The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 91: what you’re looking at

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78 delicious, with just a sufficient freahness of breeze rang through the sir like a ehe thought of the glorious two keen and cunning lewyers. Now the town of Dartford is reached : Himits of the sleeping town cleared, when away she flies again along the well-beaten road. Now she bas a glimpse of the Thames as it winds its way past Greenhithe—then she loses sight of it again; but in a few minutes more she obtains a faller view of the broad and ample flood as she over an eminence near Northflest. On- ward etill, with an unrelaxing speed, the dark chesnut flies—-Gravesend is reached—egain she checks the noble animal in his career—but not a soul appears in the street, and in a few minutes more she dashes up to the front of the Dancing Bear. She looks at her watch—'tis four o’clock —-and she is exultant ! At the same moment that she springs from her steed the stable door of the public-house is thrown open, and Israel Patch comes forth leading another horse ready caparisoned. If not quite so elegant in ites appearance asthe dark chesnut, therelay-courser is but little inferior, and gives promise of no mean capacity for the work that is to bedone. Few and rapid are the words which pass between Lady Bess and Israel Patch ; and the moment her own steed is conducted into the stable, she bids him bring her forth a draught of ale—a command which he loses no time to obey. Tho amazon drinks but a portion of the tankards foaming contents: then springing upon thefresh steed, away she flies again. “Twenty-nine miles hence to Boughton,” she exclaims aloud; “and I must do the distance within a few minutes of two hours! Yes—it can be done—it skall be done!” she cries with en- hancing exultation, as she is now well assured of the capabilities and powers of the steed which she at present bestrides. The sun has risen—light has broken with gradual step upon the earth, and breathed the breath of life into the hitherto pulseless veins of elumber-lovked creation. The orb of day breaks out in glory upon the world—nature is wakening from her trance—but all the night-dews remain upon her breast, like eparkling gems on the bosom of an Oriental sultana aroused by the break of morning from the voluptuous cushions whereon she has reposed. The loveliness of the scone—the freshness of the morn—the gay caroling of the birds—the myraid tiny voives in which the insect world was speaking ~=all had the effect of elevating Lady Boss's spirits to the highest point. Onward speeds the horse— by heaven! she begins to think that its powers, its energies, its action are al) equal to those of her own gallant dark chesnut! Now she reins him in pond-—end bis mouth with a bunch of long grass damp with the pearly dew. He seems to recognise tions—to know that he is made mach of—and also to be aware that he has a duty to perform in task post—aend in afew moments more the panting steed halts in front of the Hed Again does Lady Beas look at ber watch ; bravo! it still wants ten minutes to six o'clock ! speeds Lady Bess on the last stage of her journey. Nineteen miles are before her—it will takean hour and « quarter to accomplish that distance; but she will enter Dover a few minutes afterspven o'clock! Away she speedse—four miles are soon dashed over—and then she reaches the outskirts of Can- terbury. Butas at this hour many persons are astir and she does not chose to court observation, she makes aslight circuit soas toavoid passing through the place altogether. She knows all that part of the country well-—-each lane, each turning ; and in afew minutes does she emerge upon the high roed again on the furthermost ontekirts of Canterbury. The relay-steed which she obtained at the Hed Dragon was equal to the f ual too as near as might be to her own; and thus she gallops on like the wind. Without impediment—but in ex- ultation, in almost frenzied joy—in a perfect de- lirium of delight—is mile after mile passed over;— and nowat length thetowering heightsend gloomy fortalice of Dover Castle break upon her view. ‘ Hurrah! hnrrah!” her voice rings out in swelling harmony to the breeze that already seems fresh with the salt taste derived from the aca. Dover is reached : she looks at her watch again —it is ten minutes past seven! She has ridden from the northern outskirts of London in five hours and s half! Immediately on her arrival at the Admiral’. Head, Lady Bees was burried up-stairs by Kate Marshall and her sisters to a bed-chamber; and there the three young women embraced her in the enthusiasm of admiration for the feat which she had performed. They then assisted to disapparel her of her male garments; and Lady Bess was by no means sorry to stretch her stiff and wearied limbs in the comfortable couch. Kate sat down by the bed-side, and explained to her the stratagem which her father had adopted the moment the carrier-bird brought the despatch upwards of four hours previously. One of her sisters hastened down stairs to procure breakfast for the intrepid traveller; while the other sister bustied about to put the masculine garments out of the way, and substitute for them a female garb which Kate's wardrobe furnished; and as the elder Miss Mar- shal) wae nearly as possible of the same height and figure as Lady Bess, there was no fear of the raiment proving unsuitable. The bottle of me- dicine which had been procored from Mr. Hood’ assistant, was emptied, and then conspiciously GORMGOOOKXS COMM