Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

168 ROSE MORTIMER, -_—erneOc A This was but another of his endless precautions which, although absolutely necessary, were neverthe- less very embarrassing to Lady Bellisle. The postmark, too, was so badly shown as to be almost illegible. However, she managed to decipher it. Then she was off. Nothing of any very great importance occurred upon her journey. One little incident only worthy of notice, but which does not in any way affect the progress of our story. It was this. As she was crossing one part of the country in a postchaise (for her impatience would admit of nothing but this mode of travelling where there was no rail- way) she was passing through one of the little mining villages which were scattered here and there when she observed an unusual commotion. As the postchaise crossed the market place of the village a most astonishing sight met her view. In the centre of the place a number of rough fel- lows, miners and colliers, were collected around a pretty and interesting looking woman, young and neatly attired. One man, a trifle more brutal-looking than the rest, appeared to be the auctioneer, and by his gestures Lady Bellisle judged that he was selling something which appeared of great interest to many bidders around, The attitude of the girl was puzzling too. What had she to do with the sale ? Lady Bellisle stopped the chaise, in spite of her im- patience to get over the journey, and bade the coach- man tell one of the colliers to come to her. ‘What may be going on there ?”’ asked her lady- ship of the fellow who came up in obedience to the summons, with a bow and scrape. ““ A zale, mum,” replied the man. ‘So I presume. Something interesting, too, from all appearance.” ‘‘ Ay, mum, it be.” “‘ What may it be to be sold ?” “Why, the gal.” “The what ?”’ exclaimed her ladyship, scarcely cre- diting the evidence of her ears. “The gal.” y ‘But you surely don’t mean that they are selling a girl by auction there ?’’ “Yes, I do.” ‘Good Heavens !”’ “?Tain’t nought so wery extraordinary. It’s Dan Freeman’s missus. She wor a bit of a devil.” “And so he retaliates upon her for her sharp tongue by selling her here.’’ ‘* Fes, mum.,”’ ** But surely it can’t be allowed.’’ *‘ Who’s to perwent it ?” “‘ Drive on,” said Lady Bellisle. And off she rattled again, not exactly understand- ing what she had seen and heard nevertheless. Arrived at the end of this stage, Lady Bellisle in- stituted further inquiries, and then discovered that the earl had passed on to a neighbouring town. Not pausing an instant for refreshment, Lady Bel- lisle started again and reached the town after two hours’ hard riding, It was night. She happened to pass by the theatre, and the first words which caught her eyes upon a flaming poster were— ENORMOUS SUCCESS OF MISS ROSE MORTIMER. ** Fate has led He will perhaps be there.” “* Here ?”’ ejaculated Lady Bellisle. me to the spot, then. She paid and entered the theatre, seating herself purposely at the back of the dress circle, to ayeid ob- servation. She had not been seated a second when there was an extraordinary excitement in the theatre. A piece of alarming intelligence ran from mouth to mouth. In a state of wild fear and nervous apprehension, Lady Bellisle made inquiries of some persons sitting next her as to the cause of it. ‘*T can scarcely understand it myself,’ was the _ answer received. ** Something has happened.”’ “Yes. Thecurtain only came down as you entered. The applause was immense. Rose Mortimer and Ethel Warner were on the stage together and got two bouquets.’’ “ Ah 199 . She tried hard, but could not repress this exclama- tion. As the lady had got thus far, a gentleman came up to her side. He had been out to gather the information, and had just returned. ‘A painful thing has happened,’’ he said. Lady Bellisle trembled violently. ** What is it ?” “One of those beautiful girls has dropped down dead,” Which ?” “TI can’t learn that. There is so much confusion just now. But I fear that it is poor Rose Mortimer.” “Ah! Poor creature !” ** How dreadful !” ** All is lost,’? murmured Lady Bellisle. ‘ All—all lost !” / CHAPTER LXVII. A FEARFUL CRIME—LOTTY CHEPSTOW—DESPAIR — THE MAGICIAN PLOTS AGAIN—THE CARPET BAG — THE LIBERTINE’S DEATH — MERMET THE COMFORTER—THE ARAB’S KNIFE—A MID- NIGHT VISIT — SOHO — THE SLAVE AND HER TYRANT—A JOURNEY, . WE have yet to relate a startling mystery in con- nection with Lotty Chepstow, the unhappy victim of Mermet the Arab necromancer. The reader will recall to mind that, incited by the revelation of the necromancer, Lotty Chepstow had slain her, libertine lover. Yes. Arthur Brownbill fell a victim to the indig- nant girl he would have outraged. He earnt a dreadful death. A death of violence, ignominy, and shame. Hurled in the blush of manhood to eternity, with all his sinful lusts full on him. It was a fearful thing to contemplate, but pity the youthful debauche no one could. As Arthur Brownbill fell over the parapet with a fearful cry poor Lotty came to her senses. She stood transfixed to the spot in fear. Spell-bound with horror. The cry which her false lover had given as he fell over sounded in her ears like a hideous death-knell. *‘ How fearful !”” she murmured involuntarily. ‘* What is fearful?” demanded a low voice at her elbow. She started, and turned round to see whence the voice proceeded. There, beside her, stood Mermet the Arab necro- mancer. * You here ?”” t AVos SCOMIEGEHOOKSEGCOM