The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 367: what you’re looking at

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

THR young APPRENTICE; OR, A few moments’ examination of the place let her see how useless this attempt was. The whole of the exterior portion of the balcony was covered by a net-work of such strong wire that it was far beyond the power of any such prisoner ag Alicia to break through It. _ She felt now there was no hope. She was a captive! Why, ghe knew not; bat the fact waa pain: fully ent, She kad no resource but end this, a2 may bg conceived, it was difficult jndecd te practise. The aoft bed did nat tempt her, In fact, she aauld not re Morning found her leaning ay, dagpair- ingly on the balcony, when her fpmaie gacley appeared, with a siniater keer upon her face. “ Well, my pretty one,” said the woman, who, as I have saig, had an unpleasant leer upon her face, “ axe you becoming a little more recanciled to your position ?”’ + am not, and nevershall be aatiafied until I quit this odi conteminatian.”’ “p me, bless mg!” cried the woman. ‘We have mighty airs with us! Never mind, theye'li soen be a change when his lardghip com At this moment these was a tap at the daag. ‘‘ Come ia,’ said the woman, as she proceeded to lay out some things for breakfast. @ door opened, and a tall youth entered, whe gazed with some wonder andadmiration at the beautifal woman who sat so djaconaolately by the window. Alicia looked earnestly into the face of the The greed Sey gold was plainly written on his a Foung # she osied, suddenly ; “ weuld you earn a hur unds f" ‘The vont furne Fale. « A hundred ponnda !’" he repeated, Jt was to him @ fortune, “You” Ak Alicia, “a hundred pounds, Sir ous place where every breath is a Han aatings, iq the Temple, wauld give a hung unds to knew when? am," ave & \ him,” gaid the youth. 66 The woman's face turned scarlet. ‘‘ ¥en’d better!’ she cried, furiously ; ** yon'd yuin your mother for ever for the sake of hundred! Do you know what I’d do if bet “al a Be $a?” tt Curae mg, most likely, That's what you do general " replied the yqung man. " Na, l’d murder you, as sure as my name's ham,” said she, bringing her clenched fist down upon the table, ‘1’d have no compunotian in doing so, so beware of me.”’ The youth gringed. ‘.T know how much you love me, mother,” he said, ‘“‘so ]'ll take gare,” With that he turned and left the ream. But as he did so, he cast upon Alicia g whigh platnly told her that he had still mind the ideg and the wish of saving her. ‘‘ Here's a good breakfast for you |" said the woman Wrexham, “eat and drink. His lord- ship will be here directly and he won't like te see you pale and ill. He likes the lips he kisses to he ripe and red——”’ } lance n his “ Hold !” cried Alicia, “speak no more to me of the infamous traitor who has induced me to come hither, or rather who has brought me here by force. Dare not to talk to me of his libertine and hateful desires. I will not hear of them.” “ Bless me,” said Mrs, Wrexham, “ dare not ! We have a mighty opinion of ourselves! How- ever, it matters not to me, eat or starve, I care So saying she quitied ¢he foom, leaving the meal untouched, ‘aad the wretched and heart- broken Alicia seated window. . Her thoughts now wesg gaything bat pleasing + mhere seemed to be ishment hangi @ seeme a punishmen og over hey, a punishment for all she bad said gnd done years before, Ta thoge times sorrow had through her fallen Upon meny, Simon Lawlesa had ¢grough her nensly lost his life, and Harold Fardyce, as well as the armourer; his friends and hig relations, every- thing, in fact, most neas gud dear to Harold had suffered through her. Was this the retribution f She rose presently, and stepped out into the wire-protected balcony. The morning sup had now risen. Over the couptryside it fejl in warm radiant gleamings, Its streams of golden light rolled over the and inundated the house of bright ae tig eq flowers where licta steod, breaking fn through the brazen wires and glowing over her bright form. The fresh, balmy air of morning rippling as over her, inspired her with renewed and created an appetite; apd re-entering it wane airengt the room, she sat down gf menced her breakfagt, here seemed, igdeed, no reason to imagine that her food could ang jenger be drugged. The man who had nat taken advantage of her when he had the opportunity before him would not degire now ¢o place her in any false sleep, She, therefore, unhesitatingly partook of the viands before her, and had just finished her meal when the door was thrown open and Lord Lovaine entered. “ Hal ba! my charmer,” hesaid, “I'm glad to see you looking ao well and rosy.” Alicia rose and turned from bim indignantly. But hoe was not one to be easily daunted. He had in his life received many similar rebuffs, So without taking any notice of her anger, he advanced towards her, and taking a seat near her, on the couch, passed his arm around her waist and drew her down forcibly by his side. “My beautiful one,’’ he said, “you will find it far better tg be friends than to be enemies with me. I hope soon to perauade you of it.” Phat you will neves do,” she said in tones of indignation. Neyertheleag I shall try,” he said ; “ you are my prisoner, and timp will teach yon the n@cessity of submiesion.” | Meanwhile we will jeavg Loyaine to endeavour to calm ared feelings of his captive, and retura te Fizebrace, who was £0 rudely seized upon in the grounds by the armed ae) wae EDOO Con <S) a y a —-? me) xu (v7 _ CO } | lin