And when he's seen it fall at last, he'll remember but the fun of the chase; and the bird may get to its tree-top again--if it can--if it can--if it can, my lord! That is what his father was, the last Earl, and that is what he is who left my door but now.

He came to snatch old Soolsby's palace, his nest on the hill, to use it for a telescope, or such whimsies.
He has scientific tricks like his father before him.

Now is it astronomy, and now chemistry, and suchlike; and always it is the Eglington mind, which let God A'mighty make it as a favour.

He would have old Soolsby's palace for his spy-glass, would he then?
It scared him, as though I was the devil himself, to find me here.
I had but come back in time--a day later, and he would have sat here and seen me in the Pit below before giving way.

Possession's nine points were with me; and here I sat and faced him; and here he stormed, and would do this and should do that; and I went on with my work.