A year or two before I was born the entail was cut off by my father and grandfather; so that I saw the venerable place only to lose it; at least, I believe that's the truth of the case.

But my knowledge of the transaction is not profound, and it is a delicate point on which to question one's father.' Paula assented, and looked at the interesting and noble figure of the man whose parents had seemingly righted themselves at the expense of wronging him.
'The pictures and furniture were sold about the same time, I think ?' said Charlotte.
'Yes,' murmured De Stancy.

'They went in a mad bargain of my father with his visitor, as they sat over their wine.

My father sat down as host on that occasion, and arose as guest.' He seemed to speak with such a courteous absence of regret for the alienation, that Paula, who was always fearing that the recollection would rise as a painful shadow between herself and the De Stancys, felt reassured by his magnanimity.
De Stancy looked with interest round the gallery; seeing which Paula said she would have lights brought in a moment.
'No, please not,' said De Stancy.

'The room and ourselves are of so much more interesting a colour by this light!' As they moved hither and thither, the various expressions of De Stancy's face made themselves picturesquely visible in the unsteady shine of the blaze.