out of the house,--a young gentleman! Who can it be?"

I looked, and to my surprise I saw Margrave descending the stately stairs
that led from the front door. The steward turned towards him, and I
mechanically followed, for I was curious to know what had brought Margrave
to the house of the long-absent traveller.

It was easily explained. Mr. Margrave had heard at L---- much of the
pictures and internal decorations of the mansion. He had, by dint of
coaxing (he said, with his enchanting laugh), persuaded the old
housekeeper to show him the rooms.

"It is against Sir Philip's positive orders to show the house to any
stranger, sir; and the housekeeper has done very wrong," said the steward.

"Pray don't scold her. I dare say Sir Philip would not have refused me a
permission he might not give to every idle sightseer. Fellow-travellers
have a freemasonry with each other; and I have been much in the same far
countries as himself. I heard of him there, and could tell you more about
him, I dare say, than you know yourself."

"You, sir! pray do then."

"The next time I come," said Margrave, gayly; and, with a nod to me, he
glided off through the trees of the neighbouring grove, along the winding
footpath that led to the lodge.

"A very cool gentleman," muttered the steward; "but what pleasant ways he
has! You seem to know him, sir. Who is he, may I ask?"