The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

376 world.” “True, you once told me they were your bankers, and that you drew cheques upon their credulity.” Despite the humiliation which he experienced, Faddle took the money, and wishing his companion “good night,” hastened to a neighbouring hell in the Palais Royal, where he played desperately, and once more lost every thing. Excited by his ill-for- tune, and hopeless for the future, he made the best of his way from the spot where he had been plundered, and strode like a madman till he passed the Arch of Triumph, and reached the high road, where he paused to regal his scattered senses to his aid. “Cursed city,’ he exclaimed, “ where I thought to retrieve my losses, and have completed my ruin! Fool that I was, to think that even I, with all my experience in the world’s cunning, could match thy polished vice—thy systematic chivanery! Oh, could I breathe a curse upon dens of infamy that should destroy thee, instantly would I be avenged, even though I perished wits thee! I begin to be tired of life, and almost wish the last card were played and the deal ended. Courage!” he added, “courage! I was not born to die like a dog thus—despairing and miserable! I have still some diamonds left; Lisette, too, has trinkets. Mby credit is untouched. Coinage I have not lost yet.” With these words he roused himself, and retraced his way to Paris, pondering, as he did so, on the means and chance of once more retrieving himself. The keenest pang he endured was envy at Wilmott’s success; and he determined, if possible, to see Rose, and poison her ears with the tala of her husband’s intimacy with the celebrated Countess de Villa. “ What trinkets and money have you, Lisette?” he demanded of his mistress, at a late hour the following morning, as they were seated at breakfast. ‘I have been out of luck to-night, and have run short, till I obtain a remittance from England.” The poor girl, without a word, hastened to her chamber, and returned with her little treasure, and placed it in his hands. “Ts this all?” * All,” she replied. any thing from you?” These simple words revealed how deep was the feeling which the worthless scoundrel had created in her woman’s heart. With her, to love was to surren- der every tie of prudence, every thought of self, to the objeet of her passion. “They shall be restored to you in a few days,” he whispered, *‘ And if they are not, I shall not regret them, so I see you happy. Ah! Frank,” she added—for she had learned to address him by his Christian name— “ with common care, how happy we might have been! We had, or rather you had, enough for simple con- tent.” “IT was not born for such a life,” he replied. “TI must have excitement; I live best in that; I revel in it. A palace in a solitude would be a hermit’s cave to me,” “And to me a paradise, if you were with me. Perhaps,” she continued, “you wouid love me then.” “Do I not now?” “ Perhaps.” “T tell you that I do,” said the acamp, touched by her devotion; “but not even love would satisfy me. *Do you think I could keep ———_—— Ss SS Ssh ts sss sl Sls sree testes “T shall never fear that while there are fools in the | On rr re rm ee re Re IT eS EP Se ee eee THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. | ‘I must have the means of pleasure as well, In a few days you shall see me rich again,” ‘*So I see you kind and happy, Frank, I ask no more. My worldis your affection. Deprive me of that, and all the rest would be a desert.” Full of his determination of seeing Rose, Faddle hastily made his toilette, and started out. His first expedition was to the Jew’s, where he dispesed of | his few remaining gems and the trinkets of poor Lisette. The sum they fetched amounted to three thousand francs, or one hundred and twenty pounds. It was not without difficulty that he obtained ad- mission to the object of his former pursuit. Rose twice refused to receive him, and it was only on the assurance of the domestic that the gentleman had deciared he came to communicate something concern- ing her happiness that her fears isduced her to see him. Wilmott’s ravings and unquiet dreams previous to their leaving England had filled her mind with strange suspicions, and terror mastered her disgust. For her boy’s sake she felt it her duty, if possible, to preserve his father. After repeatedly desiring the domestic, who spoke no other language than her own, not to quit the room, her visitor was a® last ad- mitted. He noted with an inward pang the shudder of disgust which ran like an electriceshock through her frame, when she beheld him. ' “ My visit, I find, is distasteful to yon, madame.’ | “It is,” she mildly replied; “and yet I have con-"| sented, for my husband’s sake, to see you.” | ‘And does your servant remain during our inter- view ?” he coarsely demanded, “ Most certainly. But you can speak your errand frecly ; she cannot understand us.”’ F * And if she could, it would, I dare say, ee “$. but little; for I see the wench is pretty, and I know Dick’s failing—he no longer loves you.” “ That I know,” jreplied Rese calmly 5 ; * your malice | falls hurtless there.” “‘He is engaged in an intrigue with an artfa) woman, a certain Countess de Villa,’’ “ Liar!” exclaimed a deep voice near him, He started, and beheld, to his confusion, Wilmott, who had unexpectedly returned and overheard him. For a moment they steod casting looks of deadly hatred upon each other. Both felt that it was no | longer necessary to wear a mask, Wilmott was the first to speak. “Ts this your friendship?” “ You see it is,” replied Faddle, coolly. “Serpent! from this hour I cast you off,” continued the incensed dupe of his villanies. ‘Rich, I sup- | ported you with my purse and influence; poor, I | shared with you the little gleam of sunshine that remained. And how have you repaid me? By | slandering me to my wife. Rose,” he added, “ look on me; I can bear your gaze. It is true I know the Countess de Villa; and it is as true that there is no dream or thought of love between us. Her heart has been too scathed, even if mine were free. Do von believe me?” be | do,” replied Rose, joyfully; for she felt relieved in seeing her husband at last throw off the yoke o his false friend. ’ “Beware,” said Faddle, with a scowling glances, ‘You know that I am never braved with impunity.” — “ Richard,” exclaimed Rose, pale with terror, “ are you in the power of that man?” . “In his power?” repeated her husband. “No; vile as he is, he dares not assert that, by any act of mine, 0 )(0 0) <S (Q) Gom Gor