258 Hark Away. 



and, having stabled our steeds, we find the Marquess 

 on the lawn cordially welcoming his numerous visi- 

 tors as they arrive. As we passed through one of 

 the portals of this lordly edifice I took note of the 

 coat-of-arms of this very ancient and noble family, 

 in order to describe which I will adopt the language 

 of heraldry : " In a ducal coronet or, a bull's head 

 argent, pied sable, armed of the 1st, and charged on 

 the neck with a rose gules. Supporters, two bulls 

 argent, pied sable, armed, unguled, collared and 

 chained or." Motto, "iW, vile, velisr 



Doubtless, it is by adhering strictly to the letter 

 of this ancestral motto that his lordship and family 

 have secured the esteem and respect of their friends, 

 neighbours, tenants, and retainers — a fact clearly 

 visible, even to the eyes of a stranger within their 

 gates. Then I pause for a moment to observe this 

 beautiful pile of buildings, noting the many ivy-clad 

 towers, from the topmost of which the standard 

 flutters in the breeze. In vain I look for stagnant 

 moats, donjon keeps, massive nailed doors, closely- 

 barred windows, and creaking drawbridges. No 

 warder bids me stand; on the contrary, I am in- 

 vited to enter, and as I do so I feel assured that this 

 is the stately home of an English noble — not one of 

 those dismal castles of which I have so frequently 

 read in the pages of romance. Passing through the 

 elegant and beautifully-furnished suites of rooms, 

 we find a large party assembled. 



The Marchioness being absent from home, the 

 family is represented by the Earl of Lewes, Lords 

 Henry, George, and the Ladies Idina, Rose, and 

 Violet Nevill. The dining-room, in which luncheon 



