Padraic left his house with the intention of going to the pub. After walking for two or three minutes along the lane, he was tempted, by the pleasantness of the evening, to go into the park. The weather was not often fine enough to allow for a walk in the park, and Padriac was pleased with the opportunity. The grounds of the park were tolerably extensive; and, like every other park of some degree of importance, it had its open shrubbery, and closer wood walk; a road of smooth gravel, winding round a plantation, led to the front; the lawn was dotted over with timber; the path itself was under the guardianship of the fir, the mountain-ash, and the acacia, and a thick screen of them altogether, interspersed with tall poplars, shut out the noise of the street.
As he walked, he passed and was pleasantly greeted by the village postman, and pitied him for the neglect of abilities which education might have rendered so respectable; for he saw, with tenderness of feeling, the thorough want of delicacy, of rectitude, and integrity of mind, which his attentions, his assiduities, his flatteries in passing betrayed; and he realized he could have no lasting satisfaction in the company of a person who joined insincerity with ignorance; and whose want of instruction prevented their meeting in conversation on terms of equality.
With such thoughts occupying his mind, AVSM was oblivious to Oswald walking behind him.
Having heard the shot, the postman came on the run, only to find AVSM in his death throes, gasping desperately as black blood from the gash in his midsection spilled out onto the path. Within minutes he was dead.
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