Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

246 IVAN THE “* With whom?” ‘‘ With Miss Ashton, my lord.” “ Who told you this?” “ T had occasion to go to the stables but a short time since and the chief groom told me of it.” ‘“Who accompanied them ?” ** Darby, my lord,” Morton’s face turned all sorts of colours as he heard this. He looked at my lord, and my lord looked at himinstrange surprise and uncertainty. ‘‘You may go,” said the earl to his servant, “ and do you inform me on the instant they return,” The servant hesitated to go. He looked confused. ‘“ What are you waiting for?” said the earl, “My lord—your lordship—that is——”’ “ What does the man mean ?”’ ‘* My lord, pardon me, your lordship, I have something of importance to tell you, but Ifear it would be taking too much liberty.” “What is it? there.” “Your lordship spoke of your son, and of Miss Ashton’s return.” “IT did. What of that ?” ‘“‘ From a few words I heard the groom let fall, I do not think they will return to night, my lord.” “ To-night ?—not to-night ? What means all this mystery? How came the chief groom to know so much 2” “Master Harry said as much to him.” “‘Then why did he not tell me of this at oncef?”’ ‘* He was on the stairs atthe moment you sent for me.” “* Call him in.” The chief groom entered, and corroborated all that had been said by the trembling footman. - : ‘* Have they provided for a long journey, think yeu ?” “ They have not, my lord. They deparied in the greatest aste.” “Said they anything of their intentions ?” ““ No, my lord. Master Harry swore roundly against Morton, my lord, and from the few words he let fall, I doubt. not he will be away several days.” ‘‘ What was the o!ject of this hasty departure ?” “As far as I could glean, Master Harry wished to place Miss Ashton in some place of safety, far removed from her enemies in London, so Darby whispered,” ‘“‘You may retire ; I must investigate this strange affair at once.” When the two servants had left_the room, my lord said, ‘Morton, do you remain here a little while ; I will soon return.” He had not been absent more than five minutes,when he returned, He sat down, looking moody and wretched. Like a fiend, as he was, Morton stood by looking calm, and with a devilish smile upon his face. In a few moments, and while both my lord and Morton sat in silence with their backs to the door, Lady Laura noiselessly entere: the room. Speak out, man. Don’t stand stuttering —_—_—_oO Ul CHAPTER CXX, LAURA’S PASSION AND RAGE AT MORTON’S VILLANY. THE first words Lady Laura uttered startled the two thinkers, “You have sent for me, my lord, and I have come.” Morton cast his eyes upon the ground, and a deep blush tinged his cheek. “Be seated, Laura; I wish to put a few questions to you,” “ Must it be before a third person, father ?” “No, my child, if you desire it otherwise.” “ T would wish, then, to confer with you alone.” ,Morton, without a word, rose and left the room. ‘You have now been long acquainted with Lizzie Ashton, have you observed anything of importance in her character?” ‘‘ Nothing have I seen in her words and actions but what became a lady,” TERRIBLE. “ Were Harry’s attentions to her marked ?” “They were ; they have always been so.” ‘Do they love each other, think you ?” , “T do not for a moment doubt it. No one could help loving Lizzie Ashton, father ; her nature is all that is precious, price- less, and constant.” “But you surely do nof mean that vows have been ex- changed between them?’ ‘‘T have no doubt of it.” re. ‘My son cannot be so senseless as to think of marrying a penniless gir)?” ‘“ He does, though,” Laura answered, “and although she be untitled and almost friendless, I know of no One, father, that would be more fitting for Harry’s wife, when he has arrived at a proper age, than Lizzie.” ‘Do you know anything of their elopement ?” a “Elopement !’ said Laura, in surprise. ‘No; this is the first that I have heard of it.” ‘“ Tt is a fact, nevertheless.” “ Tf such be the fact, then, my father,” said Laura, ‘ I doubt much if Harry will ever return until you consent to his wed- ding Lizzie Ashton.” | ‘A thing, then, Laura, his father will never do.” “ Would you discard him, then?” “Yes; should he marry contrary to my wishes he never enters my doors again while [ liye.”’ Laura hung her head and wept. ‘Tell me, Laura, have you had any part or parcel in this silly love-making, this childish attachment ?” “No, I have not. I knew that mutual affection existed, and nothing more. You, my father, knew as much of this as I did, and long ago.” For a moment there was a dead silence. ‘‘T fear,” said the earl, ‘“ that my children will bring down my grey hairs in sorrow to the graye, for I have heard strange reports even of you, Laura.” “ Of me?” aSsY ER “Then nought you have heard, father, can ever disgrace me ; that is, if the truth has been spoken.” “JT say I have heard strange reports, whether true or false I know not, yet——” Another pause. **Do you know any one named Blackwater ?”’ ‘‘ Blackwater ?” said Laura, turning red. “Yes. Do not stammer so much, Laura,” thao, “Tsee that you do by your blushes, him privately ?”’ “T have ; but my honour is unsullied.” ed wees not that ; but do you really know who this per- son is?”’ “No more than that he is a lord.” ‘‘He is not alord, Laura; he is an imposter. He is known by the name of Blue-Jacket !” Laura sank upon a sofa in a sudden burst of grief. At that moment Morton entered, and looked upon Laura with a flencish smile, Have you ever met ~ CHAPTER CXXI. THE FORGER’S EVIDENCE—THE SPY. “WHAT news ?” said the earl, leaving the room, and proceed- ing to another, leaning on Morton’s arm. “‘The witness I spoke of has arrived, my lord; but I trust that nought I have said to you, in the strictest confidence, has ruffled your temper, and caused you to be harsh and tart with the fair Laura?” “Tt matters not to thee, Morton, what I have or have not said ; a father has the right to speak to his children in his own way.” ‘‘T beg your lordship’s pardon, but I meant no offence. I only thought——” ‘Never mind your thought, Morton, where is the person of whom you spoke ?” : “My lord, I told him to await m (eK) comin Im in the orchard,” MIiGvVOCKS. ECO