The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

LETTICE RODNEY 9 of some dark form disappearing in the shade of the hedge which skirted the road. She was not naturally a coward, — very far from it, — but she could not help trembling all over, half with a superstitious fear, and half with the dread lest some evil-disposed person should be dogging her footsteps. She was somewhat inclined to retrace her way to the farm- house, but this would be to abandon the enterprise in which she had embarked, and on account of which she had already received so signal a proof of the Duke of Marchmont’s munificence. Therefore, mustering up all her courage, she continued her route. In a few minutes she reached the pond which she knew to have been the spot where the murder was committed, although she was now threading this road for the first time. Through the folds of her veil her eyes glanced rapidly around, and she could scarcely keep back a scream as she beheld, either in fancy or reality, a dark shape on the opposite side of the hedge which bounded the pond. It instantaneously disappeared, and speeding forward, Lettice strove hard to persuade herself that it was merely imagination. “‘ Nevertheless,” she thought, “‘ if these nocturnal journeys are to be frequently repeated, I must positively solicit his Grace to give me some escort. Not,’ she added, as she thus mused, “‘ that I am afraid of preternatural appearances, — no, no, that is sheer nonsense, — but it is not altogether safe thus to be out so late and in such a lonely road. Yes, as- suredly it was only my imagination, and yet it was strange that I should twice fancy I beheld that dark shape.” Lettice continued her way, but frequently glancing around, and ever and anon pausing to listen whether foot- steps were in reality pursuing her. Nothing more, however, occurred to frighten her, and as she entered the grounds belonging to Oaklands, she felt ashamed of the apprehensions to which she had given way. The duke had so accurately described the exact path which she was to take through the shrubberies and the gardens that she had no difficulty in following his instructions, especially as she was so well aided by the clear starlight. That starlight bathed the antique edifice in its argentine lustre, and made the tal! chimneys and the pointed roofs stand out in bold relief against the blue sky. All was still, save the rustling of the evergreens as well as of her own dress, and the light CORNICLOO <S) (C) mM