At this time we were living in what may be called a very respectable style for people who made no pretence to ostentation.

On the skirts of a large village stood a square red-brick house, about the date of Queen Anne.

Upon the top of the house was a balustrade,--why, Heaven knows, for nobody, except our great tom-cat, Ralph, ever walked upon the leads; but so it was, and so it often is in houses from the time of Elizabeth, yea, even to that of Victoria.

This balustrade was divided by low piers, on each of which was placed a round ball.

The centre of the house was distinguishable by an architrave in the shape of a triangle, under which was a niche,--probably meant for a figure; but the figure was not forthcoming.