The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

1 had never heard of the anpeared = °° lurid fames.qnt-sbac wondrous fact that Rainford -yery oltm London disguised as a Blackamoor, onl; a few-months after his execution, as I may call it: it is evident that the circumstance of his having sur- vived the scaffold was unknown to her and to her companions. Thus was she struck with amazement aud surprise, as well she might be under such circum- stances, when she beheld him in Lord Ellingham’s carriage. But gipsies go so little into great cities and towns—hold so little intercourse with any save their own people—and are sv little curious in respect to matters which do not immediately concern them- selves, that it is not surprising if the old gipsy had never heard reported the well-known fact of Rainford’s resuscitation.” “Then you presume that this Rainford is now living, honourably and respectably, in London, under the name of Hatfield,” said Perdita, enquiringly ; “and you mean to use your knowledge of his real name to work ont our particular aims?” “You now comprehend me, daughter,” returned the old woman; “and you may perhaps begin to under- stand how his nephew shall become bound to you by silken cords.” “T have sect my mind upon that handsome young man,” said Perdita, emphatically; “and believe me, I shall omit notning that will tend to gratify my passion.” “Wanton —voluptuous, even as I was,’ muttered the harridan to herself ;—* aye, licentious and depraved ns was her father!” “What are you mumbling to yourself, mother?” demanded Perdita. “Sumething about me, I war- rant.” “No harm—no harm,” responded the wretch, has- tily. “But, to return to the subject of our conversa- tion, Perdita: what do you think of our prospects now ? —knowing all we do of this Mr. Hatfield, and able as we are to overwhelm him, his titled wife, and his nephew in disgrace, if we chocse to utter a single word,” “J think that all will go well cnongh in respect to moncy ; for that we have the means of extorting,” said Perdita. “But I cannot sce bow, by such a course, we shati do otherwise than disgust the nephew, aud make an enemy of him.” “Ah! short-sighted girl!” ejaculated her mother. “Wo must not commence with extortion! I know that Lady Georgiana [Tatticld was very rich when I was a resident in London years ago; and .t 15 not pro- bable that she has become pour since. Then again, this Hatficld or Rainford must be on intimate terms with tho Earl of Eiingham, since he and his family are residing at that nobleman’s mansion. All this denotes that the young man can command ample funds at will ;—and the young man, then, must be ensnared by your wiles. Dut if you surrender yourself to him immediately ——” ; “Trust me for Knowing how to play my cards well!” interrupted Perdita, impatiently. “ But on our arrival in London to-night, where are we to find a dwelling- place?—how aro we to clothe ourselves decently to- morrow ?—how, in a word, are we to live until all these grand schemes begin to work?” “You shall see, Perdita,” answered her mother. * During my long sojourn in Australia, one person in England wrote to me frequently—one person sent me sums of money occasionally. Otherwise, Perdita, after I obtained my ticket of leave, we should have starved: for the labour of my hazds, severely as J toiled, pro- PS ae TUE MYSTERIES OF GONDON. * ene UY, 8 duced not sufficient to maintain us both. “2's ong person lives in London: I know his address ;—and u~ his door must we first repair before we can even pro- cure the wherewith to obtain a bed!” ‘Ts it the friend who, as you told me, interested him- self to procure your pardon?” demanded Perdita. “The friend!—the relation you mean,” said her mother, hastily. ‘“Yes—he is my relation—the only one I possess in the world save yourself, if a daughter can be called by that name.” The conyrersation, which may have served to throw additional light upon the depraved character of these two women, was interrupted by the necessity of step- ping to the side of the road to permit a cart, which was on the point of overtaking them, to pass. The vehicle was driven along-at a rapid pace by a sturdy, good- natured buicher; and as it was whisking by the two females, the pure moon-light falling fully on the hand- some countenance of Perdita, enabled the man to catch a glimpse of the surpassing beauty of that face. Instantly pulling up, he said, “ Holloa! my good women, you are out late—or rather carly—for ’tis tivo o'clock in the morning.” “We are very tired, and are anxious to reach London as soon as possible,” replied Perdita’s mother. “Tam going as one may say right through Lendon,” observed the butcher: “in fact, to Oxford Street—and if you Jike to have a ride, both of you, I'll put you down at the nearest point to where your business leads you.” The old woman greedily snapped at the offer; and the good-natured butcher helped her daughter and herself into the cart, which immediately drove on again at a spanking pace. And now full soon did the myriad lights of London greet the eyes of the travellers; and Perdita felt her heart dilate with ineffable emotion$ as she drew near that sovercign city of a thousand towers, pinnacles, and spires,—that mighty Babylon in which all her hopes, her aims, her ambitious views were centred. A misty haze of light, resembling a faintly illuminated fog, appeared to hang over the vast metropolis ;—and as the vehicle approached nearer and nearer still, the countless dwellings began to stand out in relief froin the bosom of.that dimly lustrous shroud. On-—on the travellers go: the houses are scattered along the road; —but ina short time they become continuous ranges of habitations ;—and now it may be airly said that the wheels of the cart rattle on the pavement of L.ondon. But a feeling of disappointment seizes upon Perdita: instead of lordly mansions, she sees dingy-looking tenements of no considerable size, and presenting any thing but an imposing appearance, especially at that sombre hour. Nevertheless, the farther she advances the more satisfied does she become;—and now the travellers reach that great junction-point for cross- roads, where stands the Elephant and Castle. The tap is open—the butcher stops, alights, and dis- appears inside the establishment. In a few minutes ne returns with a steaming hot glass of brandy-and- water,—for a good-natured fellow is this butcher;— and he kindly proffers it to the two females. It was not because Perdita was so handsome, that he did it: no—it was through pure kindness, and as much for the sake of her mother as of herself. Nor did ¢ae two females require much pressing to partake of the welcome beverage; and while they were drinking their glass, their good-licacted friend hurried back to the tap to enjoy Ais own recking jorum, (CO) GIOOKS (CO)