The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

THE WATCHWORDS OF OLD LONDON. take dows. Harold placed the letter and the silk cord in his bosom, and, having shaken hands with his master and Lord Villiers, he proceeded down- atairs, He had nearly reached the street door, and Lord Villiers had already begun deacending the stairs, when a light form burst out from a room. It was Ettie Leslie, ‘Good-bye, Harold,” she said; “be careful of your life, for my sake.” He stooped down, kissed her, and was out in the street before Villiers had reached the passage, and he was soon riding quickly in the direction of London Bridge. Reaching the old house, without further delay he went boldly to the door, It was opened by a man-servant, of evidently military appearance, ‘‘ What is it you want?” he asked, somewhat sarlily. “To see Lord Raymond,” said Harold, ‘‘ What is the watchword?” “For the King and England !” returned the Young Apprentice, beldly, ** Enter then ; this way,” said the man. Then the heavy door was clanged to, and the belts were ahot once more, and Harold was in the lion’s den. He was kept waiting but a few moments before the gloomy servant appeared once more, and ushered him up into the presence of Lord Raymond. The latter eyed him severely. “ What is your name?” he asked, “ Ambrose Layborne,” “ You come from the ‘camp ?” “TI do, my lord.” * Were things ill or well 2” _ “They were very ill, my lord, as faras J could judge,” said the disguised messenger. “The king was nearly surrounded, and Cromwell had been victorious in every engagement, great or small.” “ Bad, bad,” muttered Lord Raymond, pacing up my station beneath the barred win- up and down as he read the letter, “Can you remain till the morning ?” ‘““ Yes, my lord.” “Good ; we are all soldiers here. But we will endeavour to make you comfortable while you are with us,” . Harold smiled. “Tam used to rough it, my lord,” he said. “I shall find no change in remaining here, except that it will be far more pleasant than what I have sometimes to put up with.” ‘‘ Will you take some refreshment? Yes, of course ; @ soldier never refuses that. Ring the bell, then; that is right. Now, sit down by that fire, and make yourself comfortable, for I wish to speak to you.” Harold did as he was bid, and then, sitting down by the blazing log-fire, he prepared to listen to the words of his great enemy. “ Now, Ambrose,” said the latter, as soon as the grim domestic had brought in the refresh- ments, ‘now, Ambrose, I have need of a mes- senger this night; but I fear you know little of London,” The Young Apprentice saw at once that if he confessed his knowledge of the metropolis he would be sent Ont peraaps, and thus bis pur- pose would be entirely defeated. ‘I fear I do not know enough to be a messen- ger,” he sald, the king’s cause would severely suffer in my hande.” Lord Raymond /(littlesknew how deeply true these words were. ‘‘ No, truly,” he said; “it would not be safe to trust you on such an expedition as that for which I require a messenger. But I can tell you how you can aid me,” Harold did not reply, except by a bow. “There is a person in this house who requires watching. If you are not too tired to sit up this night, Ican send on my errand the man who generally watches and you can take his place.” This was exactly what the Young Apprentice desired. “Very well, my lord,” he said ; “I am used to such work as watching. I will do as you wish,” “ Come this way, then,” cried Lord Raymond ; ‘‘drink another glass of that wine first, it will warm you, and I will see that in three hours you are supplied with more refreshments.” He led the way into a long narrow strip of a - room which adjoined that of Lady Blanche. A man was sitting here by a carge fire. “ Dudley,” said Raymond, “I have need of you. Here is one who will take your place.” The man rose most readily. “T will willingly resign my post,” he said ; “it becomes monotonous, The lady makes no attempt at escape ; and all is so still, I almost fall asleep.”’ “Come to my room, then. I will give you work which will keep you awake, I can tell ou. See here,” added Raymond, to Harold ; “by standing on this table you can see through into the room. You need not fear to look, be- cause the holes represert the eyes of a portrait, and the lady is now asleep. Get up upon the, eteps there, and see for yourself.” Harold ran up at once, and glanced through at the occupant of the room. There she was, sure enough, her lovely fare leaning on her hand. She was fast asleep, and her lovely eyes there- fore were hidden; but there was enough of beauty in her bright flushed cheeks, her white, warm arms, and the lovely bosom, half exposed, Harold kept himself, by a strenuous effort, from yielding to the inclination he felt to burst into an exclamation of admiration and pleasure, and descended quietly. Then he said, seating himeelf by the fire— ‘* Well she’s a prize worth guarding. Is there any fear of any one’s attempting to take her away ?”’ “{ donot know. Iam watched everywhere ; and some night, when I least expect it, I may find her gone. Therefore, if you hear the least noise, let me beg of you to let me know.” Is the key of the door here ?” | + »y 4 ap 79 CAILNA) EDOO PY 4 AyD: Qt J 4 a) y | i eS CO