The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 214: what you’re looking at

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———— a eee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. os 199 not require to be told that he was quite capable | horse; and the amagonian lady entered the boozing- of putting his menace into execution. On the ken. At the bar she inquired if Chiffin the Canni- contrary, she knew full well that he would do | bal were in the house: but Solomon, without giving so ; and now therefore it appeared as if there were no alternative for the poor young damsel but to make up her mind to die. She saw that there were knives upon the board and she resolved that one of them should presently drink her heart’s blood. Still she lingered and lingered, painfully feeling how the time was passing away, and yet not daring to execute her fatal purpose. Oh! in the depth of her soul how sad, how sad was the fare- wel! which she took of her parent and her little brother,—saying to herself, “ I shall never see you again, but may heaven prove kinder towards ye both than it-is has been tome! Unless indeed in its mercy it has already taken you, my poor mother, unto itself !” The tears trickled down her cheeks—she clasped her hands convulsively—and her sobs reached the ears of the pitiless old nobleman, who was seated at the table luxuriating in delicious fruits and choice wines. “‘ Perhaps you have come te a resolve?’ he said, bending his eyes upon her. “ Yes, yes—a resolve—my mind is made up she exclaimed, rising from her seat and advancing towards the table. Everton’s first thought was that she was about to signify her submission: but there was something in her looks which startled and troubled him—even for an instant filling him with dismay; for her gaze was so wild—her face so ghastly white—her excite- ment so terrible. “ Henrietta,” he said, rising also from his chair, ‘what am I to understand? what mean you?” “My lord, once for all,’ she asked, “is your pur- pose settled P” . Yes: have I not said it? But your’s “Ts settled also,” she rejoined quickly: ‘ and that is—to die!” Then with incredible promptitude she caught up 1) a fruit-knife from the table, and was in the very | act of dealing a blow at her heart, when Lord Ever- ton, with an alacrity and also a strength of which his enfeebled frame seemed incapable, seized her arm and wrenched the weapon from her hand—but not without receiving a ghastly wound across his fingers in so doing. “ Wretched girl,” he cried, “ what would you do? But this shall not save you!”—and catching her round the waist, he impellod her towards the bell, which he rang violently. Half-fainting—utterly overcome—and with a diz- ziness in her brain, Henrietta sank upon the floor ; and in a few moments those individuals whom Lord Everton had ordered to be in attendance, hastened into the room. CHAPTER XLIITI. LADY BESS’S ENTERPRISE. Ir was close upon nine o’clock on the same evening of which we are writing, that Lady Bess, habited in her male apparel, dismounted from her gallant chesnut steed at the door of Solomon Patch’s house in Agar Town. The potboy ran out to hold the her a verbal reply to the question, made a signifi- cant sign, and beckoned Lady Bess to follow him. Several persons were either drinking or having their jugs filled at the bar; and she therefore supposed that Solomon did not choose to speak in their pre- sence. She accordingly accompanied the obse- quious, fawniug old man, up into that little room which was used for private purposes, and has before been mentioned. “I suppose you know, my lady,” observed Solo- mon, with a mysterious look the instant they were alone together, “that Chiffin is on the shy. The truth is, he’s wanted on account of the business in Park Lane yonder < * What business?” inquired Lady Bess. “ I have heard nothing about it. I lave been down at Dover for some days past and only returned to town yesterday. What has happened ?” “Why your ladyship must be informed,” re- sponded Patch, “that Chiffin and Tony Wilkins did a bit of a crack at Saxondale House y ** Ah, indeed!” exclaimed the amazon, with a smile which displayed her magnificent set of teeth: for the name recalled to her mind her freak with young Lord Saxondale on the road to Edmonton. “This is the first I have heard of it. But I must see Chiffin to-night—as well as Tony Wilkins and one or two others. It is imperative, Sol.” “Good, my lady—very good. As for Tony Wil- kins and two or three others,” continued Patch, “your ladyship can either see them as you like—or I will within a few minutes send them any orders your ladyship may have to give: for though they ain’t here at the moment, they’re not very far off— not very far, my excellent lady.” ‘Well then,” said Lady Bess, “let Tony and two others set off and meet me in the lane behind Hornsey church between ten and eleven o'clock. Now I trust this to you, Sol—and you must not fail. But what about Chiflin? He is so absolutely necessary to me in the enterprise I have in hand, that I must see him. Where is he, I ask? Come —speak out.” “ He’s uncommon well concealed, my lady,” re- sponded Patch, with an obsequious but knowing grin. ‘The fact is, my lady, the detectives have been down here to look for him. It isn’t often they trouble Agar Town with their presence; but they’ve done it on this occasion. You see, my lady, when a rich person is robbed, these fellers take more pains and run greater risks than in or’nary cases. But I expect, from a hint that Madge Somers let drop, that the affair is very likely to be made all comfortable, and Chiflin will be able to show again soon.” ** Never mind what is hoped or expected,” said Lady Bess, stamping her foot impatiently. “ Tell me where [ can see him.” “T will take your ladyship to him,” answered Solomon. ‘“ May I respectfully and humbly re- quest that your ladyship will have the kindness to go and wait at the foot of the nearest bridge for me? I will jine you there in five minutes. The boy shall just put your horse into the stable while we are absent. It’s not very far from here—and as it’s now dark there’s not so much risk,” aR eee COMICOOO© S (CO)