On the central portion of the building rested a
great dome-shaped roof, resembling ground glass of a pale reddish tint,
producing the effect of a cloud resting on the stony summit of a hill.
I remained standing on the grass about thirty yards from the first steps
after the others had gone in, all but the old gentleman, who still kept
with me. By-and-by, withdrawing to a stone bench under an oak-tree, he
motioned to me to take a seat by his side. He said nothing, but appeared
to be quietly enjoying my undisguised surprise and admiration.
"A noble mansion!" I remarked at length to my venerable host, feeling,
Englishman-like, a sudden great access of respect towards the owner of a
big house. Men in such a position can afford to be as eccentric as they
like, even to the wearing of Carnivalesque garments, burying their
friends or relations in a park, and shaking their heads over such names
as Smith or Shakespeare. "A glorious place! It must have cost a pot of
money, and taken a long time to build."
"What you mean by _a pot of money_ I do not know," said he.
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