The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. } 2 The dark expression fled from the face of Lady Raymond. ‘““Forgive me, girl,” she said, “forgive a woman who is mad with sorrow and jealousy | I retract my words, and, since you refuse to quit this place without your lover, I must endeavour to save both. To do so will take time; but, meanwhile, I must beg of you to be discreet. Let not Lord Raymond see how much you hate him, but beware of giving him any encourage- ment, I shall know soon if you are deceiving me.” She was about to turn and depart, when Ettie stopped her, “ Stay,’’ she cried, “cannot I see Harold, if only for a moment?” ‘* No, no, it would be madness,” returned Lady Raymond. “TJ will see at once that he has food given him ; in fact, I will take it to him myself ; but, if you were to go to him, it would rain all our plans, Farewell, and depend on me.” With these words Lady Raymond turned away, and sailed majeaticaliy down the path towards the house. Inatead of proceeding, however, towards the inhabited portion of the building, she passed through a door which led her to that part of the old house where Harold had been led into his trap. Here she looked cautiously round her, and then plunged suddenly into the passage along which the Young Apprentice had been dragged. There was no one to oppose her progress. Lightly she tripped along, and it was not long before she reached the grated window where the dwarf had jeered and laughed mockingly at his captive foe, Having ascertained thus much, and having found that she coald enter without being seen, she returned rapidly to the house, an succeeded in procuring some food. Armed with this, she went back once more to the window of the subterranean dungeon, within which all was still. ‘“ Harold Fordyce,” she said, “are you there ? Speak.” ‘A hollow voice answered her, “Who calls me by my name?” “1! afriend! I have food here for you. Can you rise ?” “Food, food!" said Harold; “oh, do not mock me !’’ “Tam not mocking you !’”’ exclaimed the dark Lady Raymond; “I have it here. lise, if you can, and take it from me, I fear to thrust it down among the ooze and slime.” The word “food” was so expresssive of ex- quisite delight that the Young Apprentice con- trived, in spite of his weakness, to reach the spot where the hand held forth the longed-for refreshment, He seized it eagerly, and pressed the hand which gave it warmth to his lips. “Ob!” murmured Lady Raymond, as she felt the pressure, ‘‘this puts me in mind of years, years ago, when he who now despises me held my hand and pressed it and kissed it thus in secret. Young man, I have news for you.” “Tell me,” said the Young Apprentice, who was eating voraciously. ‘One you love is here—not many yards from you at this moment.” g000 | “What! Ettie Leslie ?” “The same.” ‘Oh ! bring her to me.” ‘TY cannot; it would ruia you both. No; I am going to save you; but I must do it in my own way. Ina few hours I hope to bring you the welcome news of your release. Meanwhile, keep up your courage, and believe that in me you have a friend.” ‘¢ T will do as you wish, lady ; but tell me who are you ?” “ Lady Raymond.”’ ‘“Lord Raymond is married, then,” exclaimed the Yuung Apprentice in astonishment, ‘ When and where was this?” “ Hush,” cried the lady, “do not speak so loud. This marriage took place years—yeara ago; but at another time I will tell you more, Now, farewell ; be courageous, and fear nothing." Then like a vision she passed away from his solitary cell, and left him once more in loneli- ness and darkness. Hours passed again. The food, which her fair hands had brought him, had given him renewed strength ; and with this returning strength came renewed hope. But if anything could have succeeded in pre- venting any lengthened light-heartedness it was the darkness and gloom—the utter and un- relieved darkness of this place. Not a single vestige of light struggled in any- where. Not a single brick or bar could he see. Yet he soon became conscious that he was not alone. There was at first a faint rushing noise, then a plunging and splashing amid the mud. Then some strange objects hustled against him, and ran up his legs and pressed their cold clammy bodies on his face. He knew at once what they were. The rats were upon him! Ob, horror ! To be eaten alive ! To be left to the mercy of these vicious, ravenous animals in a place where he could not see to defend himself, and where his cries for help could not be heard ! For some time they did not attack him bodily, but the food which the Lady Raymond had brought up to him was devoured in a few mo- ments, Little knowing how soon she could again bring to him the simple food which was now tv him a delicious meal, he trembled at his future fate, for amid the terrors of this dull and gloomy house there was no telling when she would be enabled to bring him a further supply. The rata, however, were not satisfied with the amall amount of bread and meat he had left, and presently he could feel their sharp teeth biting through his clothes, There was now no time for further parley, and fortunately revived in strength by the food he had eaten, he was enabled to Aight vigorously against them. He had his sword with him, and with this he slashed vigorously about him, dashing down one foe here, cutting through another there, and making the old place ring again with the clash- ing of the steel against the wall. >. S2)) 63 eZ << SOR GOVE OOO CO