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'But the servants?' 'My re staff consists of only to I thought you would like to see the inside ofh it

instead of staying out here' She let hih the casement, and they strolled forward softly,

Swithin with soone beyond the library

and adjoining room The whole western side of the house was at this ti confined to two or three sreat apartly

walked wore already that funereal aspect that coular cobwebs already formed little hammocks for the

dust in corners of the wainscot, and a close ss, pervaded the atmosphere So seldom was

the solitude of these chambers intruded on by human feet that more than

once a mouse stood and looked the twain in the face froreat fear

Swithin had no residential ambition whatever, but he was interested in

the place 'Will the house ever be thrown open to gaiety, as it was in

old times?' said he

'Not unless you ly 'It is mine for

my life, as you know; but the estate is so terribly saddled with

annuities to Sir Blount's distant relatives, one of ill succeed me

here, that I have practically no more than my own little private income

to exist on' 'And are you bound to occupy the house?' 'Not bound to But I must not let it on lease' 'And was there any stipulation in the event of your re-e?' 'It was notbyeither--at least, of consequence' 'What have I to lose?' 'I meant your liberty Suppose you beco towards art and coquetting with science now-a-

days), and a better chance offers, and one ould hter wife than I aret this?

Will you never despise ain went on; proceeding like a

couple of burglars, lest they should draw the attention of the cook or

Green