The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 349: what you’re looking at

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

328 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. It moved gently. ‘s Not dead ! not dead !’’ cried Leicester, as he ran towards a ditch, and procured some water. A little of this dashed in Lord Raymond’s face revived him a little. He opened his eyes, ‘“ Where am I?” hoe asked, in a languid and painful voice. “With me—with your friend, Leicester,” cried the other, ‘‘ How came you here?” “ Harold Fordyce,” murmured Lord Raymond, and again relapsed into unconsciourness, At this moment there was a sound as of horses’ feet approaching. ‘IT must leave this spot,” thought Leicester. ‘‘ Encumbered as I am with this helpless body, I shall be unable to do anything.” Raising Lord Raymond in his arms, he placed ‘ him upon his horse, Then, releasing the second one, he sprang up, and with the two, trotted gently along the road, in the direction of the house towards which he was bound. ) His destination was not now very far distant. In the course of an hour, the bright light of dawn showed him the towers of a castellated mansion rearing their grey heads towards the heavens. Here at a broad and lofty gate he halted, and ringing a sonorous bell, was soon admitted into the courtyard of the house, CHAPTER XXVII, LADY GRACE COWLEY ONCE MOBE—A STRANGE OFFER—A WICKED BRIDAL—THE STRANGE WEDDING NIGHT—THE STAINS OF BLOOD— A DEMON’S LOVE—THE VOW OF BEVENGE— THE EXPEDITION—THE LYING VILLAIN, PASSING through the courtyard, he found him- self in a finely-furnished room, where Lord Ray- mond was placed upon a couch, and left to the care of the domestics, while one of the atten- dants hurried off in search of a doctor. Leicester then passed into another chamber, where a lady was seated. This was Lady Grace Cowley. Time had not changed her. She was still the hard-looking beauty. The same quiet cynical smile played over her cherry lips, | The same lovely hair wantoned snakelike over her white breasts, whose lovely ‘contours were always freely displayed by her low-made ress. . A strange flush spread over the lovely bosom, and glowed upwards to her cheeks as Leicester entered, He was another of this wicked woman’s passions, “ You have come, then?” she said, ‘I have eagerly expected you.” - «sb Seem CTC CLA “Yes,” he said, “Iam here, and not alon have I come.” “ Not alone! Who, then, has accompanied you?’ she asked, anxiously. ‘“ Lord Raymond, He is wounded, and dying in the next room.” ‘* Wounded and dying 1” “Yes. He was attacked by Harold Fordyce and left for dead on the road.” A gleam of deadly hate shot forth from Lady Grace Cowley’s eyes. The name aroused all the worst passions of her evil nature, ‘¢ Harold Fordyce,” she murmured, ‘Oh! I hate him—how I hate him !” ‘¢ You loved him once,” said Lord Leicester, with a smile. ‘¢ Loved him |—aye, I might have loved him long, long ago ; but I do not now, I donot now. No, no: to any one who would aid me in destroying him I would accord any favour.” “ Perhaps, however, I may make a compact with you,” said Leicester; “ bat hark! the surgeon bas arrived, I will see what he says of the state of my friend Raymond.” Though they had parted in anything but good friendship when they were last together, he did not desire to see him die by the hand of the one whom of all others he hated. So he entered the adjoining room eagerly. The old surgeon was leaning over his patient tenderly. | ‘ Well,” asked Leicester, anxiously, ‘‘is there any hope ?” ‘‘ Yes,”’ said the leech ; “ yes, there is every hope—if quiet is given him,’ ‘¢ He will have that here,” replied Leicester: “ Save him, and a good reward will be yours.” - The doctor bowed and smiled with professional kindness. But his bow and his smile were not the reflex of his thoughts. These were— roe ‘* With such a villanous face you would, I should imagine, be best out of the world.” After snatching a few hours’ repose, Lord Leicester made his way towards a room where he hoped to meet Lady Grace Cowley. His mind was now quite made up how to act in regard to her, He would marry her, and have her wealth to aid him in his schemes. Schemes of villany, intrigae—murder ! . Yetschemes which he knew she would gladly engage in, He found her where he had expected. She looked pre-eminently lovely. As if expecting what he desired to say, she had dressed herself in exquisite taste. . Her long light locks fell down her black velvet robe, embroidered in gold, displaying to advantage her white glossy skin. She gave him a sweet smile of welcome, ' “ You are an early visitor after your unrest,” she said, “I'am. Your eye attracted me hither,” he answered, gallantly. PIOTURB WAS 4° foe tee GIVEN AWAX GOVE OOO eS ) CO