They were all pleased with the tapestry, and the ladies offered several conjectures as to the cause of the mutilation. ‘It would be a shame to cover it up again--would it not, Sir Giles?’ I remarked. ‘Indeed it would,’ he assented. ‘If it weren’t for that broken piece,’ said Clara. ‘That spoils it altogether. _I_ should have the books up again as soon as possible.’ ‘It does look shabby,’ said Charley. ‘I can’t say I should enjoy having anything so defective always before my eyes.’ ‘We must have it taken down very carefully, Hobbes,’ said Sir Giles, turning to the carpenter. ‘_Must_ it come down, Sir Giles?’ I interposed. ‘I think it would be risky. No one knows how long it has been there, and though it might hang where it is for a century yet, and look nothing the worse, it can’t be strong, and at best we could not get it down without some injury, while it is a great chance if it would fit any other place half as well.’ ‘What do you propose, then?’ ‘This is the largest room of the six, and the best lighted--with that lovely oriel window: I would venture to propose, Sir Giles, that it should be left clear of books and fitted up as a reading-room.’ ‘But how would you deal with that frightful _lacuna_ in the tapestry?’ said Charley. ‘Yes,’ said Sir Giles; ‘it won’t look handsome, I fear--do what you will.’ ‘I think I know how to manage it,’ I said. ‘If I succeed to your satisfaction, will you allow me to carry out the project?’ ‘But what are we to do with the books, then? We shan’t have room for them.’ ‘Couldn’t you let me have the next room beyond?’ ‘You mean to turn me out, I suppose,’ said Clara. ‘Is there tapestry on your walls?’ I asked. ‘Not a thread--all wainscot--painted.’ ‘Then your room would be the very thing.’ ‘It is much larger than any of these,’ she said. ‘Then do let us have it for the library, Sir Giles,’ I entreated. ‘I will see what Lady Brotherton says,’ he replied, and left the room. In a few minutes we heard his step returning. ‘Lady Brotherton has no particular objection to giving up the room you want,’ he said. ‘Will you see Mrs Wilson, Clara, and arrange with her for your accommodation?’ ‘With pleasure. I don’t mind where I’m put--unless it be in Lord Edward’s room--where the ghost is.’ ‘You mean the one next to ours? There is no ghost there, I assure you,’ said Sir Giles, laughing, as he again left the room with short, heavy steps. ‘Manage it all to your own mind, Mr Cumbermede. I shall be satisfied,’ he called back as he went. ‘Until further notice,’ I said, with grandiloquence, ‘I request that no one may come into this room. If you are kind enough to assort the books we put up yesterday, oblige me by going through the armoury. I must find Mrs Wilson.’ ‘I will go with you,’ said Clara. ‘I wonder where the old thing will want to put me. I’m not going where I don’t like, I can tell her,’ she added, following me down the stair and across the hall and the court.