The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 348: what you’re looking at

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

( THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. 327 ‘Well, sir, certainly look like a gentleman.” ‘To be sure ; and there is a pretty girl in the Temple, all of which circumstances place a couple of gold pieces in your way.” ‘Ob, thank you, sir; I understand.” “To be sure you do.” “It is only a little piece of Court gallantry after all, sir.” ‘Yes, that’s it ; open the gate,”’ “ Yes, your honour, all’s right. I won't let anybody through until your honour has got right into the Strand,” ‘That is right. I shall not forget you. The father, or the mother, or the brother, or the cousin, or some infernal relation has called out after me, that is all.”’ | ‘¢Ha, ha!” laughed the watchman; “I was wild in my youth myself. I wish you luck, sir. Good morning, sir.” ‘ Adieu,” said Leicester, as, like a hunted hare, he sped towards the Strand. When there, he took a sedan chair that he chanced to see vacant at the corner of a dark lane, and desired to be taken to the Palace as quickly as possible. As soon as Leicester reached the vicinity of Whitehall Palace, whose gloomy reminiscences caused a shuddering horror to run through his frame, he stopped his sedan chair, and getting out, proceeded in all haste towards the open country which lay beyond it. The country was dark and gloomy, but this did not deter him. On he went, through dusky lanes and between dark fields. ° | On, on, through a place where. there was not a light for miles, Roused into fury by the loss of Alicia, he thought of nought but her. By this hour he had hoped to have her in his arms. By this time he had hoped to have atilled the tumultuous beating of her heart upon his breast, and kissed away her tears, It was not to be, She had married another ; and though even now a virgin bride, she was far away from him, in the power of one who would never release his hold upon her, except to yield her up to her rightful husband. The thought maddened him, and the slowness of his progression became terribly irksome, He looked eagerly round to see whether or not a light was near. For a long time, however, he looked and searched in vain. Everywhere around him was a black and dreary waste. Presently, however, a light glimmered in the distance. Towards this he hurried, It was like a beacon light to a wrecked sea- man. “At length,” he said, “I shall be able to obtain a horse, and speed onwards, Curse my imprudence for leaving London without one, But you never mind. If I reach Langton House before dawn, it will matter little.” Presently he reached the spot whence the light proceeded. It was an isolated, dark-looking inn, with no sign of life, except what the lamp afforded. But Leicester paused not to think whether the people were asleep or not, He knocked loudly. Presently a head appeared at a window above where he stood, ‘‘ Who's there?” asked a voice, “ A traveller.” “What want you ?” “ Refreshment and a horse. I will pay well for both,” said Leicester. The window was closed abruptly. For a moment not a sound disturbed the silence of the night. Leicester began to doubt whether he was not wasting his time. He was wrong. .The mention of the magic money had effected what no coaxing could have done, The door was presently opened, and a man appeared at the door. : ‘ Enter,” he said, “ althonght I must say you are a rather late traveller.” “T am indeed,” replied Lord Leicester, “ but necessity makes me,” As soon as they entered he was provided with a tankard of foaming fresh ale, of which the landlord himself partook at his guest’s invita- tion, ‘‘ Now, then, for a horse,” said Leicester, “J have to go a long journey.” The old man at once went out to the stable, and in the course of a quarter of an hour the steed was ready at the door. Leaping on its back, Leicester dashed away at full speed along the dark road. There was nothing now to impede his eager progress. His horse was young and fresh, and the spurs were sharp. For hours, therefore, they sped away like the wind, Suddenly, however, just as the dawn broke, just as they reached the cross-road, the animal shied violently, and came to a dead stop. Leicester glanced downwards to see what had caused this sudden stoppage. . There, lying in the road, was the body of a an. In the grey twilight of morning he could see the man’s face, It was that of his old friend and companion, Lord Raymond. , He was lying on his back in the road just where Harold Fordyce had left him. Tethered to the sign-post was the horse of the senseless man. Dismounting at once, Leicester approached the body. Tearing open the doublet, he laid his hand upon his heart. . GO orn FINRA: te <S) ) ~ ) CO