|Captain Danvers lias already been described as a handsome young man
of about five-and-twenty, and it may now be added that he was tall,
well-made, and had marked features--the manly character of his
physiognomy being heightened by his brown moustaches.
A dark velveteen shooting-coat, boots of supple leather, that ascended
to the knee, where they were met by a pair of knickerbockers--loose,
Dutch-looking trousers--formed his costume, while his brown curling
locks were covered by a black felt hat. Such as it was, the dress suited
him, and both ladies thought it very becoming.
Captain Danvers was in a cavalry regiment, which was quartered at
Madras, and he had recently come home on leave. His father, Sir Gerard
Danvers, resided at Offham Court, in Kent, and was thought very wealthy.
Unluckily Charles Danvers was not an eldest son.
The party had now entered the park, and were proceeding along a fine
avenue leading to the house, which stood right in front of them.
Brackley Hall, which was in admirable preservation considering its
great antiquity, dated back to the period of Edward the Fourth, or even
earlier.
Constructed almost entirely of timber and plaster, it was remarkable for
the singularity of its form. It was only three storeys high, the upper
storey projecting far beyond the lower, but the summit of the building
was occupied by a lofty gallery, more than a hundred feet in length,
that looked externally like a lantern, since it had continuous ranges of
windows on every side.
Most curious was the timber-work, the gables and lintels being richly
carved, as was the porch. The immense bay windows, which constituted
the chief beauty of the house, were framed with heavy transom bars, and
exquisitely latticed.
In the court-yard was a chapel, surmounted in olden times by a tall,
square tower, but this had been taken down.
The hall was surrounded by a moat, and approached by a wide stone
bridge. Another bridge communicated with the gardens, which were
extensive, and laid out in a quaint, formal style, with terraces,
stone steps, fountains, quincunxes, clipped yew-trees, alleys, and a
bowling-green. We must not omit to mention that the old mansion had the
reputation of being haunted.
Adjoining the house was a grove of noble elms, wherein a colony of rooks
had been settled for centuries.
About half a mile off, at the rear of the mansion, was a small lake, or
mere, remarkable for the blackness of its water. But black as was the
mere, it abounded with fish, and at certain times of the year was a
great resort of wild fowl.
Captain Danvers had sent on his groom to the hall to inform Sir
Leycester and Lady Barfleur that Mrs. Calverley was coming on to call on
them, and also to explain what had occurred.
Consequently, when the ladies had crossed the bridge and entered the
court, they found Sir Leycester and Lady Barfleur, with the fair
Emmeline, waiting to receive them, and they had no sooner alighted than
they were overwhelmed with expressions of sympathy. Some of the servants
who were assembled in the court seemed likewise greatly excited.
Sir Leycester, an old fox-hunter and rather choleric, was excessively
wroth, and vowed he would never rest till he had caught the rascals. He
had no idea whatever, he said, that the country was infested with such
vermin, but catch them he would. Mrs. Calverley endeavoured to dissuade
him from his purpose, but in vain. “I only waited to see you, or I
should have been off before,” he said. “You'll excuse me quitting you so
abruptly, since I am going on your business.”
“But I'd much rather you didn't go, Sir Leycester,” said Mrs. Calverley.
“I'm afraid the gipsies may offer a desperate resistance.”
“I'm sure they will,” added Mildred.
“No matter; I'll have them!” rejoined Sir Leycester.
“If you really are going on this gipsy-hunt, my dear uncle, I'll go with
you,” said Captain Danvers.
“No, no; I don't want you, Charles,” rejoined Sir Leycester. “Remain
with the ladies. You must stay till I return, my dear Mrs. Calverley.”
She promised that she would; and, after a word or two with Lady
Barfleur, he proceeded to the stables, and ordered a hunter to be
saddled immediately. He also told Booth, the coachman, on whom he could
place reliance, that he should require him and a couple of grooms to
attend him.
While the horses were being saddled, a footman brought a brace of
pistols, which Sir Leycester had sent for.
Armed with these, and accompanied by Booth, and one of his own grooms,
together with his nephew's groom, Tom, he set out on the expedition,
shaping his course towards the further side of the morass, where he
expected to find some traces of the robbers.