Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 96: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 | 94 Very rich crimson curtams, with bullion fringes, and cords and tassels of the same material, were drawn be ‘ore the two latticed casements. The antique sofa and the massive high-backed chirs were made of rosewood, and cushioned with crimson velvet. A cloth of some similar material covered the large table in the centre. From the ceiling, which was of carved rosewood, de- pended a chandelier, carrying a large number of wax candles. Each of these was enveloped in a kind of glass sheath, faintly dyed with crimson, so that the light itself, which was diffused, was of a rosy character. The effect of this harmoniousness was rich beyond all expression, but chiefly of all was it suggestive of comfort and enjoyment. But, strange to say, the inmate of this chamber pos- sessed neither of those blessings. As he leans back in the large comfortable arm-chair, a look of great care and uneasiness of mind 1s apparent in his countenance. The soft, mellow light with which the place is filled prevents the ghastly pallov of bis countenanee becoming apparent. It has now the hues of health, or rather seems to have them. Evidences of wealth were visible about his person ; for a hundred years ago the differences of station were more marked than they are now. THis attire was of the costlest material. As he is seated there in deep and anxious thought, one hand plays nervously with the arm of the chair. Ji is a long, thin hand, and on two of its fingers glitter rings of great worth and lustre. But, as we have said, with everything around him con- ducing to happiness and repose, with everything cal- culated to soothe the feelings, yet there he sat troubled, agitated ; the only thing in the magnificent apartment that was out of keeping with the rest. No one to have looked at him, environed by luxury as he was, would have envied him. The age of this man we have tuken such especial pains to introduce to the reader was verging upon fifty, but, in the open street, he looked ten years older at least. His lips moved slightly, as though his thoughts were so intense that he was all but compelled to give them verbal utterance. Then he suddenly sprang to his feet, and walked up and dowu the room with rapid tread. Upon the soft carpet his feet made not the slightest sound. Between the two windows was a massive sideboard. Ranged upon it with marvellous taste were many pieces of gold and silver. In the eentre was a stand for wines and spirits. It was before this that the man paused, after having taken some thirty or forty turns up and down the room. He took up a erystal goblet that would contain almost a pint of liquid, and filled it with brandy. A. few bright beads clustered round the edge. He held it up to the light. His hand was trembling and unsteady. Then he drank the greater portion of the fiery spirit at a draught, and resumed his hurried walk. Unconseciously he gave utterance to the thoughts that weighed so heavily upon his brain. ‘* How willit end?” hesaid. “How willit end? To think that after living all this time in sueh a state of per- fect seeurity as I have, that obstacles and cares and per- plexities should arise now! All, too, through the bungling agent I employed to do my work. ILad he performed his part of the contraet as I performed mine, all would have been well, I should have nothing to fear. Now, what shall I do ? what shall I do?” He flung himself down in the chair as he spoke. The words he had uttered will enable the reader to recognise him. Lord Abel Donmull. Yes; that is the man. The unnatural brother. The usurper of his niece’s wealth and broad domaius. ‘The man of bad, bold heart, and many crimes. BLUESKIN : A ROMANCE. that a day must some time come when his deeds would be visited with a just retribution. Like most bad men, he was a eoward at heart. No emotion of pity could possibly be shown for him. He was surrounded with parasites, with menials, with tools, by which he wrought his evil purposes, but among them all there was not one heart who, in the hour of tribulation, would have said, *‘ God bless him!” But he clung to wealth at first beeause of the natural eupidity of his soul; now, because it had grown into a kind of second nature to be surrounded by it. ‘T'o obtain it had he not stained his hands with crime P Was it likely, then, that he would relinquish it ? It is ever the curse or fate of sueh men as Lord Don- mull to find at their fingers’ ends a spirit to tempt them still further into evil. That evil spirit was the man Steggs. Who he was Lord Donmull knew not. He had come to him with the death-bed confession of the man Williams, and from that moment they had been hourly eompanions, actuated apparently by the same motives, working to the same eud. . Whether they were or not remains to be seen. And now, on this particular evemng, as he sits in the large arm-chair, a sharp knock at the door reached his ears ; but, before he could recover himself sufficiently to ery ‘Come in,” the door was opened, and Steggs glided in like an apparition. There was a great show of respeetful submission in the way in which he stood just upon the edge of the hearth- rug. “Sit down, Steggs,’ said his lordship, ‘‘sit down. What is the news P”’ ‘“‘'T here is none, my lord.” ** None P” ‘* None.” ‘© Have all your efforts been unsuccessful ?” “All, my lord! I have searched in every direction. I have employed men to scour the whole of the country round London iu search of her, but to no purpose.” Lord Donmull let his head fall between his hands. “Don’t give up, my lord; all is not lost yet. I have faith still in Jonathan Wild.” ‘““T tremble at his name,’ was the reply, “and if he knew the real faets of the case I should consider myself lost indeed.” ‘“ But he does not! the lad Sheppard and he are deadly eneniies.” Again did Lord Donmull spring in an agitated mauner to his feet. “I shall go mad if this continues,’ he said; “‘J can feel now sueh wild confusion in my brain that I am searcely couscious of my aetions.” “Try some brandy, my lord,” replied Steggs; “‘itis a sovereign remedy in cases of that sort.”’ ““T will follow your advice,” he replied, as he gulped down the remainder of the spirit in the goblet. ‘* You are better ?”’ “* [—] think I am.” “fam sure of it, my lord. Sit down and calm your- self, we will talk matters over quietly.” * Quietly !” “Why not?” “There is too much at stake. about Jonathan Wild ?” That I had faith in him.” cé Why ? 39 ** Because when he says a thing, however impossible it may appear, he always keeps his word.” _ “And he promised to put—put—Hlizabeth in our possession.” “Ve dad.” “ But when he does, Steggs—supposiug he does—what must be done ?” “That will be for your lordship to deeide. T'wo courses will be open to you; but, if I might advise, I should say wat till then.” * And when did you see Jonathan Wild last ?” “ When we visited his house together.” ‘ Not sinee ?”’ ‘*No, I have been to Newgate-strect many times, but But what did you say | without being able to see Lim.” “This frightful suspense will kill me, 1f 1t lasts mueh Vainly did he strive to conceal from himself the fact | longer,” cried his lordship. ‘I am like one walking . 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