Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

14 ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, She was standing by the O. P. wing as she spoke, and still in her stage costume. “‘The pleasure you have given me to-night fully repays me for any slight service I may have been to vou,” he replied with a graceful bow. There was a pause. Rose knew not what reply to make. In the distance, leaning against one of the scenes, she saw Jack Halliday, and the words of caution he had addressed to her respecting the count came suddenly to her recollection. _ ™ Miss Mortimer,’ said the count, “‘it grieves me very much to have to say a word which can in any way lessen your night’s enjoyment, but—but—I have a message for you.”’ ‘* A message! and for me ?2”’ : “Yes, and one which I fear will cause you sorrow.”’ “Speak! What is it?” “ Your father—”’ “‘My father! Oh, do you know anything of him ? He — he disappeared some weeks ago, and I have been unable to learn any tidings of him.”’ ““T prieve to be the bearer of evil news, but he is ill, seriously ill.” ‘Oh, where is he? Let me go to him.” “‘You may possibly remember,”’ said the count, “‘that when I first had the pleasure of meeting you it was in your father’s house.’’ “* Yes, yes,’ said Rose. . *‘T only mention that to show you that I am to be trusted—that I speak as the friend of Hugh Mor- timer.”’ “Do not keep me in suspense. is, that I may go to him.”’ ‘* May I not rather have the pleasure of conducting you to him?”’ Rose hesitated. “Do not allow any false sense of modesty or pro- priety to hinder you from accepting my offer.”’ Still she made no reply. — “My carriage is waiting at the stage door, and will take you more rapidly than any public convey- ance; besides, at this hour of the night you should hardly venture out alone and unprotected.” ‘‘ Thank yon, thank you; I accept your offer.’’ The count showed his teeth beneath his jetty black moustache. - ; *“*Come, then,” said he, at the same time offering her his arm. “IT cannot go in this dress,’’ said Rose. “‘ Remember,” replied the count, ‘every moment is precious. You can wrap my cloak round you, and no one will notice your stage attire. Do not delay, I beseech you.”’ | For a moment she hesitated ; but then, drawing the voluminous folds of the cloak about her, she took his arm. He led her rapidly towards the stage door. On their way they met Mr. Flathers, the manager. “T congratulate you on your success, Miss Mor- timer.” He said this with a low bow and a conciliatory manner, but when her back was turned exchanged a sinister smile with her companion. ‘Ts all well?’? he muttered, almost below his breath. The count nodded significantly, as he led her onwards towards the stage door. There, in the dark narrow street, a handsome carriage was standing, the door of which a servant in livery opened as they approached. But some faint suspicion of treachery, flashing across the poor girl’s mind at this moment, caused her again to hesitate. ‘““Come—come,”’ said the count, impatiently, and glancing nervously around as he did so, “‘ we shall be too late.” Tell me where he COMME MOO KS5EO© She knew not what to say—what excuse to urge, and. yet her heart misgaye her, Timidly drawing back, she had some notion of running: up the stairs again towards the stage, but the count caught her by the arm. i nn | ivek tie bos At that moment footsteps were heard upon the staircase, and Jack Halliday was dimly discernible in the distance, ) [ fy Not an instant was to be lost if he was to carry off his prize. The count cast one comprehensive glance around, seized the beautiful girl in his arms, and car- ried her,.in spite of her terrified resistance, to the gar- riage, Then, springing in. with his lovely burden, he bade the coachman drive on, and, the latter lashing his horses, in another moment the yehicle reached the end of thestreet. _. 5. daria ‘* Forgive me, my dear young lady,” said the count, ‘* but every second is of the greatest importance, for your poor father is in a very critical state.”’ " Hastily disengaging herself from his embrace, the terrified girl scarce ly knew whether or not to believe that she had been forcibly abducted. . rs aes The coachman was already informed as to the road he. was to take, for almost before they were seated the brougham started at a rapid pace in a westerly direction. + ebise For some minutes they rode on in silence... .. . Rose looked from the window, but failed to recog- nise any of the streets through which they passed. ‘* Where is it that my father is?’’ she asked. , ‘‘ Do not be frightened ; we shall soon be there.” For a long time she remained without speaking, They had left the paved and lighted streets, an were going rapidly over a smooth road. why As well as Rose could make out, hedges bounded each side of the way. They were going outintothe country, | __. ‘* Where are we ?”’ asked Rose, somewhat uneasily, ‘This is the Fulham Road,” said her conductor, in reply. ‘* Have we much farther to go?”’ ce No, we shall reach our destination in a few minutes.’’ Ln Ait Almost as he spoke the carriage came to a stand- still. But. it was. only,for an instant—apparently while some large gates were opened to give the carriage . ingress. _ The next minute they were driving up a grayelled road, bordered on each side by large trees. At last the vehicle stopped finally. The count sprang out and stood to assist the beau- tiful girl to alight. ‘* Where are we?” she asked. brought me? ”’ : by oe ‘Do not be frightened,’ he made answer; ‘‘ you are quite safe here. Enter.”’ ‘‘ My father can never be here?’ she said... They, had stopped before a large old-fashioned house of almost palatial size. The glimpse, which the open door permitted dis- closed a handsome hall, and, beyond, a suite of rooms beautifully and tastefully furnished. : oon Ge Rose, who had eyer, associated her father with squalid misery and abject poverty, was certainly jns- tified in her doubt. . ‘Enter; you have nothing to fear,” repeated the count. 5 me She availed herself of his proffered arm, and, de- segnding from the brougham, entered the splendid hall. Side by side, the deceiver and his victim entered the honse, within whose walls few so pure as Rose had ever been, . ‘* Where is my father ?” she asked, him at onee.”’ ‘‘ Where have you “Take me to