The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 352: what you’re looking at

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es ee pee GHEE... a en Ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. asked Juliana. “For he of course is the best judge respecting the danger to bo incurred.” « “You shal] soe me take a gate first,” replied the Squire; “and then you four ladies can constitute 4 jury to decide whetheraLord Harold shall attempt tho same achiovement.” “Indeed, if there be any danger,” said Juliana, throwing a look of alarm upon her lover, “ [ can- not think of permitting even you to try the feat.” “Danger, my dear Misy Farofield!" exelairged the Squiro, at the same timo rewarding her with a look of gratedul rapturo: “there is nope for a really good horseman.”’ 8 “ Nevertheless,” said Lady Saxondale, “I would much rather that Lord*Harold should follow the advice which his aunt and sister have given him. It is foolish to run risks of this Mind.” = “Well, we shall sce,” cjgculated Harold, rising from his seat, “Come, Mr. Hawkshaw—you and L will go down té the stables and have thé horse brought out; and tho ladits will perhags join us presently in the park.” ©. | No objection was offered to this proposal, and the two gentlemen accordingly withdrew. The ‘ladies then ascended to their chambers to put on their walking attire; and in about half-an-hour they all four traversed the gardens arl cntered $ho park, where Mr. Hawkshaw was already mounted on his splendid horse, showing off its paces to Lord Harold Staunton, who allmired the animal exceedingly. ¢ “ Let us proceed,” naid fife Squire, “ towards yon- der palings. There is a five-bared gato in that barrier.” : , Juliana walked by the side of the steed which her admirer rode: and true to the tactios which ashe had su skilfully adopted, first to captivate and after- wards to sécure Mr. [lawkshaw’s heart, she talked to him of nothing else but his favourite steed. * Pray, Herold,” said Florina, taking bgr brother’s arm, “do not attertpt anything rash. Do not, I beseech you! An accident so soon occurs.” “ How is it, Flo,”. inquired Staunton, “ that you are #0 very anxious congerning me all of a sudden P” ‘ ° : “ How can you talk in this mannor, Harold ?” said his sister, gazing up at him reproachtully as she walked by his side. “Oh! I thcught you wero rather cool to me yesterday after my return—and likowisé this morn- ing. I did not know, howover,” continueg Staunton, “in what way I hatl offended you——” “But whatsoever amount of offence you might give ine, Harold,” interrupted his sister, “I should still bo anxious concerning you all thp same; and therefore @ beg that you will undertake nothing rash. Of course [ am no judge @f horses; but it scéms to’me that Mr. Hawkshaw’y is very spirited, and that it is one which only a person accustomed to ride it, and who thercfgre knows it well, ought to attempt any bold feat with.” . “Well, my dear Flo,” returned Harold carelessly, “we shall see all about it presontly. ,Pray don’t alarm yourself beforehand.” | Lady Saxondalo and Lady Macdonald had fullowed at a little distance, and were conversing og the same subject—the former being to all appearances quite as averse as tho lattcr that Staunton should take eo daring a leap with a stoed which he had never ridden = eee =O ee oe 1 ee oes ees bs ed In a fow minutes the palings skirting tho park were reached; and a halt was made. There was a very high gate in that boundary; and this was the one which Mr. Hawkshaw proposed to leap. Ju- liana raised her eyes towards him with a look of tenderncss and alarm—so that the Syuiry could scarcely rofrain from bending duwn and givins ute terance to a fow words expressive of his raoture at the interest which she thus demonstrated on his bebalf. Yet he did restrain himself; because tho period which ho had prescribed for courtship cre avowing his on, had not yet passed: but then he looked all he would have said, and thie eloquence, of his eyes told a tato satisfactory onough to the intriguing and selfish Mits Farofivld. Taking a propor distance—but with the uncon. cern and fearlessness of a man who knew perlectly wel} what his horse could do, and what he himself might in all Bafety venturo—Squire Mawkshaw gul- lopped the steed at the gato and cleared it in the most beautiful style, to the admirativa uf those who beheld him. Cantering into the middle of the field on thesother side of the park-railinzs, he wheeled the horse round—gallopped it back nyain at the gate—and leaped over in the same admirablo wan- ner as before. “Thera!” he said, springing from tho steed as he reached the spot wheresthe ladics hat remained standing with Lord Harold: “ you see that anythin can be done with this horse.” “aon I am sure that [ need not {ear to venture,” said the yoyng nebleman: and ho advanced tu take the bridle from the Squire’s hand. “No, Harold!” cried Klprina: “do not, I besoech you-—de not !” But .by the timo sho had ultered thesu words, her brother had sprung upon the horse; and _gallopping away, he mado a wide circuit, nol culy to settle himself well upon the animal's back anil try its paces for himself, but also (o convince tho Squire that he was no mean equestrinn. © Your ladyship need fear nothing,” said Mr. Hawkshaw, addressing bimsclf to Florina: “ for your brother is quite capablo of duing with that horse whatsoever Icando.” | s “But you aro such a superb rider,” remarked Juliana in an undertone, accompanying her cow- pliment with a tender look. © Lord Llarold is as good as 1 am,” returned the Squire, surveying ®faunton’s equestrian perform. ance with the eye of a coanviscur. ‘Sue, he ds going to tako the gate! Stand back a little. Pray, don’t be afraid, ladies! [can assure you he is all safe. It is perfectly right--he knows what he is about.® Why, he sits upon the back of Chat horse as if he formed part of it. ‘There —away ho goes |" )- . And away Lord Harold did yo, clearing the gato in as fine a etylo us Mr. Hawkshaw had already twice done. Bui all in an instaut shricks burst forth from the ladios, and an ejaculation of alarm from the tho gate, when he disappeared frum the horse’s back — ce a es ee A ES ery RR a a a a ES =e i aaa ee SN a a ee a eee = . Squire: for scarcely had Staunton leapt | —the steed gallopped on—and he was left lyiug in : the field. , “O heaven, ho is killed! ho is killed!” was the wild cry that issued from Florina’s lips: and she sprang frantically towards tho gate. “Do not be alarmed, dear Filo,’ said Harold, Sg ae. re ee a s 1 foe ae ee a OOO) OY COMIC SS (CO)