Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

204 ee EEE ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. her garment she put it gently in the hollow of the vessel, Then knelt upon one knee and set it upon the fire, In a minute she turned her face towards the bed and then raised it up. Ellen saw, though her features were frightfully writhen with bad passions, that there were tears in her eyes that bespoke an inward struggle. She rose, notwithstanding, and whispered, “Now! No flinching.” And walked up to the bed with the ladle con- taining molten, bubbling lead in her right hand. Just as she brought this forward to pour the deadly distilment into the ear of her victim she started up. With an outcry Ellen seized her arm. ‘Shameless assassin |” she cried, ‘I have caught you in the trap which you set for me. Tremble, for a terrible retribution will avenge me.” Edgeworth Bess did not scream or even start, but stared at her rival with a malicious smile, With a strong effort she freed her wrist. And flung the ladle and its murderous contents into the fire, After a pause nature gave way under violent emotion. The baffled and conscience-stricken woman sank upon the couch, hiding her face in her ice-cold hands, The alarm had scarcely been given when the door of the chamber opened, and Jack Sheppard pre- sented himself, He was wrapped in a laced cloak, which he threw off on his advance into the room. Since the discovery of a secret, of which the reader will be made acquainted shortly, there was a marked change in his character. His demeanour was so much refined and improved that he could scarcely be recognised as the same person, His paramour, at the sound of his voice (for he had spoken on entering) turned rapidly round, though ‘her back had hitherto been away from him, She fixed her glazing eye upon his, and uttering a piercing scream of anguish, fell into his arms. That look, that shriek, Jack Sheppard never forgot till his dying day. ‘‘Jack, condemn, scorn me, if you will, but at least have pity on an erring woman, “Tf blighted hope has driven me to a desperate deed, let a pure affection blot out the crime which heaven in its wisdom has frustrated, Though this guilt has been spared my soul, can guilt be greater than mine? Can I hope for pardon ?” ‘All aré pardoned,” replied Ellen, mildly, “if they make atonement for the wrongs they have committed.” “Your words, your kind-hearted looks afford me consolation,” exclaimed Edgeworth Bess, “and I feel I shall overcome the unhallowed passion that consumed me, “One word,” she continued, “if I dare utter it— the past—” “Is forgiven, forgotten,” ‘How can I thank you for so much goodness ; yet disappointed love will turn a spirit ofttimes that is glorious in purity, and envy, malice, and re- morse abide in a heart that once was free from guile,” Jack Sheppard, who had hitherto remained silent, being unacquainted with the terrible scene that had been enacted during the last half-hour, now cume forward, “What Bess,” said he, ‘have you been jealous of this maiden ? “You have little cause, as you will own when IJ tell you she can never be mine, “The dying pirate, Barabbas, has made a full confession. “Bllen Peveril in infancy was torn from her family, ’ “ A family wealthy and noble, of which I possess the proofs. “ But, stranger still, the family is my own, and I will assert the rights of which she has been so long deprived with all the authority a brother possesses,” A shudder ran through the frame of Edgeworth Bess, as she listened to the disclosure. A tear stood in her eye as she regarded her lover, Unable to control her emotion she threw herself into her outstretched arms. ‘Ellen Peveril, thy sister!” she exclaimed. “ Isee it all now. What a fearful escape! Had I known that ere my vile scheme had been devised—”’ Grief choked her utterance. She gazed for a moment in silence, Then, unable to control her'emotion, threw herself into the outstretched arms of Jack Sheppard, CHAPTER XCII. THE ‘SEVEN ELMS’’—TIDINGS FROM. THE SEA— LOVE AND LOVE’S TOKEN—THE PURSUIT OF THE UNKNOWN—HE FINDS SHELTER IN THE FARMHOUSE—THE SECRET CABINET. BENEATH two tall trees, whose boughs completely overshadowed the roof, stood a dwelling, called the “Seven Elms,” A plain but substantial old English farm-house, ’ Seated on a bench under the foliage sat the owner, already introduced to the reader as Richard Peveril, “Qld Dick Peveril,” as he usually termed the individual in question when on exceedingly good terms with himself. With a tankard of ale by his side and a very long pipe in his mouth, he was puffing time and SOITOW away. HOTA The smoker, placid and calm, looked, under ‘the influence of the balmy weed, the very picture of benevolence, contentment, and good-heartedness, The hand of time had marked him by increased corpulence and decreased vision, while a scantier breathing told that he was travelling onwards to the goal we must all reach. Still the regular habits of a country life imparted a glow to his somewhat wrinkled cheek, and gave him all the appearance of a hale, hearty and temperate man. Though temperate, there were all the evidences of plenty around him. Cornfiélds and haystacks enclosed his homestead on all sides, Poultry crowded the yard, cattle the stalls, horses the stable, while the farm servants seemed busiel in its various occupations, A young wayfarer pursued his journey along the rural road that led to the cosy retreat. Towards dusk he arrived at its door, and gave the owner a vociferous greeting in the words— “Ship ahoy! Bouse all taut, skipper, and rnn up signals!” Hearing the approach of the stranger, the farmer turned to look at him. The imperfect light of the evening prevented the Gomi \ OOKSAGOM