The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, ‘No, sir,” said the stranger; “but now we go abont it if you will permit us.” ‘We do, and the sooner we are free of the atmosphere of this place, the better pleased we shall be. It has about it the aroma of treason.” “It has, my lord ; but the day has come, let us hope, when its walls will never echo to the cries of any but loyal Republicans,” At this moment the room door openei, and Sir Robert passed his head in, saying— heard a noise—oh ! lord—who— The stranger's long, bony fingers were about his throat in a moment. Leaving Mercy Marner in this situation, we must for a time return to Lord Leicester. a eres, CHAPTER XIII. LORD LEIOESTER ONCE MORE IN THE TOWER —-HIS FEELING OF DESPAIR—THE GLOOM OF FUTURITY—THE SECRET COUNCIL—THE ORDEAL OF TOUCH—THE SPRINGING FORTH OF THE BLOOD—THE ACCUSATION—THE VEEDIOT OF THE JUDGES. WHEN Lord Leicester found himself once more within the gloomy walls of the Tower he ex- perienced a feeling far different to that he had felt upon the oocasian of his former visit, Then he had felt a quiet confidence in the chances of escape. allots Lealic waa at that time still his betrothed e. Wedded to him by all the fervour of young the ene been led by her love for him into the commission of what might almost be termed crimes—she had, as we have seen » Tisked her life to save him. Now, however, who was there who would act thus for him ? Despised by his y his own party, discovered upon the eve of a grand conspiracy, he bad no one upon whom he could rely, except his wife. y Grace, however, he felt sure was under strict surveillance. She had clung to him, pressed him to her breast, and sworn to save him. But what then ? She was but a weak woman conflict ing against strong enemies, and, though perfectly unscru- pulous, and ready to commit any degree of crime to save one upon whom her heart waa set, it was doubtful if, npon the first show of resistance, she would not be plunged into a prison. These and other thoughts impressed Lord Leicester most severely, Before, he had always laughed at the bars which served as means of confinement, It was far different now, The clang of the door seemed to say “for ever,” and the roll of the bolts seemed to echo ‘*for ever,” and the gloom and the earthy smell of the living sepulchre seemed to say ‘for ever ”’ —for ever, until the door should open, and the bars should be loosed to allow him to pass to the scaffold ! For three days he saw no one but the gaoler who brought him his food. On the evening of the third day, however, heavy steps were heard advancing along the stone corridor. Then the door opened, and three men—three armed troopers—appeared., . ‘‘Lord Leicester, the tribunal awaits you, said one, advancing. “T am ready,” said Leicester haughtily. ‘¢ Lead on.”’ The men whispered and glanced from one to the other. But he heard not their words. To his mind, however, their ominous manner sent a chill, It looked like the forerunner of disaster. Along the stone oorridor the men led him— up a narrow staircase—into a large hall of audience, Here, upon a high seat, sat a judge, with many persons, troopers and others, gathered round him. Lord Leicester looked proudly round him. ; Ferjured traltor as he was, he felt disposed to his dignity. “But he was suddenly startled into a forgetful- ness of all around him save one thing. In the centre of the room was lying the body of a man—the body of the old man whom he had so treacherously murdered in the grounds of Lady Grace's house! ; “‘ Prisoner,” said the judge, ‘we are assem- bled to you for the murder of Sir Philip Danvers, the uncle of your newly-wedded wife, Lady Grace Cowley.” “I deny it,” replied Leicester. . “So be it; you pica not guilty,” continued the judge. “* » it has been arranged by your judges that, in order to prove your guilt or innocence, you shall be compelled to submit to the ordeal of touch,” . “A barbarous custom, and one only fitted{for savages,” said Leicester, The judge frowned. “‘ Scoff not,” he said, “ at the ordinances of the _ court. The decree of the court is and you must abide by it. See, there is the dead body of your victim ; you must place your hand upon his heart, and swear your innocence, If the blood atill remains stagnant, you are inno- cent; if it flowa at your touch, you are a perjured traitor, and must die the death.” With a smile of contempt, Lord Leicester ad- vanced towards the body, and raised his hand aloft. “As I stand ‘here,” he said, “a living man, before Heaven, I am innocent of this man’s blood !’’* After this, he placed his hand upon the cheat of Sir Philip. In an instant the blood ran forth in a bright red stream. ° Leicester started back in amazement, while a cry of horror arose from those around, ‘It is false! it is jugglery! Iam innocent ! he cried, “Liar! perjured traitor !" cried a voice, and the supposed victim sprang from his couch. “Here I stand, alive, recovered from your treacherous wound, to denounce you as my in- * See Coloured Plate, ‘‘ Trial by Ordeal,’ Given Away with No, 83 GOVE OO © eS ~~ CO lin