Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

L5O ‘: Bo it so,¥ said Roderic—‘'I give you my consent. | he had been so instrumental in restoring him to his trae Go—depart freely.” "hen I will tell you the secret of which I spoke, ‘To commence, I need scarcely inform you that 1% was through your stepmother’s influence that the baronet’s heart was steeled against you—that he st last Grove you forth from the hall.” Roderic smiled bitterly. ““T do know it,” he said—“ I know it fuli well.” “Ah! then, but you cannot guess what is coming,” continued Peterson. ‘ Your stepmother is en artful, wily woman, full of all kinds of stratagems, and possess- ing an imperious will, which makes all things bend before it. ‘‘T need not describe now how it was that she became Sir Ralph’s second wife; let the fact be sufficient. But when she married she was already a wife, though she knew not where her husband was, or whether alive or dead. “J was her husband,” coutinued the repentant nan. “I married her long years ago. I could not brook her evil, overbearing temper, and so we parted. ‘We had one son—you see now all that remains of him; and yet I loved him with an intensity you cannot imagine. © At last, after a rough life, I learned by accident what had become of my wife. I came here intending to expose her and have her driven forth, but she saw me; we had some conversation together. ‘She asserted her old influance, and I fell passively into her plans. They were to deprive you of your birth- right, and to obtain possession ef all Sir Ralph’s wealth and estates; and to do this all the more surely, our son Alfred was to be brought forward at a convenient time, and to be married to Sir Ralph’s only daughter.” At these words, Roderic started and frowned, while an angry exclamation escaped his lips. “Forgive me all this!” said Peterson, more humbly than before. “If I have sinned deeply my repentance is proportionally great. Our schemes have come to nought. ‘At her suggestion, I posted myself in this place. I consented to become a murderer. I 1ad intercepted your letter, and I knew that you would pass by this spot on your way to the hall. But that my boy Alfred should be anywhere in this neighbourhood at the present time I never for one moment guessed, and, in my haste and excitement, mistook him for you. “My plans were all welllaid. The assassination was performed with this air-gun, which, deadly as a musket, could be discharged without a sound. The place is lonely, and you would have had a grave beneath these bushes.” The young man shuddered from head to foot, and well he might, for few, if any, could hear such an avowal as this unmoved. ‘“‘ Now, then,” Peterson added, after a brief pause, “1 have told you all—everything! You have but, on your return to the hall, to proclaim who and what your step- mother is—to call her by her real name—to cover her with confusion and discomfiture. What you will do with her I know not. I dare not intercede on her behalf, and yet I trust you will be merciful.” With these words, the under-steward again turned round, and, with a heavy, gasping sob, threw himself at fulllength upon the dead body of his son, where he remained convulsed by bitter anguish. Roderic and Tom remained for a few moments gaztug upon him; then the latter, by a rapid sign, beckoned for the other to leave the spot. His wish was giadly enough complied wita ‘Let him go,” said Roderic—*let him go. 3 would not pursue him for the world. Truly enough has his own crime brought its own bitter consequences with it.” “Tt has,” said Tom; “and I[ rejoice to find that eu have acted in such a spirit !” “And you,” Roderic exclaimed, gazing at Tom, “f know not who you are. But give me your hand, for I am certain you are a friend to me and mine, and that is ail I ay know; henceforth we are brothers in friend- ship: The words were spoken in an access of genstous enthusiasm, and Tom felt his liking for this young stranger momentarily increase, while he rejoiced to think BLACK BESS; OR, ey seers. “2 EE al position. “Come,” said Pam, your father is anxiously awaiting you.” “ Voes he forgive mo?” “Freely—entirely! Ask him, and observe the resuh. ’ “M+ brain whirls,” said Roderic. “I had anticipated nething ef thia—I liad no idea that such a conspiracy was afoot.” “Calm yourself,” said Tom. ‘Say no more until we reach the hall; by that time you will be able to recover your composure. And as for myself, I have enough to do in thinking over my own future proceedings.” This seemed so strange 4 remark that Roderic fixed his eyes upon Tom’s face with undisguised amazement. Tom pretended to be oblivious of it. Silently, then, and rather slowly, this strange pair made their way along the winding lane towards the hall, the picturesque roof of which quickly came in sight above the trees. “There is the old piace!” cried Roderic, pausing to gaze uponit. ‘I seem carried back years and years to the time when I was a happy boy. It glads my heart to see the old place once again, and to’ know that I return with the prospect of forgiveness before me.”’ “Tt is something more than a prospect,” said Tom King ; ‘‘ you may look upon it as fa‘certainty. Nothing will ever give your father so much joy as his reunion with you.” = SS aS CHAPTER CMXLVLI. IN WHICH TOM KING FINDS THE DIFFERENT EVENTS AT THE HALL COME TO A CLIMAX, Ir was easy to see that young Roderic Cromer was deeply affected by his return after his long absence, and though Tom’s last speech was such as would naturally call forth some remark, he passed it over in silence. Nor was another word exchanged between the pair until the entrance of the hall was gained. Tom King knocked loudly at the portal, and at the samo time rang the bell vigorously, white, addressing his companion, he exclaimed: ‘You must be prepared to make a sudden rush as soon as the door is opened, otherwise, when it is known whe we are, we shall be refused admission.” “ Right !” Just as he pronounced the words, the door was opened, and Tom King did indeed makea sudden rush, ands much more violent one than was at all necessary. The hall porter, not at all expecting such an attack, was thrown completely backwards and jammed with great force against the wall. “There,” said Tom, as he stepped across the threshold — TJ rather think that will do as a commencement !” Roderic smiled sadly. Then a door was abruptly flung open, gnd upesa the threshold stood the baronet’s wife. Her face was crimson with rage. ‘ Villain—wretch!” she shrieked—“ begomsi /7)u shall not stay beneath this roof another mometiewi Al- ready you have caused more than enough »#nhappiness. Begone !” Just then she caught sight of Roderic. Although many years had passed since she had seen him last, she recollected his features well—recognition was immediate, and it caused her no little confusion. She knew well enough what it was the under-steward had set out todo, and could not understand how it was he had failed in his mission. “ Ahem!” said Tom, placing one hand upon his breast, while with his other he took off his hat and bowed pro- foundly. “I can assure you we aie very sorry to intrude thus upon you, Mrs. Peterson.” ‘fom King watched carefully to see the result produced bv the pronunciation of this word. He found it all that he had expected. The woman’s face turned toa ghastly paleness, and she starcered back as though about to fall. False—false!” she said— it is all false! “Deny what?” said Tom. nothing.” “But why did you call me by that name ?” ‘Simply because I know no other by which to address I deny ti!” “T have accused you of “accompany me to the hall, where ae anh ‘ . ~~ - Eomichoo €