I assume you are referring to the changes in the Red House
in Book II, once Godfrey Cass has married Nancy Lammeter and sixteen years have passed.
Of course, Book II details some of the series of changes that have occurred in the
characters that we were introduced to in Book I of this fascinating novel, and Godfrey
and Nancy are no exception in that their lives have changed greatly too. We are told
that the Red House has changed greatly because of its new mistress, and Chapter 17 gives
us a description of how in particular the parlour has been
transformed:
A great change has come over the dark wainscoted
parlour since we saw it in Godfrey's bachelor days, and under the wifeless reign of the
old Squire. Now all is polish, on which no yesterday's dust is ever allowed to rest,
from the yard's width of oaken boards round the carpet, to the old Squire's gun and
whips and walking-sticks, ranged on the stag's antlers above the mantelpiece. All other
signs of sporting and outdoor occupation Nancy has moved to another room; but she has
brought into the Red House the habit of filial reverence, and preserves sacredly in a
place of honour these relics of her husband's departed father... All is purity and order
in this once dreary room, for, fifteen years ago, it was entered by a new presiding
spirit.
Thus Nancy has
clearly taken charge of the Red House, looking after it well and preserving the memory
of Godfrey's father with "filial reverence."
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