The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

354 THE COURT. OF LONDON child more closely to her bosom, as she looked up with mingled terror and amazement into the countenance of the monster-man. ) ‘‘T am serious, and I have no time to waste in dispute or explanations,” said the latter, as he drew a pistol half-out of his pocket; but instantly concealing it again, he added, ‘“‘ T don’t want to act in a harsh or cowardly way toward you, young woman; so give me up the child at once, and you will run no danger of any kind.” The nurse was so overcome by the alarms which the ap- pearance of the pistol had naturally excited in her breast, that she was unable to offer the least opposition or resistance BE as Melmoth took the child from her arms. Half-fainting, she sank back against the trunk of the tree to which the bench was fixed, and while her brain swam around, a dimness came over her eyes. The child still slept, as the monster-man consigned it to the arms of his son, whose heart smote him with remorse as he gazed upon the infantile countenance of dumb innocence. ‘‘ Must it be done, father? ”’ he said, in a low deep tone. | “Remember the poor babe that was your mother’s darling,” returned Melmoth, in a hoarse voice that was merciless and implacable. “Yes, this deed of vengeance must ® consummated,” instantly responded the boy, his own looks changing to sinister darkness. ‘You swear, James, you swear, by your mother’s memory,” said Melmoth, “ that you will show no pity and no remorse. in carrying out this revenge according to the instructions I have given you? ” ‘‘T swear, most sacredly swear, by my mother’s memory,” rejoined the lad, encouraging all his acerbated feelings to collect their bitterness and arm him with the ferocity of a monster. _ ‘Then farewell, James, farewell for ever,’’ said Melmoth, with a stoicism worthy of a better cause; and he turned his back upon the boy, whom he nevertheless loved so well. ‘“‘ Farewell, father, dearest father!’’ was the tremulous reply which met his ears murmuringly, and the words were instantaneously followed by the rapid retreat of footsteps over the grass. A few minutes afterward the servant-maid recovered EONMMICOOOKS EO) m