The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

184 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. ‘‘T scarcely like thie,” he said, ‘it smacks to me of treachery.” Lo ‘The girl shrugged her pretty shoulders. “Do as you please,” she said, “only you have not much time to think. If they see us from the window they will certainly fire upon us or send some one to seize upon us. Hither come now or return to your cell; your honour de- mands from you one or the other.” “ Very well,” returned the Young Apprentice, “T will do as you bid me. Beware, however, if this is another deception. Woman, as you are, you shall not escape p ent.” With these words, and a presentiment of evil still on his mind, Harold proceeded to the car- and entered. “ Farewell !’’ he cried, “ and remember, if this is a new trap, you shall not escape my ven- ce.” On entering the carriage, the Young Appren- thee imagined himself to be quite alone. © WAS mistaken. No sooner had the horses dashed off at a rapid pace, than two dark forms rose suddenly from beneath the seat on either side of him. , One of them was a complete stranger, but the other was the trooper who had given him the unwelcome advice in regard to Lady Grace Cowley. } He sprang up with a natural feeling of anger, and a hope that even now he might escape. - It was in vain. A strong arm held him down. “ Sit down, my friend,” said the trooper ; “if you attempt to escape death is here ready for uO.” . ‘<It would be weicome,”’ returned the Youn Apprentice, bitterly. : - * Not welcome to those you love—not welcome to yourself, when you think of those you. will leave behind you, If you plunge yourself heed- lesasly into the jaws of death, how can yon: benefit yourself or them ?” d glanced at him with wonder. “ Who can this man be?”. thought he; “who can this man be who gives me this uncalled-for advice ?” , But it was useless to regard him. Calin placid passable, { | im e, it was a mask to all inward feeling. 66 True,” said better wait —— And in his own heart he added— ‘‘ And dissemble, for Ettie’s-sake.” The carriage dashed on unimpeded. For some time silence prevailed in the car- riage ; but as hour after hour went by, and the shades of evening began to advance, it became evident to Harold that they were proceeding northward. ae are not going towards London,” he “ No.” “The girl said that was to be our route.” The trooper smiled. “Ah!” he said, “she is a little traitor, She loves her mistress, and would serve her in any- She is a serving maid of Lady Grace, then ?” “She is, She brought her from abroad with t e Young Apprentice, “I had NOTIOR.—ANOTHER BHA PI UTIFUL PIOTURS, 18 GIVEN AWAY WITH THIS NUM BE. her, and she will do anything. But see, my companion is asleep. Can I trust your honor?’ ‘Yea; I hope so.” “You will promise to keep secret all I tell é¢ y will,” “Well, then, I will explain to yon as far as I know,” returned the troeper, “what is the in- tention of Lady Grace Cowley towards you. Remember, my young friend, she is an earl's daughter, and if you are high-born, an alliance with her would be no disgrace ; if you are not, it would be a leap in the dark for her, and a Yise to fortune for you.” “In either ones, my f iano Ages Aare. sm the alliance is equally impossi proceed, will listen,” “The Lady Grace,” purened the man, “has an idea, rightly or wrongly, that you are connected with a noble family, and that you will ulti- mately obtain a splendid fortane. She has therefore determined to induce you, if possible, to marry her, young as you are, and thus obtain your wealth. What she would do with you afterwards He hesitated, and looked over at his com- panion, He was still fast asleep. ‘‘ Yes," continued: the trooper, ‘‘ what she would do with you afterwards I don’t know ; but I suspect it would be no good. However, you must act as you please, but 1 would advise you, a8 we are alone, to escape on the first opportunity.” “ Yoa give different advice now, my friend ?” ‘“Tdo. Why, I shall not tell; but perhaps I I know more,” . | “ And we are not going towards London ?” - “We are not. We are going towards the north, I know.the reason of this, Most of the on both sides are withdrawn from the north, and Lady Cowley ‘imagines that she carf have everyone there, and perhaps she is right, Opposition .to her will.be of no avail. ou must dissemble and escape by strategy.” It was not long before, in the darkness of the coming night,. they reached a sombre-looking iron gate, which, opening at their coming, ad- mitted them to a dreary garden. — ‘‘ Can I not escape, now ?” said the Young Ap- prentice, in a low whisper. ‘‘ No, no, We are too well watched ; besides, I am bound to guard you.” On alighting from the vehicle, they ascended a broad flight of steps, which conducted them to a-kind of terrace. Overhung by ivy and other creeping plants, and having windows looking out upon it, Harold observed it well, ‘Is this the house ?”’ he asked. The trooper put his finger on his lip. The Young Apprentice needed no further inti- mation. Silence was the great key to successful escape. Suffering himself, therefore, to be disposed as they liked, he passed into the dreary old house, and passing through a large oak-panelled cham- ber, entered a lofty and splendidly furnished t ‘ This,” said the trooper, “is your home for the present, and I should make myself a home here for the present.” PRINTED IN Mma will Callow in a few weeks. GONE OO / nl ’ - ) | SEVEN OOLOURS, NANG YO eS CO