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

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 253 “Which I shall aseuredly do,” the bandit-chief, in a decisive tone. “Come, madam! You would do well to alight of your own free will: it is simply absurd for you to offer resist- ance against a dosen men.” atrong “One word more!” eried the afflicted stranger, now sinking upon her knees inside the vehi renounce the splendid creature whom accident had thus thrown in his way. “Madam,” he said, again assuming a resolate look, “ you must accompany us !” For an instant the afflicted fair one glanced rapidly around, as if in the last wild hope of observing some succour near: but that was scarcely to be in the mountainous re- gions of Catalonia. She would have ap to the muleteers for aid—only that she now beheld them in friendly discourse with three or four of the banditti, and ing drams from the flasks of these lawless individuals. All hope died within her: and in order to avoid outrage, she motioned that she was ready to accompany the inexorable He led the way through the grove, back into the gorge,—his men following at a little distance, and one of them bearing the trunk. As the party walked along, the fair traveller again used all her ee CGigaih fe Mie) ¢ — Ee Gee o~ age © oe Se EE EE ee oy, or Pe, eloquence to move Collantes to mercy: but he still proved resolute in his purpose. Now that he had still more leisure than even at first to contemplate her, he saw that she must be about four or five- full well calculated to make an impression upon the heart of Ramon de Collantes. Her voice was of flute-like harmony—rich-toned without being masculine; and when modulated to the accents of passionate it had something that ravished rather than moved the soul of the bandit. “ No, fair lady,” he said; “it is impossible I can accede to your prayer. With me and my band :} must you remain: but you may be assured of worthy treatment. May I ask whether it be a lover, a husband, or a brother, whom you were on your way to see at Barcelona ?”’ This allusion to the abject of the fair travellor’s journey, threw her into a fresh paroxysm of grief, —2o that she threw herself down on the slope of the gorge; and again covering her face with her hands, gave way to an outburst of woe so desp, so enguished, that it well nigh moved the heart of Ramon to compassion. But as his eyes slowly wandered over the fine symmetry of her form, he again felt how impossible it was to surrender the prise thus thrown in his way ;—and moreover, if he himself were induced to do so, he knew that he should only incur the ridicule of his comrades. Having some tolerable amount of experiance in respect to the female heart, he thought it better to '| permit that gush of affliction to expend itself ere he addressed her again;—and thus, for some minutes, there was a halt at that spot. None of his companions could speak a syliable of English: they therefore understood not what had been pass- ing between himself and her ;—but they of course judged that she entreated him to grant her free- dom—and that he refused. By their looks they encouraged him to persevere: while they likewise him, in a similarly significant man- ner, on the prise which he had obtained. “For what am I destined P ‘what is to be my doom ?” she suddenly demanded, as she sprang up ;|to her feet, her cheeks burning with indi ; indignation which her last thoughts had evidently inspired. “If you think to bend me to your vile purpose, you will be disappointed! I will die sooner! Yes —there is one whom I love, and who is in a dun. goon———Perhaps his life will be forfeited to the laws of your country——and ye are not men—ye are monsters in human shape, if ye hold me back from the accomplishment of my sacred object! Oh! once again do I conjure you, senor—euffer me to depart! Take all I possesa—tell me what far- ther ransom you require, and it shall be paid—— honourably and duly paid—I swear that it shall l— even though my parents beggar themselves to raise the sum which you may demand !” Whether in the moments of her indignation, or in those of her pathetic entreaty, she appeared so handsome in the eyes of Ramon de Collantes, that he was more than ever determined to keep posses- sion of her. She read this decision in his looks; and suddenly becoming quite calm,—yet it was the calmness of desperation,—she said in a low dcep voice, “Tell me, senor, for what am I destined ¢” (COL (C DOO CS (COL