They ascended to the room designated the east closet. The paintings here, mostly of smaller size, were in a better condition, owing to the fact that they were hung on an inner wall, and had hence been kept free from damp. Somerset inquired the names and histories of one or two. ‘I really don’t quite know,’ Miss De Stancy replied after some thought. ‘But Paula knows, I am sure. I don’t study them much--I don’t see the use of it.’ She swung her sunshade, so that it fell open, and turned it up till it fell shut. ‘I have never been able to give much attention to ancestors,’ she added, with her eyes on the parasol. ‘These ARE your ancestors?’ he asked, for her position and tone were matters which perplexed him. In spite of the family likeness and other details he could scarcely believe this frank and communicative country maiden to be the modern representative of the De Stancys. ‘O yes, they certainly are,’ she said, laughing. ‘People say I am like them: I don’t know if I am--well, yes, I know I am: I can see that, of course, any day. But they have gone from my family, and perhaps it is just as well that they should have gone.... They are useless,’ she added, with serene conclusiveness. ‘Ah! they have gone, have they?’ ‘Yes, castle and furniture went together: it was long ago--long before I was born. It doesn’t seem to me as if the place ever belonged to a relative of mine.’ Somerset corrected his smiling manner to one of solicitude. ‘But you live here, Miss De Stancy?’ ‘Yes--a great deal now; though sometimes I go home to sleep.’ ‘This is home to you, and not home?’ ‘I live here with Paula--my friend: I have not been here long, neither has she. For the first six months after her father’s death she did not come here at all.’ They walked on, gazing at the walls, till the young man said: ‘I fear I may be making some mistake: but I am sure you will pardon my inquisitiveness this once. WHO is Paula?’ ‘Ah, you don’t know! Of course you don’t--local changes don’t get talked of far away. She is the owner of this castle and estate. My father sold it when he was quite a young man, years before I was born, and not long after his father’s death. It was purchased by a man named Wilkins, a rich man who became blind soon after he had bought it, and never lived here; so it was left uncared for.’ She went out upon the terrace; and without exactly knowing why, Somerset followed. ‘Your friend--’ ‘Has only come here quite recently. She is away from home to-day.... It was very sad,’ murmured the young girl thoughtfully. ‘No sooner had Mr. Power bought it of the representatives of Mr. Wilkins--almost immediately indeed--than he died from a chill caught after a warm bath. On account of that she did not take possession for several months; and even now she has only had a few rooms prepared as a temporary residence till she can think what to do. Poor thing, it is sad to be left alone!’