harassed wanderer for the first time after the interval of so many
years approach the remains of the castle where his ancestors had
exercised all but regal dominion.




CHAPTER XLI

Yes ye moss-green walls,
Ye towers defenceless, I revisit ye
Shame-stricken! Where are all your trophies now?
Your thronged courts, the revelry, the tumult,
That spoke the grandeur of my house, the homage
Of neighbouring barons?

Mysterious Mother.


Entering the castle of Ellangowan by a postern doorway which
showed symptoms of having been once secured with the most jealous
care, Brown (whom, since he has set foot upon the property of his
fathers, we shall hereafter call by his father's name of Bertram)
wandered from one ruined apartment to another, surprised at the
massive strength of some parts of the building, the rude and
impressive magnificence of others, and the great extent of the
whole. In two of these rooms, close beside each other, he saw
signs of recent habitation. In one small apartment were empty
bottles, half-gnawed bones, and dried fragments of bread. In the
vault which adjoined, and which was defended by a strong door,