Rosa Lambert — page 381: what you’re looking at

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

a il lee ee ~ * LEE LL LOO LLL LLL LE AL LLL LLL DOLL LEA ALL LALA LLANE LL LLL LLL LLL ALN 9 ar ee memiret ohn Ur rian lnndee - alone in the drawing-room together, ROSA ey the hay-stack where I was seated,—-in which case, and seeing the humour that the monster Grayson was in, I might have expected any violence and outrage on his part. Infinite therefore was my relief when I heard the footsteps of the ruffians retreating in the contrary direction; and the closing of the gate speedily made me aware that they had issued from the field. i cainemhenmnamel CHAPTER L. MARLOW MANOR. TI nave ot thoucht it suitable to break the thread 6f my narrative to describe the varied ieel- ines which T ex cperienced while listening to the discourse which I have recorded. But the teader has no doubt comprehended the full extent of that mingled amazement and horror to which I was a prey while Toby Graysoh was telling his tale in respect to the mysterious murder. This tale, even though garbed in the coarse and flippant language of the unserupulous stoundrel, was endowed with a most appalling interest: it constituted 1 new chapter in that dark romantic tragedy the’ first portion of which had produced:such immense ex- citement. There were speaking when thé blood ran gold in my veins— or father stagnated icily there altogether; and it was with a fearful breathless suspense that I listened to hig wildly strange tale from first to last. But I will not linger unnecessarily upon this portion of my narrative. I was now in feverish haste to get back to the Manor. I waited how- ever a few minutes after I had heard the gate ot the field close, in order to afiord the miscreants leisure to get out of sight; and when I thought that I might safely venture from my hiding-piace, T returned into the lane. A glance flung in the direction of Edmonton, showed me that the coast was clear; and with all possible despatch I made my wav homeward. At the very instant 1 reached the Manor, Ilderton was returning on horseback, attended by Thomas, who was also mounted, and was leading a beautiful animal which had been purchased for my use. ilderton at once saw, by my pale countenance and scared looks, that some- thing had happened: a few words hastily whis- pered from my lips, informed him that I could not gpeak before the domestic ; and we were soon I said nothing of my encounter with Arthur Brydges ; but I circumstantially related everything in con- nexion with Toby Grayson and his husky-voiced companion. Ilderton listened with as much aiiazcment and with as strong & fecling of awful horror a8 I myself had experienced when seated behind the haystack. When f had finished speak- ing, he remained wrapped up in thought for some mintites; and I saw that he was perplexed and bewildered how to wet. “ A senso of duty,” te at length said, speaking in & grave and serious tone, “prompts us on the one hand to communicate all these things to the proper authorities : but on the other land, we have neither of us any inclination that our uames should be dragged before the public.” ' be periods while he was LAMBERT. “If, by communicating with the authoritios,” [ observed, “ we could afford a certain clue to the discovery of the author or authors of that dark mysterious crime, it would indeed be our duty to put every other consideration entirely out of the question: but I do not think, my dear Henry, that justice would be in any ‘way assisted by the communication of the facts which have come to our knowledge, Every precaution was so well taken by Grayson’s unknown employer that human keenness and ingenuity would be alto- gether baffled in thé endeavour to unravel the tangled skein. The man Grayson would himself have pursued the investigation if the slightest clue had been left him by the proceedings of that mys- terious night: but he confessed to his companion that he was utterly at a loss i: “Then it will be useless,” interrupted Ilderton, “for us to communicate the facts whieh have come to our khowledge. I do not hesitate to admit that I would rather not have my name brought before the public: and I am sure, my deat Rose, that you do not wish your own to be dragged forward in any such way.” “That point being settled, therefore,” I said, “we have next to consider how we are to act with regard to the plot which is in embryo against ours sélves. My dear Henry, you must run no risk: for that dreadful man is perfectly capable of ¢arry- ing out his diabolic threats!’—and IL shuddered coldly as I spoke: “ But “T see that you have something im your mind, dearest Rose,” said Ilderton,—“ some procéeding that you would suggest. You have but to speak ; and you know perfectly well that your sliglitest wish shall be gratified. xs “Let us not remain here,’ I said: and I was trembling all over with frightful apprehensions. “If we take meastires to capture Grayson, our names will be dragged before the public: if he be- killed in making his burglatious entry, there will be the same result so far as We ars concerned. Besides, I do not hesitate to confess that wy nerves have been so shaken by everything that has recently occurred 7 “We will go away!” exclaimed Ilderton. “But really something ought to be done with regard to this monster. According to everything you have told me at different times, he turns up in whatso- ever part of the country you may happen to be; and it is but too evident that he cherishes a deadly animosity against us both. I have a pro-— ject in my head—and yet 1am afraid that you will scarcely consent to it . | “Name it, my dear Henry: for although I said just now that my nerves are shaken, yet if it be > necessary, [ can summon all my fortitude to my - aid.” “It were indeed strange if you could not,” an- swered Ilderton with a smile, “considering how well you played your part as Lieutenant Fredériok Lambert ot the 16th Dragoons.” ‘And your project, my dear Henry?” I said. — “It is to get the fellow completely into our power: and then [ will deal with him in a manner ‘which I hope will rid this country of his presence for ever.’ Lord Ilderton explained his design; and t thought it so good, that I said, “ Yes—by all means - let us carry it out! And now recollect that hi is | A A AOD CR Ee ON et ngnenare Ox ee ed EComicboo cS con 1 v ey Me hy y jin ¥ A mee te Pavey 1 : \ Roe ha eyir cy A Lit. 4) See Le Ne i . ‘vad Bee Feet