disturb Corisande. Her character is not yet formed, and its future is
perplexing, at least to me," murmured the mother. "She has not the
simple nature of her sisters. It is a deeper and more complicated mind,
and I watch its development with fond, but anxious interest." Then, in
a lighter tone, she added, "You do not know very much of us. Try to
know more. Everybody under this roof views you with regard, and you are
the brother friend of our eldest son. Wherever we are, you will always
find a home; but do not touch again upon this subject, at least at
present, for it distresses me." And then she took his arm, and pressed
it, and by this time they had gained the croquet-ground.



CHAPTER 6


One of the least known squares in London is Hexham Square, though it is
one of the oldest. Not that it is very remote from the throng of
existence, but it is isolated in a dingy district of silent and decaying
streets. Once it was a favored residence of opulence and power, and its
architecture still indicates its former and prouder destiny. But its
noble mansions are now divided and broken up into separate dwellings, or
have been converted into chambers and offices. Lawyers, and architects,
and agents, dwell in apartments where the richly-sculptured
chimney-pieces, the carved and gilded pediments over the doors, and
sometimes even the painted ceilings, tell a tale of vanished stateliness
and splendor.

A considerable portion of the north side of the square is occupied by
one house standing in a courtyard, with iron gates to the thoroughfare.