Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

$502 some great crime, and was about to be led into the pre- gence of her judge. : “She heard her father express his txsentions with feel- ings which I cannot describe. “He took scarcely any notice of her, but bade he; prepare to reccive her future husband at once. “Great difference was now made in the mannsY jp which she was treated. “She was now dressed in @ Manzer suitable to hor jather’s rank, snd aliowed to srt ag the dinner-tahie with him. ‘‘She was quickly brought face to face with young Bartle:t, and { don’t wonder that she should imiredi#tely conceive an utter aversion for him. *‘ She loathed the very sight of him, and took so hittle «ave to disguise her feelings, that all noted the change in her aspect, particularly the young mas, who ground his teeth, and turned livid with rage; while he determined, no matter at what odds, to have hig revenge upon her. ‘She refused most positively to become his wife, and her father broke out into a storm of passion tho like of which she had never before known. ‘‘He was furious to think that, not content with having caused him one great disappointment in life, she was now endeavouring to cause him another. “Such conduct he considered ungrateful and base in the extreme, but he determined not to be baulked this time. “You may guess some one who was soon at hand whispered in his ears some particulars of the behaviour of his daughter and the housekceper’s nephew towards each other. “Inquiry served to show that the whisper was correct, and he drove the young man ignominiously forth. “Since then he has been reduced to great straits, for the housekeeper was dismissed also. “'The two squires, and young Bartlett as well, were all eager in fhe extreme that the marriage should take place; but Miss Danville showed a firmness and a spirit of resistance which had never been expected, and which filled them with surprise. “But her father determined to carry things with a high hand. “T know he had her confined like an ordinary prisoner, and scarcely allowed her enough to eat and drink. “The poor girl pined and sorrowed, but all in vain; nothing would turn bim from his purpose. ‘“'T’o-rn0rrow is the day fixed for the solemnisation of the marriage, and I can only suppose that, driven to ex- tremities, she somehow managed to escape; and, feeling utterly wretched—perhaps in a delirium—threw herself into the water as you saw, in order to put an end to that existence which ought to be to her a blessing, and nota curse.” CHAPTER CMXXII. DICK TURPIN FINDS HIS PATH STILL BESE? W'TH ; DIFFICULTIES. “Tp isasad wnough story,” said Dick Turpin, “and I for one am very se‘rry for the lovers. I cannot consider them in any way to b.'ame.” “Neither can I,” assenv ed the landlord; “and althouch Iam a tenant under the squ..e, yet I hold this place under a lease which, I fancy, will not expire before hie death.” ““So you feel yourself independe nt of him ?” “ Yes, quite; and if I eould do anyvhing to make these two young folks happy, I would do it glm"ly.” “So would I.” A murmur.of assent went round the roora. Clearly they were all of one way of thinkin. Dick Turpin had been accommodated with a vet :y com- fortable seat nearest to the fire, and while he biad par- taken of his meal, which he washed down with some of the very best alo in the landlord’ sellar, he had got quite dry. He was Dow anxious tO continue his journey, tor mid- night was rapidly approaching. It was just as he had made up his mind t¢) riso and take his departure that the door of the kitchen was opened again, and the housekeeper’s nephew made his eppearance. phere was a grceai degree of bashfulnesa nos to say BLACK BESS; OR, — awkwardness, in his manner, and he glanced with some timidity into the faces of al’ present. He evidently wished to say something, yet lacked the courage; and the opportunity to speak was quickly lost, for he was immediately questioned as to the state of Misa Danville. “She has quite recovered,” he said, in a sad tone, *but seems quite delirious. She could not have been in her right mind when s49 attempted to destrov herseli, nor is she now.” ‘But she will soon be better, I trust,” said the land- lord. “T hope so. But, thea, enat brings me to what I wished to say. I believe that all here prescnt know iy story, and are my friends ?” “We are—we are!” was tho response that came from every lip. “ Well, then, my friends, since you admit yourselves te be such, give me ycur advice. I am young, and have had but little experience in the world. In what way shall I act for the best ?” This was a point open toa great deal of debate, and Dick Turpin was not slow to perccive it. Nor was he any slower in making up his mind as to what he should say. | “T have saved the lady,” he began, “and therefore consider that I havea good right to some voice in the matter.” ° ‘Yes, yes, certainly,” murmured several. “ Well, \hen, my advice is simple, short, giain, and easy to follow. It is, young sir, that you go at once to Miss Danville, and persuade her to fly with you. Do not hesitate or scruple; you havea right to consult your own happiness, and so has she. Her father, by his conduct, has forfeited all right and title to the name; think nothing of him. I wish I could help you further than I can, but, unfortunately, if is impossible. However, take my advice, which is atl that I can give. Place as gree’ a distance between yourself and this inn as you can, in the shortest possible space of time.” Dick Turpin spoke warmly, and his words found an echo in the breasts of all present. Probably they would have hesitaged to give such clear and straightforward advice, yet when it was thus given by another they could not wiihhold their apprébation of it. A flush of colouy mounted into the young man’s cheeks, as he said: “You fik me with joy, but I feel that such conduct on my part would be wrong—reprehensible in the highest degree.” No, no—not a bit,” said Turpin. “Procure Miss Danville’s consent—and if I understand tbe case at all it will not be wanting—and then, as soon as you have it, off and away. When you are married, you will be master of the situation.” After afew more hesitating remarks, the young man withdrew, and as soon as he had gone Dick rose up from his seat. “Ave you going ?” said the landlord. “Yes, pressing business calls me, and I canneé finger, I have already stayed too long.” “And I must go too,” said another voice. A man whom Dick had scarcely noticed rose from an obscure corner near the fireplace. He was a stout, well-built, burly-looking fellow, with closely-cropped hair, a thick, red, bull-like neck, and ar. altogether animal expression, if we may be allowed t5 use such a tern. Yet Dick looked at his well-developed form with some admiration. The man’s appearance, joined to his peculiar costume, enabled Dick to decide positively as to his calling. He was a regular trained boxer or prize-fighter- As soon as he had spoken, the landlord said: “ Very well, Mr. Reynalds—I will give orders for your pony to be put in at once.” “Do, and ask that lazy fellow of yor®s to be quick for once in his life, if such a thing is possibie.” With this, Dick conceived he had nothing to do; but being, in a manner of speaking, interrupted by this stranger, he had paused. - Now, however, he began to take his Icave. But Mr, Reynalds came forwadege2 co yoyo) .