The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 187: what you’re looking at

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

“ What is it you degire 7” she asked. She eyed him fixedly as she spoke, and Harold endeavoured to return her gaze. But in vain. It seamed impossible to bear the peculiar as- pect of her searching orbs, ‘‘T have brought yon news from Langdoy,” he said. “ From the field of battle ?” ‘‘ Yes, madam.” “You come to tell me that Captain Hamilton is dead ?” Harold bowed. “ Madam,” he said, “I had hoped to be able to break my news to you, but the way in which ou speak to me prevents my doing so, Captain Hamilton died bravely fighting at the head of his men ang his |ast thought was of you.” Her eyes flashed, and her bosom heaved. That was all, She gave no other sign uf emotion. In fact her gaze was still on Harold, although her hands clenched nervously together on her lap. i I know it,” she said, quietly. ‘You know it! Has, then, another messen- ger arrived before me ?”’ ‘“‘ He has.”’ ‘‘ Bat,” said Harold, feeling gamewhat uncom- fortable, “I have more than that messenger could bring. With his dying breath he entrust- ed to me a packet which contains ne but you must see, have followe injunc- tions to the letter, and here I gm en. This is the little packet, lady, and f ragret that I should have $0 brjng you so sad ay emblen from one who loved you well.” He presented a token as he spoke, and she took it silently from bis hand. Then she opened it gently aa it enclosed the heart of the one she sg foyed, and gazed in silence at the contents, | After she had remained there for gome time she closed it again, placed it in hes pocket, and “ And now, sir, since you have done me this kindness will you do me anothey ?” “ Certainly, if it is in my power,” returned the Young Apprentice, ‘Tt is merely that you will tell me your name.” “My name, mgdam, ia Herold Fordyce, and J am apprentice fe Fradk Leslie, the armourer in the Strand.” As he spoke, the hot blood mounted te her cheek. » canid see it pnising up all over her shoulders, and then dyeing her cheeks ag bright as crimson. Springing off her chair, she glanced at him with a withering ce. “Harold Fortyce |” she exclaimed. ‘Then my guspiciong were correct; my instinct told me aright.” “In what, madam f! ‘It told me at once, when fi unon you, that you were the Raa ef | HY hg Oh! air, young as you are, thoughtless as you may be, how could you consent to bring to me this packet from the one whom you slew with your own hands ?"’ Harold changed colour. ‘* Madam,” he said, “it was thus I apoke to THE YODNG APPRENTICE; OR, fancy m adm awe e ps Captain Hamilten, but he would pay no heed to me. I begged him to choose another messenger. ‘No,’ he said; ‘I will trast no one but you. You are a generous foe, and I believe that you will carry my last words to her. No one will arrive in London before you, and Lady Grace will know nothing of you.” While he spoke Lady Grace was evidentl endeavouring to battle with her feelings, an suppress any outburst of emotion. ‘ Well, well,” she said, holding out her hand, “vou must forgive me if I washasty. You have acted generously, and I cannot blame you if in fair fight you vanquished one I loved, and who would have killed you had he had the chance, I will prove to you that I am not unfriendly, for I will ask you to do me a service, Will yeu do - it for me ?” She said the last words in a most winning voice, and still kept his hand in hers. " Certainly,” said Harold, “ certainly, if I can possibly.” “It is easy. It is but to take a letter.” “T will.” ‘‘Then remain here,” she cried, eagerly, re- leasing his hand and walking to the door. will return here in a few moments and give you the missive, The distance I wish it taken is but short, and J ghall not, therefore, encroach upon your kindness,” “T will gladly do anything for one whom I f to have injured,”’ said Harold, Yet, while he said this, and saw her gliding evay out of the door, he felt g chiJl invade his eart, and was like one in a dream in which there is no avoidance of evils. He paced to and frovin agitation. What could he do? Even if he felt certain that this pay Grace was about to trap him, how could he avoid doing her commands? In afew moments she came once /more into the room. ‘‘ Here,” she said, placing in his hand a small folded letter, ‘ here iga letter addressed to Lord Varney. It is but a short distance from London on the North Road. . ¥gu know Varney House, maybe ?” “T do, madgm.”’ “You will hgve put ta see Lord Varney and iver it to him, or, if he is not there, to Caleb ley, his steward. There is no reply needed. ui yon gat f ¥pg. | Rave promised. Adieu, my lady. Tg it to-night yan wish it taken?” “Yes, at once. It is of the greatest import- ance to me.” The lady then squeezed his hand, and con- dusted by the serving man, he gnce more made ig way into the street, Ob! how his heart wou @ avelled with dread had he seen the cold ite of triumph jin her eyes as she watched him quitting the apaurt- ment, ' "He saw nothing, however, and being ignor‘ant entirely of all her designs upon him, he felt invigorated by the fresh air, and rode away. The night was very dark, but he knew his-“way well; and it was pot long before he reach:dhd the honse of Lord Varney. it was a grim, gloomy-looking place,- ‘gnd the “) al C (4% CGONMPEDOOKS “ com