'I shall be very glad to unlock anything you may want to see. So few
people take any real interest in what is here that we do not leave it
open.'

Somerset expressed his thanks.

Miss De Stancy, a little to his surprise, had a touch of rusticity in
her manner, and that forced absence of reserve which seclusion from
society lends to young women more frequently than not. She seemed glad
to have something to do; the arrival of Somerset was plainly an event
sufficient to set some little mark upon her day. Deception had been
written on the faces of those frowning walls in their implying the
insignificance of Somerset, when he found them tenanted only by this
little woman whose life was narrower than his own.

'We have not been here long,' continued Miss De Stancy, 'and that's why
everything is in such a dilapidated and confused condition.'

Somerset entered the dark store-closet, thinking less of the ancient
pillar revealed by the light of the candle than what a singular remark
the latter was to come from a member of the family which appeared to
have been there five centuries. He held the candle above his head, and
walked round, and presently Miss De Stancy came back.

'There is another vault below,' she said, with the severe face of a
young woman who speaks only because it is absolutely necessary. 'Perhaps
you are not aware of it? It was the dungeon: if you wish to go
down there too, the servant will show you the way. It is not at all
ornamental: rough, unhewn arches and clumsy piers.'

Somerset thanked her, and would perhaps take advantage of her kind
offer when he had examined the spot where he was, if it were not causing
inconvenience.

'No; I am sure Paula will be glad to know that anybody thinks it
interesting to go down there--which is more than she does herself.'

Some obvious inquiries were suggested by this, but Somerset said, 'I
have seen the pictures, and have been much struck by them; partly,' he
added, with some hesitation, 'because one or two of them reminded me of
a schoolfellow--I think his name was John Ravensbury?'

'Yes,' she said, almost eagerly. 'He was my cousin!'

'So that we are not quite strangers?'

'But he is dead now.... He was unfortunate: he was mostly spoken of
as "that unlucky boy."... You know, I suppose, Mr. Somerset, why the
paintings are in such a decaying state!--it is owing to the peculiar
treatment of the castle during Mr. Wilkins's time. He was blind; so one
can imagin