against the casement of the apartment in which they sat, and which
although named "the lady's chamber," afforded none of those feminine
luxuries, which are now to be found in the most remote parts of
England, in the dwellings of the noble and wealthy. By the side of
a huge hearth, where the crackling and blazing logs imparted the
only cheerful sound or sight in the apartment, in a richly-carved
oaken chair emblazoned with the armorial bearings of his house, sat
Lord Greville, lost in silent contemplation. A chased goblet of wine
with which he occasionally moistened his lips, stood on a table
beside him, on which an elegantly-fretted silver lamp was burning;
and while it only emitted sufficient light to render the gloom of
the spacious chamber still more apparent, it threw a strong glare
upon his expressive countenance and noble figure, and rendered
conspicuous that richness of attire which the fashion of those
stately days demanded from "the magnates of the land;" and which we
now only admire amid the mummeries of theatrical pageant, or on the
glowing canvas of Vandyck. His head rested on his hand, and while
Lady Greville who was seated on an opposite couch, was apparently
engrossed by the embroidery-frame over which she leant, his attention
was equally occupied by his son, who stood at her knee, interrupting
her progress by twining his little hands in the slender ringlets
which profusely overhung her work, and by questions which betrayed
the unsuspicious sportiveness of his age.

"Mother," said the boy, "are we to remain all winter in this ruinous
den? Do you know Margaret says, that some of these northern sea
winds will shake it down over our heads one stormy night; and that
she would as soon lie under the ruins, as be buried alive in its
walls. Now I must own I would rather return to Silsea, and visit my
hawks, and Caesar, and--"