The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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| THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. me ee hovering in his mind, it struck him that he heard a sound like a splashing in the water. He stopped short, and looked back. There was a group of trees @lose upon the edge of the bank, which intercepted his view of the place where the woman ought to be if she were still pursuing her way towards the castle. A cry for help now met his ears; and convinced that some accident had occurred, he rusned back in the way which he had been pursuing. The instant he passed the clump of frees, he beheld the woman strugcling in the water; and the next moment she sank, disappearing from his view. Without the slightest hesitation Deveril plunged in, and was im- mediately out of his depth: for the river was ex- ceedingly deep in that part. He could swim well; but being now much enfeebled through his recent illness, and by the faticues of the long walk he had been taking, he felt on rising to the surface that he was in a position of great danger. Had he there- fore consulted his own safety alone, he would at once have got back to land: but there was a life to be saved, and he was too magnanimous not to risk his own to save it. The woman appeared again upon the surface of the water a little lower down; and a wild cry which she sent forth, rang through the air. Deveril struck out with a vigour which even astonished himself, and was immediately at the spot where she sank. He dived once—twice—thrice, unsuccessfully ; and though nearly exhausted, he plunged down a fourth time. His hand clutched a garment—he succeeded in lifting the woman to the surface—she was quite insensible—and in this state he managed to get her forth in safety. But scarcely had he dragged her upon the bank, when a sense of utter exhaustion came over him: he en- deavoured to shake it off, but could not—and con- sciousness abandoned him. When he awoke to life again, he was in bed in a very small, humble-looking, but neat chamber. He had the taste of some burning spirit in his mouth; -_ 315 too: but he soon discovered that you was both alive, though senseless, —so he run back to the cottage, got me and my daughter to go down with him, and between us three we svon got you here safe. John undressed you and got you into bed; and here have I been more than half-an-hour trying to bring you to. I really was afraid at one time it was all up with you.” Deveril could not speak, 30 heavy was the sense of exhaustion upon him: but his looks showed his gratitude. “ We have put your clothes to dry by the fire,” continued the woman, who, if she was discreet enough to bid Deveril not to talk too much, seemed inclined to be garrulous herself: “ but I don’t think you will be able to move out of this place to-day. If you like to stay here, sir, I am sure you are quite welcome. A gentleman like you that riske his life for a poor gipsy kind of woman as t’other is, de- serves every attention—and you will get ithere. If you want to send anywhere and tell your friends what’s happened and where you are, my son John will hurry off and deliver the message.” Deveril now gained strength enough to reply that he was a mere temporary visitor at Gainsborough, and that there was no necessity for any trouble to be taken on his behalf, unless it were that John should go to the hotel at which he had put up and procure a change of apparel from his portmanteau. Accordingly, provided with the requisite instrue- tions, the sturdy peasant set out on his errand. Soon afterwards Deveril fell into a deep sleep ; and when he awoke again, the erubescent beams of the setting sun were shining in the lattice window of the little chamber. He had thus slept many hours, and was consider- ably refreshed. John had returned long ago with the garments he had sent for ; and the woman of the cottage brought the patient up some good broth which she had prepared for him while he slumbered. and an elderly female, in a peasant-garb, was chafing | He did amplé justice to her frugal fare, and felt in- his hands and temples. | vigorated by the meal. Nevertheless, as the cottage “Ah! now he opens his eyes again,” cried the | was three miles distant from Gainsborough, and woman, in the joyful tone which indicated a kind there was no conveyance without sending thither and benevolent heart. | for one, he resolved upon staying where he was till “That’s all right,” said a tall stalwart-looking the morning, in the hope that a good night’s rest young peasant, entering from another room at the | might restore him. Having thus expressed himself, sound of the woman’s voice. “The gin did it—I | he inquired relative to the woman whom he had told you it would, mother.” _rescued from the river. “Or the chafing and the rubbing—which, John?” | “She is up, and as well again as if nothing had said the kind-hearted old creature. “But how does | happened,” was the response, given by the old the woman get on?” | female of the cottage. “ Her clothes were dried by “Sister says she’s nice enough,” returned the peasant. ‘“ Pray how do you feel now, sir?” “Better—thanks to the kind care which I have evidently received here,” responded Deveril, to whom the question was addressed: but he spoke in a very weak voice, and he felt that he was indeed much exhausted. “I suppose it was an accident, sir?” said the peasant. “Yes: the woman, to whom I presume you have alluded, fell into the river. I succeeded in saving her—but was so enfeebled that I fainted on the bank.” ; “Don’t talk too much, there’s a dear young gen- tleman,” said the old woman. “ My John was dreadfully alarmed when he saw what he thought wes two dead bodies lying on the bank, side by side ‘the fire—she has put them on—and would have ‘taken herself off a couple of hours back, only that she said she would remain till you awoke, that she might thank you for risking your own life to save hers.” “She wishes to see me, then?” said Deveril. “You can tell her to come in.” | ‘The woman of the cottage first of all drew the ‘little curtain over the window, for it was now dusk, and she then lighted a candle in the room. Deveril raised himself partially on the bolster, and pushed back the cloud of black hair which had intruded upon his noble forehead. He had on a coarse shirt belonging to the peasant; and the collar happening to be deficient in a button, it was all open at the neck. This circumstance Deveril did not perceive; but had a painter or a sculptor been —E —— et ee JOO COIN) S (CO)