"For instance, sir?" said Adam, venturing a question.

"Well, look at those hills which surround the main one where the site for
the Castle was wisely chosen--on the highest ground. Take the others.
There is something ostensible in each of them, and in all probability
something unseen and unproved, but to be imagined, also."

"For instance?" continued Adam.

"Let us take them _seriatim_. That to the east, where the trees are,
lower down--that was once the location of a Roman temple, possibly
founded on a pre-existing Druidical one. Its name implies the former,
and the grove of ancient oaks suggests the latter."

"Please explain."

"The old name translated means 'Diana's Grove.' Then the next one higher
than it, but just beyond it, is called '_Mercy_'--in all probability a
corruption or familiarisation of the word _Mercia_, with a Roman pun
included. We learn from early manuscripts that the place was called
_Vilula Misericordiae_. It was originally a nunnery, founded by Queen
Bertha, but done away with by King Penda, the reactionary to Paganism
after St. Augustine. Then comes your uncle's place--Lesser Hill. Though
it is so close to the Castle, it is not connected with it. It is a
freehold, and, so far as we know, of equal age. It has always belonged
to your family."

"Then there only remains the Castle!"