The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 95: what you’re looking at

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78 TILL “MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. —<_ delicious, with just a sufficient fresliness of breeze | for a moment to walk him through a@ road-side to cool down the perspiration of the flying animal, and to heighten into the richest «low the bloom upon its rider's cheeks. She felt a buoyancy of spirits and a lightness of heart such as she had neverexperienced before. Thoughalways of a free, and jovial, and careless disposition, yet now her happiness was a delirium—a whirl of bliss—an ecstacy. The blood ran like lightning in her veins; and from time to time her merry laugh rang through the air‘like a peal of silver bells, as she thought of the glorious feat of outwitting the two keen and cunning lawyers. Now the town of Dartford is reached: she somewhat relaxes the speed of her horse, so as not to excite suspicion, should any loiterer or early riser be about, by dashing through the street at too treinendous a pace. But scarcely are the limits of the sleeping town cleared, when away she flies again along the well-beaten road. Now she has 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 fuller view of the broad and ample flood as she passes over an eminence near Northfleet. On- ward still, with an unrelaxing speed, the dark chesnut flies—Gravesend is reached—again 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 its appearanceas the 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. The amazon drinks but a portion of the tankard’s foaming contents: then springing upon thefresh steed, away she flies again. ‘‘'l’wenty-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 shall 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 slumber-locked 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 sparkling gems on the bosom of an Oriental sultana aroused by the break of morning from the voluptuous cushions whereon sho has reposed. ‘The loveliness of the scone—the freshness of the morn—the gay caroling of the birds—the myraid tiny voices in which the insect world was speaking —all had the effect of elevating Lady Bess’s spirits to the highest point. Onward speeds the horse — by heaven! she begins to think that its powers, its cnergies, its action are all equal to those of her own gallant dark chesnut! Now she reins him in pond—and twice she leaped down to wash his ' mouth with a bunch of long grass damp with the pearly dew. He seems to recognise these atten- tions —to kuow that he is made much of—and _ also to be aware that he has « duty to perform in i return. Yes—for a spevific task is set—that good steed must be at Boughton ere the hand of his rider’s watch marks the hour of six. Ob, on, tieu—there is not an instant to lose!—on, on! Ah! the goal is in view—there is the tall sign- post—and in afew moments more the pantisg steed halts in front of the Red Dragon. Again does Lady Bess look at her watch; bravo! it still wants ten minutes to six o’clock! At the public-house which she has now reacheda fresh horse isin readiness. The man Dean has not neglected the message delivered through the agency of the carrier-pigeon. A few rapid words are ex- changed — another sip of ale taken—and away speeds Lady Bess on the last stage of her journey. Nineteen miles are before her—it will takean hour and a quarter to accomplish that distance; but she will enter Dover a few minutes afterseven o'clock! Away she speeds—four miles are soon dashed over—and then she reaches the outskirts of Can- terbury. Butas atthis hour many persons are astir and she does not chose to court observation, she makes aslight circuit soas to avoid passing through the place altogether. She knows all that part of the country well—each lane, each turning; andin afew minutes does she emerge upon the high road again on the furthermost outskirts of Canterbury. The relay-steed which she obtained at the Red Dragon was equal to the former—equal too us 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 now at length thetowering heightsand gloomy fortalice of Dover Castle break upon her view. ‘Hurrah! hurrah!” her voice rings out in swelling harmony to the breeze that already seems fresh with the salt taste derived from the sea. 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 a half! Immediately on her arrival at the Admirals Head, Lady Bess was hurried 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 bustled 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) was 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 procured from Mr. Hood's assistant, was emptied, and then conspiciously ECORNICLO® <=) (E@)