Chapter 13

           MarlowisoneofthepleasantestrivercentresIknowof. Itisabustling,livelylittletown;notverypicturesqueonthewhole,itistrue,buttherearemanyquaintnooksandcornerstobefoundinit, nevertheless—standingarchesintheshatteredbridgeofTime,overwhichourfancytravelsbacktothedayswhenMarlowManorownedSaxonAlgarforitslord,ereconqueringWilliamseizedittogivetoQueenMatilda,ereitpassedtotheEarlsofWarwickortoworldly-wiseLordPaget,thecouncilloroffoursuccessivesovereigns. 

           Thereislovelycountryroundaboutit,too,if,afterboating,youarefondofawalk,whiletheriveritselfisatitsbesthere. DowntoCookham,pasttheQuarryWoodsandthemeadows,isalovelyreach. DearoldQuarryWoods!withyournarrow,climbingpaths,andlittlewindingglades,howscentedtothishouryouseemwithmemoriesofsunnysummerdays! Howhauntedareyourshadowyvistaswiththeghostsoflaughingfaces! howfromyourwhisperingleavestheresoftlyfallthevoicesoflongago! 

           FromMarlowuptoSonningisevenfaireryet. GrandoldBishamAbbey,whosestonewallshaverungtotheshoutsoftheKnightsTemplars,andwhich,atonetime,wasthehomeofAnneofClevesandatanotherofQueenElizabeth,ispassedontherightbankjusthalfamileaboveMarlowBridge. BishamAbbeyisrichinmelodramaticproperties. Itcontainsatapestrybed-chamber,andasecretroomhidhighupinthethickwalls.