One of the best authenticated stories of the fifth Duke relates to his habit of riding alone in a carriage specially constructed to secure privacy. As was natural the more it became known that he wanted to escape observation the more was curiosity aroused to see him, so that a considerable part of his life was spent in adopting stratagems to prevent sight-seers from catching a glimpse of the aristocratic enigma.
The carriage was so made that when the doors were closed no one could see into it, though there were spy-holes arranged that the Duke could look out on all sides and not be observed.
One day the Duke had sent his usual written order for his carriage to proceed by road to London.
The postillions started quite oblivious that they had his Grace with them in his mysteriously-constructed vehicle.
It was a long journey, and as they passed stage after stage, their delays for refreshments became longer and their stoppages more frequent.
They had just pulled up at a country inn when they were horrified to hear a sepulchral voice from the hearse-like chariot shouting,
"What the devil are you stopping for?"
These few words were enough. They came from the voice of the Duke whom they saw not, but recognised by his tones from his tomb on wheels.
The postillions sprang upon the horses and tarried not till they had arrived before the portico of Harcourt House where the great myth descended unseen to his room.
Harcourt House, Cavendish-square, was a famous London mansion, for many years in the possession of the Dukes of Portland. The building of this stately town residence was commenced in 1722 for Earl Harcourt. It had a noble courtyard facing Cavendish-square, and an imposing porte cochère, with a large garden and wide-spreading trees, which were such extraordinary features to be found as adjuncts to the old London palaces of the nobility. Then there was a range of stabling enough to accommodate the stud of a monarch.