The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

SP ew a Ee ip eos Quelf was once more in his element, | He had money now—the source of all power —and he bad made up his mind how to use it, Ettie Leslie being irretricvably lost to him, as he imagined, he had resolved to press his suit upon the daughter of the mountebank. He cared nothing for the disdain and con- tempt with which he had been treated by Harrok Dyser’s beautiful child. He had money now, and by presents—by flattery, he hoped to be enabled to wio her. As soon, therefore, as he had seen Lord Raymond, and told him of the success of his enterprise, he proceeded to the house of the mountebank, laden with presents for Nelly. Harrok received him eagerly, and even Nelly herself welcomed him, for both had taken the deepest interest in the queen, and were anxious to hear of her escape. The mountebank had no sooner learned all particulars than he started to the house of Lord Stantonbridge to give him the welcome intelli- gence, leaving Nelly with instructions to en- tertain her guest to the best of her power. ‘The queeti is no niggard of her presents,’ said Quelf, as ha quaffed the foaming ale which the young gitl presented to him. “She gave me plenty of gold.” ‘Which you will waste,” said Nelly. “No, not so,” rettirned Quelf. ‘I have spent some, but not in waste. See this brooch; is it not beautifnl? Is it not exquisite ?” “T¢ is,” ‘Tam so glad you admire it,” said the dwarf, with a leer, which was meant to be fascinating and pleasing, “so glad, for it was meant for you,’ ‘For me t”’ a . “Yes, indeed; and this bracelet, too, and a ring with a device on it.” e placed them in her hand, and she examined them with a flushed cheek and a sparkling eye. There waa but a moment's hesitation. “No,” she said; “I will not take them. Max would not like it.” | ‘Oh, what matters what he likes,” cried Quelf. _ “T laugh at him—Aa traitor and a hypocrite, Take them, dear Nelly, as a token of my love.” Nelly ainiled. ‘Love I" she said; “you pretend to love me ?” | “Yea, yea; fervently—with aJl my heart and soul~f love you, Nelly. I have gold to deck your dainty figure with fine things; I have strong arms to work for you; you shall be my quéen and——” “ Hush !” she cried; “some 6he will hear you. Liaten ; there is a voice,” As she apid this, there was a sound as of some one knocking, and she sped away. She had adaroely gone, when the glitter of some metal struck the eyes of the dwarf, glisten- ing from beneath 4 oorner of the room, where - end of a heavy curtain was folded on the oor. Cupidity was Quelf's fault, and forgetting all about the girl’s beauty, he rose, and, going down upon his knees, examined the spot, He took but Jittle time to ascertain what it was that glittered there, So It was a heap of gold | er? THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, rs With open mouth, pale face, and dilated eyes Quelf gazed at it. It was a fortune. He let it run through his fingers, and plunged his hand in it, and was just making up his mind to put the greater part of it into his pocket, when a heavy hand was placed upon his shoulder. ‘What do you here?” asked a voice. It was that of Harrok the mountebank, Quelf started up. ‘‘ As I sat there,” he said, “I saw the glitter of gold, and I went to examine it. I did not know that you were aware of its being here, for it is a strange place in which to hide a treasure,” ‘ Nevertheless,” said the mountebank, sternly, ‘‘T did know of it,” “Fear not,’ returned the dwarf; ‘Iam no thief. I need it not. The queen has been far too liberal towards me to make me need trea- sure ; and my strong arm can work honestly for whatever living I require, Since you think me a thief, I will retire, I should have thought ou would have treated better one of Lord tdymond's friends.” Ie glanced, as he spoke, at Nelly, who stood behind her father. | Thete was a smile of déep disdain on her lips. ““Oh } I do not call you a thief,” said Harrok ; “far from it. Idid but jest. Drink more ale, and let us be merry.” Quelf, however, was & good diplomatist, He knew well that by seeming to be shocked and outraged by the accusation, he should be better able to produce a favourable impression on the young girl’s mind—if she would but believe him. “No,” he said; “since I am a thief, I will rid you of my presence. Good-night.” The mountebank felt uneasy. Knowing well, from report, the villanous character of Peter Quelf, be expected nothing but some hideous scheme of revenge. “ Good-night, if you will go,” he said, striving to be cheery and friendly, “To-morrow, perhaps, you will repent of being so rash, for I can assure you [ mean no harm. Nelly, see Master Quelf to the door.” Still preserving the dignity he had assumed, Quelf quitted the room, preceded by Nelly. When, however, the fair girl had opened the door, he said, “ Nelly, Ido not blame you for your father’s false accusation. You have my presents; keep them, and I will forgive your father for the insult he has offered me, and I will love you for ever.” : Nelly knew well his character, and his words gent a chill and a terror to her heart. She hated herself for having for a moment listened to his words, or permitted herself to admire and retain his presents. ‘* Here are your presents,” she said. She held them out to him. ‘* Never !” cried Quelf, suddenly clasping her round the waist and impressing a kiss upon her lips, ‘never will I take them back. Keep them, dearest girl, as a token of my unalterable love.” He could say no more. Nelly’s slight shriek when he touched her had brought the mountebank to the door, and. he found himself hurled into the road at the NES GOMMALG, , Moor om DaGKS.COG