The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

? q , ee @ 68 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. and at this hour of the night it is by no means likely we shall encounter any one to notice the singularity of the preceeding. By the bye,” he exclaimed, ere pausing for the young noble- man’s answer to this last proposition, “I ought perhape to inform you that Iam Captain Chan- dos, of the British army—unattached at pre- sent.” “ The circumstances under which we have met, and your kindness, Captain Chandos,” returned Edmund, “lead me to express a hope that we shall be better acquainted. I am Lord Saxondale, and shall be most happy to return your civility by receiving you in Park Lane.” “I havo heard of your lordship,” said the Cap- tain, “ as of course everybody has—and am prond at thas enjoying the honourof yourcompany. Now, my lord, catch hold of my arm—I have left the stirrup free for you—and spring up behind me.” This was immediately done; and now behold Lord Saxondale mounted upon this beautiful high- spirited steed, behind ite rider, round whose waist he wag of course compelled to throw his arm in order to sustain his balance. Captain Chandos just touched the flanks of the horse with his spurs; and the animal started off at a easy gallop. A little further on the steed suddenly shied some- what at a mile-stone which stood out in white and ghastly contrast against the dark hedge: and this little incident, by disturbing Lord Saxondale’s equilibrium for a moment, led him to cling all the more tightly tothe Captain. But he was suddenly seized with a strange feeling of astonishment when his hand encountered a remarkable fullness about the breast of the Captain’s surtout-coat—so that the impression naturally made al] in a mo- ment upon Edmund's mind, was that his compa- nion must be a woman in disguise. So bewildered was ho by this discovery that he knew not what to say or do; and asthe steed was gallopping along the .road towards Edmonton, the young nobleman rapidly experienced the most unpleasant doubts and misgivings springing up within him. At length, when be had made up bis mind to turn the matter off in a laugh and inquire “who the fair unknown was that thus in male apparel played the part of Captain Chandos in her Majesty's ser- vice,” the gallant officer himsclf—for we had better continue to speak of the rider inthe mas- culine gender—suddenly reined in his steed in the most lonely part of the road ; and clutching Lord Saxondale by the arm which encircled the slender waist and had been pressing against tho tell-tale bosom, he gave him such a sudden whirl and jerk that the astounded Edmund was swept clean off the horse and landed upon his feet in the middie of the road. “ Now, my lord,” said the audacious Captain, suddenly producing a pistol from the holster of his saddle, “ your purse—your watch—and those rings from your fingers !” Lord Saxondale was very far from being the most valorous young man in existence; and the sight of the pistol gleaming in the argentine splen- dour which poured down from the heavens, at once filled hin with dismay. He cast an anxious Jook rapidly up and down the road— but no suc- cour was nigh, nor did a sound of approaching horse or vebicle meet his ears. “Come—quick, quick!” exclaimed Captain Chandos, the accente of whose voice, though still somewhat muffled by the thick shawl-kerchief, nevertheless sounded peremptory enough. “ Keep me not waiting as you value your life |” ‘“ But—but—you are joking, Captain—I mean fair unknown—whoever you are,” stammered Saxondale, still with a faint hope that it might prove a frolicsome jest after all. ‘If you keep me talking here another minute, you will find it to be no joke, I can assure you,” at once rejoined the bold amazon. “ Now then, my lord, quick!—your purse, and so forth !” The wretched Baxondale, perceiving that the fair unknown was indeed terribly in earnest, drew forth his purse with trembling hands and craven demeanour: then he surrendered up his watch, with the gold chain—and lastly he took the rings from his fingers. “ You have handsome diamond studsin your shirt,” said the amazon, “but I will leave yoa them. I do not: wish to strip you altogether :” —and e merry kind of laugh sounded from be- hind the muffling shawl-kerchief. “Now, my lord,” added the false Captain, “I need scarcely enjoin you to bold your tongue relative to the adventure you have just experienced: for your pride wil) prevent you from proclaiming to the whole world that you have been robbed by a woman.” With these words, the female highwayman put spurs to her steed, which started away at full gal- lop; and in a few moments the amazonian des perado disappeared in the distance. Discomfited, abashed, and devoured with shame, young Lord Saxondale stood transfixed to the spot in most wretched bewilderment. The spiteful ele- ments of his character being aroused, he gnashed his teeth with im potentrage—and then be actually shed tears of vexation and annoyance. There be was, at a considerable distancefrom London— pen- niless—atan advanced hour of the night, or rather an early one of the morning—and so exhausted with fatigue that hetrembled at theidea ofthe long walk which seemed before him. The whole night’s adventures bad been but too well calca- lated to terrify, harass, weary, and humiliate him. First startled up from a very short aleep —compelled to dress in haste and go forth to look for a bed elsewhere—then taken at least another mile farther out of his way, to be plun- dered and put to shame by a female in masculine attire—and now left to manage as best he could for the remainder of the night—these were the ctnpleasant topics of Lord Saxondale's refleo- tions! . However, he must not only put the best face on the matter, but also the best foot foremost. Full truly indeed had the female highwaymsn observed, with a mocking laugh, that he would only be too anxious to keep the adventure as close as possible within his own breas: : for were it to transpire that he had suffered himself to be thus depoiled of his purse, his watch, and his rfngs, by a woman, he wouldbe so unmerci‘ully laughed atastobeashamed ever to show his face in society again. Therefore, as to keeping his own counsel relative to the rob- bery, hismind was madeup ina moment; and with regard to his present predicament, the only alter- native wasto get back into London as best hecould, So bo walked on towards the Seven Sisters Road again, and which he soon reached. In a little while he paused at the corner of the narrow lane leading CONNEC MOO COMM