He was sitting by the window, watching the ruined gold leaves from the yellowing trees fly through the air, and the red leaves dancing madly down the long avenue. His head was leaning on his hand, and his whole attitude was one of extreme depression.

Indeed, so forlorn, and so much out of repair did he look, that little Virginia, whose first idea had been to run away and lock herself in her room, was filled with pity, and determined to try and comfort him.

So light was her footfall, and so deep his melancholy, that he was not aware of her presence till she spoke to him.

'I am so sorry for you,' she said, 'but my brothers are going back to Eton to-morrow, and then, if you behave yourself, no one will annoy you.'

'It is absurd asking me to behave myself', he answered, looking round in astonishment at the pretty little girl who had ventured to address him, 'quite absurd'.

'I must rattle my chains, and groan through keyholes, and walk about at night, if that is what you mean. It is my only reason for existing.'