The pile stood there, the epitome of the story of an ancient race, the precipitate from its vanished life--a hard core that had gathered in the vaporous mass of history--the all of solid that remained to witness of the past.
She came again to herself with a start.

Lady Margaret had stood quietly waiting for her mood to change.

Dorothy apologised, but her mistress only smiled and said, 'I am in no haste, child.

I like to see another impressed as I was when first I stood just where you stand now.

Come, then, I will show you something different.' She led the way along the southern side of the court until they came to the end of the chapel, opposite which an archway pierced the line of building, and revealed the mighty bulk of the citadel, the only portion of the castle, except the kitchen-tower, continuing impregnable to enlarged means of assault: gunpowder itself, as yet far from perfect in composition and make, and conditioned by clumsy, uncertain, and ill-adjustable artillery, was nearly powerless against walls more than ten feet in thickness.
I have already mentioned that one peculiarity of Raglan was a distinct moat surrounding its keep.