He opened the doors of several apartments that overlooked the gardens, and an extent of country; but the former was a confused mass of trees, shrubs and weeds, and the country beyond appeared an immense forest.
This was certainly an unpleasant situation to build a superb house on, observed Ferdinand. Our Castle is on a rocky ground, and adjoining to hills and mountains; but they are cultivated and inhabited: Here every thing has the appearance of a desert. Is there no town or village near, for I profess myself entirely unacquainted with this part of the country, from always thinking the woods both dangerous and impenetrable?—"There is a village a few miles distant, but I know not its name," was all the answer.—He then carried him across the gallery to another wing of the building, and opening a door, "Here you may sleep if you please; Francis can find linen for the bed, and shall light a fire, though possibly the chimney may not draw." This room had been handsomely furnished, but it was in a very decayed state,
