The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

322 Rose looked up into his face, with an expression which seemed to ask why he took such an interest in the affair, “ Friendship,” he replied, reading her thought. She sm iled incredulously. “ Well, then, interest.” This time she believed him. “ Will you walk with Nancy on Sunday evening in the Temple Gardens?” “An appointment, sir! indeed I cannot,” replied the girl. “Nothing of the kind, Rose,” exclaimed Nancy ; “you know it is our ustel place of walking. We scarcely ever fail,” she added, significantly to the captain; “so if you choose to come, of course we can’t prevent you.” The hint was sufficient, Faddle knew well the influence which Nancy possessed over her friend, and left it to work out his design, bidding Dick to follow him. He left the room, first throwing the old woman a sovereign to consult the stars in his favour ‘against he called again. “| have already done so,” replied the woman, * Well, what find you?” “A youth of praastes a manhood of regret ; an i age of crime.” “Crime!” repeated tlie young man, startled at the strange reply; “ you are drunk, old hag!” “Hag!” shrieked the woman; “hag! fo one as well born as yourself! Ah, you may stare. I can trace the breeding in a man as well as you would the blood in a horse; and I pronounce yours to have been curish, A true gentleman never insulted @ woman.” “Forget it, mother,” said Faddle, trying to laugh off the unpleasant feeling her words occasioned ; ‘‘and here, take another sovereign as a peace-offering; but tell me how shall I end my days?” “ Show me your hand.” The captain drew off his glove and spread his jewelled hand before her. The old woman took it between hers, and raised it to the light. After con- templating it closely for some time, she let it fall without a word. “ What mean you?” “Do not ask me,” she answered, with a shudder, “Take back your money.” “ Nonsense, woman ! Come, a taste of your quality, as the player says—a specimen of your craft. How ara I te die?” “Take back your money.” The captain was annoyed and vexed, especially as the two girls were laughing at him. Dick, who was inclined to be superstitious, drew back from the speaker with an uncomfortable feeling of awe. “Give me an answer.” * I will not.” Faddle squeezed her hand till the old woman screamed out. He was more than irritated—he was getting ferocious. “ By the hands of the hangman, then, since you will force it,” she shrieked out, “ and for the murder of a woman.” Paddle’s nerves were like steel, and yet they were shaken by the prediction of the old woman, whose manner proved that she at least was a believer in her own powers of prophecy. Vainly he tried to laugh the impression off. It clung to him like a painful memory or hideous thought, and long after haunted him, at times even in his dreams, The principal object of his visit was attained. He had seen Rose, and although she had given him no direct ——— me ee eee ee THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. promise, he felt assured she would be with her companion at the appointed place of rendezvous, Hastily bidding them adieu, he left the house | made his way, chewing the cud of gloomy meditation, towards bis , “ Humph!” exclaimed Nancy, as she looked after him; “your master seems to have lost courage, Dick, at an old wife’s game. I thought your real-bred gentlefolks never believed in any thing?” “No more they do,” He ae they ought to believe in. But never mind my master, Nancy; listen to me, When do you intend to make me happy?” “Why, really,” said the girl, simpering and blush. ing, “ the courtship has been so short; besides, you gentlemen’s gentlemen are so exceedingly rackety, How long,” she added, struck by a sudden thought, “ honestly now, have you been in love with me?” The question was a poser even for a fellow of Dick’s bronze. Had he answered if truly, he would have replied ever since his master ordered him. But that would have neither advanced his suit with the pretty eogaiste or bis easployers Samos, so he had recourse to the usual aid of a rascal in an embarrast: ment—a lie, Seizing her hand, he exclaim “ How long have [loved you? From th I first saw you. re oe ae that, you know, always lasts the longest. been tired of raking about; I Bate nr m resolved to settle as soon as I can get a girl after r heatt to make mé happy, Master has promised a hundred pounds whenever I marry; I have saved another ; so that, yon see, we shall not commence vy world without something to rely upon,” The mention of the two hundred 1 a favourable effect upon Nancy, web bid dreamt tre quently of being the mistress ef a neat public-h¢ ‘ Her ambition had even extended to a horse and chaise. tans br dir by sng th erself—not to startle her admirers 1 oe Tabiy behe-eafesed al det donaentod ak Pike, But no! Nancy, like mosé ; handsome husband, as well as one to do well i the world. She had mo flee Of belt conrad to Bd made a nurse of, — a What the answer would have been it is impoesiiae to say, for, just as she was about to give it, the door of the room was rather unceremoniously opened, and her mother, father, and old Pike, the overseer, their appearance. “There she is!” exclaimed the aged lover, whom jealousy had induced to set one of the tactery lana watch. * Nance, why do I find you,” said her father, “ that fellow ?” wf “ Because I like him,” replied the girl, saucily; she felt assured of her mother’s support, who alt made it a point of principle to oppose her ha wishes in every thing. “ Better listen to Mr, Pike, girl,” oneal parent. “ He is a respectable man, and can keep y without work.” “ Ay, and without pleasure,” observed Dick, wh« took courage on seeing how well the girl stoed » to have her will. “ Look at his spindle shanks! wha can he want with a wife, unless to nurse him?” — “Or you, except to starve her,” retorted the « man, stung at the allusion to his age and infir “Why, you have nothing in the world, absc nothing.” 4 » ws a ‘7s & ; i conmicbooks.com