Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 251: what you’re looking at

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SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. write out a cheque for a thousand, present it, and obtamed the money; and I gave my banker to understand that he was never to cash a written order for any amount purporting to come from me.” « Very wise.” “Yes, I think so. sorry to trouble you.” “And [ am sorry, Sir Timothy, that I cannot oblige you. I find [ have only two hundred and thirty pounds by me, but you are welcome to that, my dear brother.” Not quite half. Well, the count must wait till to-morrow, that’s all, though I’m very sorry to disappoint him, for he’s a very worthy fellow. Confound that sec. of mine ; but there’s no help for it, so he must wait.” “Hem! hem!” coughed Tobias, rigeling about on his seat In a very uneasy Manner, appearing anxious to speak, yet fearing to do so. “YT beg your pardon, sir. What did you please to observe ?”’ asked Florentine, suddenly turning to the ex-cheesemonger with an inquiring olance. “TI was about to say—that is—I hope I shall not offend ”—— . “Oh dear, no; we are such homely people. Do not for a moment think you will offend me,” cried Florentine. ‘‘ Anything you may desire to say will be listened to with pleasure.” “Then, my dear miss—madam, I should 99 Oh, Florentine, I am s0 Oh, don’t stand upon ceremony, Mr. Bacon,” said the girl. ‘‘ Address me as you please.” “Then, if I may be pardoned for such a thing, I should be most happy to lend Sir Timothy the sum he requires for his friend, till he can give me a cheque for the amount.” | “My dear sir,” cried Sir Timothy, ‘‘I am extremely grateful for your kind offer, but really I could not take such a liberty.” “Oh, no liberty at all. I am sure I should be most happy—nay, feel highly honoured by your accepting the loan of the sum you require for the immediate use of your friend.” “Oh, Florentine! How could I accept his generous offer?” said Timothy, turning to his sister ; ‘much as I should be delighted to oblige the count, and though only required for so short a time, yet I cannot be so familiar—so ”’ “Sir Timothy, you begged I would stand on no ceremony with you, and I hope you will stand on pone with me. You are unable to get at your cheque-book. I have mine in my pocket. I beg you will accept a cheque for five hundred, which sum you can pay into my bank- ers on the return of your secretary. Nay, do not refuse me. I shall feel honoured by your aceeptance.” “You are so very pressing, my dear sir, that, much as I dislike to do so, I fear I must allow you to prevail upon me to accept your cheque, or I shall give offence. But really Lam sorry I mentioned the subject in your presence—such a slight acquaintance, too.”’ : “Tut, tut,” cried Bacon, drawing his cheque- book from his pocket; and, taking a pen from an inkstand on the side table, commenced filling up a cheque for five hundred pounds, 5a 253 CHAPTER LXXXVII. TOBIAS BACON MAKES A FOOL OF HIMSELF IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE—THE CONFEDERATES. Ou Mr. Tobias Bacon ! where was that shrewd- ness now which had changed the poor country lad into the wealthy London tradesman ? Had a woman’s smile caused this change ? It must have been so, or with that perception of character so keenly acute hitherto you had not been so deceived. The ex-tradesman had turned his back upon: Timothy and Florentine while, with a shaking hand, he traced the words on the cheque, or he would, perhaps, have observed the glances which they cast upon each other and himself—glances which bespoke not only their pleasure but their contempt. But so anxious was Tobias to engraft himself into the good opinions of the brother and sister that he forgot all his prudence, and was led to commit the first foolish action of his life. “Fool!” whispered Florentine, pressing the arm of her compavion. “ A chicken worth plucking,” was the low- spoken rejoinder. ‘‘ The old idiot is smitten with your charms. Play with him as a cat does a mouse.” ba Never fear, Tim. I know how to manage nim.” “ And wheedle him, eh?” ‘T1l wheedle all the money out of the old idiot’s pocket.”” But here she held up her finger, and wreathed her lovely face in smiles, as Tobias laid down the pen and turned towards them. “There, Sir Timothy,” he said, “is the cheque for the five hundred pounds.”’ “T can hardly bring myself to accept it, my dear sir,” said Timothy, as his fingers closed upon the paper. ““ There—there, don’t say any more about it. Why, if we can’t oblige each other we are not fit to live.” “It shall be paid into your bankers the instant my secretary arrives,’ said Timothy ; ‘“‘ and now you must excuse me or the count will believe I have no intention of keeping my appointment. I leave my sister in your charge, Mr. Bacon. She will be delighted with your company.” ‘And I with hers, Sir Timothy.” ‘¢ Good morning, sir.”’ Good morning, brother. said Florentine. Tobias wished he might be very late, although he had taken a strong fancy to him. The adieus uttered, Sir Timothy left the room, and Florentine sank, with graceful ease, on to a couch beside her visitor. Bump—bump—bump, went Tobias’s heart in his bosom, and he blushed like a school girl as the eyes of Florentine were fixed upon his own. ‘ Ah me!” sighed the young lady. A responsive sigh burst from the lips of the old gentleman. Then a silence reigned for several moments, ; Do not be late,” si TE TT, LE LLL LL | O}ONO) GOMUNE .S (EO)