(Story begins here.)
The Master and housekeeper arrived at the base of the grand stairs without much fan-fare and the two of them made their way to the main door that just a couple of hours ago Anton had first gone out for his solitary walk. Mr Higgins opened up the door and motioned for Anton to step right through, with which the latter did quickly and without much fuss, his dinner jacket rustling a little from his movements. The housekeeper quickly followed through and gently shut the door behind him.
The sun was quite advanced in its setting for the day, with its long red rays of remnant light casting finger-like shadows from the trees and tall structures within its path. The gas lamps along the main road outside of the manor had already been lit, no doubt by the county's official gas lamp lighter (there was such a post in the municipal office, much to Anton's amusement). From a distance, Anton could hear the regular clopping sound of a horse that was trotting along while pulling a light carriage that was still in common use in the county, a mode of transport that had been rendered obsolete in all parts of the country save this one. The reason of existence was due to the low amounts of damage such transport had on the rural-roads that were still in use in the county itself, something that a more modern-day motor vehicle would have trouble emulating.
The clopping sound grew louder and within a couple more minutes Anton could make out the shadow of the horse and carriage that was just within sight of the main road. The driver was seated between two lamps that hung on either front side of the carriage which acted like head lamps, with a riding crop held in one hand while the other held the reins. It was a light carriage---more like a buggy really---with an open top that could be hooded up should rain occur. Anton could just make out the shape of two occupants seated in the light carriage itself.
And one of them seemed to be that of a lady.
(Story continues here.)
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