The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

ZZ -_ am GG = ‘ x8 (4 a ee ty = XO EN. toa @& eee werm - @ ow ow Gee 1a Ww: 8 ee 68 man, But understand one thing, I do not wish you to incur danger for my sake, Recollect this, Ican defend myself always; and as for what I have done for you it is nothing more than is your due. Think of this, and you will feel more independent, though I never want you to be ungrateful.” ‘“‘ That, I trust, I shall never be,’ said Harold. “*T trust not ; now take this purse of gold, and go. Remember me to your master, Frank Leslie, and let him know what has passed this night.” So saying, he pressed Harold by the hand, and hurried towards his soldiers, “ Oh,” thought the Young Apprentice, as he watched the tall cloaked figure walk rapidly away, and then mount on the horse’s back ; “ oh, that I could fathom that strange good heart. Hope is of no use, however ; time will prove it, and until the day of proof I must be content to wait and watch.” CHAPTER XIX, ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL—THE GAY ASSEMBLY— THE MARRIAGE—THE MOCK PRIEST — THE ROYAL SPY—HAROLD’S DENUNCIATION—THE SURPRISE OF THE LOVERS—GRIEF OF BLANCHE —THE ORDER TO THE NORTH— THB DESERTED HOUSE, THE next night was the one which Ben Firebrace had named to Harold as that on which Blanche Marcheville was to be united to Lord Olement Villiers, and he resolved to be present on the occasion. It will be remembered that, stron ely as Harold Fordyce loved Ettie Leslie, the Lady Blanche had made a deep impression upon his mind, Never until his eyes had fallen on her bright es and flowing tresses, on her warm white shoulders, and her exquisitely symmetrical form, had he xealised to himself what could be the perfection of female beauty ; and when she had pinned the brooch upon his breast with her own fair hands, he had felt a thrill of pleasurable emotion throughout his whole frame that he had never felt before. Now this feeling had passed away. His love for Ettie—now proved to be returned to ita full extent—was too great to allow another to have even a passing place in his heart, and it was from a feeling of natural curiosity, coupled with a strong desire for her happiness, that he desired to be present at the ceremony. So at the apppointed hour he hurried to St. Stephen’s chapel. It was a emall edifice, situated at the corner of a street leading into Eastcheap, and almost smothered as it were by the surrounding houses, But Harold soon found it, and stationing him- self where he fancied he would have the best chance of being recognised, he eagerly awaited the coming of the wedding party. At half-past seven there was a roll of carriage wheels, and presently a handsome coach drove up, followed by two others, From the first alighted two noblemen and two ies, One of the gentlemen was Lord Clement Villiera—one of the ladies was Blanche, In vain, however, did Harold endeavour to a *f@ oe owe BOP PO oe wea rm THE YOUNG APPRENTICE; OR, catch her eye, or the eye of her intended husband, — They were far too busily engaged to pay any attention to him, Bending over the beautiful girl with loving are, the young nobleman had no eyes except or her. A, hundred benefactors might have been near, a hundred bosom friends; he would not have observed them. The one great thought occupied his mind, that he had by his side the one he loved ; that, after all the bitter trials he had undergone, he at length succeeded in reaching this point ; that ne would soon possess as his wife the idol of his eart, The party moved on. The church was reached. The music—the solemn, sacred music— swelled out upon the evening air, Following the friends of the happy pair, Harold Fordyce crept into the church. Not a single familiar face met his gaze. In vain he gazed round, There was no one there but the grand party which were with Lord Clement Villiers, and the crowd of idlers who had pressed in after them. Among the latter, however, he presently espied one he knew well, It was Lord Raymond. ‘What does he here?” thought the boy. “ Surely he is on some evil errand,” Well he might judge ao. The service, the beautifal and solemn marriage service, was proceeding, yet this man, Lord Villiers’ most desperate foe and rival, stirred not to prevent the consummation of the m ge. “There is some deeper scheme of villany be- yond this,” thought Harold. “I will watch.” The service went on. The bridegroom, flushed and triumphant, placed the ring on the finger of the blushing and tearful bride. Still the ceremony proceeded. Lord Clement and Lady Blanche were one ! In the bustle of the final part of the ceremony, the Young Apprentice, for a moment, took his eyes off the traitor. When he looked again, he was gone! “A curse on my folly,” thought he. “ But never mind, at the door of the church I will in- form Lord Clement of what I have seen, and warn him to be on his guard.” He left the church, therefore, and, pressing his way through the throng, planted himself opposite the entrance door, where he could see every one who In a few minutes the tramp of feet was heard, | and Lord Clement Villiers appeared. His face was radiant with happiness, and on his arm leaned Lady Blanche lovingly. Hardly had they left the church porch, when Lord Raymond darted out, and endeavoured to pass without being seen. But Harold was too sharp for him. Rushing forward from his post of observation, he cried aloud, ‘Lord Villers, beware! Here is a traitor and assassin by your side. Take care of your bride, for this man is here for no good purpose.” It is impossible to describe the look of hate EDOOo