"I will go out with you," said Otho. "Endellion is a quaint old place. Men build not houses so now."
We stood outside, and I looked on the grim gray building. Young Peter Trevisa had described it rightly. An old castle still stood. It was mostly a ruin, but well preserved. The house in which I had slept had been modeled somewhat on the lines of the place which had been reared in the far back past.
"It was built in the old feudal days," remarked Otho, nodding towards the ruin. "The Killigrews are an ancient race."
"But the Killigrews have not always lived here?"
"The Rosecarricks have, and the Killigrews were mixed with them many generations ago. Perhaps that is why the newer part of the house was modeled on the old. I am glad the ruins stand so well. I have discovered many a secret place. I love things old, too."
"Old systems, you mean?"
"Yes, I was not thinking of them then,—but do. I love the feudal system. It is the only way a people can be knitted to a crown."
"But the Killigrews are not all in love with the crown," I suggested meaningly.
"No; we are the only branch of the family who do not pay homage to the new order of things. You are a Catholic, so I can speak freely. We long for a Catholic king to reign. We keep up the feudal system somewhat, too. Our tenants are bound to us; so much so, that we could raise many men to help in a cause we espoused."