The ceiling was, in consequence of these alterations, comparatively low, but though much mutilated, retained evident traces of having been at one time richly decorated, with the raised mouldings and pendants common in the sixteenth century.

At one end of the loft was a species of coved and elaborately carved dado, of which the former use was not obvious; but the large original room had without doubt been divided in length as Well as in height, as the lath-and-plaster walls at either end of the loft had evidently been no part of the ancient structure.
My brother sat down in one of the old chairs, and seemed to be collecting his strength before speaking.

My anxiety was momentarily increasing, and it was a great relief when he began, talking in a low voice as one that had much to say and wished to husband his strength.
"I do not know whether you will recollect my having told you of something Mr.Gaskell once said about the music of Graziani's 'Areopagita' suite.

It had always, he used to say, a curious effect upon his imagination, and the melody of the _Gagliarda_ especially called up to his thoughts in some strange way a picture of a certain hall where people were dancing.

He even went so far as to describe the general appearance of the room itself, and of the persons who were dancing there." "Yes," I answered, "I remember your telling me of this;" and indeed my memory had in times past so often rehearsed Mr.Gaskell's description that, although I had not recently thought of it, its chief features immediately returned to my mind.
"He described it," my brother continued, "as a long hall with an arcade of arches running down one side, of the fantastic Gothic of the Renaissance.