Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 256: what you’re looking at

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258 Sir Timothy’s eyes gleamed fiercely at this suggestion, the count looked black, and Lord Dunfred sneered. What would the world—the aristocratic por- tion of it—think of such athing? Florentine become an inmate of the farm before marriage— reside under the same roof as Tobias? Look at the slander! It could not be. Her character would be irretrievably lost. ‘“‘Not so,” pleaded Tobias, ‘‘if you go with her as her guardian. Whilst under the protection of her brother, who would dare defame her cha- racter ? ”’ -That was quite another thing, but, unfortu- nately Sir Timothy had arranged that his two friends were to remain with him till the wedding of Lord Dunfred and Lady Ticklem, a period of some two months. Here was another difficulty, but Tobias re- solved to surmount it. , Would they all take up their abode at the farm, till such time as Florentine’s health would allow her to enter the marriage state ? Many objections were raised to this, but eventu- ally Tobias succeeded in his object, and it was decided that all should take up their abode at The Hollies. | Tobias was to precede them by one day, so that everything might be in readiness for their reception ; and, in good spirits, Mr. Bacon started on his journey, after an affectionate interview with his beloved. True to their promise, the others followed ; but their real desire was not that Tobias should precede them by a day, so that all might be in readiness for their reception, but from a fear that he might become acquainted with the fact that they left their hotel without paying their bill. However, they were clear off ere any suspicion was excited, and not one of the party was more cay on the route than the pretended invalid, who laughed and jested on the plots and plans laid by her companions to possess Bacon’s wealth. But on arriving at The Hollies her spirits immediately became dull. The smile vanished. from her face, and the journey had so prostrated her, that she had to be carried to her chamber, which was to be shared by Lady Ticklem. Tobias’s face wore a proud look as he showed his friends about the farm, but when evening came, the whole party seemed to grow weary. “You are dull, Sir Timothy,” said Tobias. “Oh, yes, rather, This is a very dull place— no life, no amusements, nothing to kill the ennui to which we aristocratic members of society are so addicted. Suppose we have a rubber at whist, to break the dullness ?” “With all my heart, Sir Timothy, But what are we to do for cards? ”’ ‘‘ Have you no cards ¢” No.” ‘Tor’! Whoever saw a house without cards? My dear count, did you ?”’ ‘Never, Sir Timothy.” “ No cards?” chimed in Lord Dunfred. “What a strange thing! ’’ ‘No billiards, neither? ’’ said Timothy. NOs. SPRING-HEEL'’D JACK: THE TERROR OF LONDON. ‘Tn domestic pursuits.” ‘‘Domestic devils! But really we must find something to amuse us, Mr. Bacon.” “T should be most happy.” “ What can we think of, count ? ’’ “T’m ata loss to suggest anything, unless ”’ “ Unless what ?” | “ We have a throw or two at the dice.” . “ Dice! oh, well. yes.” . “ Dice!” said Bacon. dice.” “ Don’t you ?” “No.” “ Well, that is strange. Capital things! There’s so much excitement.’ ; “ Oh, I’ve often thrown for a thousand pounds at a throw,” said Lord Dunfred. ‘“‘ Have you, indeed ?” said Bacon. ‘Bless you! yes.’’ “ Are you fortunate with dice ?”’ asked Bacon. “Bless you! no—quite the reverse. I generally lose, or at least I lose two out of three throws, I’m a confounded unlucky fellow.” ‘¢ Just like me,” said Timothy ; ‘‘ and if I didn’t possess a very large fortune, I should have been Sir Timothy, “T never play with | ruined over and over again.” ‘¢ And yet you are willing to play,” said Bacon. “ Bless your soul! what does it matter how a man sets his money afloat? If I didn’t lose it that way I should spend it some other. Besides, what’s a few thousands to me—a mere fiea-bite.” Bacon felt his fingers itch. He had imbibed a love of play as we have before observed. He had been lucky hitherto, might he not still be fortunate ; and these men did not mind losing a few thousands. ‘Suppose we have a few throws, then, for small amounts?’ said the count, after a pause, during which, unobserved, he had passed his full glass towards Bacon, and withdrawn his empty one, ; Xx Ree ‘With all my heart,” said Bacon. “ But first let us drink the health of our ory host,’’ said the count, filling the empty class. . The three adventurers rose and drained their classes. When they had sat down, Bacon rose, glass in hand, to thank them for the compliment, and drank theirs in return. The moment the glass touched his lips, strange | clances passed between the others. Then, every eye turned towards the glass which Bacon had placed empty upon the table. The old gentleman had no suspicion of any- thine wrong, and the smile still wreathed his ace. _ Now then, Dunfred, you have a set of dice, have you not ?”’ asked Timothy. : | “Yes, in my travelling trunk. Shall I fetch them ?” | “Do so,’ said Bacon, “ and let us see if they will help us to kill time.” | “They will at least cive us alittle amusement,” said Timothy. , “ T hope so.”’ “So do I,” drawled the count ; “ sincerely do ‘However do you intend to pass your time| I hope so.” when we are gone}? ”’ In a few minutes Dunfred returned to the = » % - -~ | 900 EGOomiGc ‘s.co ' ie ‘ $