The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

It is true that he was only travelling for his plea- sure, being of no profession and possessing a hand- some independent income: but still, though his time was so completely his own, it appeared to hrm by no means agreeable to pass more of it than was absolutely in the of a bandit horde. He therefore, though not without reluctanes, consented to the terms laid down by Ramon de Collantes. But now arose some little difficulty. This was not a mere matter of presenting a cheque at a banker’s in any city or town more or less remote, and which could be accomplished by any one of the men suitably apparelled in a simple citizen’s garb for the purpose: but it was to obtain cash on a letter of credit which by righte should be pre- sented at the Madrid banker’s by the individual in whose favour it was drawn. It was therefore a: atl Ramon de Collantes saw no alternative but to undertake the business himeelf. At the first thought he did not much relish the idea of leaving his wife, whom he veally loved, alone for ten days or a fortnight at the tower, during the very first period of her residence there, and when her im- patient spirit ought to be checked by all his power of control. But his second reflection was of quite the opposite character ; and he reasoned that it would perhaps be all the better to leave her thus for a short space to the monotunous kind of exist- ence she would have to lead, eo that on his return his presence would be weleomed by her as a cheer- ing relief. Therefore Ramon de Collantes decided upon proceeding in person to Madrid, to obtain the ransom-money. He represented to Mr. Forester that it was ab- solutely necessary he should write some credentials which would sufficiently account to the Madrid banker for the letter of credit being presented by | i favour it was drawn. To this assented without much difficulty: for he himself saw that it was absolutely nocessary, and he was too anxious to recover his freedom to throw any obstacle in the way. He accordingly wrote as if from Figueras, stating thet he had been suddenly taken ill there—that his funds were exhausted— and that inasmuch as his friend Senor Becosura (the name assumed by Ramon de Collantes for his intended journey) was about to visit Madrid, he had entrusted him with the mission of obtaining a supply of ready cash. When thus of the necessary docu- ments, Ramon de Collantes ascended to the cham- ber where he had left his wife; and informed her that circumstances compelled him to undertake an immediate j , on which he might be some days absent. Juliana instantaneously perceived that this occurrence might probably furnish her, if she played her game well, with an opportunity of escape: bat in order to obtain this opportunity, it was necessary she should have as much freedom as possible—to which end it was equally requisite to throw her husband off his guard. She there- fore at once simulated grief and alarm at the thought of . her for the first feelings of aversion which she had exhibited towards her new home,—representing to him that he must make all allowances under the circumstances in which she was placed—but vowing She begged hinf to forgive | i THE MYSTERIES OF THE. COURT. ee that she was not the less interested in his safety. ion Forester | hana ditti posted on eminences at certain intervals, 20 as to engirdle, as it were with a cordon of eenti- nels, the precincts of the tower. These men scomed to be lounging kily about, as i intent oa over their shoulders—their swords were by their aidee—and the sunbeams glinted upon the pistols reserve towards all the members of the band, both male and female,—had not exchanged any unne- cessary word with even those who could speak COLL (C DOO CS (GO)