The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

From the moment when the terrible words left the Judge's lips, she had made a determination, She would save his life or die with him, Infatuated girl ! She loved him with an ardent love, which was worthy of a better object. On the second evening before the execution was to take place, the deputy-governor, or head gaoler, entered the cell, He bowed lowly. ‘* Well,” said Leicester, with a smile, “ what do you want?” a Iwas thinking it was & pity that you should e.’ Leicester laughed. “ Well, he said, “ I think so, too,” “ A fine fellow, a fine fellow—it is a pity he should die,” muttered the deputy-governor, “ That's a queer speech for an official to use towards a desperate man such as I am,” returned Leicester, who, nevertheless, felt a ray of hope invading hia bosom. “It ntay be, it may be,” continued the go- vernor ; “but I can’t help thinking of it, and it's with regret that I think I am your gaoler.” “Oh! as for that,” returned Leicester, * one man may as well be one’s gaoler as another. They would have me some time or another.” ‘‘ You might escape from the country,” per- sisted the gaoler. “I might, as you say,” returned Leicester ; “but it isnot likely. But tell me why do you take this interest in me ?” “ That,” said the gaoler, “that ¢s a secret, But at any rate, friend or no friend, I cannot bear the idea of your suffering a violent death.” “ Ah! well, well, I don’t intend to die on the scaffold,” returned Leicester, as he bethought himself of the bottle of poison which Alicia had given him. “It is not a pleasant thing tocon- template death at all; but I tell youI have not much love for life, and I only hope the affair will be speedily over.” ** Speedily over! Have you no wish to live?” * Wish ta live? Heaven bless you! I should think Ihad, But what is the use of wishing when I have no hopeof it? Surely you don’t suppose that Lord Cromwell will interfere in my behalf?” ‘I am not such a fool,” said the gaoler. i ‘s Well, then, where’s the use of thinking about Vin ] “ Did it never strike you that there were other ways of saving your life besides the one that presents itself through the mediation of the Home Office 2" ‘* Never,” “ Hush ! what do you think of escape ?” ‘* Escape ! What, from a condemned hole, and without a friend? absurd,” “Tait? not quite so absurd as it looks, I thinking,” “ What do you mean ?” “ Hist! Do you want all the gaolers to hear what I mean ?” “Great heaven, deputy, do not raise any f hopes. I am content to die. I've long ceased to think of life; do not, therefore, bring back such thoughts, unless you have some notion of saving my life.” “Stay,” cried the gaoler; “listen to me; it has been preying on my mind day and night that THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, it was through me you got here, In the saving of a fellow creature's life you risked your own. It was mean of me to take such an advantage, and I deeply regret it. You donot know bow deeply I would make some atonement. I would at least try to save you.” ‘You are a good man, deputy, and I thank you sincerely for your kindness ; but I fear that you cannot get me out of this mess.” “ Be not too sure. I have my plans.” “What are they? Let me know them.” “ Will you lower your tone; all the fellows within s hundred yards will hear you if you keep up that brawl.” “ Well, I am quiet now, but do speak.” ‘Well, then, I am going to bring a lot of your female acquaintances here to bid you fare- hg Bic and bye.” “Female acquaintances ! the world, except Alicia.” “What of that? I've manufactured a dozen for you, and they are all so anxions to see you that they will be here in a body this very day.” *‘T do not see your drift.” “No! I thought you were smarter. Do you not comprehend that ladies wear a variety of cloaks and hoods, and that one or two would not be missed by the gaolers any more than an addi- tion of one to the number of visitors who make their exit would be detected.” ‘True; you would have me disguise myself, and leave the prison with the females.” ““ Just so. it not an admirable plan ?’ “ It is, indeed, if it can be carried out ; but will they admit so many people as you propose should visit me ?”’ 4 Why not?” “ 3¢ is anusual.” Tt is ; but what of that?” “ Only that I do not see why concessions should be made in my case, any more than in that of other criminals,” . Do you know who adatits the visitors ?” ‘ No. ‘¢' Then learn that itis myself. If I give an order for admission of half a hundred, there is no one but the governor to gainsay it, and as he is not in the way, I think we are pretty safe,” “ You are a good friend to me.” ‘‘ But a very bad deputy governor, eh 7” ‘‘Y did not say so. I have no reason to entertain such a thought.” ‘ Hang it, man! no one is answerable for his thoughta. F say I am a very bad deputy- governor ; but I'd rather have that character than that they should say of me hereafter I entrapped a man into a halter whilst he was in the act of snatching a fellow-creature out of one.” “ You are all goodness,” * { wish I could say the same of you ; but no matter, in time you may mend your ways, and lead an honest life. If you don’t, it’s no business of mine, and I shan’t grieve ; and I tell you now that if ever you get into my clutches again I shall have ho mercy.” ‘ T shall try to avoid you.” ‘¢ That's well; but be assured, my friend, the true way to avoid me is by amending your mode of life, Be honest, and you need have no fear of me.” “ Your advice is good ; but I fear it has come too late,” I baven’t one in EDOO CADILNA) <S) CO