The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-02-18
yIrI.

Early tho next morning the good old
butler came to me, in great perturbation,
for word of advice.
"Do come, sir, and look at the mas
ter can't fnd it in my heart to wake
him."
1t was time to wake him, il we |
were to go to London that day. I went |
into the bedroom. Although 1 was no |
doctor, the restorative Importance OF
that profound and quiet sleep impressed |
itself on me so strongly that 1 took the
responsibility of leaving him undis-
turbed. The event proved that had
acted wisely. He slept until noon.
There was no return of the torment Of
the voice." as he called it, poor fellow.
We passed a quiet day, excepting one
little interruption, which l am warned
not to pass over without word of re-
cord in this narrative.
We had returned from O ride. Ro.
mayne had gone into the library to read
and 1 was Just leaving the stables, after
look at some recent improvements,
when pony -chaise with gentleman in
it drove up to the door. He asked po-
litely if he might be allowed to see the
house. There were some fine picture,
at yange, as we'll as many interesting
relics of antiquity; and the rooms were
shown, in Romayne's absence, to the very
few strangers who were adventurous
enough to cross the healthy desert that
surrounded the Abbey. On this occa-
sion the stranger was informed that Mr..
Romayne was at home. He at once
apologized--with an appearance of dis
appointment, however, which induced
me to step forward and speak to him.
"Mr. Romayne is not very well" /
said, "and I cannot venture to ask you
into the house. But you will be well
come, 1 am sure, to walk round the
grounds, and to look at the ruins OF the
Abbey"
He thanked me and accepted tho invi-
tation. find no great difficulty in de
scribing him, generally. He was el
derly, fat and cheerful; buttoned up In
q long black frock coat, and presenting
that closely shavsn face and that invef-
crate expression of watchful humility
about the eyes, which wo all associate
with the reverend personality of
priest.
| 70 my surprlze, he seemed, in some
degree at least, to know his way abou
tho place. He made straight for ths
dreary little lake which 1 have al
ready mentioned, and stood looking al
il with an interest which was so incom-
rrehensible to me, that own watched
him.
He asccnded the slope of the moor
land and entered the gate which led to
the grounds. All that the gardeners
had done to make the place attractive
failed to claim his attention. He walked
past lawns, shrubs. and fower-beds, an6
only stopped at an old stone fountain
which tradition declared to have beei
one of the ornaments of the garden II
the time of the monks. Having care
fully examined this relic of antiquity
! he took sheet OF paper from his pocket
and consulted it attentively. l
> might have been plan OF the house an
'. grounds, or it mig'lt not--I can only re
4 port that he took the path which le
him by the shortest way to the RUNE
Abbey church.
As he entered the roohess inclosur'
- he reverently removed his hat. 1t wa
impossible for me to follow him an
further without risk OF discovery. l 81
-, down on one OF the fallen stones wal
= ing to see him again. 1t must hay
been at least half an hour before he al
peared. He thanked me for my kin
ness as composedly as if he had qui
" expected to find me in the place that
+ occupied.
in "I have been deeply interested in q
q. that have seen," he said, 90 May
I venture to ask, what is perhaps an
ID discreet question on the Part OF
. stnnger7"
Il. / ventured on my side to ask VIII
is this question might be.
q. "Mr. Romayne is indeed fortunate
N he resumed, ain the possession Of Il
n beautiful place. He is young man
lp think ?"
to Yes"
9e "Is he married |"
he rEo."
lg Excuse my curiosity. The owner
ne vange Abbey is an interesting person
" oil good antiquaries like myself. Ms