Talbot Harland

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...from the crowd with whom they were mingled, but to judge from the appearance of their horses, they had come from a distance--possibly, from Peterborough, for they said something about that ancient city, whether with the design of misleading those who overheard them, we will not pretend to say. Their riding coats were of a russet hue, and had evidently seen some service. The senior of the party was strongly built, and rather better dressed than his comrades, and appeared to have some authority over them. A look had passed between this person and Bellegarde, as the latter rode towards the starting-place, and that look told the stalwart horseman that all was right, and that Bosco was sure to win. On this, he and his friends confidently backed the King's horse, and lost, amongst them, a considerable sum, that well-nigh emptied their pockets. The voice of the stalwart horseman could be heard above the din of the crowd cheering on Bosco, as the struggling racers rushed by; but how his countenance fell, and what a deep imprecation he uttered, when Bellegarde was beaten! However, he soon recovered, and paid his losses with an air of unconcern. All four pushed forward amid the crowd to have a look at the cup, when it was delivered by Buckingham to Talbot, and its splendour increased their mortification. "That cup ought to have been ours," whispered Montalt to his leader. "It shall be ours yet," replied Colonel Blood, in the same tone. And his greedy eyes followed the glittering prize as it was borne off to a place of safety by one of the royal servants. Shortly afterwards, he contrived to get sufficiently near Bellegarde to exchange a word with him, and was told by the Count, in an undertone, that he would see him at night....