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gallery； up another flight； down another passage； to his own room。 He
had expressly written 'his own room；' and confirmed it on his arrival；
or Mrs。 Drew would have lodged him as she thought more suitably for the
master of the house。 Nothing had been done to alter its old familiar
aspect； except lighting a fire； which he had never seen there before。
There were all his boyish treasures； his bows and arrows； his
collection of birds' wings； his wonderful weapons and contrivances；
from his fire…balloon down to the wren's…egg； all just as he left them；
their good condition attesting the care that Mrs。 Drew had taken for
his sake。
He renewed his acquaintance with them with a sort of regretful
affection and superiority； but there was a refreshment in these old
memories which aided the new feeling of life imparted to him by his
resolution to bear。 Nor had he only to bear； he had also to do； and
before the late hour at which he fell asleep； he had made up his mind
what was the first step to be taken about Coombe Priory； and had
remembered with rejoicing that whereas he had regretted leaving the
chapel at college which had so comforted and helped him； there was now
daily service at Redclyffe Church。 The last thing in his mind； before
reflection was lost in sleep； was this stanza
Gales from Heaven； if so He will；
Sweeter melodies may wake
On the lowly mountain rill
Than the meeting waters make。
Who hath the Father and the Son；
May be left； but not alone。
CHAPTER 22
And when the solemn deep church…bell
Entreats the soul to pray；
The midnight phantoms feel the spell；
The shadows sweep away。
Down the broad Vale of Tears afar；
The spectral camp is fled；
Faith shineth as a morning star；
Our ghastly fears are dead。LONGFELLOW
Mr。 Ashford was a connection of Lady Thorndale's； and it was about a
year since the living of Redclyffe had been presented to him。 Mr。 and
Mrs。 Ashford were of course anxious to learn all they could about their
young squire； on whom the welfare of the parish depended； even more
than in most cases； as the whole was his property。 Their expectations
were not raised by Mr。 Markham's strenuous opposition to all their
projects； and his constant appeals to the name of 'Sir Guy'； but； on
the other
hand； they were pleased by the strong feeling of affection that all the
villagers manifested for their landlord。
The inhabitants of Redclyffe were a primitive race； almost all related
to each other； rough and ignorant； and with a very strong feudal
feeling for 'Sir Guy；' who was king； state； supreme authority； in their
eyes； and Mrs。 Ashford further found that 'Master Morville；' as the old
women called him in his individual character； was regarded by them with
great personal affection。
On the occasion when Captain Morville came to Redclyffe； and left James
Thorndale to spend a couple of hours at the parsonage； they
interrogated the latter anxiously on his acquaintance with Sir Guy。 He
had not the least idea of creating prejudice； indeed； he liked him as a
companion； but he saw everything through the medium of his friend； and
spoke something to this effect： He was very agreeable； they would like
his manners； he was tolerably clever； but not to be named in the same
day with his cousin for abilities； far less in appearance。 Very
pleasant； generally liked； decidedly a taking man； but there was some
cloud over him just nowdebts； probably。 Morville had been obliged to
go to Oxford about it； but Mr。 Thorndale did not profess to understand
it； as of course Morville said as little of it as he could。 Thereupon
all began to admire the aforesaid Morville； already known by report；
and whose fine countenance and sensible conversation confirmed all that
had been said of him。
And as； after his interference； Mr。 Markham's opposition became surly；
as well as sturdy； and Sir Guy's name was sure to stand arrayed against
them whichever way they turned； the younger part of the family learnt
to regard him somewhat in the light of an enemy； and their elders
awaited his majority with more of fear than of hope。
'Mamma！' cried Edward Ashford； rushing in； so as to bring the first
news to his mother； who had not been to the early service； 'I do
believe Sir Guy is come！'
'Sir Guy was at church！' shouted Robert； almost at the same moment。
Mr。 Ashford confirmed the intelligence。
'I saw him speaking； after church； to some of the old men； so
afterwards I went to ask old John Barton； and found him with tears in
his eyes； positively trembling with delight； for he said he never
thought to have heard his cheery voice again； and that he was coming
down by and by to see the last letter from Ben； at sea。'
'That is very nice！ Shall you call？'
'Yes。 Even if he is only here for a day or two； it will be better to
have made the acquaintance。'
Mr。 Ashford went to the Park at two in the afternoon； and did not
return till near four。
'Well；' said he； 'it is as James Thorndale says； there is something
very prepossessing about him。'
'Have you been there all this time？'
'Yes。 He was not at home； so I left my card； and was coming away； when
I met him at the turn leading to the Cove。 He need not have seen me
unless he had liked； but he came up in a good…natured cordial way； and
thanked me for coming to call。'
'Is he like his cousin？'
'Not in the least； not nearly so tall or so handsome； but with a very
pleasant face； and seeming made up of activity； very slight； as if he
was all bone and sinew。 He said he was going to see the Christmas ox
at the farm； and asked me to come with him。 Presently we came to a
high gate； locked up。 He was over it in an instant； begged me to wait
while he ran on to the farm for the key； and was back in a second with
it。'
'Did he enter on any of the disputed subjects！'
'He began himself about the school； saying the house should be altered
directly； and talked over the whole matter very satisfactorily；
undertook himself to speak to Jenny Robinson； and was very glad to hear
you meant her still to keep the infants at the Cove； so I hope that
matter is in a right train。'
'If Mr。 Markham will but let him。'
'0； he is king or more here！ We met Markham at the farm； and the first
thing； after looking at the cattle； Sir Guy found some planks lying
about； and said they were the very thing for flooring the school。
Markham mentioned some barn they were intended for； but Sir Guy said
the school must be attended to at once； and went with us to look at it。
That was what kept me so long； measuring and calculating； and I hope it
may be begun in a week。'
'This is delightful！ What more could we wish？'
'I don't think he will give trouble in parish matters； and in personal
intercourse he will be sure to be most ag