The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

370 = we ws aS EE “ Madam, may I not also ask the favour of your name f” he said. ‘“‘T, as a lady, bave put the firat question, and claim, therefore, the first answer,” ashe said. The Unknown smiled. “You have conquered there,” he said. ‘TI will tell you. Iam Henry Archer, a captain in his Majesty, Charles ]1.'s, lighthorse. Jam now ® proscribed outlaw, yet even proscribed as I am, I am endeavouring to aid his majesty by raising men and money for bis service.” “Which you do by burrowing beneath the earth like a rabbit, and by stopping peaceful travellers on the highway.” These words were eaid in a tone of the utm«at contempt. ‘‘ Yes,” said Henry Archer ; * both these plans are necessary. In the firet place, if I lived any- where except underground, I should be taken, and my head cut off; in the second place, if I didn’t rob travellers where should I get my money ?”’ . “You certainly speak ceolly and ypre- servedly,” “Tdo,. Of what use isit to proyaricate, or to evade the truth? { might enquire of you why you, a woman, are going about jn the dig- guise of a man?” “T have a worthy motige,” said Lady Grace. ‘* What I seek is the ental of my husband.” ‘Ia be in danger, then [” “ He is, To-morrow morning he iscondemned to die |” ‘His name,” asked Hensy Archer, eagerly. ‘ Lord Leicesger,” The stranger started in surprise. “ Lord Leicester! { knoy him well,” he said. ** His case is hopeless,” “You know not that,” said Lady Grace, “TJ have a scheme to save him,” “In what way ?” Lady Grace glagced doubtingly gt the speaker, “Why should I tell you, a "King ¢ ? “ Because Iam afriend to King Charieg IJ. and so was he— because I am 9p outlay, so was —because I am ready, therefore, to gagsist him.” ‘¢You will assist me ?’ “T promise it, though time is short,” And your reward, what shall that be ?” He bowed gallantly, and cast upon ber a look which brought the burning blushes to her cheek, “ That,” he said, “is a matter which we can speak of another time. But quick—tell me, what is your plan ?”’ Briefly, Lady Grace explained her scheme for rescuing Lord Leicester. ‘‘A good echeme—a yery good scheme,” said Harry Archer, “but one which could be better accomplished by a man than by a woman. You remain here ; I will go to the Tower. Give me the pass, and all will be right.” ‘ And you will try and save him ?” “Yes, yes ; you may depend on that.” ‘Then bere,” said Lady Grace, “here is the pass, If you succeed in saving my huaband, bring him hither, and you may depend upon his endeavouring to prove his gratitude to you in all things,” The stranger took her band, al THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OB, HO —_—_———wie oe SS ie “And you, too,” he said, “you, too, will be grateful ?’’ “Yes; for ever.’ Toen let me, as an earnest of your gretitade, have one kies from those rich, red, ryby lips of yours, that would turn the head of a saint.” Lady Grace sprang back. “You cannot be my husband's friend,” she said, ‘to speak thns.” ‘Yes, yea, I am,” he cried, advancing quickly and flingigg his arms around her; “ but a man must be something superhuman if he could withetand the temptation which those two budding cherries offer.” As he spoke le rained a perfect shower of kisses upon ber jips, and held her closely to pin, ao that hcr hegring bosom panted against is, * By Leavyey |!” thought he, “if Lord Leicester escapcs, this woman shal! be mine.” She was red with anger and with the struggle she bad had to endeavour to avoid him. ‘You behave like a savage, air,” sho cried. “Yon take advantage of my helpless con- gition.”’ “No, that FT do not,” he said ; “I only offer up a tribute to your beauty.” “A proper tribute to those poor looks which I possess,’’ said she, “ would be to hasten to my husband.”’ “That I wiij. Forgive me, Lady Leicester. f will besten at once.” te lunes é I her hand t9 fis lips and kissed KEppe Js “ Ramember one here te guspect yous sex. You must kee Bp the character you now bear. Everything of pt will he yousa, and while I am away you must be ugnt to be some rich young heir, for whom I have deperted to obtein a grand ran- som, hat ho, there, Bicherd |" Hardly hed be spoken when the door opened nd admitted one of the fellows who had seized dy Grace on the bigh rand, cig op fall ee curiously dy Grace, who urriedly re- prrenged her Midondccad hgiz and averted her ace. fe This young sprightly gallant, whom you ha @ br: us, no money,” returned Archie, but pe has rich friends.” “That is good, There is hope of a good ransom.” ** Yes, that is it ; and I am going even now to his father to demand gome money. If I return not in four-and-twenty hours, kill bim !” “Js thig your pretended friendship?” mur- mured Lady Grace. ‘‘ Wear not,” he said; “I shall return.” You might be delayed.” “Jn that case 1 would send. Understand, Richard, that unless I return or send to you in twenty-four hours, this young aristocrat dies.” “Tt shalj be done, sir,” said the man, in a fierce tone. “Saddle me my horse, then, and await me without the cave, Leave me.” Tbe man at once withdrew. “My life hangs upon a thread,” siid Lady Grace. ‘I thall have twofold terror now until you retarn,” “ Never fear; Harry Archer is not the man to ed, glancing GOVE OO © ? gaid he, #zgu muet allow no =