Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

'SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. to act, and then take another spell at the book. Upon my word, sir, I did not expect things would turn out so capitally. Mrs. Clavering off to Devonshire, followed;by the servants! The girl’s as willing as yourself for a quiet ceremony, and not a breath of suspicion as to your already being married. The job has been capitally ar- ranged, and shall be as well finished.” The man hurried off, and Richard paced the apartment with quick and uneven strides. “IT have succeeded in throwing dust in the eyes of all who were in my way much better than I expected. Jessie and the servants are well on their road by this time, and there is nothing to fear from that quarter... The girl, too, being anxious for secrecy, has played into my hands. Good! I am not a man to forget or forgive. Jessie forced me to marry, her, now I will force her to wait upon a mistress.- Mildred scorned my suit, now I will plunge her to shame and misery. Two hours more—only two hours more. How shall I pass the time till then? Breakfast, dress, and a bottle of wine, for, by my soul, my hand shakes, and my- nerves are somewhat unsteady. But a look at Mildred will charm all ills away, and render me the happiest mortal in existence. Curse the hour, I wish it was past!” _\ He strode out of the library, where he had been speaking with James, and proceeded to the breakfast-room, where James (now the only servant in the house, at least so far as Richard Clavering knew) had prepared the morning meal, and, seating himself, he proceeded.to partake of the viands. : While thus occupied, two figures glided softly across the drawing-room to the closet in which Lizzie had secreted herself and overheard the conversation between James and his master.. They were Jessie and her maid. . The wife was pale but calm, and a look of determination sat upon every feature. Lizzie was pale and nervous, and her eyes wandered furtively around the sumptuous apart- ment as if she half expected to see some one there whom she had no desire to meet. “Where is he now, Lizzie ?” said the lady, in a whisper, turning asad look on her companion’s face. | “Tn the breakfast-parlour, madam,” was the reply, “eating as heartily as if his conscience was as clear as an infant’s.” _ “ And his confederate ?” . “Who, madam ?” “ James, his servant. Oh, how men lower -themselves when they stoop to crime!” “ He’s left the house.”’ “Ah! on what errand? Did you hear?” asked Jessie, anxiously. “Yes, madam.” “What ?” “To fetch an idiot brother to act as witness to this wretched work,” was the reply. “And you say the, ceremony is fixed for eleven o’clock in this room?” » “Such was the hour I think I heard stated ; but fearful of being discovered, and thereby letting them know we had not gone away, I was compelled to keep a good distance from the library.” “Doubtless you heard right. Hush! is that some one coming ?” There was a footstep on the stairs. “Quick, madam. Itis Mr. Clavering coming up stairs.” And the maid, grasping the arm of her mis- tress, hurried her into the closet, pulling the door to softly but quickly after her. The next moment Richard entered the room, and looked around. “Strange,” he muttered, aloud. ‘‘I fancied I heard subdued voices.- Psha! I’m nervous. There’s no one in the house but myself at this moment. A glass of brandy will set me to- rights.” He shuddered violently. ‘“‘ Were I superstitious,” he said, ‘*I should say that I was standing over my own grave. What a shudder! I wish James would return. The silence in the house is unpleasant, and a red film seems to float over my eyes. Bah! its only the fact of knowing that the game I’m on is not exactly fair and square, and I’m trembling like an old woman who has seen a ghost. Away with such feelings! Brandy will soon dispel them. After that, the bright smiles and warm caresses of the lovely Mildred.” He left the room, and when he had been gone a few moments, Jessie and her maid came forth from the closet. . ‘““You have given the directions to the ser- vants,” said the former, “to be within call, yet out of sight ?” ‘“*T have, madam.” — ‘That is well.” Jessie Seated herself on a magnificent lounge, and suffered her head to drop upon her hands. Her maid stood before her silent and sad. ** Lizzie.” “Yes, madam.” “T have a strange feeling here at my heart-— a very strange feeling,” said her mistress. ‘You are worried.” “‘ Ay, I am indeed.” But [experience a strange feeling as if some ill were about to befal me,” said Jessie. ‘Shake it off, madam.” ‘“*T cannot.” “Try, madam.” Jessie smiled a sickly smile. “Lizzie,” she. said, speaking mm a_ hollow whisper, “did you mark Clavering well while we were in yonder closet ?”, “His every movement.” “Did you perceive how he shuddered ?”’ “ Yes, madam.” : « And note his words ? ” ““T did.” ‘‘Such a shudder ran through my frame as he spoke, and I could not help inwardly catching his words.” | | “What? That you”’ “Stood over my own grave!” was the hollow interruption. “My dear madam !” ‘“Tizzie, I cannot help thinking that some harm will befal me to-day—that something more than ordinary will overtake me.” “The knowledge of what is about to transpire, the srief under which you have been labouring icomicboo: a cs 133 —_— es LT TT (el)