The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

(C5 “T think,” said the queen, “that he is nota traitor, and that he is just the one who will aid me in anything if his pride is only flattered.” “With your gallant troopers ahead of you and behind you, your little body guard will act just as you would wish ; but, as you say, your majesty must not allow him to know that ycu are dependent on any one else,” “T will go now, then, to my Lord Stanton- bridge ; I will puton my disguise and pass out by the backway once more, if your daughter will accompany me as before.” Meanwhile Quelf proceeded in all haste to the room where he expected to find Harrok’s daughter. But he was disappointed. She was gone. Sitting down moodily at the fire, therefore, he waited for the return of the mountebank. Presently he came in calling to her by name. ‘“‘ Bleanor—Nelly,” he said, “you are wanted at once.” A light step tripped along the passage, and in another moment the young dancer sprang lightly into the room. She started back and uttered a cry as her eyes fell upon the ill-formed face and form of the dwarf. “What. have you there, father ?” she cried. “ A friend of the queen's,” answered he ; “‘ her majesty wishes youjto accompany her to Lord Stantonbridge’s house. As for you, Quelf,” he added, “you may go. Yet stay. Nelly, bring me some ale. You are, doubtless, thirsty ?”’ “T am, sir,” said Quelf, merely because he hoped to receive it at her hands. Nelly, who was good hearted, and who, after her first fright and surprise, pitied him for his deformity, came in in a moment with some foaming ale, which she presented to him. “The health of the queen and of you, the queen of beauty,” said Quelf, drinking. The girl blushed and looked annoyed, as his leering, unpleasant eyes glared at her ; but when he took her little, warm hand, and pressed it to his lips, she snatched it away in annoyance. ‘Come, come,” said Harrok, angrily, pushin him aside, “my daughter’s hands ave nek made for such as you to kiss, Have manners, sir.” Quelf’s hand was on his sword in 4 moment. “What! he cried, ‘“‘a mountebank better than a London Apprentice. Sir Juggler, I do thee honour; but have a care—have a care, because apprentices bite sometimes.” Harrok bit his lip. “Forgive me, young master,”” he said, as if forcing himself to submit to something which stung him to the heart, “I was too hasty. Nelly, ne young man meant no offence; forgive m,”’ ‘ A street dancer has to submit to more than that,” she said, parting her moist, red lips, while her bosom heaved and her eyes were atill averted. “ Well, I will go now,” said Quelf, bitter and angry at the reception he had met with from Nelly. ‘I will go, her majesty must depend on me.”’ THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. ” 133 The mountebank at once conducted him into a back yard, where a little door opened into a narrow, dark street. “Torn to the right and you will reach the Tower stairs,” said the mountebank. “ Good- night.” “ Good-night,” said Quelf, and moved quickly away. Bat he did not go far. He bad heard Harrok Dyser say that Nelly was going to escort the queen, and he resolved to bear the watch and, if possible, meet her, and speak to her. Concealing himself by standing upright in 4 dark door-way, he waited patiently until the young girl made her appearance. He had not long to remain there. Presently a tall cloaked figure emerged, and after her Nelly Dyser. Both gave a rapid glance round as if to assure themselves that the coast was clear, and then hurried away along the dark street. Quelf followed.at once. Accustomed to deeds of trickery and treachery, he could assume with ease the noiseless tread of a thief, and so was enabled to walk in the ste of the queen and her guide without being ob- served. They did not go far. The house of Lord Stantonbridge, or rather the ambush he had taken for the time, was situated not far from the gloomy walls of the Tower, and in less than ten minutes the pair halted before the gates. Here the queen extended her hand, the young girl knelt and kissed it, and for a moment was left alone. _ “ Now is my time,” thought Quelf, and darted forward, " But he was doomed to disappointment. No sooper had the thought formed itself in his mind than two figures emerged from the darkness and approached. ‘Ha hal” thought Quelf again, this time drawing his sword. “I can make & show of defending her and thus win her good opinion.” Once more came disappointment. The girl did not start or retire at the approach of the two figures, but, on the contrary, advanced to meet them, and as they neared the lamp which swung its yellow light over the door-way of Lord Stantonbridge’s house, the dwarf could see who they were. . They were Harold Fordyce and Max Bow- den. “Curse them !’? muttered Peter Quelf, as at the sight of them his wounds seemed to open and pain afresh, “ Curse them! they are always thwarting me—always thrusting themselves upon my path. I will watch them. I wonder which is the lover ; it cannot, surely, be Harold Fordyce, who pretends to be 80 love-sick over Ettie Leslie ?”’ The question was soon answered. Max Bowden, rushing eagerly up to the young girl, embraced her fondly, while Harold, draw- ing his sword, stood some little distance off, as if watching for them and ready to protect them in case of need. GOMES O146S CO aaa, — & we,