Black Bess; or, the Knight of the Road — page 356: what you’re looking at

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

* She looked awkward and confused for a moment, and I suppose so did I, for I did not like to offend such a good customer; and just then the recollection of the warning letter flashed with unpleagant vividness upon my mind. I resclved to be careful. ‘“‘ After a moment’s reflection, the lady seemed to recole lect herself. “It is very annoying,’ she exclaimed, with a smile, “and I don’t know how I could be so careless; however, I ar been thinking that, after all, it will be for the dest ““T expressed my satisfaction. ¢ Yes,’ she continued, ‘I am now very glad \ thought or it. You must know that I havean aunt staging with me at my house alittle way out of town, and I am certain she wants to make some similar purchases to mine, though not toso great an extent. What I am going to propose to you is that you should get into the carriage and ride home with me. On our arrival, I will give you the money ; and in order that your journey may not be lost, you can take some other things in the carriage with you for my aunt to select from.’ ‘Now, gentlemen, I appeal to you—did you ever hear anything more reasonable, or straightforward, or proper than that ? I ask you before I go any further.” “Nothing,” said Claude. “But what that has to do with your running away I really don’t know.” “But you will see in a moment, sir. Delighted and overjoyed with the prospect of doing so large and excellent a stroke of business, I selected silks and veiveta that I thought likely to suit to the value of between two and three hundred pounds more. The whole was placed inside the carriage, and the lady would insist upon my entering with her, though I refused for a long time, and declared my resolution of sitting beside the driver on the x. * Eventually, however, she overruled me. Ths car- riage was entered, and away we went. ‘Now, I left the shopin such a hurry that I never went behind to speak to my wife and tell her where I was going; but just as I passed out I told the assistant in the shop that I should be back in three hours at the most. * Ah, gentlemen, now for my misfortunes. You will ask why I have troubled you with all these trade details, but it is necessary that you should be made acquainted with them in order for you to usderstand what follows. “‘T confess I never enjoyed a ride so much in my life, though now I shall look back to it with feelings of any- thing but pleasure. The lady proved herself to bs a most entertaining companion, and laughed and chatted on the way in the most affable manner you can conceive. ‘“‘Tondon was left behind, and the’eountry gained. I looked about me with pleasure, for, like most inhabitants of cities) I was delighted with the sight of a green field. ‘‘ Well, we rode ou and on a long way into the country ; I knew that, although the time passed so agreeably and so quickly. “At last we came toa very high and long red brick wall, such as may be often seen surrounding a gentleman's estate. This one appeared to be of unusual neight and strength, for at frequent intervals it was supported on the outer side by stout buttresses. ‘The carriage here sensibly slackened pace, and there- fore I imagined we had reached our destination. “T was about to ask the question, but was saved the trouble, for just then the carriage stopped before some large, massive wooden doors set in the wall, and cosz- sponding well with it. ‘‘The stoppage was only momentary, »wwever. “The gates were opened. ‘The carriage rolled threugh them, and immediere afterwards I found that we were traversing a broad, w kept avenue. “TY was now quit: eluate and qa‘te satisfied of the rank and position of my customer. “T was wondering what extra price I shoule put upen the goods, when the carriage stopped again. his time, it was in the frent of the house. © The carriage-door was opened, and I officlously oy out in order to assist the lady to alight. rowarded me with a smile. 4 BLACK BESS; O8, A cer “T was about to remove the piles of velvet and silk, bet she said, sweetly: “¢ Never mind, I wil? send for them. Please to enter with rae.’ “ Just then, the front uoor was opened. ‘“‘T followed the lady up the flight of steps and crossed the threshold. ‘The door was immediately closed, and the first thing that struck me was the obscurity of the entranee. “It struck me as being very great, for, having just coms from the glare of sunshine without, I could scarcely see who was standing before me. “But the voice and manner of my companion altered suddenly. ‘So great was the change that I could scarcely believe the evidence of my ears, which were the only organs of sense I vould make use of, my cyes being, as I told you, of very little service. “The lady seemed to be weeping, and her voice was that of one enduring the utmost affliction, as she said: “Alas, sir, you see [ am here.’ “¢ Yes, madam. Is this the person you spoke to mo about yesterday ?” “Tt is, sir. This is my truly unfortunate husband. Oh, sir, what shall I do ?’ ‘“* Husband ! ‘Gentlemen, I can assure you my backbones opened and shut just then, for all the world like a great clasp-knife. “Husband! I could scarcely believe I was in posses- sion of my senses, ‘“‘¢ Pray, my dear madam,’ said the same Woice which had before spoken—‘ pray be calm; any agitation on your part may be productive of the worst consequences—the very worst.’ ‘‘ What on earth were they talking about? I asked my- self. What did it all mean? ‘“* But I could not manage to pronounce a sy!lable alond, I was so entirely flabbergasted. “ T stood there like a stock-fish. “¢Qh, his delusion is now most painful,’ continued mg strange companion. ‘I had to get him here by pretext; but all the way he has declared Iam not his wife—that he does not know me—that his wife is at home in the parlour behind the shop in Bucklersbury; and then he babbles about velvets and silks.’ “Such hallucinations, my dear madam, I am sorry to say,’ answered the soothing voice, ‘are far from being un- common. However, you may depend that all that lies in my power——" “© ¢ Yes—yes, I know you will do everything you can; but, oh, it is so very, very dreadful !’ “Gentlemen, I can’t describe to you what an actress she as. ‘‘ Even I felt in doubt once or twice. “ A little reflection soon breught me to myself. “T had a dim idea of the nature of my situation. “T resolved to be calm, and to give quietly an explana- tion. “©¢ Sir,’ I said, addressing the man with the suaskve voice, ‘I beg to assure vou that I have been brought here under false pretences. This *s ne wife of mine, I assure you, but “Atthis point the lady fluttered her handkerchtef and became deeply affected. ‘6¢ Yes, yes, my dear sir, we know all about it. Come, come, be calm and reasonable. Let me assure you this will be all for your good.’ * € Qh, oh,’ sobbed the lady, ‘ I cannot bear this trying acene any longer! Good-bye, my dear husband, I hope you will soon be better—pray be calm, for my sake. Good-day, doctor!’ * € Good-day doctor the devil!’ Iroared, unable to re- strain myself any longer. Stop her—stop that weman ! Don’t let hor go. Murder! Stop her, I say. There’s ail my velvet and silk in the earriage ; five hundred ponnds’ worth at the least. Oh—oh! Iseeitallnow. It’sa swindle—a swindle! I understand the letter now. Halp— belp! will none of you stop herr” “ At the first word I darted forward, and endeavoured to put a stop te her departure. “ But in a second, I felt many strong bands tpon ma “JT was held quite powerless. “ What aggravated me most, however, was the soothin manner adapted by tho cecter. com cS cor JOO