300 THE VICARAGE. 



ceeded towards Coombe-Neville, along the road 

 they had seen in the morning. As they entered 

 the thick coppice, the stranger led the horse, and 

 this gave the Vicar and Mr. Davenport, who were 

 both antiquaries, an opportunity of speculating on 

 the style of the ancient mansion they were about 

 to visit. 



" I expect to see," said the former, " oriel win- 

 dows, with the arms of the family, in stained glass, 

 old family portraits, and a fine old baronial hall, 

 fitted up with the horns of deer, tapestries, and 

 armour." Davenport talked of black oak parlours, 

 high-backed chairs, and ancient carvings. Mary 

 thought of her gentle mother ; and Lucy, who had 

 a little romance in her disposition, of the handsome 

 young officer. In this mood they had proceeded 

 about half a mile through the wood, when on 

 emerging from it, the moon shone brightly on a 

 huge gateway with massive iron-work, ornamented 

 with armorial bearings upon it. After passing it, 

 they entered an avenue of walnut trees, in which 

 they were again almost in darkness. A deep-toned 

 clock struck the hour, a mastiff " hoarsely bay'd," 

 a glimmering light was seen through the trees, and 

 they soon after arrived in front of a large building, 

 composed of masses whose outline could not well 

 be distinguished. Captain Neville went forward, 

 and, calling out, was soon answered from within. 



