The Young Apprentice; or, The Watch-Words of Old London — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

OF 80 THE YOUNG APPRENTICE. TY have it in my pocket.” ‘Let me have it then; will it not be better ?”’ Lord Raymond hesitated. “Ido not know. Why should you have it? I can admit you or any one else, if it is neces- sary.” “Yes; but ere you could enter she might eacape. However, that is your business. It doesn’t matter to me what happens to her.” So saying, he sat down by the fire apparently perfectly disinterested in the matter, but in reality bursting with impatience, Lord Raymond thought a moment. ‘‘ Well,” he said, “perhaps it would be better for you to have it. Hereit is.” He handed it to Harold as he spoke, and it may be imagined that he seized it eagerly. “Good,” he said. “If I hear any noise, I will 4 come to you.” . ‘“‘ Very well, but do not do so unless you are compelled, because [ have long and urgent dis- patches to:write.” So saying, he went away, and left Harold alone. For some time he did not move. He listened to every sound. Then he approached Lord Raymond's door, and peeped in. He was bending over his writing anxiously. “ Good,” thonght Harold ; “now is my time.” Stealthily he went up to the other door, and inserted the key in the lock. Slowly he turned it. It yielded easily. Evidently Lord Raymond had been in the habit of entering the room, or had had the easy lock put on in order that the sleeper might not be aroused by them, Closing the door rapidly, Harold approached the bed, and placed his hand on Blanche's shoulder, ‘* Wake,” he cried ; “wake. The girl started up in a fright. “Hush, hush!” exclaimed Harold, pressing his hand over her mouth; “it is Harold the Apprentice. I am come to save you, Lord Villiers is below ; quick, dress yourself while I remove those bars from the window.” “You are not Harold,” she said. “It is Harold's voice, but neither his face nor form. I have been deceived so often that I know not whem to trast,” “It is—it is! I swear it! You have not for- gotten, surely, when yeu pinned the brooch upon my breast when I saved you from the convent and from your armed enemies. Do not delay. Lord Clement is below, waiting for you eagerly. See, here is the silken cord which is to draw up the rope by which you can descend.” His voice was now so well defined that she could now recognise him, ‘Yes, yes,” she said, in an eager whisper. “Yea, yes; I know you now. Go Bo the cate. ment and do your work, and I will dreas my- self quickly.” He at once quitted her side, and she drew the curtain of the bed around her, so as to put on her crothes while ner deliverer worked, y and swiltly, too, the Young Appren- tice laboured at his task, oePe NOTICE — With this Number is GIVEN AWAY another splendid Picture, printed in Seven Colours. Others will follow, to make this Book a beautiful Volume for binding. One after another the bars of one of the windows were removed, and presently the cold air that enveloped her form told Lady Blanche that he had opened the casement, Without yet returning to her he threw down the silken cord, to which was attached a little leaden pellet; though, where dt fell, or who was there to receive it, he could not tell in the intense darkness of the night. Whoever was there, however, he soon found by a tug at the cord that the end of it was grasped by some human hands; then a second tug warned him that all was ready, and he began to haul it up quickly. It took but a few moments to bring the end of the rope level with the casement, and but a very few more to fasten it securely to one of the posts of the bedstead. By this time Lady Blanche Villiers had placed on her clothes, and was standing ready. Harold now led her to the wirdow, and pointed downward towards the dark expanse. “ Are you afraid,” asked he, “to descend that pe yourself P” ‘‘No,” she answered, 00 y. “Hel me upon the sill of the window, and I wi descend readily.” He raised her gently upon the sill, and the brave girl at once grasped the rope and began her descent, never stopping or lessening her speed, even though the rough rope cat her hands and caused her the most intense pain. Harold held the rope tight at the top and Lord Clement Villiers at the bottom, and Blanche was soon clasped tight in the arms of the latter. Oh, what a sweet embrace that was—that firat kiss—that firet pressure of form to form after such a separation. They had not long to indulge in such happi- ness, however. Suddenly, from above them, Harold’s voice was heard exclaiming, as he descended the rope— “ Quick, quick! The alarm has been given. We shall be pursued !” The three horses, for, although Harold’s steed was now within Lord Raymond's stable, Villiers had brought with him a led one, were within an instant’s walk of the place, and they were on their backs and away ere the door of the old house was thrown open. How Lord Villiera dashed away, clasping his restored wife to his heart, and urging his com- panions to determined exertions. The road seemed to disappear beneath him. The trees flew by. Yet the clatter of pursuing foes could be heard, Furious at being overreached, Lord Raymond had rushed into the bed-chamber just as Harold was descending. “ Ah, villain !’ cried the spy. “Ah! you have tricked me, then !” “Yes; I, Harold the Apprentice, have over- reached you at length. I defy you! I langh at you ! for Lady Blanche has escaped through me, and is now speeding away from this accursed place in the arms of her husband.” Lord Raymond drew his sword, and rushing forward was met by the light sword of the Young Apprentice. GOVE OOO —~ Mr eS 4 ’ Lf re, . . - a! = o 4 a ’ CO ~ a bw a Vee