Rosa Lambert — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

ROSA LAMBERT. 373 son could for the moment give utterance to: but | hands of some London banker who has an agent all of a sudden, as an idea struck him, he ex- in New South Wales; and this amount shall be claimed, “Then it was yourself that did the job! ' receivable by you personally—and by you alone— —or else how could you know that I v on your arrival in the colony. Your own funds “Villain, dare not level your foul accusation | will suffice to carry you out; and see that you lose against me!” said Ilderton with haughtiest stern- | no time in embarking: for I take heaven to wit- ness. ‘Every syllable of your conversation with | ness, if it come to my knowledge that you remain that scoundrel accomplice of your’s under the hay- | in this country, I will give such information to the stack this morning was overheard.” police that a hue and cry shall be raised, from “Ah!’—and Grayson’s countenance became | which you will have no chance of escaping—not- blank with dismay. withstanding all your skill in the assumption of “So you perceive,” continued Ilderton, “that I | difterent disguises.” have it in my power to hand you over to justice “Tf you fulfil your promise, my lord,’ cried for a crime of far blacker dye than that of your | Grayson, his countenance expressing the most un- burglarious entry here this night—a crime that | feioned joy, “I shall be only too glad to fulfil my would assuredly send you to the scaffold—especially | part of the bargain.” when all your antecedents are taken into account. : “T am not one to make a proposition which I What mercy do you deserve at our hands,— | am not prepared to carry out,’ rejoined Ilderton. meditating, as you did, the most hideous atrocities | “You will go to New South Wales; and on your against this lady and myself? Did you not pur- arrival at Sydney, you will apply to the principal pose to stretch me dead at her feet ?” banker there,—when he will pay you over the “Well, my lord, I am in your power,” said | amount I have specified. And now let me repeat Toby Grayson, half in moody sulkiness, and half t in a tone of grovelling entreaty: “andif you would only show mercy toward me - “Mercy !’”’ ejaculated Ilderton with scornful- ness: “what mercy did you ever show towards Miss Lambert? You have plundered and you have persecuted her—you have contemplated the most diabolical intents be “Well, my lord, if Miss Lambert will forgive me 3? > “ Tnsult her not by even turning your eyes to- wards her!’’ exclaimed Ilderton: “ but prepare to the warning I have given “It is not necessary, my lord! I would go to Australia if it were five times the distance, for the | sake of such a chance as this.” “IT have no doubt,” added Ilderton, “ that you have begun to find this country somewhat too warm for you; and at all events you have recently discovered that this lady and myself are fully com- petent to protect ourselves against your atrocious designs.” The domestics were summoned back into the servants’-hall; and by Ilderton’s command, Gray- son was unbound and suffered to depart. Wine and spirits were then served to those who had so ably seconded the young nobleman’s project; and he likewise distributed money amongst them with a liberal hand. We retired to rest: but though we had thus signally triumphed over our arch-enemy, the idea “What jury in England would believe the tale | of leaving Marlow Manor—at least for a time— you told your accomplice in this night’s crime? | was not abandoned; and after some discussion, we And if it were declared how you threatened to | resolved upon visiting Ramsgate. It was now the accompany the officers of pence to a gaol whence the road is but short that leads to the scaffold.” “You say, my lord, that all the conversation was overheard: I take heaven to witness,” con- tinued Grayson vehemently, “that everything I said was true!—and as for the murder, I am as innocent of it as your lordship’s self!” embrue your hands in my blood, would it not at | end of June; and the season for the watering- once bé regarded as incontestable that you were | places was commencing. lIlderton informed me the author of the death of that unknown girl, and | that he was fond of yachting; and such had been that your tale of being merely employed to assist | his pursuit at Ryde previous to our acquaintance. at the interment is a mere fiction P” I could not help for a moment shuddering as I Grayson looked frightened and agitated: his | thought of the scene off Dover with Mr. Williams’ countenance became exceeding pale; and his under | yacht, when the Marquis of Belmore lost his life : jaw fell, as if the hand of death were upon him. but quickly conquering that sudden repugnance, “ What if I were to give you a chance of adopt- | I said not a syllable to dissuade the young noble- ing a new career?” said Ilderton,—“ supposing for | man from his recreative purpose. an instant that you have a single spark of good or; Preparations for our departure were immediately grateful feeling remaining within you.” commenced: and while these were going on, Ilder- “Do try me, my lord !” said the villain, catching | ton went into London to fulfil his promise to Toby greedily at the hope thus suddenly thrown out. Grayson, by paying the five hundred pounds into “How much money have you got in your | the banker’s hand, and giving instructions in con- pocket ?” asked Ilderton. formity with the way in which it was to be re- “A matter of fifty pounds or so,” responded | ceivable. On his return home, he informed me Grayson. that he had done all that was requisite,—adding, “ And it is only a month back you received a | “ And now I think, my dear Rose, we need labour hundred guineas from that individual whom you | under no apprehension of any further persecution term your unknown friend.” at the hands of this miscreant. He will go out “Money, my lord, does slip away uncommon | to Australia to receive the money: he will lavish fast,” replied Grayson. it upon such pleasures as Sydney affords; and “ Now I tell you what I will do with you,” re- | when the last shilling is spent, he will turn bush- sumed Ilderton ; ‘and I am a man of my word. | ranger or something of the sort, and will perish I will pay the sum of five hundred pounds into the ! on the gallows at last.” ee —--—iCi = — ~ ere - + ee Ce ee” ; COMMU ee | JOO cS (C(O)