"A larger version of this used to hang above the fireplace in the sitting room." Abigail offered the information from the foot of the stair, looking at the portrait of her full family. "But when I came of age, Uncle insisted it be taken down and mine put up."

Sometimes, she had the impulse to take all the portraits down and burn them all. Burn the house, too. Raze it to the ground and salt the earth. But as quickly as the thought came it fluttered away again, and she shook her head at its inconstancy.