Ivan the Terrible; or, Dark Deeds of Night — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

IVAN THE “Such are my orders; besides, we are commanded to arrest all suspicious persons loitering about here.” “Am I one think you?” “You may or may not be. I’d advise you to move off, nevertheless, without you wish to get into trouble.” ‘‘T shall not go away, soldier,” said the alderman, “and more than that, I will enter the house, if it so please me.” The soldier was surprised at the old man’s boldness. “Who the devil are you, then, that speaks so boldly ?” “Tf you must know, I am an alderman of the City, and a sheriff also ; I havea right to go and come wherever and whenever [I like.” ‘‘Tf you be an alderman I cannot dispute your right. 258 is in gaol?” “IT do. I wish to speak with Katerina, his daughter,” *‘ She is also suspected, alderman,” “That may be. What of it?” “Tf you wish to speak to her one of the guards must be present.” “As you please. Knock.” The soldier knocked his pike staff against the door loudly, It was soon opened by the pale, trembling girl. 5 The alderman entered, followed by a soldier, and took a seat in the front parlour. ** Be seated, my child,” said the alderman, kindly. “T do not know you, kind sir,’ said Katerina, curtseying meekly. “ What might be your pleasure ?” ‘“My pleasuxe is thine, my lass,’ was the calm reply. came to see if I could do you or him any good,” “ey “‘ Alas, sir, 1 fear that both myself and father have fallen | | siz, believe me, ‘he is innocent.” amongst troublous times.” ‘How much money have you in the house.” ** None, kind sit.” “Do you mean to say that the officers took it all, and left | you penniless ?” “They did, siz, at the instigation of old Fitz-Maurice, who | base of the matter as much as the best.” “ And haye said it might help to prove my father’s guilt.” “This is scandalous,” the alderman replied. you been ever since without a penny in the house ?” “T have, sir.” *‘ And your father has had no good food since the time he | was arrested ?” “No, sir; I had no means wherewith to procure it. We - never had any friends around us, and those who professed the greatest sympathy were the first to desert us.” “Tis always the way, my lass; professions are cheap, but acts of kindness seldom follow.” After a pause, he said, _" Do you know me?” ‘** No, kind sir.’’ “‘ Have you ever heard the name of Singleton ?” “JT have often heard father speak of such an one; but, - then, as I understood, he was a great man in the City, an alderman, or sheriff, or some such powerful person,” ‘¢ Did your father ever hear any harm of him 2” “No; sir, on tke contrary, he spoke of the alderman always in terms of high eulogy.” “Tt matters not, my girl, what the world does or does not say of him, nor does it alter my opinion of Roger Markham either to know that he has fallen into the hands-of the law through the devilish design of evil men. I am Alderman Singleton, Katerina; I have seen you and your father much oftener than you imagine, and now have have come to you to offer my good offices, and, if you will it, wish to do your father all the good I can,” Katerina bowed, Her pale face was now even whiter than before, Her lips trembled, but she could not express her thanks, The feelings of her heart were too much for yerbal ex- pressions, She sank down upon the sofa, and burst into a copious flood of tears. The old alderman, in a fatherly manner, placed his left arm round her small delicate waist, and wiped away the tears which gushed forth from her eyes in streams, “Tt matters not what the world says, soldier,” the alder- Who | do you wish to see? Of course you know the old goldsmith ~ TERRIBLE. man remarked, in a whisper ; ‘the old man is as guiltless as his daughter, and she, poor girl, is as spotless as snow.” . The rough-looking soldier turned away his head. He could not look upon the sobbing girl without feeling for her deep anguish. The alderman saw this. “You are a married man, soldier?” the alderman said, in a low voice, : “ T am,’ was the soft reply. “T knew so from your countenance. Beas kind to this poor lass as your duty permits, and if you ever call on me I will amply reward you. I will go now and see old Roger in gaol, and if anything can be done for him to make him com fortable no expense shall be spared.” By this time Katerina had become calmer, but she looked very pale and weak. Her loveliness seemed more attractive than ever, and the old alderman, grey as he was, could not but look upon her with smiles, and with a fatherly fondness. “Soldier, stand back a few paces, I wish to speak a few words in private to this poor girl. If you do so it will greatly oblige.” ‘The soldier walked towards the door. Although he could not hear anything that was said he could see every action of both. The alderman in a playful manner pressed Katerina closer to him, as he said, “Katerina, I wish to ask you a few questions. that you will answer them candidly.” “J will, siz, to you ;-I will answer any question you put, for I know and feel that youare my father’s friend, But, oh, Promise “T know it; you need not tell me that, child ; but often- times the innocent suffer for the guilty,” “ Ah, sir, do not Jead me to believe that my poor father should suffer.” “T do not, my child; but we must look upon the worst After a pause the old man continued, “Tn the present case it is necessary that you should have some one to carry messages to and from your father. Do you know of any one, some young and trustyworthy person ?” * “No, siz, I do not.” ““ Not some one of the many apprentices hereabouts ?” ““No, sir; I know no one.” “Not a single one? Come now, think,” said the old man, kindly ; ‘‘I cannot always come myself, for my legs are not as young as they used to be. Do younot know a single youth | who could act as messenger between us ?” The old man watched her face intently. Katerina blushed. *T used to know a youth once, sir, who, if he were here, would willingly do this ; but, alas! he is now far away.” This was said in such a sorrowful manner that the old man’s eyes were moistened. After a pause, he asked, “ And what was his name, child ?” *¢ Arthur, sir.” ‘* Arthur what, Katerina?” : ‘‘1 never knew him by any other name than Master Arthur,” said the girl, blushing deeply. ‘Did he never tell you?” “No, sir; father knew him, but forbade me to give him any encouragement,” “What for? Did you not like him?” “T did,” Katerina answered, in a soft voice. ‘I know not my father’s reasons for forbidding me think of him. Butwhy do you ask these questions, sir ?”’ ‘‘ Because it chiefly concerns me, child, I will tell you my reasons hereafter ; but answer me truly, why did your father forbid you accepting his little kindnesses ?” “He said that the youth was the son of a very wealthy man, and that I,a poor girl, must never think of looking above my station.” “ But you liked him very much ?” “T did, sir, more than any one I had ever seen.”’ “ And did he not make adyances to you comi Oomicboo <SEGOMm