The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

| ceed as far as possible to moet it, Two gleami oven, therefore, were all that Lord Raymon could see, “ What want you here, my friend?” he asked. “T want nothing,” replied Villiers. “ I have, like you, taken refuge from the storm.” “T fancy,” said Raymond, “ that during your sojourn here, you have seen some others who - have more than taken refuge from the weather. Is it not so?” “T saw some men consulting sbout some money, but I cannot tell you what their con- versation meant,” replied Villiers. ‘“ They spoke of murder and of gold ; mentioned the name of one, Lord Raymond, as the perpetrator of some hideous crime ; but as I do not know the name _ of the man, of course it is nothing to me.” Lord Raymond eyed him intently. Something in the voice of the speaker seemed to him familiay, and he sought to penetrate the disguise by approaching nearer. His ruse failed. Lord Clement guessed his purpose and edged. towards the door. ‘‘The storm has ceased,” said Raymond, fol- lowing him ; “are you going ?” “Yes, I desire to reach Wheatstone as s00n as possible.” “Indeed; I also am going thither. We can journey together, Have you a horse?” ‘Yes; 1 have one without,” “And Ialso. Let us go.” They accordingly quitted the ruins, and ia a few moments were in their saddles, riding slowly along the dark highway. More rapid progression was out of the ques- tion. Though the storm had abated, the sky was still heavy with clouds, and not a star or a ray of moonlight was visible. ‘Your busineas must be, like mine, most im- portant, to oblige you to be out at such an hour and in such weather,” said Lord Villiers, who was scarcely able tojrepress his anger. This, however, he succeeded in doing ; for he knew well that upon his coolness depended the discovery of Lady Blanche’s place of conceal- ment, ‘Yes; it is most important,” cried Lord Raymond, “I am on an errand of love.” * Of love?” “Yes ; is it surprising ‘No, traly; although in these wild days one has scarcely time to dream of it.” ‘True; but it is the wildness of the times which, in this instance, I have to thank for throwing loye and beauty into my arms.” ‘The lady then is beautifal ——” “Asan angel,” “Young ?” “ Aye—scarce twenty.” “ And unmarried, let us hope ?” ‘No, unfortunately.” ‘‘ Where, then, is her husband ?” ‘‘T know not—she has fled from him.” ‘Indeed. Have you no fear he will follow you and wrest from you this treasure—this — creature, which he, doubtless, prises W 99 Raymond laughed, Little did he dream that the one whom he had so injured was riding by his side, THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OB, “Oh!” he cried, “I fear him not. Besides, as the lady is , why ——” | ‘That settles it, of course.” “Yes; and I shall not be sorry when my eyes light upon her lovely face. I am truly burning with impatience.” There was a pause now in their conversation for awhile. They were nearing the sea. Already the fresh air blew keenly upon their aces, Already the surge of the waters upon the beach sounded cn their ears. ‘It must be a wild night ont at sea,” said Lord Raymond. “Yes, truly; it has been wild enough on land.” “True; yet I would rather trust myself on terra firma,” To this Lord Clement made no reply. His thoughts were busy upon the terrible condition of Lady Blanche, and his mind was overcharged, as it were, with suppressed hatred for the oné who rode by his side. After a few moments he spoke again. ‘T am a stranger in Wheatstone,” he said ; “can you tell me where I can find Claver Hall?” “Tecan. It is not far from Boxley House, to which I myself am going. I can show it to you.” This was enough. Lord Villiers said no more. He knew now where his beloved wife had been placed by her villanous foe, and he was no longer obliged, therefore, to act a part. were at this moment approaching a part of the coast where the road wound along almost on the edge of the cliff. Just ahead of them a beacon fire glowed and flickered in the darkness, shedding a crimson light over the sea like the glory of the setting sun, and illumining also the highway, and the trees which waved over ita other margin, Until they reached this spot, Lord Olement Villiers kept silence. Then, however, suddenly reining in his horse, he confronted his old enemy. } “ Lord Raymond,” he cried, placing his steed ao that his foe could not pass him, “is it possible that you do not know me ?” With these words, he flung aside his cloak, raised his hat, and, in the red light of the flames, showed to his énemy his face. . ‘Lord Villiers !’’ exclaimed Raymond, aghast with surprise. “ Ave—it is J—Lord Villiers, your mortal foe. The hour of reckoning has at length arrived. Weare alone. Alone, therefore, with the silent Heaven as a witness, we will settle this fend between us.” The suddenness of the , however, seemed to have taken from Lord Raymond the courage which, villain as he was, he dould in general boast of. ti ‘You are disposed to be romantic, my " he cried, as he backed his horse, “ or you intend to commit a murder. A duel should have wit- nesses, “ A duel!” exclaimed Villiers, fiercely ; “ours isno duel! ‘We ‘must here, man to man, fight to the death! My heart is thirsting for revenge, f ~ GOVE OO © eS CO lin