“It was advertised to be sold for taxes. Then an heir turned up in a Welsh baronet, who spelled his name in the more modern and civilized manner of G-r-i-f-f-i-n, but who was of the same original Welsh stock, the next of kin, and the heir-at-law, though a very, very, very distant cousin. This gentleman did not want this mountain property, and so, as soon as his claim to it was established, he threw the estate into the market, and my father bought it.” “What could have induced Count de la Vera to buy such a place?” “He was looking around for opportunities to invest his money in Virginia lands, being determined to become a citizen of the United States. He thought the Iron Mountain must be rich in the ore that gave it its name, and rich in other ores as well; and that this would be a source of great wealth to his wife and children in the future, if not immediately to himself; for remember that my mother was living at the time of the purchase.” “After what you have told me, dear, I question whether that would be a desirable residence for any one, least of all for you,” said David Lindsay, gravely. “Oh, yes, it would. I particularly wish to go there. Ah, I know not why, but the very savageness of the place attracts me!” exclaimed Gloria. “Who is in charge of the house? Shall we find it habitable? Will there be accommodations for you?” “Oh, yes, I suppose so,” said Gloria, answering the last question first; “the place should be kept up; my father purchased it just as it was, with slaves, stock, carriage and horses, implements, furniture, and everything. He even retained the hired white overseer and the housekeeper who had been in the service of the last owner. I know that Uncle Marcel used to receive their accounts and pay their wages twice every year.” “So you have decided to go to Gryphynshold?” “I have determined to go there,” said Gloria, firmly. “Then I must get a map and trace out our course as well as I can, and afterwards inquire about stages.” “I can tell you that; for once during our summer holiday trips, Marcel and I, being in this city, planned to go and take a look at my mountain stronghold, as he called it. So we left Washington by the six P. M. stage-coach for Winchester; thence to Staunton, and thence to the Greenbriar White Sulphur Springs; but there we found the place so attractive that we went no farther. So I know that we must commence our journey by the stage that leaves here at six o’clock in the evening. What time is it now? Let me see,” she said, as she consulted her diamond-studded little gold watch. “It is half-past one. Now, please ring and order a carriage. I must go out and buy a trunk, a work-box, a writing-desk, a dressing-case, clothes, needles and thread, stationery, combs and brushes, and all such necessaries of a girl’s life, before going into that remote mountain wilderness. And at the same time we can stop at the stage office and take our places.”