The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 213: what you’re looking at

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the exact position of the house which was to be the scene of operations; and the little party all sepa- rating, each individual bent his way singly in the direction named. In a few minutes they were re- united in front of a house which stood a little back from the lane in which it was situated, and was em- bowered in the shade of large and wide-spreading trees. The gate was locked: Lut uver this insigni- ficant barrier the invaders promptly clambered. Scarooly had they thus set foot in the grounds, when a large dog sprang towards them : but Chiffin at once knocked him down with one blow of his club, and with a second despatched him. Lady Bess and her followers then advanced up to the front door, at which the heroine knocked impe- yiously; while the four men stood a little aside, so as not to be immodiately observed by the person answering the summons, In about a minute the door was opened by a female-servant ; and Ledy Bese, glancing rapidly around the hall, beheld no other person nigh. “Now, don’t be frightened, my good woman,” she said, crossing the threshold : * for no harm will happen if you remain quiet + bat if you ery out you must take the consequences. While thus speaking, Lady Bess produced a pistol, merely to show that she was armed, but did not point it in a threatening way at the woman. The female was nevertheless profoundly frightened ; and being overpowered by her terror as much as coerced by the intimation given her, she held her peace, Thc four ruffians now made their appear- ance: and the whole party passing into the hall, closed the front door behind them. “Now, my good woman,” said Lady Beas, “ you will remain here with one of my men, while I examine the premises with the others. Tony Wil- kins, to your charge I entrust her.” The terrified woman sank down upon one of the hall-chairs, still with terror: and Tony Wilkins, armed with a brace of pistols, posted him- self by her side. Chiffin, Mat the Cadger, and Bpider Bill also produced their pistols ; and led by Lady Bess, they at once entered the rooms opening from the hall. Therein they discovered mo one: they accordingly descended to the kitchen- where they found the gardener and the cook ‘quietly eating their supper and perfectly unconscious of what had taken place in the hall. They were how- ever terribly frightened at the sudden incursion of this armed band; but their fears somewhat subsided on receiving from Lady Bess the assurance that they should not be ill-treated if they kept quiet. | ban They naturally gazed with surprise upon this ama- zonian leader of the ruffian-band : for at a second glance they had not failed to discern her sex. They were marched up into the hall, where they were consigned, along with the other female-servant, to the custody of Tony Wilkins. Lady Beas and her three followers next ascended the staircase—examined all the rooms on the first floor—but found no one there. They proceeded to mount the second flight ; and on reaching the landirg they heard voices speaking, and sounds as if a struggle were going on, within a room the door of | in which stood ajar. Into this room they at once burst, Lady Bess lead- the way: and there the following scene met their v- a. A young girl upon her knees, with dishevelled —- 8 =e THE MYSTERIES OF THR COURY. hair and anguish-stricken countenance, was imp.ce ing mercy at the hands of five persons who sur rounded her. This young girl was, as the reader has no doubt already suspected, Henrietta Leyden; and the others, whose forbearance she was implore ing, were Lord Everton, Mark Bellamy, the footman, Mrs. Martin, and Susan. Mrs. Martin held in her hand e wine-glass the contents of which she was ordering Henrietta to drink; while Bellamy and Susan were at the moment laying violent hands upon ber in order to compel he? to swallow tLe draught. But at the sudden invasion of Lady Bess and her party, the whole aspect of the scene changed in an instant. Mrs. Martin dropped the wine-giases in alarm—Susan shrieked—Henrietta sprang to her feet-—Lord Everton looked astounded—the footman knew not how to act—and Bellamy was the only one who had courage or presence of mind enouyh to accost the intruders at once and demand their business. “You see that any attempt at resistance ie uso- less,” replied Lady Bess, playing with a pistol in such a manner as to indicate that she knew how to use it: while Chiffin on her right hand showed by his murderous-lovking countenance that he was not a man to be trifled with. As for Mat the Cadger and Spider Bill, they seemed very suitable companions indeed for such a person as the Cannibal; and when it is remembered that they were all well armed, the reader cannot be surprised if nothing in the shape of resistauce was ever attempted. “But what do you want? what is your object ?” demanded Bellamy. “In the firet place, to rescue this young womaa,” Lady Bess. “ Oh, I thought that yeu were the same!” cried Henrietta, in the enthusiasm of joy; and she at once bounded forward towasds the heroino—for had no room in her soy) at the instant for dismay or misgiving at the sinister-looking aspect of her companions. “Yes—you have nothing to fear, poor girl!” at once Lady Bese. “It is in eonsequence of your note that I am here to deliver you. Stand back for a moment, while I transact a little business Henrietta, full of mingled joy and amazement,— joy at this unlooked-for deliverance, and amazement at perceiving her deliverer to be a woman in male epparel,—glided hastily behind the heroine and her "Now secure these :nen,” said Lady Bess to her followers; “‘and if they dare offer resistance you will know how to act.” The order was speedily obeyed, — even Chiffin acting as a mere subaltern on the occasion, and by his conduct acknowledging the ascendancy of Lady Bees. Lord Everton, the feotman, and Bellamy, were compelled to submit to the process of binding by means of the cords which the capacious pockets of the intruders furnished; while Susan, retreating into a corner of the room, gave vent to her terror in piteous lamentations—and Mrs. Martin stood silently watching the proceedings, but with a coun- tenance that bespoke profound dismay. “ You will not harm them ?” said Henrietta, ad- dresaing herself in a tone of entreaty to Lady Buse CORNICE Oe ony - SS CO