Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 250: what you’re looking at

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252 —— ee i tation to a party I intend giving at the hotel where I am staying.”’ “Oh! TI shall be delighted !” cried Florentine.’ “Stay, Florentine,” said Timothy. ‘ We must first be assured that none but the edite will be present. There are so many snobs in Brighton ~ at this season, who palm themselves off as mem- bers of the aristocracy, that we cannot be too careful. Does Lord Dunfred honour you with his company, or Lady Ticklem, or ’’—— ‘Neither, sir. In facet, my whole life has been passed in business, and my acquaintance is very small,’ interrupted Tobias, blushing. “ But I hope to have the honour of knowing both tne persons you mention. Perhaps you would be kind enough to bring them with you ?”’ ‘Ah! well. Lord Dunfred is a good fellow, and—eh, Florentine, what do you say ?” “Oh! I should be delighted to meet his lord- ship at our new acquaintance’s,’ was the quick reply. The eyes of Tobias fell, and his chest rose, while a change came over his features that were not lost on the two—a change which both in- stantly divined the cause of. A quick glance passed between the pretended | brother and sister. si “Ah! talking of his lordship, Florentine, have you heard of the alliance he has formed with Lady Ticklem? The wedding is to take place early in the winter.” A deep sigh of relief broke from Tobias Bacon, his little form was again erect, and his sad expression gave place to one of unbounded oy. | Te became every moment more and more at ease, and in a few moments was conversing without the least restraint with Florentine and | Timothy. 1 At length he rose to take his departure, when the young swell, placing his hand upon his arm, remarked— | ‘Mr. Bacon, you will not leave yet, I hope. You are such charming company, and as I have an engagement with Count Flaskiwaski at three, and shall be compelled to leave my sister, may I hope that you will remain till my return in | the evening? She is a young lady of somewhat nervous temperament ; and doubtless, being left alone, you willfavour me, I am sure, by staying.”’ “T shall be delighted,” cried Tobias. ‘“ My dear Sir Timothy, I shall be delighted, if—if the charming lady will not think me ’—— “Bless your soul! it will be the greatest pleasure in the world to her,” interrupted Timothy, with a quick glance at Florentine. ‘You see, my dear sir, your presence here will keep her from the intrusion of a set of young nobodies, who are ever anxious to force themselves upon the notice of the aristocracy. There now, I shall be able to go without feeling any uneasiness on Ilorentine’s account, Ta, ta, sir, I shall return early. Be gracious to our new friend. But there, 1 need not ask you, for you cannot be otherwise, yours is such a noble nature. Ta, ta! But, bless my soul! what a thoughtless fellow I am, to be sure.” “What's the matter, Sir Timothy?” asked I'loveutine, with apparent concern. SPRING-HEEL’D JACK : THE TERROR OF LONDON. _ “Dear, dear! How very annoying, to be sure,” _ said Timothy, pretending to be addressing him- | self rather than anyone else, and drawing a gold repeater from his pocket, and consulting its dial. “Tam vexed beyond measure, and such a very pressing engagement, too, my dear Florentine. But doubtless, you can help me out of my dilemma.” 4 “What dilemma, Sir Timothy?” asked Florentine. oranted.” ‘““T am well assured of that, Florentine. The fact is, though I ought not to tell you, I pro- mised to lend the count five hundred pounds till his return to London.” ‘Well, Sir Timothy, you can easily do that, or five thousand either,” said Florentine, with: a sly wink, which was not intended for Bacon: to see, “Yes, certainly ; or even double that amount ~ would not put me to the least inconvenience. But the fact is, sir, my secretary obtained my permission to visit the metropolis this morning, and I omitted to tell him to fill up a cheque before he went. I ama stupid fellow, for the count needs the money to-day.” “Can't you fill it up for yourself, Sir Timothy ? ” asked Florentine. , ‘Yes, I could, of course. But to do so, I must have possession of my cheque-book, must I not? and that is in the keeping of my secretary.” ‘No matter. I daresay I have as much by me, Sir Timothy, and youare welcome to it.”’ ‘““T only want it till to-morrow. He will be back then.’’ | “Tl fetch it you.” “Thank you. Don’t be long, for it is getting near the hour J promised to meet the count. Under ordinary circumstances, I should not hurry myself, but when we wish to assist a friend over a pecuniary difficulty, we cannot be too particular not to wound their sensitiveness by a show of delay. Are you not of my way of thinking, Mr.—Mr,”’ -© Bacon, Sir Timothy.” ‘Yes, Bacon—wise name—somethine relish- ing in bacon when a fellow’s hungry. I'm very fond of bacon—very.”’ Tobias did not know whether to look pleased or anery. ‘Oh, don’t mind my rudeness,” said Timothy, ‘You see I always think the best way to make afellow feel at home is to be very free. Where there’s restraint, of course there is an uneom- fortable feeling. I have taken a fancy to you, and wish to make you stand on as little ceremony as possible with us. Oh, here she comes with the five hundred. Very awkward for a gentle- man of my position not to have such a flea-bite of a sum by me at any moment—is it not?- I must insist upon my secretary leaving my cheque-book where I can obtain access to it at any moment.” ‘* But, sir, as you are doubtless well known at your bauker’s, a written cheque would serve your purpose,” said Tobias. a “Well, no, it would not. Pll tell you why. A fellow in my service once had the audacity to | | comic “Tf I can aid you in any way, you know you have but to ask me, and it is. 900kKs.co