The objections were quickly over-ruled. It was rather isolated, said Miss Miles, standing, as was not difficult to trace in its name, on a point of land--a corner rather--with sea on two sides. It had not been lived in, save spasmodically, for some years, for the late owner was one of those happy, or unhappy people, who have more houses than they can use, and the present one was a minor. Eventually it was to be overhauled and some additions and alterations made, but the trustees would be glad to let it at a moderate rent for some months, and had intended putting it into some agents' hands when Mr. Miles happened to meet one of them, who mentioned it to him. There was nothing against it; it was absolutely healthy. But the furniture was old and shabby, and there was none too much of it. If we wanted to have visitors we should certainly require to add to it. This, however, could easily be done, our informant went on to say. There was a very good upholsterer and furniture dealer at Raxtrew, the nearest town, who was in the habit of hiring out things to the officers at the fort. "Indeed," she added, "we often pick up charming old pieces of furniture from him for next to nothing, so you could both hire and buy." Of course, we should have visitors--and our own house would not be the worse for some additional chairs and tables here and there, in place of some excellent monstrosities Phil and Nugent and I had persuaded mother to get rid of. "If I go down to spy the land with father," I said, "I shall certainly go to the furniture dealer's and have a good look about me." I did go with father. I was nineteen--it is four years ago--and a capable sort of girl. Then I was the only one who had not been ill, and mother had been the worst of all, mother and Dormy--poor little chap--for _he_ nearly died. He is the youngest of us--we are four boys and two girls. Sophy was then fifteen. My own name is Leila. If I attempted to give any idea of the impression Finster St. Mabyn's made upon us, I should go on for hours. It simply took our breath away. It really felt like going back a few centuries merely to enter within the walls and gaze round you. And yet we did not see it to any advantage, so at least said the two Miles's who were our guides. It was a gloomy day, with the feeling of rain not far off, early in April. It might have been November, though it was not cold. "You can scarcely imagine what it is on a bright day," said Janet, eager, as people always are in such circumstances, to show off her _trouvaille_. "The lights and shadows are so exquisite." "I love it as it is," I said. "I don't think I shall ever regret having seen it first on a grey day. It is just perfect."