A MANOR HOUSE IN DEER LAND. 201 



and lesser tables ; all engrained with age. 

 The bright light of the summer day, glowing 

 June, stays at the glass panes looks in but 

 comes no farther. It is lighted but not full 

 of light ; there is no brilliance in the atmos- 

 phere above the great black table. 



There are shadows in the corners and 

 under the cabinets shadows that have lin- 

 gered there these centuries past ; the ceiling 

 is a broad, dark shadow, as if a cloud hung 

 overhead. A step in the passage sounds 

 afar and dull, as of some one who had gone 

 by into the stream of Time. His shadow has 

 flitted by the half-open iron-studded door ; 

 his shadow only. The grey stone floor cools 

 the air of hottest June, as the black furni- 

 ture cools the light. Without, the wood 

 near at hand is lit up, brightly green, and 

 the leaves play in the breeze, insects are 

 busy there dancing their sun-dance, and 

 chestnut-bloom gleams white among the 



