The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

AY SSA ht re APRS mw Sg OP pyrene THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. eurable to our wishes; and, placing himself at his icsk, he wrote'the order to set Thomas Rainford free, which I delivered to the Bow Strect officers on my return to Red Lion Street shortly after midnight.” “Tt is therefore certain that no farther apprehen- sions need be entertained on that head?” enquired the physician. “None,” answered the Earl of Ellingham. “The Coroner’s Inquest, which sate upon the bodies of Tamar and Benjamin Bones yesterday, elicited, as you are well aware, the fact that the old man had been imprisoned by Rainford, and visited first by Esther, and on the last and fatal occasion by her unfortunate sister, merely with a view to his reformation and re- demption from a course of crime——” “And, therefore,” added the physician, “ public opinion is actually in favour of Rainford at this mo- ment. But how happened it that Lady Hatfield was enabled to procure that document which conferred a full pardon upon him?” “That woman possesses 2 most generons—a most noble heart!” exclaimed the Earl. “The voluptuous monarch sought to render her the victim of his Just; and it suddenly struck her, when his designs became unmistakeably apparent, that she might avail herself of the circumstance to perform an act calculated to exhibit her sincere friendship forme. She accordingly affected to yield in a certain measure to his discusting overtures: she overcame the natural scruples of a pure soul, so far as to give vague promises and encourage the King’s passion, in order to obtain from him the Jocument which she required. And she succecded. But, on the occasion of that interview with the King at which he presented her with the precious paper, she was nearly falling a victim to her generous conduct and to his brutal violence. An extraordinary com- hination of circumstances, however, had led Rainford into the palace on that very evening; and accident enabled him not only to deliver Georgiana from thie power of the King, but likewise to extort from his Majesty that written promise of deep obligation which has proved so vitally important to his interests.” “The entire affair is truly romantic,” observed the doctor, “And now you wish me to give you in dctail an explanation of all Rainford’s late proceedings?” “Tam already acquainted with much concerning them, and conjecture enables me to comprehend more,” returned the nobleman: “at the same time, I should be pleased to hear a connected account from your Hips.” “Jt is Ly no means a disagreeable task for me to rarrate incidents which prove the existence of so many generous traits in the heart of that man whom I was the means of restoring to lite and to the world,” said Dr. Lasculles; ‘for since that day on which he opened his eyes in my laboratory, I have regarded him almost in the light of ason, 1 must begin by informing you that Rainford was deeply touched by a conversation which he had with you, relative to the miseries and criincs of the poor andignorant classes uf society ——” “That conversation took place in the evening fol- lowing his resuscitation,” observed Arthur,—* the same evening on which I captured Benjamin Bones, as he was ascending from the subterranean.” “The discourse which yourself and your half-brother had together on that occasion,” resumed the doctor, “mduced him to reflect profoundly upon the nature of crime—the circumstances which engender, and after- wards encourage it—and the best modes of producing areformation. That train of thought led him to pon- der npon other matters, essentially regarding yourself. For he saw that Benjamin Bones would prove your most implacable enemy: he knew that old man’s character well—and he felt assured that he would devise and carry into effect some atrocious schemes of vengeance against you. These convictions filled Rain- ford’s mind with the gloomiest apprehensions, although he contrived to veil them from you. Ile trembled lest you should fall into the snares which that incarnate fiend—God forgive me for speaking ill of the dead— was certain to spread at your feet; and he resolved (9 adopt some means to counteract the effects of that man’s malignant spite. In a word, he determined, at any sacrifice, to watch over that brother who liad acted so generously and nobly towards him. But not toa soul did he communicate his ideas, until he had safely embarked, with Tamar, Jacob Smith, and Charley Watts, on board the American packet-ship at Havre- de-Grace. ‘Then he revealed his intentions to Tamar; and she immediately fell into his views—for she knew v no will save his own. The captain of the ship con- sented, for a reward, tu touch at Guernsey ; and there Rainford, his wife, the youth, and the boy, were lauded in the middle of the night. The next morning, your half-brother and Cresar appeared in the disguise of blackamoors; and from Saint Peter’s Port, the capital of the island, they sailed for Weymouth—Tamar with Charley Watts proceeding by way of Southampton. The rendezvous was London; and all Rainford’s plans, so far as he could forecast them, were already arranged. On her arrival in the metropolis, Tamar immediately sent for her father and sister to the inn at which she alighted; and to them she communicated her hus- band’s design. It was of course necessary to keep the entire scheme concealed from yourself; as it was well known that you would never rest until you had per- suaded jour brother to quit the country again, were you aware of his return, <At that time you were not engaged to Esther: and she had therefore no hesitation in maintaining this inuch of duplicity towards you. Subsequently—I mean, after your engagement together —she felt herself bound still to guard inviolably a sceret that had your welfare as its basis. Well, then, Air. de Medina and Esther lent themselves to the pro- Ject—and checrfully too, because they recognised all the importance of allowing Rainford to adopt the necessary measures to ensure your complete safety. Tamar aud Charley Watts accordingly took up their abode at Finchley Manor, the proper precautions being taken to enable them to dwell there in the strictest privacy, and tho fidelity of the servants being well assured in respect to their presence at that house, So far all proceeded satisfactorily; and in the meantime Rainford, accompanied by Jacob Smith, whom he named Czsar, arrived in London, You may conceive my surprise when one evening, having becn informed by my servant that an East Indian gentleman was waiting to see mo in the drawing-room, I proceeded to that apartment and found myself in the presence of Thomas Rainford! I did not recognise him at once; but he speedily made himself known tu mé; and, when his plans were developed, I readily agreed to aid him in their accomplishment. As he had expected and indecd calculated. I had full and complete control over the houses in Red Lion and Turnmill Streets; and he felt convinced that. you would never think of visiting them. You had purchased them merely to deprive Benjamin Bones of the power of plunging his victims into the subterranean cells; and you allowed me the use of the premiscs for my laboratory. Under all these circumstances, the house in Red Lion Street PO eter (C(O) (C JOO <S LL (SO)