The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 262: what you’re looking at

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anys THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 255 CD WD q, It naturally surprised him that an English female whom accident had thus placed in his power, should allude to an acquaintance with any former bandit-chief such as ho himself now was: and he knew not at the instant how to reply. While he was still hesitating, one of his comrades suddenly gave vent to an ejaculation; and starting to his feet, grasped his musket. All eyes wore at that instant turned in the same direction towards which the brigand was looking: and they beheld a per- son, evidently dressed as a gentleman, from near the entrance of the . Perceiving that he was unattended, and that no followers made their a , the fire-arms which in the first moment had been caught up, were deposited on the ground again,—all save that of Ramon him- self, who retained his musket as he advanced a few paces to meet this new-comer, at the same time significantly nodding to his men to keep a sharp look-out upon the fair captive and anticipate any attempt which she might make with respect to an escape. But strange indeed was the expression which rapidly lighted up her handsome countenance with blending joy and amazement, as that new-comer drew near. Anxious uncertainty speedily changed was not wrong—that the individual who was ad- vancing, was indeed he whom she had conjectured at the first glimpee of his form and features ;and springing from her seat, she cried in a ‘éne of thrilling exultation, “Count Christoval !’’: “ Christoval !” echoed every voice, as every one likewise started up again: and there was a general rush towards Don Diego—for he himself this new- comer proved to be. But the instant his eyes settled upon the coun- tenance of the fair captive, he stopped short with as much amazement as was depicted on her own features ; and he exclaimed, “ Good heavens, Miss Marshall! is it you ?” CHAPTER CXLI. A FRIEND IN WEED. Yuv—it was indeed Don Diego de Christoval who thus made his appearance. This too was the very band he had once commanded ;—though neces- earily, during the interval of about five years since he resigned his post, there had been changes as to a few individuals, w~wght by violent death on the one hand and by fresh membership on the other. But six or seven males and two or three of the females were still the same whom Don Diego had | ance known and who knew him. To all the rest was his name familiar as a loved and an honoured one; and thus was it that the moment it was mentioned, there was a acne rush, prompted by enthusiastic feelings, towards Tt was nev’ the'nten of Hamon de Collantes and all the members of the band, male and female, to be astonished at the recognition which took place between Don Diego Christoval and the captive lady, as the latter flew towards the former for protection. The Spanish nobleman shook her kindly by the hand: he could not forget that it }. was through her, en his arrival in England ten weeks back, he had obtained a clue to the dis. covery of Elizabeth Paton’s residence; and more- over he instantaneously knew by the manner in which she bounded towards him, that she was the captive Englishwoman whom he had expected to find with the band. He was aware that his in- fluence would suffice to effect her liberation; and he was well pleased at having the opportunity of rendering her a service. We will pause for a moment to explain how it happened that the Count thus made his appear- ance upon the scene. As the reader is aware, he had left England soon after he was formally ac- cepted as Elizabeth Paton’s suitor—to settle some affairs in the Spanish capital, and procure such documents as would convince the Marquis of Eagledean he was the wealthy individual he re- presented himself to be. ing desirous to get back again with the least possible delay to England, eo as to enjoy the society of his well-beloved Eliza- beth,—he brought his business at Madrid to a speedy termination, and set off in his travelling- carriage on his return. Scarcely had the banditti quitted the spot from which they bore off Kate Marshall, when the equipage of Count Christoval dashed up. From the muleteers he learnt an ac- count of what had taken place; and though they were unable to tell him the name of the English- woman whose abduction had thus been forcibly effected, they nevertheless made him aware that she was in a state of the most cruel tribulation. The muleteers were well acquainted with the band led by Ramon de Collantes; and from the in- formation they gave, Don Diego thus discovered that it was the very same which he himself had once commanded. Anxious to perform an act of generosity, he ordered his equipage to await his return; and judging from his topographical know- ledge, that the band would be encamped at the extremity of the gorge, he proceeded in that di- rection,—making his appearance under the cir- cumstances already described. When the first greetings had taken place be- tween himeelf and the lawless tribe, he made a rapid sign for Kate Marshall to retire to a little distance, while he spoke aside to the bandit tain. Ramon de Collantes revered his late chief with truly enthusiastic devotion ; and it therefore required but little suasion on Don Diego’s part to induce him to consent to restore Kate Marshall to freedom. The reader can be at no loses to compre- hend that it was the name of Don Diego Christoval which Kate was about to pronounce, in the hope that it would have a certain effect in her favour pon Collantes,—at the very instant when the nobleman himself so timeously made his appear- The conference between Christoval and Collantes lasted but a few minutes; and when it was over, the former drew forth a pocket-book containing s number of bank-notes,—a large portion of winch he insisted that Ramon should accept as the ran- som money for Kate Marshall and to be shared refused to receive the bounty of his former chief ; but Don Diego insisted ;~—and when Ramon made known to his followers the amount théreof, they In a few hasty words Don Diego informal Kate COLL (C DOO CS (GO)