The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 393: what you’re looking at

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

—— wee 2 eee re oe ee ee wee eee ee eee wee “= m= Pe mes —_ o2- —_ —_ we eee ew ow a Cee, —eee eet meee Ae Se Oe eee aetna ED: 382 An es aa ane Te Ta there ass prisoner until Laura’s flight should be ensured, he himself was the most proper person to hold her in such quetody. Edgar Beverley’s pre- sence in the rescue of his beloved was of course absolutely necessary; aod (Uuristian felb that the mountebank might not purubly be quite eo firm or ebronuous as ba himself would be in holding the negrose fast, “She may hola out promises of heavier bribes frown Bir John than Rdgar can give,” thouglt our Leto to himeelf{; “and the juggler might be tepted. The guardianship of this woman for the present shall consequentiy be my own care.” Sv soun as Beverley and the mountebank had hustoued away from the apot, Christian said to the ad . nogress, “] have already asaured you that nv harm a 5 a ee Qeeepens atone 4g ty <2 dee en, a ER APY CER PEAS CEOS aeRO PC RYE PRT aR Tyan ? will befall you if you remain silent and motionless un the spot where you nuw stand. But I charge yuu not to trust too much ty my furbearance: for f should be littlo incliued to gtaud upon punctilious terms with ono who haw been instrumental in keeping an innocent young lady in au odious cap- tivity.” ‘ The horribla black woman was completely over- awod by Christian’s words and manner, which he purposely rendered Gerce and threatening: and she continuod quiet. In the meantime Edgar Bevorley and the moun- tebank bad advanced towards the manmon; aud the forracy had no difficulty in at onco dincovering which was the chamber occupied by his beloved Laura. Indeed, at the very moment that he and his assistant arrived in front of the dwelling, a light appeared in that particular room. Edgar's heart beat quickly: bis car could catch its pulsa- tions as he and the mwuntebank paused in front of Verner Huase to assure themeulvos that no one olue was lurking about outside. The night was very dark, but perfeotly mild; aud no suspicious sound reached them--nor could their oyes, strain- ing to penetrate through the obscurity, discern any human form muving about. The ladder was accordingly planted against the winduw of Laura’s shamber: and Edgar, rapidly aseending 11, tapped gently at the glass. The few moments which fol- lowed ore the summons was anqwerod, were full of acutest suapensn for the lieutenant, —inasmuch as he copld not sce tnto the roow, tho heavy draperies being drawn completely ever the casement, and it might not be Laura whe was there—or if 16 were, 2b was by no means crrtain that she was alone. Iler meter or a maid-srsact might happen to bo with her- although her uote to her lover bad given rive to a hopv in altugether a contrary sense. The suspcuse of Edgar Beverloy was not how- evor of long duration: the draperies parted in the centre—and the well-beloved Laara appeared to his view. Oh, with what ecstacy beat his heart! what joy thrilled through bis furm! The liebt of the wax-candics jnde the chauaber beamed upon his countenance; and a kiodrel nuimation of wild deligut irradiated the young liaiden's featurca aa she recagnised Lim who was dearer to her than aay being tu the world beside. Norertheluss, caution was uct lost sight uf-—tho window was opaked gently—and then Laura's fair hand waapressed te Edgar's lips. * Coure, dearest--ceme!” he said in a low bat forvid whisper: “the chaise is waiting —there must Het ov on ioswul's dulay {” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Dearest Edgar!” murmured the dazeel, joy being so excessive that her emotions how found vent(*in tears. “You know not how much I have suffered ——But nevor, vever, Edgar,” she added :aore firmly, and likewise with a sudden eecess of sulemnity,—“nover, never will I forget all this goodness on your part!” She presso! lites hand, and flew to put on her bonnet aod shaw!: but her henré fluttered and her band trembled so that sho felt as if she had in- curred the danger of being os mueci overpowered by joy as but a ehort time back she stood the chance of being overwhelmed with affliction. At longth however, after the lapse of some moments —which seemed ages to the impatient lover —she was ready attired; and ehe rejoined hiw at the window. Still so timid and nervous waa ehe, how- ever, that he perceived at a glance she would not be able to descend the ladder without the moet careful assistance; and vaulting over the wiadow- sill, he sprang into the room, that he might help her out first, acd thus be enabled tu huld her hand as she deseended the ladder. But at that very instant the sound of a dour opening ia tho first roown ot the suite, reached the ears ot the lovers; and Laura, suddenly becoming pale as «death, faintly ejaculated, “ My sister!” Nut for a single instant did Edgar Beverley lose his presence of mind: on tho contrary, it all in a moment received the most vivid impulse; and with one apring across the room, he reached the duur of coinumetion between the two chambers. The handle of that dour was already turning in the grasp of Mre. Oxsenden,—when the key itself was turned by Jtdgar Beverley; and the uext weatant he was by Laura's suiv again. “pen the dour, Laara!” exclaimed the voice of Mrs. Oxendun from the vpposte side ot the secured portal: “open the duur directly, 1 cum- mand you!” “nergy. doarest Laura-energy and courage, for Gord's sake!” whispered Beverlay. “The least hesitation -and everything 19 lust!" But as Mra. Oxenden’s vvice continued to peal frum the opposite side of the duor, the puor darusel wos almost overwhelmod with atfright; in such dread did she stand of her sister, that she cuuld put possibly conquer her terrors. Navertheles:, by sume little exertion on her ewn part, but more — eee « ea a ee wee Sete! oo Fe ee ee ian = a — =e -——_ — through the assistance of her lover, she passed over’ — the window-sill and got upon the ladder,—at the samo time thet the voice of Mrs. Oxenden gud. denly ecased tu be heard from the oppusite side of the duor: though the excitument experienced by buth the lovers prevented them from hearing the sounds of the uuprincipled woman's rapidiy re- treating footsteps, The crisis was now @ serious one—for thoysh Beverley was determined to defend Laura with bis very live, if necessary, yet he likewise knew that Lin uncle had a numerous retinue of male depen. tiants, and that be would not scruple te urge them to any deed uf violence. However, by the joint easistagca of her lover and the rmovntebank, Laura descended the ladder, and reached the ground in safety, Then away towards the post- vhaise! But all im an instant the froat dour of tie manmnou opened—Bir John Steward and Mrs, Oxeniden rushed out Sret--a troop of men-servantes uiluwed negt; and from a aideedoor three or fuus CONMUC a) ang Np Oe soe = w @ & NOG eae SS