Thanking the old woman for her direction she went along the dark passage, and came into the large school-room.

And this was to be filled with books! She looked at the maps and diagrams for a few moments; though it was so bright a day, the place still kept much of its chill and gloom.

Gilbert had told her of the rooms up above, and she thought she might as well complete her knowledge of the building by seeing them.

At the first landing on the staircase she came to a window by which the sun streamed in brilliantly: the rays gladdened her.

It was nice that the old woman had remained behind; the sense of being quite alone, together with the sudden radiance, affected her with a desire to utter her happiness, and as she went on she sang in a sweet undertone, sang without words, pure music of her heart.
In one of the two rooms above, Egremont happened to be taking certain measurements.