The Skeleton Crew; Or, Wildfire Ned — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

178 a “ More scrupulous than I used to be? How do you mean ?”’ , “T mean that you have not shrunk from appealing to the affections of a young lady, despite her rank or birth.” “ Havel not? That’s all you know about it. I have ever respected rank, and real virtue more so. To whom do you allude, if indeed you allude to any on at all ?” “ To Margaret, my daughter.” “ To what ?” “To Margaret, the daughter of—” “ Oh! oh! oh !—ha! ha! ha! Good. Oh, that is good |” “ Sire !” “ Bxcuse my laughing, Lady Connell ; but you are talking of the little blue-eyed wench you called your daughter, or your niece, are you not ?” “1 mentioned the name, and the descendant of a race oftkings !’ ‘‘ Milesian kings ?” “ Yes, Milesian kings ; but none the less kings, aud Iam quite surprised that yon should feel any hesitation in regarding the daughter of a mere English miller when you felt none regarding Margaret, a descendant of a long line of kings.” “My good woman, don’t make me laugh in this way, that’s a dear old soul ; now, don’t.” “ Laugh, sire ?” ony ; “ Yes, to be sure. Come, say no more, we will go and speak to this ——” ne The king dashed out of the room just as Lady Connell, with a preparatory shake of the head, yan about to say something Witther regarding her daughter. : Risth ne Ven ee The three rooms adjoining consisted of reception - room, a refreshment-room, and a bed-chamber ; and when the king got to thé door of the rece mat scor he found a servant on duty, who had’ the key of it. r ile "are “ You are sure the lady is here ?” said the king. “ Yes, sire.” ie * Open the door and lock it after me.’’ m6 Voq Rireens Without the least change of countenance, the servant opened the door for the king, who at once passed into the reception-room. . The door was shut behind him, and locked ; but a glance told him that Ellen was not in that room. Now there was something of the gentleman about the king, notwithstanding all his libertinism, there- fore he thought it would be ungentlemanly to pro- ceed further without Ellen knowing of his presence. He took an irresolute glance around the room ; and while he is debating in his own mind what course to pursue, we may give the reader a slight idea of the appearance of the suite of apartments, The reception-room the king was in was a very pretty one, and hung with tapestry that was not defaced by any hideous representations of human figures which were ever failures in such material ; but had upon ita real flowering pattern that suc- ceeded perfectly well, and had rather a charming effect. The furniture of this room was of white and gold. The next room wags covered with crimson plush paper. The furniture was of ro3ewoo), polished up toa great height of brillianey, ™ The sleeping chamber was the gem of the whole ‘ “) suite, fur it Was got up quite regardless of expense. THE SKELETON CREW; OR, WILDFIRE NE D. in blue and silver, and presented the most enchant- ing appearance of brightness and elegance, If the apartments she occupied could have cheered the melancholy of Eitlen Harmer, certainly she ought to have been happy enough in them. The king for one moment knew not what to do. A certain sense of fear came over him as he noise- lessly walked towards the beautiful bed-room. In a chair beside the glowing fire sat Ellen Harmer, and the soft light of waxen tapers made the maiden to appear eyen more lovely than she really was. With an impatient gesture the king advanced to- wards her and knelt upon one knee. “Dearest Ellen,” he began, in tones of great earnestnesg 5 “dearest Ellen, how I have longed for this interview 1” “T was brought here, sire,” was the maiden’s reply, “by force, and, as a gentleman, as a noble- man, as my king, I demand to know why and wherefore ?” “ Dear creature, do not pout so beautifully ; do not flash those loyely eyes, I beseech you. It was by my orders you were brought hither.” “Indeed, sire. And was such an action worthy of aking fe fae “ Nay, do not discuss that point with me, fair one, for you know tet ‘Cupid knows no law. Conie, fairest of the isten to my tale of love, I beseech “ar re alone ; no one can hear.us, no thee. We tee tise the doors are locked, we are one can see us; alone !” “Talse man !” said Bllen ; “would you thus en- veigle me to destroy mine honour? Let me go, I say 193 ls “* You cannot.” “ But I will.” “Nay, dear Ellen, listen to me. We are alone, I say.” SIMU S ee “ Nay; not alone,” said a voice behind some tapestry. “Ha!” said the king. arras !”’ “No rat, sire,” said a bold youth, advancing into view. It was Ned Warbeck. In his hand he held a sword, The point was gory, and the brave youth looked flushed and excited, moro “ What means this,” gasped the king, with a hand upon his own sword, ie 3 * Mean, sire!” answered Ned, proudly; ‘it means that Colonel Blood is a villain! It means that he caused the abduction of this fair maid from my uncle’s house! It means that he has proved himself a hypocrite and a liar! And, finally, it means that I watched for him, and found my way hither over his vile body !” | ‘‘ What, dead! Blood dead ?” “ That I know not, sire, nor care,” said Ned War- beck, boldly. He confronted me, sword in hand ; I left him gasping on the back stairs.” i af “ And what would you with me ?” | “Nothing, sire, but that this injured maid may be restored to her old father’s arms.” 5 *‘ Rash youth,” said the king, “know you not that I could with one word call” around me a whole regiment of soldiers ?” | PUdhs ITF “TI know it,” Ned replied, with an ironical bow ; “What, rats behind the ‘“you could do so, of course, sire, but you are much, too wise to attempt it.” | This was ultered with so much emphasis and meaning, that it staggered the Baye eae ang vs vA Gomicbookssco (@) 5