The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

LETTICE RODNEY | 4) Thus speaking, his Grace drew forth a packet of journals, which he placed upon the table, and after a little more con- versation, he took his departure. Presently the young woman Phoebe entered the room to clear away the break- fast things, and Lettice, who was standing at the window, inquired, “‘ What is the distance from the bottom of this lane to Oaklands? ”’ “| should think about a mile and a quarter,’ was Phoebe Norwood’s response. ‘‘If you are going there, ma’am, you can’t possibly mistake the road; it is pretty nearly straight, except close by the pond, where the late duke was -murdered, and there it takes a sort of turn.”’ “ Ah,” ejaculated Lettice, with a shudder, ‘‘ the pond where the late duke was murdered is on the roadside? ” and then she said to herself, ‘‘ A comfortable spot to pass at night-time.” | “Oh, yes, ma’am,” rejoined Phoebe; “ that’s the spot where his Grace was murdered a matter of eighteen years ago, or thereabouts. Grandmother says,” she added, in a halt-hushed voice, ‘‘ that he walks.”’ “What do you mean? ” inquired Lettice, hastily. ‘I mean, ma’am,”’ answered the girl, “‘ that the late duke’s ghost haunts the place, and-what’s more, the howlings of his dog have been heard at the same spot in the night- time.”’ “ How absurd! ” ejaculated Lettice, but a shade neverthe- less came over her countenance, and for the remainder of the day she felt an oppression of spirits such as she had not experienced for a long, long time. It must be observed that this day of which we have been writing was Friday. On the following day Christian Ashton had to meet Mr. Redcliffe in the neighbourhood of the turn- pike on the Winchester road. The weather was remarkably fine for that January season, and shortly after two o’clock in the afternoon of this Saturday, Christian set out on his walk from Oaklands. As he was proceeding through the grounds he perceived the Duchess of Marchmont walking with the Honourable Mr. Stanhope. She was not, however, leaning on his arm; nor was there aught in her look to denote that she experienced any particular pleasure in the society of her companion. We have already said that Lavinia was in her thirty-second GOmiGaooks (C(O)