They managed to get round to the front of the house, not without some difficulty; and then Hugh saw to his surprise that, although not imposing in appearance, it was in extent more like a baronial residence than that of a simple gentleman.  The front was very long, apparently of all ages, and of all possible styles of architecture, the result being somewhat mysterious and eminently picturesque.  All kinds of windows; all kinds of projections and recesses; a house here, joined to a hall there; here a pointed gable, the very bell on the top overgrown and apparently choked with ivy; there a wide front with large bay windows; and next a turret of old stone, with not a shred of ivy upon it, but crowded over with grey-green lichens, which looked as if the stone itself had taken to growing; multitudes of roofs, of all shapes and materials, so that one might very easily be lost amongst the chimneys and gutters and dormer windows and pinnacles—­made up the appearance of the house on the outside to Hugh’s first inquiring glance, as he paused at a little distance with Harry on his back, and scanned the wonderful pile before him.  But as he looked at the house of Arnstead, Euphra was looking at him with the boy on his back, from one of the smaller windows.  Was she making up her mind?

“You are as kind to me as Euphra,” said Harry, as Hugh set him down in the hall.  “I’ve enjoyed my ride very much, thank you, Mr. Sutherland.  I am sure Euphra will like you very much—­she likes everybody.”

CHAPTER III.

Euphrasia.

then purged with Euphrasy and Rue The visual nerve, for he had much to see.

Paradise Lost, b. xi.

Soft music came to mine ear.  It was like the rising breeze, that whirls, at first, the thistle’s beard; then flies, dark-shadowy, over the grass.  It was the maid of Fuarfed wild:  she raised the nightly song; for she knew that my soul was a stream, that flowed at pleasant sounds.

Ossian.—­Oina-Morul.

Harry led Hugh by the hand to the dining-room, a large oak hall with Gothic windows, and an open roof supported by richly carved woodwork, in the squares amidst which were painted many escutcheons parted by fanciful devices.  Over the high stone carving above the chimney hung an old piece of tapestry, occupying the whole space between that and the roof.  It represented a hunting-party of ladies and gentlemen, just setting out.  The table looked very small in the centre of the room, though it would have seated twelve or fourteen.  It was already covered for luncheon; and in a minute Euphra entered and took her place without a word.  Hugh sat on one side and Harry on the other.  Euphra, having helped both to soup, turned to Harry and said, “Well, Harry, I hope you have enjoyed your first lesson.”

“Very much,” answered Harry with a smile.  “I have learned pigs and horseback.”

“The boy is positively clever,” thought Hugh.