'Why you griping old fellow,' this was addressed to the butler, who had come out to meet them, 'you grow as stingy as your master!--Why don't you offer the lad a little inside clothing? Come, postilion, come, you shall go in and drink my health in a bumper. But first, my boy, lead your horses under that arch, and they escape being wetter.' Then singing, he led the whole train into the back part of the castle. Now this thought of the arch was the luckiest imaginable; for, had any of the grooms by chance staid loitering about the yard, the chaise was then so effectually screened, they could not have seen me descend from it. Turning on the right side of the arch, I crept along the front of the castle, crossed the inner court, and the hall door, with one gentle push, gave me admittance. Had the door been fastened, I must have waited there till Griffiths could steal an opportunity to let me in. In this part of the castle 'twas dark, as darkness itself; but as I had been in this apartment before, and came by the great stair-case, I found my way hither without trip or stumble. Griff----I fancied,--Nay, I'm sure, I heard a noise!--yet, all is silent again.--It was like the creaking of a door, and like something falling.----Rat's probably; the midnight tenants of the mansion. Good God, how slowly the minutes move! only seventeen minutes and a half after twelve!--Astonishing!--that must be hail surely! I never heard rain drive with such impetuosity.--The casements tremble. I could almost fancy the building rocks with the tempest's violence. What wonders will not education, custom, and habit accomplish! Miss Valmont, I dare say, feels no horror in listening to such sounds, nor tracing these murmuring galleries, lonely staircases, &c. I should not exist six months in this castle.--She must, indeed, be a strange unformed being!--Her portrait, that I told you of, hangs in this very room; and on my conscience it would persuade me she is an animated intelligent creature; but I know 'tis impossible; and now and then, when the 6000l. per annum gets a little into the shade, I anticipate fearful things. It is fortunate, Walter, that she has the advantages of person, for, on that account, I shall have a little the less reluctance in showing her to the world, and a little more pleasure in attempting to humanize her.--Yet, I fear, it will be but gawky beauty neither, and that I abominate.--Robust health, no doubt; strong limbs; hanging arms; a gigantic stride; and the open-mouthed stare of a savage!--Oh, dear! I must be fond too, I suppose, as we travel towards matrimony; but I don't feel the least inclined to fondness!--No! although I shall seize her unattired in bed, perhaps.--No: not one wild wish or mischievous thought will enter my bosom.--My pulse will continue to beat evenly.--My blood keep in its temperate course. I shall be a perfect anchorite. For me, she can have no enticements.----My----Merciful! Do I dream?----or----