The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, A man’s footsteps were plainly heard advanc- ing along the passage. Then the door was thrown open, and Lord Raymond entered. He smiled and bowed with a sneering courtesy. ‘ Good evening, ladies,”’ he said, “ you scarcely expected to see me 80 soon, no doubt ?” “T expect anything, my lord, from you,” returned Lady’Blanche Villiers, bitterly. “Then of course you expect honorable be- haviour ?” he said, tauntingly. ‘“ I hope you are not displeased with the humble lodgings which are at present the only ones I can offer ou ?” “Taunt me not, my lord,’’ returned Lady Blanche, “I am in your power, truly now, but wait—wait awhile. The Providence which has protected me so often before will protect me now.” “ And in the meantime,” said Lord Raymond, sneeringly, ‘in the meantime, J will act the part of Providence, and do my best to make you comfortable, Lady Blanche, I should wish much to have a word with you alone. Mistress Woodhead, leads, if I mistake not, to your bedroom. Would you kindly retire for a few moments and permit me a private interview with Lady Villiers ?” Lizzie Woodhead made no reply, but at once quitted the apartment. Lord Raymond assured himself that no one was listening. Then he approached Lady Blanche. ‘‘ Blanche,” he said, in a low and earnest tone, “T once loved you.” Blanche shuddered. ‘ A base and cruel lie, my lord !” she answered bitterly. . “YT did. I loved you, and your friends stood between us. Else, at this very moment, you might have been my wife.” ‘“ Weaven granted me a release from such a fate,” she answered. Raymond bit his lips. ‘“ You might have had a worse husband than I,” he said, “ but that is past—all past. I have no such feelings now towards you. I love another—Ettie Leslie, the young and gentle daughter of the armourer. It is not of love I wish to speak. by I loved you, and you cruelly and basely slighted and deceived me, The time is coming now for my revenge ; but that desire for revenge I will smother. What I desire now is that you will do me a service,” ‘“T do youa service !” ‘ Yes—you are here to do me a service. I have caused you and Mistress Woodhead to be captured and brought hither, for no other reason than because I desired to save myself, It is not for any evil designs upon you.”’ ‘ Speak, then, and tell me what it is I can do,” cried Lady Blanche, She spoke more firmly now, for his manner and earnest voice had reassured her. “IT am at this moment an outlaw, & you know. Iam every moment in fear of my life. ] am hunted to and fro on the face of the earth, and in England there is no spot where I can consider myself safe.” ‘ And howcan I aid you in altering this state of things ?”’ Yonder door, I said only that in days gone. ‘¢ Easily.” ‘¢ Explain, then,” ‘* You are in my power, are you not?” Yes, yea, I am,” “ Write, then, to Harold Fordyée, and entreat him, as he values the friendship of your husband, to plead to Cromwell for my pardon. Write also to your husband, and eharge him to do the same, as he values your safety and honour. Remember what I say, your honour.” Lady Blanche’s cheeks grew crimson, “You are bent upon insulting me.” ‘IT do not wish to insult you. I merely tell you the trath. Will you consent to this?” “No, no, he would not wish it; he would blame me for it,” “You refuse ?” “T do.” ‘‘Very well, then,” said Lord Raymond, “we will see. I shall take measures to make you do as I wish. Permit me to ask you toretire into the next room, while I speak to Mistress Woodhead.” The same scene was enacted again, Lizzie, less strong-minded than Lady Blanche, went on her knees to him, and implored him to release her, But he was stern and implacable; and when he quitted the place, there seemed truly no hope for them, There was a protector, however, near, that they never dreamed of. It was on the second night after their capture, that Lord Raymond rushed out of the strange abode, and took his way on horseback [towards an inn, which stood at no great distance from the outlaw’s home. | He expected here to hear some news from London. But he was not destined to reach it. On coming {o the cross road, he saw a horse- man advancing at full speed towards him. On reaching him, he saw that the new come was masked. ‘Which way to Lord Villiers’ house, sir ?’’ cried the new comer, courteously. ‘Whence came you, sir?” “That is an uncourteous reply,” replied the stranger, ‘‘I wish to find Lord Villiers’ house, where I have private and urgent business, It cannot matter—Ah ! by heaven, I recognise you now ; it is Lord Raymond.” “And what then, Who are you, who fear to show yourself withont a mask ?” ‘Tam one you know well—Harold Fordyce, the armourer's friend and apprentice. There is some fresh villany afoot, or you would not be present in the neighbourhood.” ‘ Draw, villain,” cried Raymond, “ descend from your horse, and here, where no one will interrupt us, let us fight this fight to the eath,”’ Harold Fordyce needed no further invitation. Springing from his saddle, he at once crossed swords with the treacherous royal spy. To describe the fight, would be but to repeat what we have ofttimes before described. The bright moon shone overhead, the horsea tethered to the sign post, looked quietly on; the clash of swords and muttered impreca- tions alone attested the presence of the com- batants, GOVE OOO