The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 194: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES. despise you, in addition to all the unconquerable hatred which my heart cherishes, and will ever cherish towards you.” With these words she turned abruptly away and advanced to the door. ) The young man spoke not a syllable to detain her ;—and she took her departure. A long silence then ensued in the chamber,-— Arthur Eaton lying back upon the pillows of his couch and giving way to his reflections, which on ‘her account were painful in the extreme—and the valet still standing, a piteous object of mingled shame and remorse, near the bed. * Dudley,” at length said his generous master, am I to believe that you are sincerely and truly penitent for the black iniquity in which you have been made an accomplice ?” “ On my soul, dear sir, I could wish that it were all undone—that I could again be the innocent man I was ere temptation came in my way!” was the prompt and impressive answer. “ Here is the gold which I received as an earnest of this night’s con- templated crime,” he continued, throwing the heavy bag upon the table near him; “and here,” he added, drawing forth some papers from his pocket - book, “are the Bank receipts for other monies which I haye at different times received from Miss Aylmer.” * Now am [I assured that your repentance is sincere, William,” said Mr. Eaton. “ For the pre- sent I will take charge of those wages of iniquity: to-morrow [ will tell you how they shall be em- ployed. Retire to your own chamber—and fear not that I shall treat you with severity. No—it is my purpose to afiord you every opportunity of making your peace with heaven and becoming an useful member of society.” The man threw himself upon his knees—took his master’s hand—conveyed it to his lips—wept PPro over it—and endeavoured to express is gratitude and his penitence—but could not; for his voice was lost in profound sobs. He was deeply—deeply affected: and Eaton spoke kindly and feelingly to him. At length William Dudley withdrew to his own chamber: but ere he sought his couch, he prayed long and fervently. CHAPTER LI. MRS. PIGGLEBERRY AND HER LODGERS. Ir was nine o’clock in the evening of the day fol- lowing the incidents just related: and Tim Meagles was seated in the parlour at his lodgings, discussing rum-punch, and conversing with the Amazon who oecupied a chair near him. Indeed, Mr. Meagles was placed on one side of the hearth, and his fair friend on the other; and while he drank the steam- ing liquor from a tumbler, she sipped her allowance from a wine-glass. We must also observe that the gentleman was smoking a full-flavoured havannah ; and the lady was indulging in a Spanish cigarette, the tobacco of which it was formed being of so mild a flavour that there was no danger of its marring the fragrance of her breath or dimming the dazzling brilliancy of her fine teeth. The fire burnt cheerfully in the grate—the lamp diffused a rich mellow light through the apartment 179 —the thick curtains were closed—the atmosphere was warm—and everything was comfortable, al- though the air was piercing cold without and the snow was falling in thick flakes. “Well, Joe Warren and his friends seem to have got themselves into a precious scrape at last, Letitia,” observed Meagles, throwing himself back in his chair and watching the blue wreaths of thin smoke that curled upward from his cigar. “Com- mitted for trial yesterday—sent to Newgate——” * And Warren is placed in acell by himself as a very desperate character,” interrupted the Amazon. “ Yes—and this morning’s paper also says that he is heavily ironed,” added Meagles. ‘ Well, I am really sorry for him: he is a brave fellow, and faith- ful to those who employ him. At least, so I have heard. But as for the Big Beggarman—the scoun- drel who played you and me that scurvy trick at his vile den in Horslydown—I am glad he is in for it.” “So am J,” rejoined Lady Lade. “ But only fancy that man Page having been so active in the process of giving the party up to justice: for I suppose it is the same who sold us the missing half of the certificate the other day ?” “The very same,” answered Meagles. ‘When he called and proposed to sell it, he told me that he wished to conclude the bargain at once, as he wanted to be off to Aylesbury on very particular business ; and he mentioned the name of Sir Richard Stamford at the time.” “Then Mr. Page is assuredly a very shrewd fellow,’ observed the Amazon. “He received a thousand guineas from us, for the half of the docu- ment; and now he is feathering his nest by means of the services he is rendering the baronet.” “No doubt of it. But what an extraordinary history is Sir Richard Stamford’s,” continued Meagles. “A few weeks ago the whole country was ringing with the awful crimes he had committed —imurder, fraud, forgery, arson, and heaven knows what: and novw, all of a sudden, he makes his in- nocence as apparent as the sun at noon-day. In- deed the evidence which was given yesterday at Bow Street was overwhelming against Martin and Ramsey as the real forgers, and also as having put a quantity of spurious coin into circulation. Then the kidnapping of Sir Richard and Mr. Page was equally well proven against Warren and the Big Beggarman; and a fellow called Briggs was shown to have played the part of gaoler at the house in Thacker’s Court.” “Tfthat were all that was brought forward against Warren—I mean the kidnapping business — he would get off with transportation or imprisonment,” said the Amazon: “ but up jumps the indefatigable and universal Mr. Page to prove a highway robbery against him.” “A highway robbery, committed in a lane lead- ing outof the Edgeware Road,” observed Meagles, laughingly. ‘“ Well—the law makes alanea highway for its own special purposes, you great booby,” returned the Amazon. “So Lam afraid poor Warren will find to his cost,” answered Meagles. “The whole gang of them will be tried this week, or the beginning of next. I shall certainly go to the Old Baily and hear the proceedings.” At this moment, a low and timid knock was heard ea ee, = LE RRS SSG aS a re LLL LD OB EATERIES Com Cclooolkks.con