouldthouwertcoldorhot。Sothenbecausethouartlukewarm，andneithercoldnorhot，Iwillspuetheeoutofmymouth……Thousayest，Iamrich，andincreasedwithgoods，andhaveneedofnothing；andknowestnotthatthouartwretched，andmiserable，andpoor，andblind，andnaked。\"\'
Thesermonstraightwaybegan，anditwassoonapparentthatthecommentarywastobenolessforciblethanthetext。Itwasalsoapparentthatthewordswere，virtually，notdirectedforwardinthelineinwhichtheywereuttered，butthroughthechinkofthevestry-door，thathadstoodslightlyajarsincetheexitoftheyounglady。ThelistenersappearedtofeelthisnolessthanSomersetdid，fortheireyes，oneandall，becamefixeduponthatvestrydoorasiftheywouldalmostpushitopenbytheforceoftheirgazing。Thepreacher\'sheartwasfullandbitter；nobookornotewaswantedbyhim；neverwasspontaneitymoreabsolutethanhere。
Itwasnotimidreproofoftheornamentalkind，butadirectdenunciation，allthemorevigorousperhapsfromthelimitationofmindandlanguageunderwhichthespeakerlaboured。Yet，foolthathehadbeenmadebythecandidate，therewasnothingacridinhisattack。Genuineflashesofrhetoricalfirewereoccasionallystruckbythatplainandsimpleman，whoknewwhatstraightforwardconductwas，andwhodidnotknowtheillimitablecapriceofawoman\'smind。
Atthismomenttherewasnotinthewholechapelapersonwhoseimaginationwasnotcentredonwhatwasinvisiblytakingplacewithinthevestry。Thethunderoftheminister\'seloquenceechoed，ofcourse，throughtheweaksister\'scavernofretreatnolessthanroundthepublicassembly。Whatshewasdoinginsidethere——whetherlisteningcontritely，orhaughtilyhasteningtoputonherthingsandgetawayfromthechapelandallitcontained——wasobviouslythethoughtofeachmember。Whatchangesweretracingthemselvesuponthatlovelyface:diditrisetophasesofRaffaelesqueresignationorsinksolowastoflushandfrown?wasSomerset\'sinquiry；andahalf-explanationoccurredwhen，duringthediscourse，thedoorwhichhadbeenajarwasgentlypushedto。
Lookingonasastrangeritseemedtohimmorethanprobablethatthisyoungwoman\'spowerofpersistenceinherunexpectedrepugnancetotheritewasstrengthenedbywealthandpositionofsomesort，andwasnottheunassistedgiftofnature。Themannerofherarrival，andherdignifiedbearingbeforetheassembly，strengthenedthebelief。Awomanwhodidnotfeelsomethingextraneoustohermentalselftofallbackuponwouldbesofaroverawedbythepeopleandthecrisisasnottoretainsufficientresolutionforachangeofmind。
Thesermonended，theministerwipedhissteamingfaceandturneddownhiscuffs，andnodsandsagaciousglanceswentround。Yetmany，evenofthosewhohadpresumablypassedthesameordealwithcredit，exhibitedgentlerjudgmentthanthepreacher\'sonatergiversationofwhichtheyhadprobablyrecognizedsomegermintheirownbosomswheninthelady\'ssituation。
ForSomersettherewasbutonescene:theimaginedsceneofthegirlherselfasshesataloneinthevestry。Theferventcongregationrosetosingagain，andthenSomersetheardaslightnoiseonhislefthandwhichcausedhimtoturnhishead。Thebrougham，whichhadretiredintothefieldtowait，wasbackagainatthedoor:thesubjectofhisruminationcameoutfromthechapel——notinhermysticrobeofwhite，butdressedinordinaryfashionablecostume——followedasbeforebytheattendantwithotherarticlesofclothingonherarm，includingthewhitegown。Somersetfanciedthattheyoungerwomanwasdryinghereyeswithherhandkerchief，buttherewasnotmuchtimetosee:theyquicklyenteredthecarriage，anditmovedon。Thenacatsuddenlymewed，andhesawawhitePersianstandingforlornwherethecarriagehadbeen。Thedoorwasopened，thecattakenin，andthecarriagedroveaway。
Thestranger\'sgirlishformstampeditselfdeeplyonSomerset\'ssoul。Hestrolledonhiswayquiteoblivioustothefactthatthemoonhadjustrisen，andthatthelandscapewasoneforhimtolingerover，especiallyiftherewereanyGothicarchitectureinthelineofthelunarrays。Theinferencewasthatthoughthisgirlmustbeofaseriousturnofmind，wilfulnesswasnotforeigntohercomposition:anditwasprobablethatherdailydoingsevincedwithoutmuchabatementbyreligiontheunbrokenspiritandprideoflifenaturaltoherage。
ThelittlevillageinnatwhichSomersetintendedtopassthenightlayamilefurtheron，andretracinghiswayuptothestileherambledalongthelane，nowbeginningtobestreakedlikeazebrawiththeshadowsofsomeyoungtreesthatedgedtheroad。Buthisattentionwasattractedtotheothersideofthewaybyahumasofanight-bee，whicharosefromtheplayofthebreezesoverasinglewireoftelegraphrunningparallelwithhistrackontallpolesthathadappearedbytheroad，hehardlyknewwhen，fromabranchroute，probablyleadingfromsometownintheneighbourhoodtothevillagehewasapproaching。HedidnotknowthepopulationofSleeping-
Green，asthevillageofhissearchwascalled，butthepresenceofthismarkofcivilizationseemedtosignifythatitsinhabitantswerenotquitesofarintherearoftheirageasmightbeimagined；aglanceatthestillungrassedheapofearthroundthefootofeachpostwas，however，sufficienttoshowthatitwasatnoveryremoteperiodthattheyhadmadetheiradvance。
AidedbythisfriendlywireSomersethadnodifficultyinkeepinghiscourse，tillhereachedapointintheascentofahillatwhichthetelegraphbranchedofffromtheroad，passingthroughanopeninginthehedge，tostrikeacrossanundulatingdown，whiletheroadwoundroundtotheleft。ForafewmomentsSomersetdoubtedandstoodstill。Thewiresangonoverheadwithdyingfallsandmelodiousrisesthatinvitedhimtofollow；whileabovethewirerodethestarsintheircourses，thelownocturnoftheformerseemingtobethevoicesofthosestars，\'Stillquiringtotheyoung-eyedcherubim。\'
RecallinghimselffromthesereflectionsSomersetdecidedtofollowtheleadofthewire。Itwasnotthefirsttimeduringhispresenttourthathehadfoundhiswayatnightbythehelpofthesemusicalthreadswhichthepost-officeauthoritieshaderectedalloverthecountryforquiteanotherpurposethantoguidebelatedtravellers。Plungingwithitacrossthedownhecametoahedgelessroadthatenteredaparkorchase，whichflourishedinallitsoriginalwildness。
Tuftsofrushesandbrakesoffernrosefromthehollows，andtheroadwasinplaceshalfovergrownwithgreen，asifithadnotbeentendedformanyyears；somuchsothat，whereshadedbytrees，hefoundsomedifficultyinkeepingit。Thoughhehadnoticedtheremainsofadeer-fencefurtherbacknodeerwerevisible，anditwasscarcelypossiblethatthereshouldbeanyintheexistingstateofthings:butrabbitsweremultitudinous，everyhillockbeingdottedwiththeirseatedfigurestillSomersetapproachedandsentthemlimpingintotheirburrows。Theroadnextwoundroundaclumpofunderwoodbesidewhichlayheapsoffaggotsforburning，andthenthereappearedagainsttheskythewallsandtowersofacastle，halfruin，halfresidence，standingonaneminencehardby。
Somersetstoppedtoexamineit。Thecastlewasnotexceptionallylarge，butithadallthecharacteristicsofitsmostimportantfellows。Irregular，dilapidated，andmuffledincreepersasagreatportionofitwas，somepart——acomparativelymodernwing——wasinhabited，foralightortwosteadilygleamedfromsomeupperwindows；inothersareflectionofthemoondenotedthatunbrokenglassyetfilledtheircasements。Overallrosethekeep，asquaresolidtowerapparentlynotmuchinjuredbywarsorweather，anddarkenedwithivyononeside，whereinwingscouldbeheardflappinguncertainly，asiftheybelongedtoabirdunabletofindaproperperch。Hissingnoisessupervened，andthenahoot，proclaimingthatabroodofyoungowlswereresidingthereinthecompanyofolderones。Inspiteofthehabitableandmoremodernwing，neglectanddecayhadsettheirmarkupontheoutworksofthepile，unfittingthemforamorepositivelightthanthatofthepresenthour。
Hewalkeduptoamodernarchspanningtheditch——nowdryandgreen——overwhichthedrawbridgeoncehadswung。Thelargedoorundertheporter\'sarchwaywasclosedandlocked。Whilestandingherethesingingofthewire，whichforthelastfewminuteshehadquiteforgotten，againstruckuponhisear，andretreatingtoaconvenientplaceheobserveditsfinalcourse:
fromthepolesamidthetreesitleapedacrossthemoat，overthegirdlingwall，andthencebyatremendousstretchtowardsthekeepwhere，tojudgebysound，itvanishedthroughanarrow-slitintotheinterior。Thisfossiloffeudalism，then，wasthejourney\'s-endofthewire，andnotthevillageofSleeping-Green。
Therewasacertainunexpectednessinthefactthatthehoarymemorialofastolidantagonismtotheinterchangeofideas，themonumentofharddistinctionsinbloodandrace，ofdeadlymistrustofone\'sneighbourinspiteoftheChurch\'steaching，andofasublimeunconsciousnessofanyotherforcethanabruteone，shouldbethegoalofamachinewhichbeyondeverythingmaybesaidtosymbolizecosmopolitanviewsandtheintellectualandmoralkinshipofallmankind。InthatlightthelittlebuzzingwirehadafarfinersignificancetothestudentSomersetthanthevastwallswhichneighbouredit。
Butthemodernfeverandfretwhichconsumespeoplebeforetheycangrowoldwasalsosignifiedbythewire；andthisaspectofto-daydidnotcontrastwellwiththefairersideoffeudalism——leisure，light-heartedgenerosity，intensefriendships，hawks，hounds，revels，healthycomplexions，freedomfromcare，andsuchalivingpowerinarchitecturalartastheworldmayneveragainsee。
Somersetwithdrewtillneitherthesingingofthewirenorthehissesoftheirritableowlscouldbeheardanymore。Aclockinthecastlestruckten，andherecognizedthestrokesasthosehehadheardwhensittingonthestile。ItwasindispensablethatheshouldretracehisstepsandpushontoSleeping-Greenifhewishedthatnighttoreachhislodgings，whichhadbeensecuredbyletteratalittleinninthestragglinglineofroadsidehousescalledbytheabovename，wherehisluggagehadbythistimeprobablyarrived。Inaquarterofanhourhewasagainatthepointwherethewirelefttheroad，andfollowingthehighwayoverahillhesawthehamletathisfeet。
III。
Byhalf-pasttenthenextmorningSomersetwasoncemoreapproachingtheprecinctsofthebuildingwhichhadinterestedhimthenightbefore。ReferringtohismaphehadlearntthatitborethenameofStancyCastleorCastledeStancy；andhehadbeenatoncestruckwithitsfamiliarity，thoughhehadneverunderstooditspositioninthecounty，believingitfurthertothewest。Ifreportspoketrulytherewassomeexcellentvaultingintheinterior，andachangeofstudyfromecclesiasticaltosecularGothicwasnotunwelcomeforawhile。
Theentrance-gatewasopennow，andunderthearchwaytheouterwardwasvisible，agreatpartofitbeinglaidoutasaflower-garden。Thiswasinprocessofclearingfromweedsandrubbishbyasetofgardeners，andthesoilwassoencumberedthatinrootingouttheweedssuchfewhardyflowersasstillremainedinthebedsweremostlybroughtupwiththem。Thegroovewhereintheportcullishadrunwasasfreshasifonlycutyesterday，theverytoolingofthestonebeingvisible。
Closetothishungabell-pullformedofalargewoodenacornattachedtoaverticalrod。Somerset\'sapplicationbroughtawomanfromtheporter\'sdoor，whoinformedhimthatthedaybeforehavingbeentheweeklyshow-dayforvisitors，itwasdoubtfulifhecouldbeadmittednow。
\'Whoisathome?\'saidSomerset。
\'OnlyMissdeStancy，\'theporteressreplied。
Hisdreadofbeingconsideredanintruderwassuchthathethoughtatfirsttherewasnohelpforitbuttowaittillthenextweek。Buthehadalreadythroughhiswantofeffronterylostasightofmanyinteriors，whoseexhibitionwouldhavebeenratherasatisfactiontotheinmatesthanatrouble。Itwasinconvenienttowait；heknewnobodyintheneighbourhoodfromwhomhecouldgetanintroductoryletter:heturnedandpassedthewoman，crossedthewardwherethegardenerswereatwork，overasecondandsmallerbridge，andupaflightofstonestairs，opentothesky，alongwhosestepssunburntTudorsoldiersandotherrenowneddeadmenhaddoubtlessmanytimeswalked。Itledtotheprincipaldooronthisside。
Thencehecouldobservethewallsofthelowercourtindetail，andtheoldmosseswithwhichtheywerepadded——mossesthatfromtimeimmemorialhadbeenburntbrowneverysummer，andeverywinterhadgrowngreenagain。Thearrow-slitandtheelectricwirethatenteredit，likeawormuneasyatbeingunearthed，weredistinctlyvisiblenow。Soalsowastheclock，not，ashehadsupposed，achronometercoevalwiththefortressitself，butnewandshining，andbearingthenameofarecentmaker。
Thedoorwasopenedbyabland，intenselyshavenmanoutoflivery，whotookSomerset\'snameandpolitelywordedrequesttobeallowedtoinspectthearchitectureofthemorepublicportionsofthecastle。Hepronouncedtheword\'architecture\'
inthetoneofamanwhoknewandpractisedthatart；\'for，\'
hesaidtohimself，\'ifshethinksIamamereidletourist，itwillnotbesowell。\'
Nosuchuncomfortableconsequencesensued。MissDeStancyhadgreatpleasureingivingMr。Somersetfullpermissiontowalkthroughwhateverpartsofthebuildinghechose。
Hefollowedthebutlerintotheinnerbuildingsofthefortress，theponderousthicknessofwhosewallsmadeitselffeltlikeaphysicalpressure。Aninternalstonestaircase，rangedroundfoursidesofasquare，wasnextrevealed，leadingatthetopofoneflightintoaspacioushall，whichseemedtooccupythewholeareaofthekeep。Fromthisapartmentacorridorflooredwithblackoakledtothemoremodernwing，wherelightandairweretreatedinalessgingerlyfashion。
Herepassageswerebroaderthanintheoldestportion，andupholsteryenlistedintheserviceofthefineartshidtoagreatextentthecoldnessofthewalls。
Somersetwasnowlefttohimself，androvingfreelyfromroomtoroomhefoundtimetoinspectthedifferentobjectsofinterestthataboundedthere。Notallthechambers，evenofthehabitabledivision，wereinuseasdwelling-rooms，thoughthesewerestillnumerousenoughforthewantsofanordinarycountryfamily。Inalonggallerywithacovedceilingofarabesqueswhichhadoncebeengilded，hungaseriesofpaintingsrepresentingthepastpersonagesoftheDeStancyline。Itwasaremarkablearray——evenmoresoonaccountoftheincrediblyneglectedconditionofthecanvasesthanfortheartisticpeculiaritiestheyexhibited。Manyoftheframesweredroppingapartattheirangles，andsomeofthecanvaswassodingythatthefaceofthepersondepictedwasonlydistinguishableasthemoonthroughmist。Forthecolourtheyhadnowtheymighthavebeenpaintedduringaneclipse；while，tojudgebythewebstyingthemtothewall，thespidersthatranupanddowntheirbacksweresuchastomakethefairoriginalsshudderintheirgraves。
Hewonderedhowmanyoftheloftyforeheadsandsmilinglipsofthispictorialpedigreecouldbecreditedastruereflectionsoftheirprototypes。Somewerewilfullyfalse，nodoubt；manymoresobyunavoidableaccidentandwantofskill。
Somersetfeltthatitrequiredaprofoundermindthanhistodisinterfromthelumberofconventionalitythelineamentsthatreallysatinthepainter\'spresence，andtodiscovertheirhistorybehindthecurtainofmeretradition。
Thepaintersofthislongcollectionwerethosewhousuallyappearinsuchplaces；Holbein，Jansen，andVandyck；SirPeter，SirGeoffrey，SirJoshua，andSirThomas。Theirsitters，too，hadmostlybeensirs；SirWilliam，SirJohn，orSirGeorgeDeStancy——someundoubtedlyhavinganobilitystampeduponthembeyondthatconferredbytheirrobesandorders；andothersnotsofortunate。Theirrespectiveladieshungbytheirsides——feebleandwatery，orfatandcomfortable，asthecasemightbe；alsotheirfathersandmothers-in-law，theirbrothersandremoterrelatives；theircontemporaryreigningprinces，andtheirintimatefriends。OftheDeStancyspurethereranthroughthecollectionamarkbywhichtheymightsurelyhavebeenrecognizedasmembersofonefamily；thisfeaturebeingtheupperpartofthenose。Everyone，eveniflackingotherpointsincommon，hadthespecialindentatthispointintheface——sometimesmoderateindegree，sometimesexcessive。
Whilelookingatthepictures——which，thoughnotinhisregularlineofstudy，interestedSomersetmorethanthearchitecture，becauseoftheirsingulardilapidation，itoccurredtohismindthathehadinhisyouthbeenschoolfellowforaveryshorttimewithapleasantboybearingasurnameattachedtooneofthepaintings——thenameofRavensbury。Theboyhadvanishedheknewnothow——hethoughthehadbeenremovedfromschoolsuddenlyonaccountofillhealth。Buttherecollectionwasvague，andSomersetmovedontotheroomsaboveandbelow。Inadditiontothearchitecturaldetailsofwhichhehadasyetobtainedbutglimpses，therewasagreatcollectionofoldmovablesandotherdomesticart-work——allmorethanacenturyold，andmostlylyingaslumber。Thereweresuitesoftapestryhangings，commonandfine；greenandscarletleather-work，onwhichthegildingwasstillbutlittleinjured；venerabledamaskcurtains；quiltedsilktable-covers，ebonycabinets，workedsatinwindow-cushions，carvedbedsteads，andembroideredbed-furniturewhichhadapparentlyscreenednosleeperforthesemanyyears。Downstairstherewasalsoaninterestingcollectionofarmour，togetherwithseveralhugetrunksandcoffers。Agreatmanyofthemhadbeenrecentlytakenoutandcleaned，asifalongdormantinterestinthemweresuddenlyrevived。Doubtlesstheywerethosewhichhadbeenusedbythelivingoriginalsofthephantomsthatlookeddownfromtheframes。
Thisexcellenthoardofsuggestivedesignsforwood-work，metal-work，andworkofothersorts，inducedSomersettodiverthisstudiesfromtheecclesiasticaldirection，toacquiresomenewideasfromtheobjectsherefordomesticapplication。Yetforthepresenthewasinclinedtokeephissketch-bookclosedandhisivoryrulefolded，anddevotehimselftoageneralsurvey。Emergingfromtheground-floorbyasmalldoorway，hefoundhimselfonaterracetothenorth-east，andontheothersidethanthatbywhichhehadentered。Itwasboundedbyaparapetbreasthigh，overwhichaviewofthedistantcountrymettheeye，stretchingfromthefootoftheslopetoadistanceofmanymiles。Somersetwentandleanedover，andlookeddownuponthetopsofthebushesbeneath。Theprospectincludedthevillagehehadpassedthroughonthepreviousday:andamidstthegreenlightsandshadesofthemeadowshecoulddiscerntheredbrickchapelwhoserecalcitrantinmatehadsoengrossedhim。
Beforehisattentionhadlongstrayedovertheincidentwhichromanticizedthatutilitarianstructure，hebecameawarethathewasnottheonlypersonwhowaslookingfromtheterracetowardsthatpointofthecompass。Attheright-handcorner，inanicheofthecurtain-wall，reclinedagirlishshape；andasleeponthebenchoverwhichsheleanedwasawhitecat——theidenticalPersianasitseemed——thathadbeentakenintothecarriageatthechapel-door。