Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 244: what you’re looking at

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Se io ‘ 264 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. i CHAPTER CXVII. THE MASKED BALL—THE BLACK DOMINO, AND THE FORGED LETTER—ROVING JACK ARRESTED— ST, JAMES’ PARK IN THE OLDEN TIME—AN ES- CAPED FELON—THE DESPERATE STRUGGLE BE- TWEEN JACK SHEPPARD AND HIS DENOUNCER— ARRIVAL OF THE NIGHT-WATCH. THE mansion of Sir John Warbold was now one of great festivity. Violet Tremaine, in honour of his natal day, had | invited the gentry of the surrounding neighbourhood to a masked ball. At nine o’clock the company began to arrive. In a short time, every access to the house re- ceiving the guests, and the spacious lawn in its front, became thronged with carriages and sedan chairs. At each point, footmen and attendants were to be seen escorting parties to the revels, and bear- ing in their hands either tall canes or flambeaux. Every variety of costume appeared to be assumed by the assemblage, who pushed forward into the gilded saloons, lighted by candelabra. | The spacious ball-room was soon crowded by these worthies, bedecked as merry monarchs, tur- baned Turks, and Dutchmen ; added to such ‘fan- | tastic characters as Punchinello, Harlequin, and Pierrot. The female denizens enlivening the scene by their diamonds dazzling, and as so many Sultanas, Queens, or Dames of Court. To give splendour and attraction to the fete, nothing had been neglected. All the chambers were magnificently decorated, and parterres of the choicest flowers, up6n which countless tapers shed their lustre, stretched them- | selves on whatever side the spectator turned. The lively dances of the period were performed io the music of a powerful orchestra. Performed bouquets were handed to each lady guest, The delicious wines of France and Germany, and hot-house fruits, were dispensed at the various buffets. Towards midnight the dancers, fatigued with their exertions, were regaled with a sumptuous supper, It was a repast that might have vied with the Roman feasts of old, abounding with the most tempting dishes and delicacies of the season. After this banquet, we must follow a domino, wearing a mask, who appeared to follow some one into an ante-chamber, On reaching it, this same domino encountered the two bright eyes that had attracted him to the spot, These individuals were the only occupants of the room they had entered, The one was Sir Ranulph Gayton, the other Violet Tremaine, The thick mantilla, fastened at the back of her head, and falling over her shoulders, concealed partially her features, But enough was revealed to give evidence of her beauty. She started at first, from the unexpected intru- sion on her privacy, but resumed her composure on learning its import. After an apology for his supposed transgression, the baronet continued, Tis most extraordinary that our host has not yet arrived, I have carefully scrutinized every mask, but have failed to detect Sir John Warbold among their number,” “T grieve to hear you’ say so, Sir Ranulph,” replied Violet, despondingly. “I am more sur- prised than you at his absence on such an occasion and at such a moment,” A neighbouring time-piece denoted the hour. ‘‘ Heavens!” continued the lady, “the clock strikes two, and yet he returnsnot, False one! he no longer loves me.” “Oh, say not that!” interrupted the baronet, fawninely. “Your intended has a faithful heart, though, perhaps——” Violet, half offended, eyed the speaker, then spoke somewhat peevishly, as follows : ‘Sir Ranulph Gayton, the word I uttered was not for the hearing of others—it was a thought that spoke. I have not betrayed myself.” ‘‘ Nay, such coyness with me, Violet, is simply ridiculous,” he replied. “ Your admirer, Sir John, is my friend, and I am the guardian of all his secrets. But, come when he may,” continued the indignant baronet, “JT shall make it my business’ to reprove him for this neglect of you.” ‘Neglect of me! reprove him ! you !” exclaimed Violet, with haughtiness. Sir Ranulph, disdaining to answer the censure, was about to throw himself at the fair one’s feet; when such an action was suspended by the sudden appearance of an aged personage, rejoicing in the name of Old Adam. He was one who had been {in the service of the family from boyhood, and for half a century had acted as steward of its estate. : : ‘““Madam,” said the faithful servant, in a tremulous voice, ‘‘I am afraid you are surrounded by difficulties, and come to see if I can be of any use,” The flush which had tinged her cheek during her interview with Sir Ranulph Gayton now gaye WAY to a paleness resembling death, With fearful anxiety, she enquired : “What, in the name of mercy, has now hap- pened ?” . ‘“* A—an accident.” “An accident—to your master ?” “Yes, he has been wounded, but in no cenEEE as his hurt is but slight.” “Thank heaven !”’ ‘The worst remains to.be told,” said the one “Let me know, then,” replied Violet, hastily and in great agitation, “In aword, Sir John Warbold has been arrested.” “Arrested! Heavens! from what cause 2” “T fear debt, madam,” replied the old man, “We have officers in the house; ; the plate, the furniture, the carriage are all seized upon.” ‘And no instructions—no letter from him in this dreadful extremity ?” 4 None, lady, that I can hear of,” “This is scarcely credible, Adam,” replied Violet, almost frantic. ‘Go; make again inquiry ; brine tidings where your master is, while I dismiss our guests, ‘‘ No,” she cried, suddenly stopping short ; ‘they m ust not yet know thesad calamity. Adam, on the duty you owe this family, I charge you be silent on this affair; bribe the men to continue so, while I will mask an aching heart by smiles and blandishments to our visitors.” The aged man quitted the room to obey the in- junctions of his mistress. Violet, overcome by her direful pos for a moment lent upon a chair for support, She was evidently taxing her failing strength to the uttermost. Still her bright lustrous eye beamed with resolu- tion. As her glance wandered it suddenly fell upon Sir | neiprenin tenancies comicbooks.com