"
"Then your objection falls to the ground. If you could have told me
that one had tried to find the place, but without success, I would
have admitted some force in it, though it would not have satisfied
me without knowing the plans he had taken, and how they were carried
out. On the other hand it may have been known to many who held their
peace about it.--Would you not like to know the truth concerning
that too?"
"I should indeed. But would not you be sorry to lose another
mystery?"
"On the contrary, there is only the rumour of a mystery now, and we
do not quite believe it. We are not at liberty, in the name of good
sense, to believe it yet. But if we find the room, or the space even
where it may be, we shall probably find also a mystery--something
never in this world to be accounted for, but suggesting a hundred
unsatisfactory explanations. But, pardon me, I do not in the least
presume to press it."
Lady Arctura smiled.
"You may do what you please," she said. "If I seemed for a moment to
hesitate, it was only that I wondered what my uncle would say to it.
I should not like to vex him."
"Certainly not; but would he not be pleased?"
"I will speak to him, and find out. He hates what he calls
superstition, and I fancy has curiosity enough not to object to a
search. I do not think he would consent to pulling down, but short
of that, I don't think he will mind.
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