The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 365: what you’re looking at

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

rg A NR COAL, SCS THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. “But here we are at tho end of tho bridge, and J must bid you good-bse. again ?” “Wo aro not going to separate in a hurry, I can toli you,” said tho Doctor: “so don’t think it. You know I love you,” he added with a horrible grin, which opened his harelip so wide that he seemed to bo an agre about to devour her; “and J} love much moro still tho bank-notes that you have gotin your bosom. Sesidas, it is my duty to protect you from Vitriol Bob; and, in addition to all this, I think wo shall bo ablo to knock up a very cozio partnership togothor.” ‘‘ And suppose that I decline the honour you in- tend me?” asked the old woman, assuming a tone of bitter sarcasm in order to induco Rily to believe that she was not afraid—though, in reality, ber heart was sinking within her. “Jn the caso which you have suppested, I shall foree you to do as I choose cud act as J desire,” coolly responded tho Doctor, “Yorco me, indeed?” repeated the old woman, withdrawing her arm, and stopping short in the Waterloo Road. “Yes—force you,” sald Jack Rily, compelling her to take his arm again and also to walk on. “ You had better not provoke me, because Iam not the man to stick at triffes; and if you make a noise and raiso a mob, I will swear black and biua that you aro my wife—that you have bolted with my moncy —and that the notes are concealed somewhere nbout your person. Then, if the police should interfere, you will have to give an account of how you became possessed of the notes aforesaid j;—and I dare say, from tho estimate I have formed of your character, you would not like to be questioned on that point. In a word, then—unless Lam mightily deecived— you hare committed some nico little bit of roguery; and I mean to go halves with you.” This tirade was spun out to such 9 length and delivered in such s measured tono nf coolness, that Mra. Mortimer, who was perfectly astounded at the menaces with which it opened, had felsure to recover her self-possession: but the rapid survey of her position which sho was enabled to tahe while the Doctor was finkshing his harangue, was tar from consolators. She had indeed committed a little roguery, and would indeed be sorry to be questioned by the police; and she knew, moreover, that Jack Rily was quite capable of carrying al) his threats into iminediate execution. What, then, was she to do? There was no al- turnative but to bend to circumstances—make the best of a bad job—and trust to the chapter of acct- dents so 2s to avafl herself of any occurrence that might turn up jn her favour. | “ Woll—you keep silent, old gal,” said the Doc- tor, after a short pause. “Is it that you don't | admire me sifliciently to tako mo as a husband, in > the fashion of leaping over the broom-stick 2” | “Jt is of tho utmost importance that { should attend to certain pressing matters,” returned Mrs. | When shall wo mect 360 “My arm did not shake,” cried Mrs. Mortimer, mustering up all her courage ard presence of mind. j | Mortimer; “and afterwards I shall be happy to fall into oli your plans and projects.” “Well, wo will attend to the pressing matters together,” said the Doctor, “A husband and wife must\baro no secrets from each other, But since wo hidye come this war, and as my abode happens tho immediato neighbourhood, I propose at -~-=- — Oe ene me ew ee ee we ee ee ae one em Memes wwe ee Sem ne a onco to introduco you thereto and install you as mistress of tho place. I have got a comfortable crio—for Torrens’s mouey did wonders for me, as you mas well suppose.” At this moment a project Dashed to the mind of the old woman. What if she were to yield, without farther hesitation or remonstrance, to the Doctor's proposals, and watch ber opportunity cltlier to mur- der him or escape when howasaslecp? By wheedling herself inte his confidence, she would know where ho deposited the money which, she feared, must puss from her hands into his own; and she could repns- ~ sess herself of it, if he-wero disposed of, or if slic wero wekoful whilo‘ho slept. “TY do not mind accompanying sou to your lodg- ings,” she said; “and thero we can talk over tho whole business much better than in tho opsn street.” “There! now you are gotting into a octter frame of mind,” obserred Jack Rils. “This way:—and he turned into the low streets Ising on the Jeft- hand side of the Waterloo Road, between Upper Stamford Street and the New Cut. Tho neiphbourhood alluded to swarms with bro- thels of the most infamous description; and half- naked women may be seen at all hours lounging about at tlic doors, and endeavouring to entice intu thelr dens any respectable-looking men who happen to pass that way. Robberies are of frequent occur- rence in those honses of if] fame; and the great alm of the vile females inhabiting them, is to entrap | yersons who nro tho worso for liquor and whose A A Ee appearance denotes n well-filled purse. Neighbour- hoods of this kind should be shunned by all decent persons, as ifa pestilence were raging there! It was into Roupel-strest that Jack Rily con- ducted Mrs. Mortimer: and when ho had intro- duced her ton small but well furnished parlour, with a bed-chamber communicating by means of folding-doors, he prodnuced o bottle of brandy, saying, “ Now Ict us drink to our happy mecting this day!’ Viliing two glasses with the potent liquor, ho handed one to the old woman, who swallowed the contents grecdily: for she felt that she stood in need of a stimulant, “Now, my beautiful tiger-cat,” exclaimed the Doctor, as he drew down the blind over the win- dow, “Iam about to subject you to a little cere- mony Which may be perhaps looked upon as the least thing tuncourtcous; but it must be accom- plished all the same. bother about it.” Thus speaking, he approached the cupboard whenee he had taken the brandy, and drawing forth a huge clasp-knife, he touched 2 spring which made the blade fly open and remain fixed as if It were a daprer. * You do not mean to hurt me?” exclaimed the old woman, now becoming terribly slarmed—si/ mueh so, that she sank exhausted Into a chair, while her looks were fixed appealingls on the man’s countenance, “Notuniess you grow obstreperous or have any of your nonsense,” said Jack. ‘1 love you too well to harm you,” he added, with a leer that made him more hidcously ugly than over: “but I must have my own way all the same. So just bo so kind as to place upon the table the Bank-notes which you have got in tho bosom of rour gown, It is but fair that I should have a wifo who can bring me 9 So don’t let us have any = _———e = oe err ree or ree econmlelooolks (CO)