Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

1ay$s OHAPTER DCCCLXIL TOM KING FINDS HIS PERILS AND DIFFICULTIES INCREASE AT EVERY STEP. BEAK BSR: OR, sity for urgent speed, and, delightful as the gardens wera Tom by no means wished to linger in them. “Surely,” be thought, “this would be 6 favourable opportunity for gaining the interior of the castle.” At any rate, he resolved to try it, especially when ke Gazina through the trees, the first thing that attracted ; perceived that many of the guests, tired of their pro- his attention was @ blaze of hght, proceediug from what appeared to be the range ef windows on tho ground floor of tne castle. Strains of music, too, came faictly upon hie cara, and therefore it was essy to conjecture that geome scene of festivity w2s going on within. , The point, however, upon which Tom felt the greatest smount of uneasiness and which made him hesitate to move was whether thera existed an inner circie oi sentinels. os If this sould prove to be the case, how should he ez2= trive to pass them ? The gardens themselves, however, were so very dark and silent, that Tom felt great hopes of being able to creep forward unperceived, even if anyone should be on the watch. This, the morehe reflected, seemed unlikely, for, judging by appearances, this was some private portion of the grounds into which no one would be permitted to in- trude. Using as much caution, however, as he would have done had he felt quite certain that sentinels were near, Tom King crept slowly in the direction of the lights. In a short time he was able to see them distinctly. The range of windows that was illuminated was 8 very long one. The music had ceased, but now it burst fortm «gain with a sudden crash, and even as it did so some doors were thrown wide open. Tom glanced keenly through the portal, and as he did so he saw a crowd of persons of both sexes elegan‘lv and brilliantly attired. Some were in the spacious hall, and others descenang a staircase; evidently they were all about to issue forth into the grounds. Perceiving this, Tom crouched down as lew as he could behind a huge tree, trusting that its shelier would conceal him. From this position he watched the approach of the glittering throng. The threshold was crossed, the broad flight of steps descended, and then, amid the silence that prevailed, he could hear the low murmur of courtly conversation, and occasionally the faint sound of laughter. The number of guests who thus poured forth into the garden surprised Tom beyond measure. They dispersed themselves over every pari of it, and he began to feel very doubtful whether he would be able to remain concealed where he was without being dis- covered by some one. Then a bold and fresh thought darted into his mind. He felt surprised that this thought had not occurred to him before. It was no other than to quit his placo of concealment and mingle with the crowd. Among so many his presence could scarcely be noticed. Most certainly there would be many who were strangers to each other, and might not he pass for one of the strangers ? The only difficulty was about his costune, which was by no means in keeping with that of tae gentlemen around. Still, in the gardens it was dark, and even this miguat escape notice. At any rate, it would be better, he thought, to stand up boldly than to remain so evidently in hiding. Scarcely had the idea crossed his mind than, witheni PeHSOunE much upon it, he proceeded to carry H 1°49 eitect. Lightly knocking from his clothes the dust that wa» upon them, he stepped forth with all the boldness ia tiie world on to one of the well-kept footpaths. The success he met with was something far beyond 1 be expectations. Several glances were cast upon him, tt is true, but 1> oue ventured to accost him, or, co fat as he couli tell f> make any remark as to his appearance. But tims was passing rapidly on; there was the a’ co- , secretary. | menade in the open air, were rapidly returning. Surely he might drift in with the crowd; and it seemed to him that, once beneath the roof of the, eval building, the remainder would be easy. | Not without considerable trepidaticn—ror he knew how much depended upon his actions—Tom King directed his steps towards the spacious doorway. | Several were before him, several behind him, laughing and chatting gaily. ger He was now, however, in the full blaze of the light, and he could scarcely refrain from shrinking a little. Assuming all the boldness and confidence he possibly. could, however, he strode on. - Two domestics in gorgeous livery were standing at each side of the doorway, and when Tom fairly crossed the threshold and passed them he drew a long breath of relief—he considered it was such a good omen of future success. Drifting with the tide of persons, he was carried along the corridor towards another door that stood wide open. Congratulating himself mentally, Tom King walked — on, every step increasing the amount of confidence. he already felt. Suddenly, however, he felt a light touch on his arm. He affected to disregardit, but it was repeated, and this time more unmistakably. Glancing round, he found himself facs to face with an elderly gentleman, who was splendidly attired, and who carried in his hand a long white wand. “Excuse me,” he said, somewhat abruptly. and yet from sheer force cf habit making a bow while he spoke —‘‘excuse me, but I have not the honour of your ac- quaintance—your features are quite unfamiliar. Mayl trouble you to produce your card of invitation ?” Tom smiled and endeavoured to look indifferent. “My card of invitation?” he said. ‘ Well, that’s amusing. I have not one.” “Indeed ?” said his interrogator. “ That is strange ; but you treat this matter lightly. By what right do you intrude ?” ‘‘ The best,” said Tom King, boldly. ‘I come here on secret service, and my busivess is with the King him- self.” : “With his Majesty?” said the other, involuntarily taking two or three paces backwards. ‘Even so,” said Tom; “and if you will do me the favour of showing me into his presence at once I shall be obliged to you. I was looking everywhere for you when I felt you touch 17 arm.” An expression of perfect bewilderment now came cver the old gentleman’s countenance, as he ejaculated : “Step this way—step this way.” Tom obeyed without hesitation, and soon found him- self in a little ante-room. ‘ Now, sir,” said his guide, “just let us come to an un- - derstanding. Who can you be, so ignorant of the usuages of the court? What do you mean by saying that you come here on secret service P” “Simply what I say,” returned Tom; “and let me assure you it is important that I should be immediately ushered into the presence of his Majesty.” ‘Ts it upon business ?” “ Certainly —urgent, pressing business.” “Then itis not his Majesty you wish to cee, buat his Come this way.” ‘+ No, you mistake,” said Tom King: “my business is with the King only.” ‘‘ Weoll, well, this way,” said the cther, impatiently— “this way, I say. I am wanted elsewhere. How on sarth you came to be admitted to tho castle £ art ut a loss to imagine.” %’o this speoch Tom made no reply fo considered tha. he was making much better pro- ‘gress than he could possibly have anticipated. He followed willingly encugh in the old gentleman’ footsteps. The little ante room communicated with ¢ larger apart e¢om (E cS (Eo) JOO ~ ‘ : 4 howd a? . : ; “ S cRee Ace : < . ‘ . a 4 rp *