The region was very drear, and, moreover, the place had a bad reputation.

The pond was said to have no bottom, while a murder having been committed on the moors near by, the country people said that dark spirits of the dead were often seen to float over the Drearwaters in the silent night.
I stood at the edge of the water for some time; then I quietly led my horse away around to the other side, where dark fir trees made the scene, if possible, more gloomy than it would otherwise have been.

I had not been there long before I heard voices, and, looking up, I saw the party walking towards me.

Evidently they had fastened their horses in the near distance, and were now seeking to better enjoy themselves by walking.
As they came near me, I made a slight noise, which drew their attention.
Certainly I ought to have felt flattered by their greeting, especially, by that of Miss Forrest.
"We thought you had been bewitched, Mr.Blake," said Miss Gray, after a few trivial remarks had been passed.
"Perhaps I was," I said, looking at Voltaire.

He stared at me as if in wonder, and a curious light played in his eyes.