Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

oa8 IVAN THE But when he opened the letter which Darby had taken from him by force, he was more surprised still, for the letter read :— “ The girl is becoming a thorn in the side of Earl Percy, and must be got rid of as quickly as possible by fair means or foul, , : “Tf she could be put ont of the way altogether, so much the better. _ T doubt not, if this were told to,Sir H. G., my friend, he wouldjwillingly assist in this matter, particularly as Lizzie A. is what may be termed ‘ a fascinating young creature,’ just such an one as would please Sir H. G., or any one of his tastes, “ Whatever is done in the matter must be performed quickly, for young Harry P. is greatly smitten with her, I think that Ivan or Andy had better be consulted, if all other means fail, within three days. Let the affair be conducted secretly and swiftly, for if young H. has the slightest notion of what we have in hand all hope is lost. “Yours, M.” “So this is a deep-laid plot, I see,” Harry observed, with a lip curled in scorn ; “but Morton and all of them shall find that I am their equal in plotting and counter-plotting, Where is Lizzie?” Harry asked. ‘T saw her with Lady Laura a few moments ago,” C*Tis well,” Harry walked up and down his room for some moments in thought, and at last said, “Darby, prepare two swift horses immediately.” ‘Yes, sir,” “ Meanwhile I will tonverse with Lizzie, for as so much danger surrounds her she had better fly at once,” * Who will accompany her, sir?” You must, Darby, at least, for several miles, and I will then meet you on the road at some well-known spot,” ‘¢ At what hour do you wish me to start, sir?” ‘Now, immediately. Prepare the two fleetest horses in the stables, one for yourself, and one for Lizzie Ashton ; be ready to start at a moment’s warning, and stand the horses near the east gate outside the park wall, and there wait.” Darby left the room immediately. ‘Harry went in search of Lizzie Ashton, and found her strolling through the shrubberies. He did not at first alarm her by disclosing the plots laid against her, but spoke in gay tones of many indifferent things. At last, however, when Lady Laura and others were out of hearing, he spoke very rapidly, and told her all. She turned pale, | “Fear nothing, Lizzie,’ he said, warmly and affectionately. “This storm will soon blow over, no harm can befall you ; but you must fly from the scene of danger, and ere long, when man and wife, no one can harm us,” To divert the suspicions of all in the household, Lizzie Ashton and her lover strolled towards the east gate of the park, where Darby and the horses were then in readiness, Leaving her in Darby’s care Harry went up to the house, and entering Lizzie’s private apartments procured a riding habit and other things she might need on her journey without being observed by any of the domestics, These he tied into a bundle, and carried to the east gate, Beneath the shade of a cluster of old oaks, and screened from all observation by a thick hedge row, Lizzie Ashton put on her riding habit, and, with a pretty little hat, feather, and a whip, she was quickly attired for the road, Harry kissed her tenderly, whispered something in her ear, then lifted her into the saddle, With a faint smile and a wave of the hand she galloped from the spot, followed by Darby, whose rearing steed plunged about with great wildness and impatience. In a few moments they were lost to view. Returning to the house Harry met Morton, who, with bows and smirks, told young Percy that he had been to the masque- rade with the earl, and that he had much enjoyed himself, ‘‘And what is it you desire of me, Master Morton?” Harry asked, indifferently. “Why, sir, nothing in particular; only the earl was just inquiring for Miss Ashton, and she is nowhere to be found.” ‘* Indeed |” ‘No; perhaps that was her I saw riding just now, attended by your favourite groom, Darby?” ‘Perhaps ib was, What of that?” TERRIBLE. ‘Oh, nothing, sir, nothing at all, I can assure you.” ‘‘ Where is the earl, Morton?” “Tn his library, I believe, and I do think he wishes to have a very long conversation with you about things of impor- tance.” “Does he?” said Harry, with a sickly smile. ‘Yes, so he said,” Morton replied, bowing humbly. “ Well, then, it is very fortunate, for I also wish to have a long talk with him on things of importance,” aR “Oh, indeed, what a strange coincidence, Perhaps it isa matter of Jove with you, sir?” said Morton, grinning. “ Suppose it was, has that aught to do with you Le “Me? Oh, certainly not, but——” : “ But you would like to know all about it, you would say.” ‘Oh, no, sir ; pardonme. I wouldn’t be so rude.” “Oh, but I will xo¢ pardon, and you ave rude, nay, basely ignorant and false.” "Sir, I-——’ : ist “There, don’t stand before me bowing and scraping like a fool; get out of my sight ; you are an impostor |” Morton turned pale and looked astonished. “ And if you must know why I wish to have along con- versation with the earl I'll tell you, Morton : I wish to inform him that if he does not dismiss you from his service on the instant, I shall be under the pleasing necessity of kicking you out of doors,” ; Harry said this with so much earnestness that he had gone some distance towards the house ere Morton had recovered from his stupor of astonishment, “What can all this mean?” said Morton, looking pale. “ Kick me out! Surely he cannot have formed any idea of what has been taking place between his father and myself But if he has? - There is no time to be lost; if I please the father I care not for the anger of the son. But I must be quick ; the girl shall be removed to-night, cost what it may.” Morton crossed the park towards a dense thicket that stood alone, and which commanded a full view of the main road that ran for the most part round the park wall. He looked around him craftily to see that he was not watched, and then clapped his hands loudly, A rough-looking fellow emerged from the dense thicket, Morton went forward to meet him. “Well,” he said, “did you deliver the letter?” “T did,” was the ruffian’s reply. “Did the two gentlemen meet you at the cottage beside the river as was appointed ?” “Yes, they did ; but did not give me anything.” “Didn’t they? That’s all you think about ; but I perceive from your eyes and nose and head generally that some one has been giving you something,” said Morton, in a low, chuckling voice. The hired villain smiled grimly. ‘“Who gave you those black eyes and that disfigured nose ?” ‘‘T was set upon.” ‘ While you had the letter ?”’ ce Yes,” And by how many ?”’ “ By three men,” ‘ Do you know whom they were ?”” ‘No, but I should know them again if I saw them; but, from what I heard, they were hired by young Percy, who had received some hints about me watching in the park,” ‘‘ Ah! and where did this happen?” At the Forge,” ‘‘ Had they the hardihood to follow you there?” “Yes; but they could not know my business,” “Well, what answer did the gentlemen give you?” “Why, that they would attend to the business at once.” “Could you inform them so as to be on the watch to- . night?” , Yes; but what hurry is needed ?” ‘A great deal, It must take place to-night or never.” “Well, then, it can be done ; but not without money,” “T know that, and here is some,” said Morton, throwing a | purse towards the hired watcher, which the black-looking rascal secured with great greediness. ‘“ Haye you seea any one riding along the main yoad ?” y Comicbooksicom n> Lé