Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE 12 acain to-night, so the young ’un told me, so prepare thyself well, for thee hasna many days to live, so I hear.” With that the gaoler departed, and Blue Jacket grinned. “ Both coming again to-night, eh ? Why, what does all this mean ?” He could not make it out at all. At half-past seven precisely the Rev. Mr. Lovedale arrived in full clerical attire, for he was going to administer the sacrament, he said, and was ushered into the dungeon. The gaoler stood outside. What passed within he knew not, He heard them singing a hymn together, and thought the prisoner was becoming amazingly pious all at once, judging from the loudness of his voice. Had he seen all that was then transpiring it would have opened his eyes considerably, While they were singing a hymn, the Rev. Mr. Lovedale was unloosing the rivets of Blue Jacket’s shackles. This done, he lifted up his skirts and produced therefrom a second suit of clerical vestments, Blue Jacket put them on, wig and all! The transformation was so great that no one could have detected him. When Mr. Lovedale pulled up his clerical skirts Blue Jacket was much surprised to find that the reverend gentieman had on a suit of clothes similar to his own in every respect ! When, therefore, Blue Jacket had put on the suit of clericals which had been Brought for him, Mr, Lovedale pulled off his own, and hid them under the cot bed! He then approached the cell door, saying aloud, “ Well, then, my friend, as you desire it, I will leave the Castle, and bring the regular chaplain to see you ; he only lives a hundred yards from the gates.” His voice attracted the gaoler’s attention. He opened the cell door ! : Blue Jacket, in his clerical attire, and with a handkerchief to his face, passed out, The goaler bowed, peeped in, and seeing the prisoner sitting in his chair in a dark part of the cell, said gruflly, “Well, you ave a trouble to ’em !”’ and locked the door, The moment that was done Ellen Lovedale resumed her clerical attire, She rattled Blue Jacket’s chains, occasionally, however, to deceive the goaler’s ears, but could not help suppressing smothered laughter the while. In half-an-hour the chaplain arrived, and was ushered into the cell. The gaoler did not enter, but left the door ajar, and went away. ~ : ‘‘ Where is the prisoner ?” asked the chaplain, in surprise. “Oh, he’s gone into the governor’s room for afew moments, he was just now sent for. He won’t be long.” The chaplain, suspecting no harm, sat down and sighed over Blue Jacket’s depravity. “Wait a moment, reverend si#?’ said Mr. Lovedale, will go and fetch the prisoner. ere he goes to London,” The chaplain made no reply, but opened his prayer-book, and sat reading, ' Ina moment Ellen Lovedale closed the door, turned the key noiselessly in the lock, and departed. “Good evening, sir,” said the gaoler, respectfully, as he passed him in the Castle yard. “Good evening,” was Mr. Lovedale’s reply, as he went out. “The prisoner is deeply engaged with your good and pious chaplain. I have done all I can for the poor ignorant and depraved young highwayman. Don’t disturb them in their devotions for at least half-an-hour.” The outer gates were opened ! He departed |! In half-an-hour the gaoler went to the cell door, and heard the chaplain shouting out at the top of his voice, ‘Murder! Thieves! Let me out! Let me out !” The door was opened, Lo ! Great was the surprise of all ! The prisoner had escaped |! The truth instantly flashed upon the minds of all, sé it He desires much to see you SS - -——-- EE ———— EE ———————————— —— ———— ——————————————————_———————— " TERRIBLE. The alarm was sounded all over the Castle, and mounted men sent in pursuit. ; ’Twas all in vain. At that moment Ellen Lovedale, in man’s attire, was furiously galloping along the road to London, By her side rode Blue Jacket, laughing. CHAPTER VIII. TREACHERY—THE SPY IN SOCIETY—THE INTRIGUE—THE DEFAMATION—THE DUEL OF REVENGE—THE RESULT~— © THE SORCERER IS DEFIED. THe news of WUarry Percy’s duel with the famous Count~ Vincento, and its successful issue, filled Castle Percy with sur- — T1Se, : Earl Percy, old as he might be, and infirm, was astounded | That his youngest son, a mere boy, should have rescued a beautiful maiden from a watery grave, afterwards act as second to Colonel Ashton, and then avenge his death at the sword’s point, were matters and facts that fairly stupcefied the delighted old nobleman. When Harry’s sister, Lady Laura, heard of it, however, she turned deadly pale. She tottered from weakness, and retreated from the presence of her father. Why was this? Had she, a fair and beautiful young girl, an earl’s daughter, ever aught to say or do with Count Vincento? Had not her brother Harry informed them all that he had rendered his king and. country a service, in ridding the world of a noted seducer and rogue, who under an assumed name, had crept into the best society, although at the same time he belonged to, and was asworn member of, an infamous band of thieves and cut-throats, under the leadership of Ivan the Terrible ? Be that as it may, the young and seductive Laura, trembled in every limb as she listened to the reading of her brother's letter. When she retired to her chamber she bitterly wept. ; No one was nigh to witness her grief, save Jessie, her faithful maid. 4 Jessie was a foundling, and when but a babe had been discovered in Percy Park, near to a spot where a gipsy en- campment had stood the night before. She had been well cared for, and grew up a beautiful girl, with large, dark flashing eyes, a nut-brown complexion, — long black hair, and a bewitching figure. , As she knelt, or sat at the feet of her young mistress, she - gazed long and ardently at the weeping maid, and said, | ‘“‘ Dear young mistress, your tears and sorrow give me pain. You have always been good and kind to me, a poor, friendless orphan. We have been reared together, and have been con- stant companions, and although I am but a servant and slave, — you have ever called me your sister Jessie. As your poor slave, then, or as your sister Jessie, let me beg and beseech you to confide to me the secret of your sorrows.” “a “The name of that accursed wretch fills me with horror,” said Lady Laura, in deadly pallor. ‘What name, fair lady?” asked the gipsy maid, in sur- prise. What. name?” said Laura, with a trembling lip, “ why, that of Count Vincento, and of his ruthless master, Ivan the Terrible |!” ; “I have heard of the frightful doings of Ivan the Terrible on sea and land, my own heart’s mistress, but never, until now, of Count Vincento’s. Was he not one of the leaders of fashion in London ?” asked Jessie, with distended eyes. ' “He was, alas! for my happiness; but never, until now, could I believe that he was in league with Ivan and his terrible band, But this I know,” said Laura, with ie lips, ‘‘ Count Vincento was a murderer, and ‘“ Murderer ?” asked Jessie, in alarm. ‘Murderer! Aye, a most foul, cruel assassin! If you doubt me—if, hitherto, you could EOMICDOOKS{GOMm.. te