Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

LT Ct tl te 270 ee a ee ee ee ee ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. eS OES ES eee ene guilty passion plimged me! When I think of the dice-box my brain is on fire, and I can feel my very nails eat into my flesh ! ‘At its rattle my blood is stagnant with intense anxiety, and the fall of the fatal cubes strike as a thunderbolt upon my heart.” Suddenly he became more composed, and tottered towards the door, He reached it, stopped, and murmured forth— ‘To-day my sorrows may end; and by the bullet of the treacherous gambler, Sir Maurice Lacy, my body may be extinguished in the tomb. At dawn I meet him ; let me await, on my couch, with feverish excitement, the appointed hour.’’ On going into a chamber, Roving Jack confronted one who was patiently anticipating his return, It was old Adam, the steward. Roving Jack scarcely seemed to notice or thank the faithful domestic, who rose on his entrance. He then drew a chair near the fire. Segting himself, he remained for some minutes wrapt in meditation. : At last our hero spoke in a voice almost broke by emotion. “Begone, Adam,” he said. ‘Do not let me be disturbed on any pretence till noon to-morrow. I have much to do, and need repose.”’ The steward, without uttering a sentence, at once yielded to the imperious gesture that enjoined his departure. Our hero, left to himself, was about to recline on a sofa in the apartment, when he perceived through the gloom—for hght had been extinguished, save that from the dying fire in the grate—a female figure emerge from the door, and advance towards him ; it was the same who had been noticed that afternoon, standing pensively before the mansion. (See illustration to No. 33. The presence of the party at such a period must be explained. She had been a guest at the ball, and, by retain- ing her masquerade attire and domino, still con- tinued disguised, Roving Jack was, therefore, unaware who or what his mysterious companion was, “1 have tidings to communicate to Sir John Warbold,” said the domino, “ Not now—not now, my «ood. lady,’ he cried, “T am unwell; to-morrow I will, with pleasure listen to you ; at present. I am not equal to it.” ‘* To-morrow may be too late,” replied the mask, mysteriously, “Is this woman a sorceress?” thought our hero. “‘ How can she know what has passed so far away ?” ‘‘TIn the first place,” continued the domino, “I must acquaint you that your release has heen effected.” “Ah ! can it be possible? Whose kind interfer- ence has——” “No matter ; suffice that peace is restored, and that your house is free and clear again, Now let us, Sir John, speak of other debts.” “Not, till I’ve settled this which appears to be a debt of gratitude,” said Roving Jack, He strode to and fro within the room, and his aspect had taken a great change. Suddenly he turned on his heel, and addressed the fair incognito. | “This act of kindness, |bestowed and unsought, must stand first in my thoughts, You must tell me, madam, who has paid this money,’’ ‘One who has wronged yon, and finds it is never _ too late to remedy an injustice.” () A sudden faintness sefzed Roving Jack: but it passed off soon, 3— ee eee ‘The domino continued with solemn earnesthess, “JT implored him to save you, and he did not turn a deaf ear to my entreaties ; for the injuries he has inflicted on you, he has discharged your debts.” “What is the name of my benefactor ?” “ Jonathan Wild.” : With the words the speaker glided hastily from the apartment. The mask she wore fell from her face and dis- closed the features of Jael, the daughter of Roying Jack’s quondam enemy. Our hero could not speak, but rushed towards the door in order to intercept the fugitive. i Ere he could reach it, she had passed from his sight, and fastened it on the outer side. ; He was for some minutes lost in abstraction, when he was startled by footsteps, and the locked door opened, In another moment old Adam entered the room, holding in his hand a letter. ; “T should not have intruded on your privacy, Siz John,” said the old steward, bowing, “ but as this letter bears upon it the handwriting of Mistress Violet Tremaine, I thought I should do wrong in withholding it an instant,” “From Violet ! exclaimed our hero, in surprise. ‘“‘ Has she left the house ?”’ ‘Yes, Sir John ; some hour or so since,” “ With whom ?”’ Sir Ranulph Gayton,” Roving Jack made no reply ; but hastily snatched the note which old Adam had brought, and glanced over its contents as if with troubled fore- boding, “How wild and pale he looks,’ muttered the steward, observing the deme<nour of his master, The latter having perused the letter, sank into a chair. He became lost in a deep and painful reflection, At length arousing himself,” he exclaimed, “Would you believe ,it, Adam—she is false—she —Violet.” ‘ False !”’ “I—TJT am forsaken—deserted for another, Read, read, old man,” Giving the writing into the band of the steward, Roving Jack continued speaking in deep dejection— “TIere I stand alone-in the world a ruined, despised, and heartbroken man. Yet I deserve it all ; after the exposure that has taken place, I could not hope to remain the master of Violet’s destiny. She has snatched herself from the abyss to which I was about to drag her,’’ Old Adam read the letter that had been handed to him, and muttered aloud its concluding sen- tence :— | *“*] withdraw both my hand and heart to resign them to one more worthy. |. Need Iname—Sir Ranulph Gayton ”” “T am doomed |” © She, so mild,” sighed the steward, eontemplat- ing Violet’s letter, ‘seemingly so good to abandon you thus in tribulation. I cannot believe it; there must be some cheat,” - ‘Do not seek to palliate the offence, Adam,”’ cried our hero, firmly, ‘my punishment is just— very just,” The wheels of a carriage were now heard ap- prdachinge the mansion. At the sound, Roving Jack sprang forward, and listened with intense interest, His heart swelled almost to bursting at the idea that Violet, relenting, had again returned to him, Old Adam hastened to ascertain the trnth of this suspicion. oO com lNOOLKS <€on —_—