Mr.Datchery, however, was more appreciative.

He found that if he sat with the main door open he would enjoy the passing society of all comers to and fro by the gateway, and would have light enough.

He found that if Mr.and Mrs.Tope, living overhead, used for their own egress and ingress a little side stair that came plump into the Precincts by a door opening outward, to the surprise and inconvenience of a limited public of pedestrians in a narrow way, he would be alone, as in a separate residence.

He found the rent moderate, and everything as quaintly inconvenient as he could desire.

He agreed, therefore, to take the lodging then and there, and money down, possession to be had next evening, on condition that reference was permitted him to Mr.Jasper as occupying the gatehouse, of which on the other side of the gateway, the Verger's hole-in-the-wall was an appanage or subsidiary part.
The poor dear gentleman was very solitary and very sad, Mrs.Tope said, but she had no doubt he would 'speak for her.' Perhaps Mr.Datchery had heard something of what had occurred there last winter?
Mr.Datchery had as confused a knowledge of the event in question, on trying to recall it, as he well could have.