SHE CAME BACK TO SAVE HER HUSBAND
Montpelier Square was laid out in the mid-19th century on land that had once belonged to the Moreaus, a wealthy Huguenot family.
Originally it was not considered a particularly good place to live, and it wasn’t until the 1890’s that its star began to wax, and it became a sought after address.
In 1913 a vicar was leaving a nearby church when an agitated lady approached him and told him that a man living nearby was seriously ill and, concerned for the state of his soul, wished to consult with a man of God.
THE VICAR PAYS A VISIT
The clergyman went with her to a waiting taxicab, and the two were driven to an imposing house in Montpelier Square. Climbing out the vicar walked up to the door and knocked loudly.
When the Butler answered, he confirmed that the man whom the lady had named, did indeed live at the house, but added that his master was in good health and certainly had no need of the priest’s services.
Mystified, the vicar looked round for an explanation, but there was no sign of either the woman or the taxicab.
At that moment the owner of the house appeared at the door and invited the vicar inside. "It is very strange," said the man, "that you have been sent on such an errand in such a mysterious way…Though I am perfectly well, I have been troubled lately about the state of my soul, and I have been seriously contemplating calling upon you…"
The clergyman stayed for a few hours as the man unburdened his conscience to him, and it was agreed that his new acquaintance would come to church the next morning, and that they would continue their discussion after the service.
HE HAD DROPPED DEAD
However, the man failed to appear at church the next morning, and having ended the service, the vicar came back to the house to see what the matter was.
He was met by the Butler, who told him that his master had suddenly dropped dead, just ten minutes after he had left him the previous evening.
He was led up to the room where the man’s body lay, where he happened to notice a portrait of the lady who had fetched him to the house the previous evening on the table. "Who is this?" He asked. “That sir," replied the butler, "is my master’s wife, who died fifteen years ago."
