vI.] THE RED BARON. 285

 

or Princes, I am probably not wrong in attributing to
him this title. Here, then, the old Baron has often sat
at the head of his table, drinking huge draughts of red
wine, or strong ale, and watching with paternal grati-
fication the revelry of his retainers. Perhaps some
poor wretches, taken prisoners in a raid against a
neighbouring village, have been bound to these great
pillars which seem to support the roof, and compelled
to watch the jovial proceedings of their captors, trem-
bling all the while with fear as to what their own fate
would be. Perhaps the castle has, at some time or
other, been stormed, and within this very hall the brave
old Baron has made a gallant stand to defend the
home of his forefathers against an invading force.
Perhaps ’ but at this point he suddenly recollected
that these romantic fancies would by no means satisfy
the cravings of hunger which beset him, and that he
might as well postpone them until he had partaken of
food and arranged his quarters for the night.

He strode forward, therefore, into the hall, and
proceeding to the farther end, found that the ancient
fireplace and chimney were of such an enormous size
that it would take.him a great deal more of time and
trouble to light a fire there than would be the case if
he could discover some smaller and more convenient
chamber. Accordingly, he left the hall by the same
door as that by which he had entered, principally
because he saw no other, and opening that immediately
opposite, perceived a noble old oak staircase before
him, which he proceeded to ascend without delay.
The stairs creaked under him as he advanced, they
had evidently been unused to be mounted for some