But our party, joyful in the society of each other, bent their way from the lawn which surrounded the Tower to the broad and open space before the castle. So level did the grass at a little distance appear with the foundation walls of the building, that were it not for the distinct evidence of the huge drawbridge and portcullis, no one would imagine that a moat ninety-eight feet wide extended round the walls. The building was a square with four towers, the south-eastern front of which, facing the Orwell, was then in its most perfect state. It was only at certain periods, when the distant dependencies of the barony came to pay suit and service to the Lords of De Freston, that the other wings of the mansion were inhabited. They were not suffered to decay; but, as they were not constantly used, they were only visited occasionally by the lord, who left it to his household steward to see that all things were kept in order. 'It is a beautiful spot,' said Latimer to Ellen, as they approached the spacious front of the building, 'and I hope it may never again see the troubles with which it was visited when the Earl of Leicester and his Flemings came from Walton Castle, and were opposed by John De Freston and his troops. This looks not like a place of slaughter, Ellen; yet many a brave youth did your ancestors' bowmen send to the bottom of the waves, before the enemy could effect a landing, or reach this spacious green sward. How thankful should we feel that we can walk in peace free from such terrors; but other parts of the kingdom are, at this moment, in arms, and the Baron De Freston will, I fear, have to send his quota of men to the wars of the Roses!' 'Let him keep neutral if he can, say I. He is out of the reach of the severity of the contest, unless Richmond should choose Suffolk for his field of action. I trust my father's hall will be at peace as long as his honored head shall be erect!' 'Amen!' added Wolsey. 'This place is too peaceful, too blessed in its inhabitants, to be disturbed by faction. It has a charm in my eye which, I trust, no bloodshed will ever destroy!' 'You are a partial friend, Thomas; but I wish all men felt towards it and its inhabitants as you do.' 'That do not I,' thought Wolsey, 'unless, indeed, I were the foremost and most favored of all;' but he only replied, 'I have reason to be partial, Ellen.' 'Perchance, Thomas, the issue of our interest this day may make you more partial than ever towards my father and myself, though your gain must be our loss.' 'Wolsey, will not that be some consolation to you, when in Oxford, to know my fair cousin here will be daily a loser by your absence?' The youth blushed, feeling conscious that both his hopes and his fears might be excited during his residence at the University; but the color soon disappeared, and he joined in the conversation without any appearance of embarrassment.