Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

954. SPRING-HEEL’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. while both looked at the gaudy patterns of the carpet on the floor. nother sigh, and Tobias shifted his position nearer to that of Florentine. The girl moved not, and Tobias moved again. Then there was another awkward pause—awk- ward, at least, to Tobras. He wished to break the silence ; but, somehow or another, he could not tell what to say. He felt nervous and bashful, and finally sum- moned up courage to cough. ‘‘ Are you asthmatical?” asked Florentine. “Good heavens! No, my dear madam!” cried Tobias, quickly, anxious to dispel such an idea on the instant. ‘“‘Ilam neither asthmatical, rheumatical, or any other atical. I enjoy the best of health, I am happy to say. 4 ‘ What a pleasure !”’ “Yes, it is, indeed,” said Tobias, once more gaining courage. ‘* But what is health, wealth— aye, even life itself, when—when——” ‘ When what, Mr. Bacon ?”’ ‘“We are compelled to enjoy it alone,’ he gasped out, by a mighty effort, which caused the blood to suffuse his face, and his eyes again to fall before the glance of Florentine. ‘‘Tt must be very dull to be alone,” she said, in a soft, low tone. “© Very—very.” ‘“ Are you a widower, Mr. Bacon? as you speak of being alone.” “No. Lama bacheloy.” “Oh, my! how nice!” said the lady. _you have never been married ?”’ “ Never !’’ | “ And I suppose you never intend to be, now ?” said Florentine, fixing a look upon him that caused his pulse to throb. | “ Well—I—that is—I don’t know,’ stam- mered Tobias, confusedly. © Don’t know ?” “You see, I’ve hitherto had little time to think of a wife, business having absorbed my whole attention,’ said Tobias. ‘ But, now that Lhave retired, and have nothing to occupy my mind, I think I should like to—to ”—— “ Marry, sir?” +» “Yes, marry!” said Bacon. ‘‘I am still a young man, or at least in the prime of life. I possess good health, a moderate fortune, and flatter myself that I could make happy the woman who would ally herself to me.’’ “ Cannot you find such an one, Mr. Bacon ?”’ asked Florentine. Their eyes met. Oh! that look! There was a fascination in it which even Tobias Bacon was powerless to resist. The couch seemed to slide away from under him. He felt himself slipping down. ‘Yes, my dear Florentine!” he cried, coming down witha bump on his knees on the floor, and catching frantically at the little jewelled hand which rested on the skirts of the pink silk dress. “Yes! Ican! Ihave! Youare that womai! I love you to distraction—to madness! Oh! turn not away those bewitching eyes! I must speak—must tell you what [ feel—must lay bare this heart of mine to you. Say, Florentine! oh, do not be offended—do not—do not !” With pretended surprise and alarm, Florentine * And f tore her hand from his grasp, and rose to ber feet. ) “Mr. Bacon!” she exclaimed, “you—you alarm me!” f “Oh, say not so,” he cried, making a snatch at her hand, and clutching it. upon me with favour—deign to smile upon one whose only hope—only happiness—is the posses- sion of your love. Oh, Miss Florentine, do not turn from me in anger—do not repulse me: See meat your feet, your devoted slave.” 3 “Mr. Bacon, this declaration is so sudden so unexpected, I—I”’ | “Say that you return my love—reciprocate my affection. Oh, say that, and make me the most blessed of men! I am some years older than you, but what of that? Oh, look merci- fully uponme. Say, say you love me.’’ After a little show of resistance, a faint attempt to turn herself from him, the artful woman sank back on the couch, with a deep sigh. | “Oh, say the word that is to make me the happiest of mortals!” cried Bacon. “TI am wealthy. I will lay all that wealth at your feet. I will be a husband to you. Nay, more, I will be your slave. Oh, keep me not longer in sus- pense—lacerate no longer this beating heart— but make my soul bound heavenward with the sweet responds of love.” | _** How romantic!’ muttered the lady to her- self, as she turned aside her fair head to hide the look of contempt on her features, but which Tobias believed was done to conceal the blush his words had called forth. “ How can I prove my devotedness— how ” —— She turned her gaze upon him, and, in a voice so low that he could scarce hear it, murmured — ‘“‘ Dare I believe you love me with the passion you would have me think? Dare I imagine, after so short an acquaintance, that you ” “ You may—you may,” interrupted Bacon. “I swear I love you to madness! and that if you spurn me from you, [—I shall die of a broken heart. You cansaveme—youalone. Be merciful, my own sweet Florentine.” “This is so sudden, { know not what to say— how to act,” said the girl. ’ ‘‘Let me tell you—let me advise you,’ Bacon. ‘‘In this case I must judge for myself. I— [ ae. Phe “ Oh, say you love me!” Florentine suffered her head to drop on his shoulder, as she sighed out— “T do—I do!” Bacon sprang to his feet as if shot. “You do?—you do?” he almost yelled with pleasureable excitement. ‘Why should I deny it ?”’ she replied. “ Why should [ seek to deceive my own heart? I know that maiden modesty should prompt me to be less frank, that I may lower myself in your esti- mation by the candid avowal I have made.” ‘“ Never! never!” said Bacon, enraptured. ‘Lower yourself in my estimation? "Tis im- possible. Then you do love me? Your heart does respond to mine? Oh, joy! joy! This is indeed the happiest moment of my life !” He raised the hand he still held in his own to his lips, and covered it with kisses, while Floren- ? cried cil | ‘Oh, deign to look | . [ GOMIIGEDOOCKS.CcO