Notes and Sjjort of a Dn/-Fly Purixf. 89 



passed to her tryst with her lover ; and (3) a broad 

 seat in the terraced gardens overhung by trees 

 through whose umbrageous shadows the sunlight 

 glints and nickers with good effect. All of which 

 were then approaching the finishing touches. Some 

 parts of the hall date from soon after the Conquest, 

 and the chapel contains a Norman font. The 

 rooms run very much into each other, and all the 

 wood used is of oak flooring, wainscots, steps, 

 shutters, the large round table or bench, and forms 

 instead of chairs, in the banqueting hall ; all black 

 with age, but as sound as ever. Here lived the 

 King of the Peak, and the oldest tower is still 

 called " Peverill." He was prodigal in hospitality, 

 140 servants being retained to wait upon his friends, 

 and at Christmas open house was kept for twelve 

 days at a stretch. 



By the marriage of his daughter, Dorothy Vernoii, 

 with Sir John Manners, the estate passed into the 

 family of the latter, and the direct descendant of this 

 interesting couple, whose union will always have the 

 glamour of traditional romance about it, is the 

 present Duke of Rutland. As one walks through 

 the deserted rooms, it is easy in imagination inspired 

 from remembered history to repeople the place with 

 its former denizens, and a gay throng of guests in 

 the ballroom, or wandering in groups through the 

 terraced gardens, or a convivial and select party 



