284 WATSPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [vI.

small court-yard, which was completely overgrown
with grass, and looked as if neither the foot nor the
scythe of man had been there for years. Immediately
opposite him were doors, which, following the custom
of the place, were also ajar, and which opened into a
small stone-paved entrance hall, from which a passage
led straight forward into a large corridor.

The traveller paused for a moment to listen, but
hearing nothing, determined that his only course was
to seek for himself the lodging which he wanted, and
accordingly walked forward along the passage and
stood at the end deliberating whether to turn to the
right or left, as he appeared to be standing in about
the centre of the corridor. As it was quite chance
which was the best way, he eventually chose the right.
Accordingly he marched up the empty corridor, which
resounded with the noise “8 his footsteps, and the
old pictures which hung on its walls on either side
appeared to frown down upon him as if he was an
intruder, which, in fact, he decidedly was. Presently
he came to a door on each side, and after a moment’s
hesitation, again chose that on the right. It led into
a long apartment, which, at some time or other, must
have served for a dining-room or banqueting-hall in
which the former owner of the castle had feasted his
friends and vassals when inclined to be generous. Our
friend paused on the threshold of the door, and
meditated on various subjects suggested by the place.

‘Here, he thought, ‘has often sat the Baron to
whom this castle belonged in old days, if Baron he was
—and as most owners of castles in this part of the
world are Barons, unless they happen to be grand Dukes