The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 75: what you’re looking at

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and at this hour of the night it is by no means likély we shall encounter : any one to notice the singularity of the pr oceeding. By the bye,” he exclaimed, ere pausing for the young noble- man’s answer to this last proposition, “ I ought perhaps 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.” “ T have heard of your lordship,” said the Cap- tain, “‘ as of course everybody has—and am prond at thus 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 its rider, round whose waist he was 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 to the Captain. But he was suddenly seized witha strange feeling of astonishment when his hand enconntered a remarkable fullness about the breast of the Captain’s surtout-coat—so that the impression naturally made all in a mo- ment upon Edmund’s mind, was that his compa- nion must be a woman in disguise. So bewildered was he by this-discovery that be 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 he 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 himself—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 ‘éncircled the slender waist and had been pressing against the 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 middle of the road. “Now, my lord,” said the audacious Captain, suddenly producing a pistol from the holster of his saddle, “ your purse—your wateh—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 him with dismay. He cast an anxious look rapidly up and down the road— but no suc- cour was nigh, nor dida sound of approaching horse or vehicle meet his ears. “Come—quick, quick!” exclaimed Captain: THE MYSTERIES OF TIIE COURT. somewhat nd at this hour of the night it ie by no means | éomewhat muffled by the thick by the thick shawl]-kerchief, nevertheless sounded peremptory goon sp ‘** Keep me not waiting a8 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 frvktcsome jest after all. “If you keep me talking here another minute you will find it to be no joke, 1 can assure you,” at once rejoined the bold amazon. “ Now then, my lord, quick!—your purse, and so forth !” The wretched Saxondale, 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 studs in your shirt,” said the amazon, *‘ but I will leave you them. I do not wish to strip you altogether :” —and a merry kind of langh sounded from be- hind the muffling shawl-kerchief. “ Now, my lord,” added the false Captain, “I need scarcely enjoin you to hold your tongue relative to the adventure you have just experienced: fer your pride will 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 ina 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 bis character being aroused, he gnashed his teeth with impotentrage—and then heactually shed tears of vexation and annoyance. There he 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 had been but too well calen- lated to terrify, harass, weary, and humiliate him. First startled up from a very short sleep — 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 und 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 unpleasant 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 in deed had the female highwayman observed, with a mocking laugh, that he would only be toe anxious to keep the adventure as close as possible within his own breast : 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 sounmer eifully laughedatastobeashamed 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 he walked on towards the Seven Sisters Road again, and which he soon reached. In a little while Chandos, the accents of whose voice, though still he paused at the corner of the narrow lane leading GoOmicdoo CS (E)