The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 89: what you’re looking at

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eee 72 while I dispose of the horse. ’Pon my soul, it is a eplendid animal! I have often admired it—but little thought if was ridden by a highwayman—or rather a highway- -woman.’ While thus chattering, Mr. Marlow attached the horse’s bridle to the back of the carriage; and that being done, Lady Bess was desired to enter the veliicle. This she at once did without the slightest indication of any failure of courage. Then the two lawyers being likewise ensconced within the vehicle, the equipage drove away. In a few minutes it reached the bottom of the slope; and passing out of the main-road, entered the lane in which Lady Bess’s residence was situ- ated. This was soon gained; and the carriage, with the dark chesnut trotting behind it, stopped in front of a neat cottage almost embowered in trees and having a very picturesque appearance. “ Who the deuce would have thought,” etal Mr. Marlow, as he bustled out of the vehicle, “ that this beautiful place was occupied by so lawless a character? ’Pon my soul, it appears like a dream! Young woman, you ought to be ashamed of your- self—such a good-looking person as you are——” “Come, come, Marlow, don’t let us reproach her,” interrupted Mr. Malton, as he held tight hold of Lady Bess’s arm while she descended from the vehicle. “She will be punished enough, I dare say.” “ Will you let me take my horse to the stable?” she inquired: “ for I have no groom on the pre- mises. A man who lives at yon hut”—and she pointed to a little cottage at a short distance—“ ia- in the habit of coming to attend upon it.” “Oh! yes—we are not warring against the horse,” ejaculated Mr. Marlow. ‘‘ Here—I will soon help you-———where is the stable r——-round at the back P” At this moment the front door was opened; and a woman of about thirty, and exceedingly respect- able in appearance, came out. By the light which streamed forth from the passage of the house and which blended with that of the carriage-lamps, this woman exchanged a rapid glance with Mr. Marlow’s coachman: but although Lady Bess perceived and understood it, neither of the two lawyers did. “ Rosa,” said Lady Bess, “do not be frightened— I um in some little trouble, and shall have to go away with these gentlemen. I have had a sad fall from my horse too, and have wounded my right leg. I feel that it is bleeding—and indeed the blood has run down into my boot. But never mind.” “Oh, my dear, dear mistress!” exclaimed Rosa, rushing forward and clasping her hands as if in despair: then stooping down, she felt the amazon’s pantaloons, exclaiming, “ Gracious! you are indeed bleeding !” “In that case,” said Mr. Malton, “we must allow you time to let your servant examine your injury and dress it. I have already said that we do not wish to use unnecessary harshness.” “ 1 thank you, sir, for you courtesy—or I should say your generosity :’—and Lady Bess appeared to speak with a sincere feeling. The horse was now speedily led round to the stable, where the saddle and bridle were taken off by Mr. Marlow’s own hands: and then the two lawyers, Lady Bess, and the servant entered the nouse. An elegantly-furnished parlour received —_ THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. them; and Messrs. Marlow and Malton could not help exchanging a look of astonishment at the evidences of a refined taste which the room pre- sented to their view. Several good pictures, three or four beautiful little alabaster groups of statues, vases of flowers, and musical instruments, orna- mented the place. Rosa hastened to light the wax- candles on the mantel; and then Lady Bess said, * You will permit me, gentlemen, to ascend with my servant to my chamber for a few minutes ?” “Ah! but what guarantee have we against your escape ?” at once cried Mr. Marlow. *T know not,” returned the female highwayman, with an appearance of the utmost frankness: “unless you station Sen on the landing outside.” “Well, this we must do dient, I suppose,” ex- claimed Mr. Marlow. “Yes—there is no alternative,’ added Mr. Malton, who, though really regretting to be com- pelled to proceed to extremities against this extra- ordinary woman, was nevertheless one of those scrupulous and punctilious individuals who imagine that severity in such cases is a duty which they owe to society. “ Lead the way, Rosa,” said Lady Bess; “and I will fullow with these gentlemen.” The servant accordingly issued from the room, holding in her hand the chamber-candle with which she had previously lighted the tapers on the mantel; and the two lawyers, keeping Lady Bess between them, proceeded up a handsomely carpetted stairs case to the landing above. “This is my room,” said the amazon, pointing to the door which Rwsa had just opened; “and you will perhaps convince yourselves that it has no other outlet.” | “Yes—that I will do,” said the volatile Mr. Marlow: and he hastened into the chamber while Lady Bess remained outside on the landing with Mr. Malton. It’s all right,” exclaimed the senior partner as he came forth again: “there’s no possible escape, unless she leaps out of the window or gets up the chimney: but the former is too high from the ground, and the latter too narrow.” “Then we leave you for a few minutes with your servant,” said Mr. Malton. Lady Bess accordingly passed intu the bed- chamber, while the two lawyers staid outside upon the landing. “Fear nothing,” said the amazonian lady, in the lowest possible whisper to her servant the instant they were thus alone together. ‘“ Your cousin is unsuspected—I have screened him. My plans are all arranged. And now at once begin talking loud, as if you were lamenting my misfor- tunes while dressing my wound.” The truth is that Lady Bess had no wound at all —nor had she sustained any injury beyond a slight contusion or two from the fall in the road. The idea ot the wound and the ghastly story of the blood streaming into her boot, was a ready invention on her part, and which Rosa had at once com- prehended, for the purpose of obtaining this oppor- tunity of ascending to her chamber in company with the servant. “Oh, my dear, dear mistress!” exclaimed Rosa, affecting a voice of lamentation and distress: “‘ what EORNICLOO <=) (0)