The eating room and drawing-room, with an interior boudoir, were magnificent apartments, the ceiling was fretted and adorned with stucco-work, which already was broken in many places, and looked in others damp and mouldering; the wood panelling was shrunk and warped, and cracked; the doors, which had not been hung for more than two years, were, nevertheless, already swinging loose from their hinges.

Desolation, in short, was where enjoyment had never been; and the want of all the usual means to preserve was fast performing the work of decay.
The story was a common one, and told in a few words.

Mr.Treddles, senior, who bought the estate, was a cautious, money-making person.

His son, still embarked in commercial speculations, desired at the same time to enjoy his opulence and to increase it.

He incurred great expenses, amongst which this edifice was to benumbered.