The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. have determined that the first lovely damsel whom we may intercept travelling by coach or chaise, shall become mme—no matter how high her de- gree, nor what amount may be offered for her de- liverance. Now, friends, will you make this con- cession to your chief ?—will you pledge yourselves to forego the prospect of sharing a large sum for the ransom of such female, so that my desire may “Right !” exclaimed Ramon de Collantes. “I | his addressed the affrighted lady in the French tongue: for he eaw that she was not = Spanish woman ;— and he bade her have no feers for her life. Then he threw a rapidly significant glance around upon comrades, as mush as to imply that accident Se ne objet of those very wishes which he had so recently been expressing. lady,—who was indeed remarkably besdisome, English, she besought the bandit-ceptain to let her proceed on her journey, es her object was af life and death importance. “Ah! madam, you are English, I perceive,” the } said Ramon de Collantes, now speaking in the selves——and had evidently been on the look-out from the spot where he had hitherto remained concealed. “Then march, comrades !’’ exclaimed Ramon: himeelf at their head, he led them quickly away from the spot. Those to whom the females belonged, waved their hands in token of temporary farewell; and band was beyond the view of the females; and turning into a narrow gorge, from. which one side of the eminence rose abruptly, they pursued their way for about ten minutes, until they reached a grove at the farther extremity of the chagn, and which concealed as well as separated it from the main road. The grove was quickly threaded ; and account of his proficiency in various tor his valour and martial expcrionce,—at a traveller's own native tongue: “and if Dame For- tune had intended to confer upon me some special evidence of her favour, she could not have chosen a better made: for I love and adore yeu beautiful English ladies!” The fair traveller appeared much alarmed at the libertine flippancy of the chieftain’s words,—accom- solutely necessary that you should alight and accompany us elsewhere.” Again did an expression of acute alarm appear upon the Isdy’s countenance; and joining her hands in an earnest manner, she said in a voica of corresponding entreaty, “Once more do I beseech you that I may be suffered to proceed! There is & person, dearer to me than life, in sore trouble— on whose behalf I have undertaken this long, long journey " “Madam,” interrupted Ramon de Collantes, “ it is somewhat incomvenient for us to stand bandying words upon the public highway: I therefore re- quest that you lose no time in accompanying us whither we shall lead.” ‘“‘Good heavens, what a frightful calamity!” ahe exclaimed, all the remnants of her fortitude appearing to abandon her, and her countenance despair. “TI am grieved, madam, to distress you,” ro- joined Raymond: “but it cannot be otherwise. You must come!” “No—you may kill me first!” ejaculated the fair traveller: “you must drag me hence by force———” (GO) iC 5 DOO CS (COL