Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 119: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

s IVAN THE is in all England ; but that Bldéody Jeffries, as they cali him, kept him out of it? “TI shouldn’t wonder if he has gone to see Will Winter at Percy House—his thaiinéts aid addiess would gain him ad- mission anywhere.” . “Yes, true ; buat he’s gone to see Lady Laura, if any one, take my word for it; in fact, I know he has.” * * » * * Ivan was infuriated with what he had heard. That Blue-Jacket should love and be loved by Laura, the very idol of his own guilty soul, stung him to thé very quick. » Boiling over with desires of instant revenge, he rose to his feet and shook himself like some huge, atigry, and half- drowned bear. ; He well knew all the many ins and outs of the river side, * He plunged, therefore, unseen up a dark and narrow lane, and was soon lost to view. ) He arrived at an old tumble-down tavern, and though late ‘at night, or, rather, early in the morning, there were sounds of rough voices bawling out songs in thé tap:room aid patlours. This inh was a place of sone resort for his folldwers, _ He Sas and knocked again, but still the door was Hot opened. : At last, a voice—it was that of Andy—demanded in rough tones, who was there. ‘Open and see !” growled Ivan, with an oath. Ivan’s voice was quickly recognised, 4nd the door opened. ‘Both Andy and other rough followers of Ivan were amazed at his wild, wet, and tatteréd appearante, “Tt’s no use standing gaping there,” he said. “Have you never seen Ivan before? Prepdie your horses, and be ready to follow me at a moment's warning.” | His manner was so dark, evil, and malicious that no one dared to ask a single question, least of all Andy, who knew Ivan’s temper of old. “Let.one of you hurry to the Forge ; let all my followers arouse and meet me at Percy House in half an hour from now, | We will burn down and pillage the place, and leave not one ‘stone upon another,” he murmured to himself, Quickly, then, and without a word, did Andy and the others provide themselves with horses from the adjacent stable, and without a murmur awaited Ivan’s further orders, wondering where they were bound, and on what secret mission. Ivan, himself, proceeded to a chamber, and quickly attired himself in one of the many suits of clothes that he kept there ready for instant use, or for purposes of disguise. He drank freely of brandy before he started, and looked well to both his sword and pistols. _ His horse stood at thé door ready for him, and was held by Andy, who was over anxious tokhow something of the sudden expedition on which all were then botind. _ ‘Are your arms all right. If not, look to them quickly ; you may haye to use them, We are bent on a mission of revenge, This night Blue-Jacket meets Lady Laura in the park, I hear. We must capture her, and kill the upstart lover who-dares to thwart me!” “$e ; With these words, Ivan and his band galloped off towards Percy House in great haste. | . After a long ride they reached it, but the park gates were closed. Ivan bade his men to hide thémselves behind the park walls. ' He, himself, knocked at the lodge gate, which was very reluctantly opened by an old porter, who said Master Harry had given orders that no one was to enter. A Directly the gate was opened, however, Ivan felled the old man to the earth, and witha loud laugh admitted his followers. They did not go up the carriage way, but hid themselves among the trees. e There were many lights flitting about through the massive mansion, but no one could be perceived. With the instinct of a fox Ivan crawled on his hands and knees towards the house, closely followed by Andy. 4 To his amazement he perceived Blue-Jacket, his hated foe, standing at a window on the ground floor, and conversing suppressed whispers to a lovely maiden |! : “Tt must be the lovely Laura,” Ivan sighed ; “ she will soon be mine,” TERRIBLE. 115 But it was not Lady Laura, It was Jessie, the gijpsy maiden, Who was listening to the long message Blue-Jacket was sending to her mistress. His eyes flashed fire, and he ground his teeth as he pointed towards them. Andy, quick to perceive Ivan'’s wish and intention, signalled his followers to approach. Like so many wolves bent on the destruction of heldless lambs they crept close to the house. r They held their breath, and distinctly heard Blue-Jacket’s account of Will Winter’s escape, and Ivan’s desires for ven- geance because he failed. ie ‘‘ Liar!” growled Ivan, and dashed through the moonlicht, He was followed by his men, and so sudden were their movements that both Jessie and Blue-Jacket were seized and gagged and borne away from the spot ere they really knew or could understand what had happened. Swiftly the two captives were hurried away to the woods. ‘‘ Bind him to a tree, place your swords at his vile heart ; if he stirs, kill him.” “Spare him! spare him !” Jessie sighed and sobbed. “Come, you must away with me; you are miue,” said the rough chief, savagely. “I am not the one he seeks,” thought Jessie ; “ my face is partly hidden by a thick hood and scarf, and he knows not who I am; Iwill not speak; he takes me for Lady Laura. So much the better ; he will not discover the mistake until he is far from this place, and then it will be too late.” Ivan vaulted on his horse, and placed the trembling frightened girl before him on the saddle. Nor did he stir until he saw Blue-Jacket tied to a tree with many stout cords, and swords flashing at his heart; “Now is my hour of triumph, Blne-Jacket! ha! ha!” growled Ivan. ‘ When I give the word let all your weapons, brave comrades, pierce his vile heart |” softly - CHAPTER LLX. LADY LAURA AND LIZZIE IN PERIL FROM ANDY—THEIR FLIGHT TO A PLACE OF SAFETY—PILLAGE OF PERCY HOUSE BY IVAN’S BAND. Burt while this scene was transpiring outside Percy House, unknown to its noble-hearted Owner, there was a strange one going on also within. . Andy, full of the spirit of adventure, had heard of Lizzie Ashton’s beauty, and that she had been for weeks staying with Lady Latira at the mansion. He, therefore, determined to act the part of a gallant, and enter the house in search of Her, and, if possible, follow Ivan’s example, and carry her off as a prize to the ‘‘ Forge.” While Ivan ant his men, thetefore, were engaged in bind- ing Blue-Jacket, to the tree, Master Andy crept through the opén window on a level with the lawn at which Jessie (the supposed Lady Laura) had been discovered with Blue-Jacket., He crept into the patlour cautiously, and went from room to room with noiseless step. . Hé at last came to ai apartment, in which as he stood listen- ing ht the door he heard the murmur of anxious voices. He could easily distinguish the voice of Harry Percy and Darby, talking to a doctor about Will Winter, who was lying on 2 warm bed moaning and groaning. “ Oh! that’s it, eh?” said Andy, “ You’ve got him there, I find. So much the better, I shall know this room again when the time comes to seize the half-hung varlet ; mean- while I will search for this paragon of beauty, Lizzie Ashton, and attend to Will Winter afterwards. + So saying he glided along the corridor unnoticed, and at last ascended two flights of stairs. ; He heard two female voices conversing in low tones in the dining-room. Ile cautiously entered. His entrance was perceived. “Who is that?” Lizzie timidly asked. “Ts it brother Harry?” said Laura, instinctively sidling up to Lizzie as if for mutual protection, “No, fair one,” said Andy, “itis not Harry Percy, but his Ccopmiclooks.GoOni