The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 7 — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

Y (ee TE PA ST: ES eS Que grewmus tae. maiden, vould. 1 deteive you! Yeu have given me your aympathy:—that aympathy has touched eome chord in my hear$s—¢he ebord hae vibrated — i¢ vibrates now! Maiden, if I were free, I would kneol at your feet—I would offer you my hand-+ I would place before you the countless treastires which I have amassed, aad which are w well eons ceuled in a distant place that there is no fear of thtir being diseoypred.” - “JT am afraid that 1 do wrong to listen to you,” murmured Finette, whose heart throbbed with joy, while a suovession of blushes kept suffusing her cheeks: “you must not therefore tall any more in that strain—but rather proceed to tell n> what can be done to effect your freedom. Perhaps you need some proof of your innocence P perheps you have it in your power to show that the crimes were committed by your hand when you were not prea¢nt,—crimes which you yourself abhor———” “ How strange—how wonderful,” cried De Mar- gaux, “that you understand me thus that you penetrate into the truth of these circumstanees |! Surely, surely there must be some unknown but potent sympathy existing between us! Yes—there sa/ It is q mystical transfusion—sympathy be- getting love~and love, I hope, engendcring love in return !” Finette’s heart wen? on throbbieg, and ber checks blushing, and hee bosom palpitating. There was something magically soft in the voiee of the brigend-captain. To be his bride—bis companion, in some far-off clime, .or in the depths of some forest, were infinitely preferable to a residence in that gloomy prison, along with a father whose temper was not the sweetest in the world, and who even that very day had spoken so harshly to her. “It is true,” continued De Margaux, “that I was not present when the crime was committed,— true aleo that when I learnt the atrogity my soul wag sihitten with horror and anguish. But what could IWoP It was too late to repair the evil that was done; and while I was thinking of the beat mode to punish the offendess, so as to make them an example to the rest of my band, I was captured. In one point only, sweet Finette, have you misunderstood me. There is no evidence I can procure which will prove mine innoeence; be- cause it ie sufficient that I am the captain of the band in order to be held responsible for all the misdeeds of my followers. Therefore, if I remain here, I shall perish!—the remorseless myrmidons of the law will take the life of him for whom you have entertained sueh sweet sympathy! I erave freedom therefore that my life may be saved. Is is no faleo title which I bear—-& Baron's rank it mine; and in the fairest Alpine valley do I possess a charming mansion, situated in the midet of dels cious pleasure grounde. Ob! that thither I eould bear thee as a bride, and that for the reat of our * days we could dwell in that delightful spot, in peace, in safety, and in happiness |" . Fineste was bewildered by this speech: her brain appeared to reel with dreams of bliss: ghe already beheld herself the mistress of that biéau- teous mdneion--rcdming throngh that charming Alpine valley—-leaning on the atm of a husband of the moet eléyent mien: Never hed these prison- walla appeared és glovnry and odious to the young maiden. De Margaux fathomed all that 8 ® Gene { look and tane was passing. in her mitids he perceived the advan. tage he had already gained; Gnd he eontinusdtin his insidione so nenee by elvis , “(To hor who began- g me her ynipathy when sympathy was to mich neetied—to her who listened to wy avowdl of love--to ker wito shall afford me the mene of saving a life whiok will be déeubly valuable inasmuch as it must be devoted to the delightful task of ensuting ker happiaess,— Oh, to her of whom I am speaking--togon, dearest maiden, shall the faithfulless devetion and the tens dereat affection be ever dust” “Bus how ean I help you?--O%, how I can belp you P” asked Finette, sow Wursting inte tedre af Weep not,” seid De Margauxe “every tear you shed falls like moltes lead upott my heart Tell mie, beloved one, is mot your father ene of the turnkeys of the prison P’’ . “ Ales! yes,” responded Finette: “and the faet dooms mo to an existence within these dreadful wallse-~an existence whieh I abbor |” “Ho is a tarnkey ?’ ssid De Margeux. “You oan obtein the key from him? you can possess yourself of it?” “ No—impossible {” rejoined Finette, with « the deepest sadness. “ Impossible f” ectiddd De Matgaux, for a mo- ment dejected. “ But still you can sasiss mo? Yea, you.camt aevitt me! Files—-a: réps2—can you not fagnish me these f” " “ You i” ejaculated the maiden, her countenanes suddenly brightening up with joy: then, as rapidly sinking with despondency again, she added, “ Ah, I comprebend! But the sentinel on the opposite side of the moat ?” “That obstacle, sweet girl, is not insurmount- able,” responded De Margaux. “ Oh, if you would serve me, Vinette—if you would servo me, it is nob by halves that you mug do it. It isa matter of life and death! You know it--yow see that it is 1” . “ Tell me what I can do,” said the gil eagerly: foP her heart was now full of the must devoted enthusiasm towaxie this object of her romantie interest. ; “You must manage that sentinel forme! I havo noticad that the guard comes round te clan‘e the sentinels & ten o’clock—then again at mid- night. It is the sentinel whe will then be on duty that you will bave to deal with. Can you get out between those hours, Finette P” “‘Yos—for fortunately my father has gone to seo his sister in the country, and he is sure not to return before midnight—poerhaps not oven until to-morrow morning. But what am I to do with regard to that sentinel P’” she asked. “Oan you not offer him liquor ?” ssid De’ Mar. gauz: “will you mind doing this for my sake? It io s husband whom you will win, sweet Finette f —a husband who Will love you for your devotion and be proud of you for your beroiam |" “T will do anything—everything you tell me!” replied the enthusiestio Sut infatuated girl. “You can give the soldier liquor,” continued De Margauz; “and the liquor cas be drugged, Start not! = mean not to poison the poor wretsh » i¢ is a mere soporiie that you will admisister: Que dram of. the liguer thus drugge!, and he sinks down ssncolem. My escape will bé seoured——I oim caste hl NSCB ns TD ns al ne apmeminmniaaS ECOMRniclacae YN S (CO)