'This is the first gentleman's seat I have seen since we left England,'
said Freeman.
'There must have been a fine coming of age here,' rejoined Trueman.
'As for that,' replied Freeman, 'comings of age depend in a manner upon
meat and drink. They ain't in noways to be carried out with coffee and
pipes. Without oxen roasted whole, and broached hogsheads, they ain't in
a manner legal.'
A horseman, who was ahead of the Emir and Tancred, now began beating
with a stick on two small tabors, one on each side of his saddle, and
thus announced to those who were already on the watch, the approach of
their lord. It was some time, however, before the road, winding through
the sycamore trees and gradually ascending, brought them to the outworks
of the castle, of which, during their progress, they enjoyed a variety
of views. It was a very extensive pile, in excellent condition, and
apparently strongly fortified. A number of men, in showy dresses and
with ornamented arms, were clustered round the embattled gateway, which
introduced the travellers into a quadrangle of considerable size, and of
which the light and airy style pleasingly and suitably contrasted with
the sterner and more massive character of the exterior walls. A fountain
rose in the centre of the quadrangle which was surrounded by arcades.
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