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。