The carving was exceedingly delicate.
I rose to examine it more narrowly. As I did so, my eyes fell on three
letters, cut in flowing italic capitals upon a plain boss of wood
immediately over the frame, and I spelt out the word _FVI_.
_Fui_--the word was simple enough; but what of its associations?
Why should it begin to stir up again those memories which were memories
of nothing? _Fui_--"I have been"; but what the dickens have I been?
The landlord came in with my dinner.
"Ah!" said he, "you're looking at our masterpiece, I see."
"Tell me," I asked; "do you know why this word is written here, over the
mirror?"
"I've heard my wife say, sir, it was the motto of the Cardinnocks that
used to own this house. Ralph Cardinnock, father to the last squire,
built it. You'll see his initials up there, in the top corners of the
frame--R. C.--one letter in each corner."
As he spoke it, I knew this name--Cardinnock--for that which had been
haunting me. I seated myself at table, saying--
"They lived at Tremenhuel, I suppose. Is the family gone?--died out?"
"Why yes; and the way of it was a bit curious, too."
"You might sit down and tell me about it," I said, "while I begin my
dinner.
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