The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 386: what you’re looking at

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THE drawing back: for the pious gentleman fixed upon her a look which filled her with confusion. “Verily and thou art a comely creature,” he con- tinued; “and thon shall be welcomed amongst us as one of the fairest of our flock. Suffer that I bestow upon thee the kiss of peace, sister.” And, throwing his arm round her neck, the Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby embraced the young woman, who was too much astonished at the sudden and un- expected nature of the proceeding to offer the slightest resistance or even give utterance to an ejaculation. “ Now, beloved sister in the good cause,” said the pious minister, “thou hast received the kiss of peace ; and henceforth art thou one of the chosen vessels of the Lord. Thy life shall be savoury and pleasant; and if thou requirest shekels of silver or shekels of gold, come unto me and [ will succour thee. Say, then, thou well-favoured Ann,—wilt thou be as a sister unto me 2?” “ Tf you behave kind and good, I’ve no objection,” answered the young woman. “ But keep your hands off!” “ Nay—verily, [ meant no offence, Sister Ann,” said Mr. Sneaksby. “ With me you cannot err. 1 am now your spiritual pastor—and whatsoever I recom- mend, that must you perform—whatsoever I do, to that must you submit. Behold! thy shawl is not new and thy gown is of humble material. Get thee fitting raiment, dear sister, according to thy taste; ana here is the gold wherewith to purchase the same.” As he uttered these words, the reverend gentleman put three or four guineas into the hand of the young woman, who could scarcely believe in her good fortune: for her parents were very poor—chiefly de- pendent on Mrs. Piggleberry—and unable to furnish their pretty daughter with an apparel calculated to set off her beauty to its greatest advantage. “ Put away the coin, my well beloved sister, in a secure place,” said Mr. Sneaksby. “ Dost thou wear a pocket? No. Well—and thou dost not carry a bag. Ah! a thought striketh me!—heaven never leaveth me at a loss for an idea to meet an emer- gency. Conceal the gold in thy bosom—it will be safe there. Yea, verily—in all brotherly feeling, I will show thee how to deposit it securely.” And, suiting the action to the word, the pious gen- tleman thrust his hand into the young woman’s dress—a proceeding which she had not courage to resent after his generosity towards her. At the same moment the door was opened a little way—and the Rev. Unthank Snag slowly protruded his head, say- ing, “ Brother Sneaksby, hast thou brought the stray lamb to a state of grace?” “Verily, she is upon the road thither,” returned the spiritual chief of the New Lights, hastily with- drawing his hand from the place into which it had intruded and where it was lingering somewhat longer than was necessary. “ I will rejoin thee in a moment, Brother Snag.” “'The godly are growing impatient in the chapel,” observed this reverend assistant ; “and in the gallery especialiy the blessed elect are stamping and shuffling with their feet. The beloved vessels are anxious for the meeting to commence,” Having given this intimation, Mr. Snag shut the door again and returned to his seat in the vestry- room. “ Now attend to my counsel, dear Sister Ann,” said Mr. Sneaksby, the instant he was once more MYSTERIES. oll alone with the young woman. “Thou wilt find a true and valuable friend in me—one who, having much experience in all good and pleasant ways, will teach thee many things agreeable unto thyself. But thou shall place a seal upon thy lips: yea—even unto thine aunt and thy parents shalt thou be dumb respecting the gift of these guineas which I have given thee.” “Dear me, sir—I’m sorry for that!” exclaimed Ann, who had already pictured to herself the parti- cular pattern of the dress which she should choose: “the money is totally useless to me unless I can spend it.” “ Assuredly it is made to spend, beloved sister,” answered Mr. Sneaksby: “but thou canst say that thou didst pick it up in the street—or that some lady took a fancy to thee and gave it—or that thou hast done needle-work in secret and earned the wage of thy labour. One of these excuses shalt thou make: for verily there is no harm in such trifling deception as that. Did not Abraham pass off his wife as his sister? —and yet he lost not the love of heaven on that account. Neither shalt thou, Sister Ann: and in following my counsel thou wilt act wisely.” “Oh! leave it to meto manage the matter, sir,” exclaimed Mrs. Pigeleberry’s niece. “I shan’t mention your name at all—and I thank you kindly for your goodness towards me.” “ Another kiss of peace,” said Mr. Sneaksby: and the young woman offered not the slightest resistance and exhibited not the least resentment, as the pious gentleman refreshed himself with the sweets of her rosy lips. She doubtless felt herself bound to permit his feelings to find free vent in this manner, after the handsome present he had made her, In fact, it is impossible to say to what greater length the caresses might have extended, had not the Rev. Mr. Unthank Snag again protruded his head slowly and discreetly into the room,—closing his eyes to the little peeca- dilloes of his pious superior,—but saying, “ Brother Sneaksby, the vessels in the gallery are stamping their feet in the exuberance of their pious im- patience !” “ Damn the vessels!” muttered the Rev. Na- thaniel Sneaksby, seized with a momentary fit of irritability: but instantly recovering his self-pos- session, he said in his habitual canting drone, “ Dear Brother Snag, I come to hold forth to those blessed souls which are thus yearning for my spiritual counsel !” Miss Ann Jones heard the oath that the reverend gentleman had let slip ; and she was certainly amazed to a degree. But, feeling that it was no concern os her’s and entertaining a great admiration of Mr. Sneaksby’s generosity, she offered no comment on the little occurrence. The pious minister snatched another kiss from her lips—and then suffered her to depart, bidding her rejoin her aunt in the chapel. As she passed through the vestry, she avertéd her head from the four saints who were seated there—a hasty glance having shown her that they were greedily devouring her with their eyes: and, on re- entering the chapel, she found her aunt anxiously awaiting her return. “Well, my dear Ann,” said the worthy Mrs, Pic- gleberry in a low whisper, when they were seated together in a pew, “has that pious wessel begun to oring you to a state of grease 2” cin e-apsitasesiinlaslalr *"—abipiatin COnniclboOolkKS. (Cc)