THE HAUNTED WOMAN (Unabridged). David Lindsay
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place Marshall slowed down to inquire the way, and was instructed to take the left-hand fork about a mile further on. Runhill Court would be, roughly, three miles north-west from that point, but the road was a complicated one.
The Downs were on their left. Chanctonbury Ring, with its crest of dark trees, dominated the whole country. The sun blazed, while a plague of flies swarmed round the car, which had to crawl as soon as they entered the puzzling network of by-lanes. They met few people, and the way was hard to pick up, in consequence of which it was already nearing twelve when at last they drew up before the lodge gate at their destination.
Beyond the gate a winding carriage drive went forward to the house, which was out of sight; it was bordered on either side by the usual shrubbery of rhododendrons, hollies, etc. on the left, again, was a rising park, containing some fine specimens of beech, while to the right a real wood appeared, the extent of which, however could not be seen. An ancient, moss-grown, red brick wall bounded the estate. On the other side of the narrow lane which passed the lodge were meadow lands, fringed by a line of tall elms, which effectually shut out the view. It was a solitary and charming spot. The air was peculiarly sweet, clean, yet heavy with fragrance.
As Marshall was in the act of getting down, a middle-aged woman emerged from the lodge. She was smoothing her dress and hair, and evidently had just removed an apron.
He produced Judge’s order. The woman took it in her hand and proceeded to read it, passing her thumb under each line form side to side of the sheet, while her lips silently framed the words. She was a tall, big-boned, fresh-complexioned person, of the upper-servant type; handsome, in a common way, but with sarcastic eyes. Her hair was thick and yellow.
Having examined the signature musingly, she turned again to him.
“When did you want to see the house, sir?”
“Now, if we may.”
She stared at one of the buttons of his coat. “That makes it rather awkward, sir. I gave the house-key to an American gentleman a short time back, and he’s still over there. Will you wait?”
“I didn’t know you admitted the general public.”
“We don’t, sir. This was another order, like yours.”
“Someone Mr. Judge picked up on the other side, no doubt. . . . Well, Mrs. . . . ”
“Mrs. Priday, sir.”
“Well, Mrs. Priday, I don’t see that it matters at all; we shan’t interfere with each other. As the house is open, I suppose we can get in?”
“Oh, yes — but did you wish me to show you over?”
“If you will.”
“I must find my husband first, before I can leave the lodge. He’s working somewhere in the grounds; he’s head gardener here. Will the ladies step inside and wait, sir?”
“Well, look here, Mrs. Priday — we’re somewhat pressed for time, so if you’ll open the gate we’ll just run up to the house and be starting. You can follow when you’re ready.”
“As you please, sir,” replied the caretaker, with an almost imperceptible shrug. She proceeded, without any great show of alacrity, to unlatch and swing open the carriage-gate, and meanwhile Marshall returned to the car, which a minute later passed slowly through the entrance to the drive.
Travelling at low speed, they obtained round the first bend, about three hundred yards further on, their first view of the house. It stood on high ground, and cool, dark-green lawns sloped down from it on all four sides. The front, which they approached, faced the south-east. It was a large edifice, in the Elizabethan style, but the exterior had been so renovated and smartened — perhaps by Judge — that it looked almost a modern erection. The irregular, many-gabled roof was bright with new tiles, the facing of red bricks on the ground storey had been pointed recently, while the two upper storeys were plastered with dazzling white stucco.
The house was long-fronted, possessing a double row of lattice windows overlooking the gravel terrace at the head of the lawn. A small, square wing, about thirty feet in height, jutted from the left end of the front, and appeared to belong to a different order of architecture. This was the famous thirteenth-century hall, built during the reign of the first Edward. It’s steeply-pointed roof was covered with grey slates. The wide double-door was resplendent with dark green paint and highly polished brass.
Mrs. Moor, as she continued to gaze at it, reflected that the possession of so stylish and picturesque a dwelling would not disgrace her in the eyes of her social circle.
“One might live here very comfortably, Isbel?”
Her niece gave a smile of vexation. “Since you have absolutely determined to immure yourself in the heart of the wilds.”
“Pray don’t let us thrash that out again,” said the old lady. “The suburbs I cannot endure, town flats are prisons, while hotels will be impossible after you’ve left me. Here, at all events, I should have space and independence.”
Isbel turned away without replying.
The car stopped outside the hall porch, with its green door. It was exactly mid-day. The sun glared down, but a refreshing breeze fanned their faces. The house was built on such an elevation that they could see a section of the distant country before them — Adur valley, with the Downs on both flanks, and, right down at its mouth, the sea at Shoreham.
Marshall stamped the ground with his foot. “This must be the original Run Hill that we’re standing on.”
“Has it a history, then?” asked Isbel.
“Every place must have a history. To me, the mere fact that the ancient Saxons knew it by the same name is rather inspiring.”
“Because you’re of Saxon blood. I’m a Celt.”
“As if that had anything to do with it.”
“And then, Saxons is a very general term. There were Saxon rustics, and there were Saxon pirates. If you’re referring to the latter I might feel sympathetic. It must be awfully jolly to annihilate people you don’t like.”
“Possibilities, anyhow.”
Mrs. Moor became impatient. “Did we come here to discuss your character, Isbel, or to see the house?”
Isbel grimaced in silence, and jerked back once again the veil which kept straying over her shoulder.
Having locked the wheel of the car Marshall walked across to the hall door, and tried the handle. The door opened smoothly and noiselessly. The ladies discarded their wraps, and followed him into the house.
A small lobby brought them to the main hall. Its age, loftiness, and dim light reminded them of an ancient chapel. It was two storeys in height; everything was of wood. The dark-oak, angular roof was crossed by massive beams, the walls were wainscoted, the floor was of polished oak, relieved only by a few Persian rugs, of dignified colours. At the back of the hall, halfway up, a landing, or gallery, ran across its entire breadth. It was reached by a wide staircase, with shallow steps, heavily carpeted, which formed the right-hand exit of the downstairs chamber. Two doors were underneath the gallery, communicating with the interior of the house. A big, ancient fireplace occupied the centre of one of the side walls; against the opposite one stood a modern steam-heating apparatus. Three perpendicular windows over the lobby-door had alternate diamond panes of coloured and uncoloured glass; the colours were dark blue and crimson, and whatever object these rays fell upon was made beautiful and sombre . . . The woodwork was in excellent repair, and appeared newly polished. All the appointments of the hall were bright, spotless, and in perfect condition. Judge evidently had had the place thoroughly restored and redecorated. And yet the general effect was not quite satisfactory. Somehow, it was discordant . . .
Marshall gazed around him with an uncertain air.
“Rather over-modernised, isn’t it? I mean, a place like this ought to be more a museum.”
“Not at