avesetitdownwithallbeliefthatitoccurredevenasisheresetforth.AndIwouldhaveyoubelieve,mysons,thatthesameJusticewhichpunishessinmayalsomostgraciouslyforgiveit,andthatnobanissoheavybutthatbyprayerandrepentanceitmayberemoved.Learnthenfromthisstorynottofearthefruitsofthepast,butrathertobecircumspectinthefuture,thatthosefoulpassionswherebyourfamilyhassufferedsogrievouslymaynotagainbeloosedtoourundoing.
“KnowthenthatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion(thehistoryofwhichbythelearnedLordClarendonImostearnestlycommendtoyourattention)thisManorofBaskervillewasheldbyHugoofthatname,norcanitbegainsaidthathewasamostwild,profane,andgodlessman.This,intruth,hisneighboursmighthavepardoned,seeingthatsaintshaveneverflourishedinthoseparts,buttherewasinhimacertainwantonandcruelhumourwhichmadehisnameaby-wordthroughtheWest.ItchancedthatthisHugocametolove(if,indeed,sodarkapassionmaybeknownundersobrightaname)thedaughterofayeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate.Buttheyoungmaiden,beingdiscreetandofgoodrepute,wouldeveravoidhim,forshefearedhisevilname.SoitcametopassthatoneMichaelmasthisHugo,withfiveorsixofhisidleandwickedcompanions,stoledownuponthefarmandcarriedoffthemaiden,herfatherandbrothersbeingfromhome,ashewellknew.WhentheyhadbroughthertotheHallthemaidenwasplacedinanupperchamber,whileHugoandhisfriendssatdowntoalongcarouse,aswastheirnightlycustom.Now,thepoorlassupstairswasliketohaveherwitsturnedatthesingingandshoutingandterribleoathswhichcameuptoherfrombelow,fortheysaythatthewordsusedbyHugoBaskerville,whenhewasinwine,weresuchasmightblastthemanwhosaidthem.Atlastinthestressofherfearshedidthatwhichmighthavedauntedthebravestormostactiveman,forbytheaidofthegrowthofivywhichcovered(andstillcovers)thesouthwallshecamedownfromundertheeaves,andsohomewardacrossthemoor,therebeingthreeleaguesbetwixttheHallandherfather’sfarm.
“ItchancedthatsomelittletimelaterHugolefthisgueststocarryfoodanddrink—withotherworsethings,perchance—tohiscaptive,andsofoundthecageem