The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

PHE MYSTERIES OF THE OOURT. $83 mongers. Therefore my resolve was taken to bid | descending to the ground-floor of the tower, the farewell to France: for, as I had plundered a /| bandit-captain found that half-a-dosen of his French subject—although in another country— | men had just brought in, as prisoners, an Eng- yet I was well aware that the authorities, if once | lish gentleman and his valet,— certain circum- put on the alert, would arrest me at a venture,— eo that if a French tribunal declared iteelf incom- potent to try me for a ,deod done in Spain, the gendarmes would everthelees have marched me stances having led the outlaws to believe that a goodly ransom might be obtained for the libera- tion of the capt*ves in this instance. It appeared that the gentleman and his valet were travelling Over the frontier and given me into the custody of post towards Madrid, having entered Spain by the Spanish authorities at Figueras. Well, what I apprehended on the part of those Durands came way of Figueras—that the detachment of banditti stopped the equipage—and that after desperate to pass. On leaving the village, they must have | but ineffectual attempts at resistance, the traveller given information at the very next town concern- | and his domestic were overpowered. There was ing me; and if the gendarmes had only done their | no considerable sum of ready-money found upon work a little more cleverly and without eo maneh | fhe geatioman's person —n0 more than he might noise, I should at this moment be in s French | have deemed sufficient for his expenses to the gaol instead of in my own tower. However, the | Spanish capital: but, on the other’ hand, he had necessity that was felt to have such a posse of offi- | in his pocket-book letters of credit on a banker in cers to effect the capture, was the highest compli- ment that could be paid to your renowned husband Don Ramon de Collantes. Now, I think all expla- nations have been given ; and you have nothing to do, Juliana, but to resign yourself to your new mode of life.” “Ramon!” said the lady, falling upon her knees at her bandit-husband’s feet, “I beseech you to let me depart hence! You eay that you love me——” “Yes, Juliana—and too well to lose you,” in- terrupted Collantes, forcing her to rise from her suppliant posture. “It is useless to bandy far- ther words on a point respecting which I am fully decided. You cannot go hence: it is impoe- sible |” “ At least suffer me to write to my sister!” ex- claimed the wretched Juliana. “No good purpose, my dear wife,” responded the bandit, “can posmbly be answered thereby. Youbtless the Marquis and Marchioness of Ville- belle will read in the newspaper that the ocele- brated Ramon de Collantes had for some time past been living under a disguised name in a French village of the Eastern Pyrenees—and that when the gendarmes went to capture him, he effected his escape in a characteristic manner. The same journalists will not fail to record how his wife played the heroine in the most admirable manner ; and thus the Marquis and Marchioness of Ville- belle are sure to hear all that has taken piace. There is no necessity to write and tell tham ex- actly where you are: and moreover, for certain obvious reasons, it might be inconvenient. ” At this moment one of the females entered the apartment, to inform Ramon de Collantes that he | sured Mr. Forester,—for such the was wanted below. She then retired; and the | name appeared to be, according to to his. bandit-captain said to Juliana, “Do your best to and letters of credit,—that he need be under keep up your spirits and make yourself comfort. ! able. I will presently despatch one of the women to Barcelona; and she shall purchase you all kinds of necessaries that you may require. You can that city for a very large amount. It was this fact which—in of their usual policy in such cases—had induced the banditti to bring the traveller and his valet as captives to the tower. The post-chaise had been left to return to Figueras, —the banditti however allowing the gentleman to pay the postilions their due—e course which they invariably adopted, and which led to the very natural supposition that there might be some little private understanding between the outlaws and the drivers in those districte. The gentleman was about six or seven-and- twenty years of age—tall—well made—and hand- some,~—with a frank ingenuous ion of countenance. His hair was of a rich brown, curling naturally: his eyes were blue: his features were somewhat delicate, and classically modelled. Altogether, his appearance was most agreeable: his voice was fich and harmonious; and his man- ners were polished and elegant.. But now he wore a haughty and indignant look: he betrayed not the slightest sentiment of fear: indeed, his courage had been well proven in his resistance to the bane ditti; and it was fortunate for him that in being overpowered at last, he had sustained no hurt more serious than a few bruises. His valet, also an Englishman, was a middle-aged, sedate-looking person—but one who could no doubt display a courageous resolution in the moment of emergency. Ramon de Collantes addressed the English gen- tleman in the Spanish tongue first: but finding that it was little understood by the traveller, he to speak in French. In this language proceeded the captive was proficient; and the discourse therefore flowed on easily. The -chief as- gentleman's passport no apprehension in respect to his life, nor of ill- treatment, provided he would consent to purchase his hberty; and that during the interval which must elapse ere the ransom-money could be give her a list,—and we will also do something to ' obtained from Madrid, he should experience as render the rooms more suitable for your accom-' much attention and as good accommodation as modation. The amount of freedom you will enjoy, | under ciroumstances might be afforded. Mr. depends entirely on your conduct towards me: | Forester,—whom the reader will recollect as having but I warn you against any attempt at escape. | been Wiliam Deveril’s second in the duel with It is painful for me thus to speak—but methinks | Lord Harold Staunton,—saw no alternative but to it is | accept the proposition. He found himself a pri- Don Ramon de Collantes thereupon quitted the | soner in the midst of a wild region—at the mercy room, leaving Juliana a prey to reflections which | of a lawless band; and he was compelled to sub- may be more easily“imagined than described. Gn due his pride for his own personal convenience. —_—— mom a te ee Giles = 4 tm = Pe OS nae —@ @ «se -—— - in ow = ee (COL (C DOO CS (COL