dered it probable that it would not stand a very violent
assault.

Wherefore, retreating some twenty paces, I ran at it _more Etonensi_,
at the top of my speed, planted the sole of my foot even and square
against the key-hole, with the whole impetus of my charge, and had the
satisfaction of feeling the door fly open in an instant, while a
jingling clatter within showed that my entrance had been effected with
no greater damage to the premises than the starting of the staple into
which the bolt of the lock shot.

Having entered thus, my first task was to repair damages, which was
effected in five minutes, by driving the staple into its old place by
aid of a great stone; my second, to provide means for future visits,
which was as speedily managed by driving back the bolt of the lock
with the same great stone; and my third, to look eagerly and curiously
about me. To do this more effectually, I soon opened the two windows
looking upon the lawn, and let in the light, for the first time, I
fancy, in many a year, to that deserted room.

If I had marveled much before I entered, much more did I marvel now;
for although every thing within showed marks of the utmost negligence
and decay, though spiders had woven their webs in every angle, though
mildew and damp mould had defaced the painted walls, though the
gilding was black and tarnished, though the dust lay thick on the
furniture, still I had never seen any thing in my life, except the
state-rooms at Hampton Court and Windsor Castle, which could have vied
with this pavilion in the splendor of its original decoration.

Its area was about thirty feet in diameter, and in height nearly the
same, with a domed roof, richly fretted with what had once been golden
scroll-work upon an azure ground. The walls were painted, as even _I_
could discover, by the hand of a master, with copies from Guido and
Caracci, in compartments bordered with massive gilded scroll-work, the
ground between the panels having been originally, like the ceiling, of
bright azure. The window-frames had been gilded; and the inside of the
door painted, like the walls, in azure, with pictures of high merit in
the panels. Every side of the octagon but two, the opposite walls to
the right and left, were occupied by windows or a door; but that to
the right was filled by a mantel-piece, exquisitely wrought with
Caryatides in white Carrara marble, with a copy of the Aurora above
it, while the space opposite to it had be