The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

Ven 842 “* My dear, he has but just gone, after saving you from your enemies—the wretches who drugged you ; he has gone for a time.” ‘Yes, yes, I know, I know ; his life could not be safe here. But tell me,” continued Alicia, “will he belong? Did be say when he would | return ?”’ “ He promised to return at once,” said Mra, Carton ; “meanwhile, every care shall be taken of you here. I will gonowand prepare a cham- ber for your reception.” So saying she quitted-the room. She passed out by a side door, not the one leading to the chamber where Ben Firebrace was watching. Alicia had no suspicion of evil. She knew her husband to be in dangez. Why then sheuld he not sarry her away to a place of concealment 7” And yet-—— Another thought crossed her mind, The drugged wine! What did that mean ? That, surely, was not given by a friend | It waa from the enemies then who had given her this that her husband had saved her. In the midst of these thoughts, she started up in alarm. The shadow of a man—a tall, heavily-bnilt man—fell across the flogr. The alarm, however, soon subsided, As he advanced, with his finger on his lip, she recognised }jm. . It was Ben Firebrace, “What do you herp?” she exclaimed, in com- plete surprise. * I am here to saye you,” hesaid, in a burried whisper, “You are in @ place where your honour, if not your life, is in peril. Ask po questions now, bat when you retire to your chamber, do not undress; be in readiness to fly with me. Ab! she returns.” Then, without another word of explanation, he hurried’ away, leaving Alicia in a atate of utier bewilderment and fear, In another moment Mra. Carton entered. She bore a lamp in her hand. “Now, my dear,” she said, “your room is ready.” Alicia roge at once. She resolved not to shew any signs of sus- ion, Then Firebrace's warning was enough, She knew him to be a friend. His worda, therefore, were as ‘a iaw to her. The chamber inte whioh phe follawed Mra. Carton was furnished with exquisite taste. The hangings of the bed were » hite and pink. Lace adorned the down pillows, and over everything—bed and picture-hang walig and furniture, a lamp with a roae-tinted glaas shed a rich and mellow glow. “ Here,” said Mrs. Cartan, as she prepared to retire, “here you will be very comfortable, and let us bope your busband will soon join you. Good night, and pleasant dreams,”’ ‘“‘ Good night,” aaid Alicia. Then she listened as the door closed. me as she suspected. ere was the faint sound of th turned. of the key being She was locked in from without. es al THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, Bhe sat down with a heart palpitatieg in deadly fear. How was Ben Firebrace to reach her now 7? If the key was not in the lock she was anse- lutely without a chance of escepe. And yet, in the midat of her fear, there wae a drowsiness over her. More than once she glanoed with a feeliag of longing at the soft bed into which she cauid have 80 well reposed her aching Hmbes. In fact the effect of the drag hud not entirely worn off, But sabe resisted it bravely. She feared lest alumber might bring with it alao dishonor. Then there was a sound without as if of ateps gliding along. Alicia listened eagerly. Her heart beat high. Her bosom fluttered like the wings of a dying bird. Then a welcome sound greeted jer, The key turned in the lock, and in apofher moment Ben Firebrace entered. He closed the door gently behind him, “ Lissie is below the window,” he gaid, “ we have no time to lose,” Alicia held out her hand to him as she rose from a chair, ‘“ Ben,” she said, “I know yon to be true and honest.” “IT hope I am,” he answered, modestly. ‘‘ Well, then, I am sure you desire to do all for the best; but tell me, where am I, and why do you wish me to fly f” ‘‘ There is no time, my lady,” he said, “for any long explanation ; but this I can mt our husband is not here, and is not cted bere. You have been carried away from him by the libertine Lord Lovaine, whose house this is— this place ig destined by him tq see your ruin. Need I say more?” Alicia shuddered. ‘‘ No, no,” abe said ; “Jet us go_at once.” Ben approached the window, and began slowly to raise it. It glided up noiselessly, and admitted freely the fresh air of night. it here an unexpected obstacle presented The ae eins was barred |! ath A ruddy glow of annoyance overapread the honest face of the captain of the Tronsides. “We have a delay before us,” he cxed. ‘‘Never mind; my arm, I trugt, js strong eraugh to wrench these irqng from their hold- ngs. ‘*T will aid you," said Alicia. With the strength ‘of despair, ahe aided Ben in dragging away the irona. | To their united atrength they yielded one by one, But it was a work of time. And all the while Lizzie waited below in fear and anxiety. At length three bara were wrenched out. There was now room sufficient for Ben to creep out. “ Now, then, for the signal,” said Ben Fire- brace, joyously. a GOMES O16S ay