The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 387: what you’re looking at

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

. t ry) $66 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, wl the saddle pressing out her rounded limbs, and dieplaying fully their beautiful contour, her lithe form bending gracefully over the animal’s neck, her cinstering ringlets glistening bereath the plumed hat, -“' Your orders shell be attended to, my lady,” answered the steward. ‘‘By Jove!” he added, as she rode off; “there's many a man would barter,hia eoul for such a beauty as she ia, without caring a bit about her devilry.” Truly it was 80. And on this terrible beauty Lady Grace de- pended in her adventure, She rode away fearlessly as I have said. Only one of the watchers followed her. In the dull gloom of the gathering night i€ - was impossible for them to distinguish the fact that the rider was a woman. They imagined her to be merely some mes- senger from the castle, sent to London to aseer- tain the fate of her husband. Yet it was thought safe to follow her. She had not gone very far, that is to say, she had reached within five miles of London, when she became conscious, by the light of fires, and the hum of voices, and the roll of wheels, of the vicinity of a large number of peopie. The fact was suddenly confirmed, when, turning a sudden curve in the road, she beheld a row of white tents, the gleam of watch-firea, and the forms of sombre troopers, some sitting on the ground, some movirg hither and thither, with food and other things, and some standing solemnly looking on, | She halted at once. ‘“ What can this mean P” thought she. “Are these Royalist troops, and is London be- leaguered? At any rate, I will turn back, and avoid, if possible, all questioning, Among snch an array as this, I know not what my fate may be,” With this she turned her horse’s head, and was about to retire and deek another route, when a mah sprang forward, and placed his hand on her bridle. ‘* What means this, fellow?” she feaid, in“as gruff a voice as #he could assume. The man langhed. “ Fellow | forsooth,” he cried. “Iam one of the troopers of our great and glorious Com- monwealth, which allows not fellows in the garb of highwayman to career, untouched and upharmed, along the public road.” “Take your hand from my bridle, and Jead me to one of your officers,” said Lady Grace, in atone of angry authority, “unless you want a bullet through your head.” She drew a pistol from her belt as she spoke, The man was no coward, but the flash of anger which darted from the eyes of Lady Grace left no room for doubting her intentions, and her determination to fulfil them, He therefore let go her bridle, By this time several troopers had gathered round her. } There was no room now or hope of escape. Bo she resolved to make the best of her situation. “Where am I?’ she asked, “and in whose hands may I consider myself to have fallen ?” “ You are in Colonel Ireton’s camp,” said the man who had seized her bridle, ‘In Colonel Jreton’s camp! And why is he here? Is London in a state of siege!” asked Lady Grace. “it is not; we are here in preparation for an expedition to Ireland. But, come, we waste time ; teil me the password, and we will let ou go. J “Jt is absard to ask me,” replied Lady Lei- ceater, indignantly. “ How can I, a simple com gentieman, pretend to know your pass- word ? « Well, well, follow me,” said the man, “and I will lead you, as you desire, to our officers.” Lady Grace would willingly have made an effort to desh through the opposing lines. Bat it was of no avail. The men were armed, and impatiently, more- over, awaiting her departare, in order that they might return to their meal, “Lead on,” she said, “and be quick, for I am in haste.” In a very few moments she had been con- ducted through the watchfires of her enemies towards a large hut, within which numerous gentlemen were assembled. Here she dismounted, and giving her horse into the charge of one of the troopers, entered with the man who had first stopped her pro- ens. a What bave we here,” cried a man with iron grey locks, as his keen eyes fell searchingly upon the new-comer. “ A prisoner, Oolonel Ireton.” “Who are you, young sir ?” asked the colonel, “and how is it that you are brought thus to me P” | “ ‘Sir,’ murmured one of the young officerato a companion, "* sir,’ says our colonel ; I'd wager a year’s pay that that bust and those splendid limbs belong to none other but a woman.” ‘You are right,” said the one addreased ; “ bat hark, she speaks,” “] was riding peacefully towards Londoa, Colonel Ireton,” reaponded Lady Grace, in as masculine a voice as she couki assume, “ when I reached your camp. The password was de- manded of me, and [ could not giveit. How should I know it? I kmew not even that I ought to expect to find tented men so near London as if it were in a estate of siege,” ‘“ True—true, we have been suddenly ordered to ireland, and have assembled here in pre- paration for to-morrow ; bat whither go you f” “ To visit a friend in London.” “ May Task his name f” Lady Grace gave a quick glance round the ant ‘Colonel Ireton,” she said, “may I crave a short conference in private,” *“‘Gentlemen,” said the colonel, turning to his officers, “will you leave me for a few moments,” “She's going to try and get over him by her enchantments,” said the same young officer who had before spoken, ‘‘has she got hold of the wrong man.” As soon as all had quitted the place, except herself and Colonel Ireton, Lady Grace ap- proached the entrance of the tent, and drew the Dolo \G eS —“——r Too. C 5 = CO