The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

said; “my orders were far different. I have given you time for contemplation.” “The contemplation of what?” “Of the grave you so soon expected. As a brave man, I fancy death, a quick and violent death, would have no terrors for you. A long, lingering death—a death of which you can watch the sapproach—that is what I intend for you. Death by the hand of an executioner, either public or private, would be far too good for you.” Harold laughed. He was resolved that not even the semblance of fear should be betrayed by him before this avenging beauty. ‘You by treating me well,” he said. ‘* The place is dark, but the food is good.” “It shall be lessened day by day, and after to-day you shall have no Jamp.” “T shall die easily then, for I shall feel the gs of hunger but gradually, and when the ast stage comes—why, then, there is a knife here in my doublet, which I can plunge into my heart, and so die, breathing the name of the one I love more than existence itself,” She gazed at him fixedly as he spoke. Standing thus erect, with his eyes turned towards heaven, 2nd his arms folded, his long, curling, black hair thrown back from his pale face, he was a picture worth regarding. He looked indeed handsome. Evidently Lady Grace Cowley was touched. ‘‘ Harold,’ she said, removing her mask; “ sit here by my side.” He glanced at her in surprise ‘You aif on my wretched claimed. “Yes. Itis good enough for you, it is so for me. Sit here; I wish to talk to you.” ‘The Moth and the Flame,’ exclaimed the straw [* he exe Young Apprentice, sitting down; “but this moth has been singed before, and can tell a candle from the sunlight.” “ You are satirical.’’ ‘J mean it not so. I mean what I say in very truth,” “J shall change your feelings, I trust, ere I part with you,’ said Lady Grace. “You say you love?” “TI do.” “ A young maiden ?” “V oung.”’ “Of your own station ?” “Far above me.” “Above you! Impossible!” exclaimed Lady Grace, in real surprise, Harold smiled bitterly. “Impossible! It may truly seem impossible to you; but it is, nevertheless, true, J, the humble apprentice, love my master's daughter.” “ And you think she is above you ?” “She is, madam, naturally.” “Well, well,” said Lady Grace, “you mis- understood me. My meaning was far different to what you imagined it tobe. Is it possible that you do not know your birth to be higher than that of an armourer’s daughter? Can it be that you are not aware of your position ?” Harold's heart beat high. This was not the firat time that such words had been said to him Were his hopes to be realised at last ? THE WATCHWORBDS OF OLD LONDON. Was the Man without a |Name /f——but no! he would not speculate. “T am, madam,” he said, firmly, “ quite aware of my position. Iam in the hands of one who wishes to destroy me; and the one I love is far from me, happy in her ignorance of my fate. That is the positicn I look at ; I do not regard other things. If you act like a woman, set me free. If you act as a fiend, keep me here, and see how J can act like a man.”’ “Tf you dare me,’ she said, flashing her beantiful eyes, “I will have you killed.” “ You would be mercifal.’ “You do not fear death ?” “TJ do not.” For a few moments she glanced at him as if questioning her own thoughts while she surveyed m. ; “'You can understand love ?” she asked. “Tove! ah! that I can,” said Harold, en- thusiastically. “Have I not told you that now in London there is one whom I love more than life? Have I not told you that she is the one hope of my life, and do you ask me if I under- stand love?” She gazed into his impassioned face as he spoke. and as he finished she placed her hand in his. ‘Harold Fordyce,” she said, “look at me ! By your hand fell the one to whom my heart was pledged. By your hand I was deprived of the love of a noble and brave soldier, It is from your band I expect the expiation.” “ Granted. Do you wish me to destroy myself? Tell me se, and when I find hope is gone I will 0 80,” “You misunderstand me,” she said; “ you have taken from me the one I love. Let me have the same revenge.” “TI do not understand you,” replied the Young Apprentice, coldly. ‘‘Then I cannot’explain myself more fully,” said Lady Grace, sinking her voice, and still retaining his hand. ‘ You took, as I have said, from me the one I loved. Let me take you from the one you love. Leave her-—love me. You are an apprentice, J am an earl’s daughter. It will be no disgrace.” Harold drew back in astonishment. He had never expected this, The) words of the trooper now came into his mind—“ Make love to her yourself and you are safe.” But he rejected the advice at once, Even to allow this woman to imagine that he could love her would be an insult to Httie. ‘“ Madam,” he said, “you fancy I have mis- understood you; it is you who misunderstand me.” | ‘‘ How ao, sir?” said Lady Grace. “7 have told you that I love another—lI love Rttie Leslie, the daughter of Frank Leslie the armourer. I can love no other; and however much I may feel flattered by your offer, I refuse it. I must refuse it, because if I promised to do as you wish me I should break my word.” ady Grace withdrew her hand angrily. “Qh! do not misunderstand my meaning, sir,” she cried. “Ido not love you—I do not ask you to love me. I offered you your life on con- dition that you married me. I now dedicate you to destruction ; in this vault you shall end your CILIA) book