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the gig went with an echoing； thundering sound under the deep archway
that led into the paved quadrangle； round which the house was built；
that court where； as Philip had truly averred； the sun hardly ever
shone； so high were the walls on each side。
Up the stone steps into the spacious dark hall； and into the large；
gloomy library； partially lighted by a great wood fire； replying to
Mrs。 Drew's questions about his dinner and his room； and asking Markham
to stay and dine with him； Guy at length found himself at home； in the
very room where he had spent every evening of his boyhood； with the
same green leather arm…chair； in the very place where his grandfather
used to sit。
Markham consented to dine with him； and the evening was spent in
talking over the news of Redclyffe。 Markham spoke with much bitterness
of the way in which Captain Morville had taken upon him； his looking
into the accounts； though any one was welcome to examine them； was； he
thought； scarcely becoming in so young a manthe heir…at…law； too。
'He can't help doing minutely whatever he undertakes；' said Guy。 If
you had him here； you would never have to scold him like me。'
'Heaven forbid！' said Markham； hastily。 'I know the same place would
not hold him and me long。'
'You have told me nothing of our new vicar。 How do you get on with
him？'
'None the better for that same Captain Morville；' replied Markham；
plunging forthwith into his list of grievances； respecting which he was
waging a petty warfare； in the belief that he was standing up for his
master's rights。
Mr。 Bernard； the former clergyman； had been a quiet； old…fashioned man；
very kind…hearted； but not at all active； and things had gone on in a
sleepy； droning； matter…of…fact way； which Markham being used to；
thought exactly what ought to be。 Now； Mr。 Ashford was an energetic
person； desirous to do his utmost for the parish； and whatever he did
was an offence to Markham； from the daily service； to the objecting to
the men going out fishing on Sunday。 He opposed every innovation with
all his might； and Captain Morville's interference； which had borne
Markham down with Mr。 Edmonstone's authority； had only made him more
determined not to bate an inch。 He growled every time Guy was inclined
to believe Mr。 Ashford in the right； and brought out some fresh
complaint。 The grand controversy was at present about the school。
There was a dame's school in the cove or fishing part of the parish；
maintained at the expense of the estate； in a small cottage far from
the church； and Mr。 and Mrs。 Ashford had fixed their eyes on a house in
the village； and so near the church as to be very convenient for a
Sunday School。 It only wanted to be floored； and to have a partition
taken down； but to this Markham would not consent； treating it as a
monstrous proposal to take away the school from old Jenny Robinson。
'I suppose Mr。 Ashford meant to pension her off？' said Guy。
'He did say something about it； but who is to do it； I should like to
know？'
'We are； I suppose。'
'Pay two schoolmistresses mistresses at once！ One for doing nothing！
A pretty tolerable proposal for Mr。 Ashford to be making？'
'I don't see why。 Of course it is my business！'
'Besides； I don't see that she is not as fit to keep school as ever she
was。'
'That may well be；' said Guy； smiling。 'We never used to be noted for
our learning。'
'Don't you be for bringing new lights into the parish； Sir Guy； or we
shall never have any more peace。'
'I shall see about old Jenny；' answered Guy。 'As to the house； that
must be done directly。 Her cottage is not fit to keep school in。'
Grunt； grunt； but though a very unbending viceroy； a must from the
reigning baronet had a potent effect on Markham； whether it was for
good or evil。 He might grumble； but he never disobeyed； and the boy he
was used to scold and order had found that Morville intonation of the
must； which took away all idea of resistance。 He still； however
remonstrated。
'As you please； Sir Guy； but we shall have the deer frightened； and the
plantations cut to pieces； if the boys from the Cove are to be crossing
the park。'
'I'll be answerable for all the damage。 If they are once properly
spoken to； they will be on honour to behave well。 I have seen a little
of what a village school ought to be at East…hill； and I should like to
see Redclyffe like it。'
Grunt again； and Guy found that to make Markham amiable； he must
inquire after all his nephews and nieces。
All the evening he had much to occupy him； and the dreaded sense of
solitude and bereavement did not come on till he had parted with
Markham； and stood alone before the fire in the large； gloomy room；
where the light of the lamp seemed absorbed in the darkness of the
distant corners； and where he had scarcely been since the moment when
he found his grandfather senseless in that very chair。 How different
had that room once been in his eyes； when his happy spirits defied
every association of gloom； and the bookshelves； the carved chairs； the
heavy dark…green curtains and deep windows were connected with merry
freaks； earnest researches； delightful achievements or discoveries！
How long ago that time seemed！ and how changed was he！
There was a certain tendency to melancholy in Guy's mind。 High
spirits； prosperity； and self…discipline； had kept it from developing
itself until the beginning of his troubles； but since that time it had
been gradually gaining ground； and this was a time of great suffering；
as he stood alone in his forefathers' house； and felt himself； in his
early youth； a doomed man； destined to bear the penalty of their crimes
in the ruin of his dearest hopes； as if his heirloom of misery had but
waited to seize on him till the very moment when it would give him the
most to endure。
'But bear it； I must and will！' said he； lifting his head from the
carved chimney…piece； where he had been resting it。 'I have been in
will a murderer myself； and what right have I to repine like the
Israelites； with their self…justifying proverb？ No； let me be thankful
that I was not given up even then； but have been able to repent； and do
a little better next time。 It will be a blessing as yet ungranted to
any of us； if indeed I should bear to the full the doom of sorrow； so
that it may be vouchsafed me only to avoid actual guilt。 Yes； Amy；
your words are still with me〃Sintram conquered his doom；〃and it was
by following death！ Welcome； then； whatever may be in store for me；
were it even a long； cheerless life without you； Amy。 There is another
world！'
With the energy of freshened resolution； he lighted his candle； and
walked； with echoing steps； up the black oak staircase； along the broad
gallery； up another flight； down another passage； to his own room。 He
ha