The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 311: what you’re looking at

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

Pate oy 290 He slept profoundly; the brand was thrown down, and the inquirer grasped the arm of Richard, and shook it gently; the firat touch aroused him and he sprang from the ground. “Is there danger, sir?” he demanded, and his hand caught his sword. “ No; silence, and follow me,” was the reply, and Richard obeyed. The cavalier threw open the door of the hut, and stepped out on the cliff, followed closely by his companion. Having closed again the door, and advanced some trifling distance, he paused and looked around him, The storm had died away, and a clear night had succeeded its violence. The moon was now fast sinking, while in the east a few atreaks of early light foretold the approach of dawn. The cliff on which the hovel stood divided the common road to Brighthelmatone from the coast, The ascent to tit from the road was steep, but far from difficult, while the part that fronted the ocean overhung it in some trifling degree. A rugged path, dangerous to inexperienced climbers, led to the hut from the seashore be- neath it, and the tattling neighbours sometimes said that Hans might be seen occasionally toiling up with a hamper on his back, But, perhaps, that was mere scandal. Clifford, for such was the name, sasumed or real, of the cavalier, sppeared lost in thought, and Richard stood by his side with his arms folded on his breast, patiently awaiting what- ever his companion might eventually choose to communicate, * You remember,” at length, he said, * that while concealed in the house of Frank Lealie I became desperately emamoured of his fair daughter, Ettie,” “Ido remember it well, alr,” answered his companion, drily, “ And I also remember that you fell likewise desperately in love, at the same period, with a friend, who was visiting there, and also her waiting woman.” ‘‘ Nonsense, Richard, nonsense; it was the beauteous Ette, and she only, I adored.” “‘ Perhaps so, air, And I recollect I used to think then that your passion was increased, because you knew that she loved another.” “It might be so. The girl muet surely be bewitched to love a rascally Roundhead, with his sanctimonious phis, and hypocritical eye, impious conversation, and rebellious senti- ments,” “J have, you must remember, seen Harold Fordyce, and I must say he is very different from the character you describe, except in the last particular, and that, perchance, renders him interesting in the lady’s eyes,” “Well, well, a truce to this trifling,” said Clifford, warmly. ‘Listen to me, Over all those that I have lo¥ed, or fancied I loved, the daugh- ter of Leslie reigus pre-eminent, Nay,so much I adore her, that the greatest love l ever felt before sinks into mere admiration in the com- parison, Richard,” and he grasped his arm almost convulsively, “ give me but your assist- a and she shall become the partner of my exile.” His companion staggered back several steps, THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, overcome with sudden astonishment at its un- expected conclusion. “ Ia it possible! Do I hear aright ?” ‘Yes, yes ; she has fied from London with her father and his apprentice, and they now are —”’ ‘¢ Where ?” demanded Richard. Clifford pointed to the cottage. ‘They sleepthere; they are the fugitives,” “ Then, that,” said Richard, exultingly, ‘‘ ex- plains why they come to be travelling so late.”’ ‘‘ Pause not now to speculate so uselessly, but listen to my plan,and remember that, in assisting to rob a Roundhead of his intended bride, you assist to avenge your king on one of his enemies, Here is a powder, it is a powerful soporific ; mix it with the brandy, and dexterously contrive to induce the Roundhead apprentice to take it. It will immediately take effect, and undeterred by his presence, or interference, we can bear the lovely Ettie to yonder smack;" his finger pointed ont a light which shone on the ocean's surface at some distance, ‘ We will conceal Fordyce as she passes from her sleeping-room, and a well-told tale that he awaita her coming, in the boat, will induce her to descend the cliff in quietness ; we can pretend to suppose he is gone on board, and left us to follow him; once there, leave to me the charge of deprecating her “anger.” ‘Pardon me, sir, with this wild plan I will have nought todo,” The speaker had expected a burst of anger at this plain avowal, but it came not, and, conse- quently emboldened, he continued, “To rob a Roundhead of his intended bride, I would have no objection ; but to oppress one who has fied to your refuge for safety, agrees not with my temperament, nor will it with yours, I am certain, if you will but dispassionately observe your purposed conduct. Moreover, sir, it will be but ill requiting the hospitality and loyalty of Frank Leslie to carry his daughter to a distant land.” | ‘Have you done, sir?” inquired Clifford. Richard bowed. “T cannot say,” continued the former, “ that I ever heard Barebones, the leather seller of Fleet Street, preach ; but it appears to me, that you would far eclipse him in lessons of morality. Be that as it may, allow me to congratulate you on your newly acquired sentiments. Pray you haste with all speed tothe next town,make known our conversion from staunch Cavalier to Round- reacher, inform the worthy burgesses you have had a miraculous call, relate all yoo know respecting that reprobate fellow called Charles Stuart--not forgetting to receive a reward for the same-—bring a to this hovel, deliver into their hands the person of your obedient servant, and then, as a return for what silly persons will cali treachery, preach and expound to him all the way to the scaffold. Away, 09 ° ‘¢ Ere I leave here, I trust, sir, to see you in safety in yonder vessel.” “ Richard, Richard, why will you not assist me? Add to your inestimable services but this one action, and my gratitude will be ever- lasting.” A long and somewhat impatient argument ensued, and, as it generally happens, that when a superior condescends to entreat and flatter an Oy GOVE OO O16S lin CO