CHAPTER XIII 



ICHABOD ! 



And now, my reader, Charlton slumbers once again, almost 

 as profoundly as it did long, long ago, before the advent of 

 old Squire Roper and his pack marked the commencement 

 of half a century of prosperity for the little hamlet such as 

 it will never see again. 



For the Duke died in 1750, and from that moment the 

 sun of Charlton commenced to set. 'Tis true, for many 

 years the Hunt flourished exceedingly, for the new Duke 

 transferred the headquarters to Goodwood, where the hounds 

 found quarters far more palatial than the queer little old- 

 fashioned kennels which they had been accustomed to in 

 the old village over the hill, but — the old glory had 

 departed I 



The changes and chances of this mortal life (and possibly 

 increased faciUties for fox-hunting in other parts of the 

 kingdom) scattered far and wide the brilliant throng whose 

 names recur throughout these pages. They came no more 

 to Charlton. 



Quiet reigns over the valley now. No longer does 



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