Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 297: what you’re looking at

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

— = a nS a ET eed : wots BLUESKIN: A ROMANCE. E Sere ee Pc A SSS SS SS SY SS A In No. 2.” ‘“‘ Bring him up to my room.” Yea, Mr. Wild.” Jonathan turned round, and ascended the stairs again. He entered that room so familiar to the reader, in which he sat when Jack Sheppard waa first introduced to him. He had just time to seat himself when Quilt tapped at the door. Jonathan summoned to hia face a stern expression, for it was his intention to deal decisively with his lordship. He endeavoured to impart something of his old fierce- ness to his voice as he said, ‘ Come in!” The door was opened, and Lord Donmull entered, ushered in by Quilt, who closed the door behind him and retired. It is a long time since we have seen his lordship. The last occasion was when Jonathan persuaded him to seek change of scene as a relief to hia mind. It will not be forgotten, too, that on the occasion of that last interview, Lord Donmull was willing to seek out Edgworth Beas, and make all the reparation that lay iu his power by acknowledgivg what he had done, placing her in possession of her estates, and trusting to her kind- ness not to expose his wrong doinga. But this wag a state of things that was by no means in acoordance with Wild’s wishes. Rather anxiously, then, he gave a furtive glance into the countenance of hia lordship, in order to gather by ita expression whether his sentiments bad undergone a change. He thought they had. He rose from hia seat as his lordship entered, and mo- tioned him to take a chair. ** Good morning, my lord,” he said. ** Good morning, Mr. Wild.” * It is some time since we met. advice P” **T have, Mr. Wild. I have.” ** And did you find my advice was good?” * Yes—yes, but I cannot drown thought. I have tried to do it in every imaginable way, but vainly—vainly. The thing is an impossibility.” ** 1 am sorry to hear you say that, my lord.” ** Look here, Wild. You know the business which has brought me here as well as I know it myseif.” * Indeed I do not.” ‘© Where—where is the girl?” ** The girl?” ** Yes, Elizabeth. Is she in your power?” ** Trouble yourself no further about her.” ‘* Ja she dead P” *€T say, do not trouble yourself any further about her.” ** But I cannot help doing so—I cannot help doing so. While she lives I cannot enjoy that which I bave; but if—if she was no more—then I should feel that I was aure. “ My lord,” said Jonathan. “© WhatP” ** Will you listen to me?” ** What do you wish to say ?” “That which concerns you intimately.” ** Bpeak on, then.” *¢ You are nervous and excited. That is all which ails you. You should keep your hand firm and your head cool, like I do.” **T wish I was more like you. Bunt that is useless. Now, once for all, and all for once, tell me whether the girl is in your power.” Why do you wieh to know?” ** Never mind.” * Will you not tell me?” ** Not till afterwards.” ** Well, then, she is in my power.” “TY thought so—I thought ao.” ** And tell me.” ** Wild I must see her.”’, *S Thia is folly, my lord.” ‘** It may be, but see her I wil!, I am determined.” A dark threatening look came from the eyes of Lord D:nmull as he spoke. Mt My lord.” Let me eee the girl!” ** First listen to me a moment. My lord, you put this affair into iny hand, did you not ?” Have you taken my tbe Reowerens “Se pace er? “Re - nee etn “th Ee & ‘TY undertook to bring it to a proper conclusion.” *T know you did.” ‘Ta it too much, then, to aak you to allow thinga to remain just as they are at present, and not to interfere with me inany way. If it is any aatisfaction to you, I will give you my word that you shall have no more trouble with her. Let me persuade you to go forth into the world and to bauish all recollection of her from your mind. Will you do this?” ** You have urged this before.” © T know I have; but you have not complied with my suggestions. There are many who would envy the chance which you have got of enjoying yourself as long as you live; and after that, what matters !’’ Lord Donmull shuddered. **T wish 1 could be aa you say; but when I came here this morning it was with the firm resolution of demanding the girl from you.” ‘**'Tush—tush! my lord; she is in safe keeping—I will answer for that—safer keeping than if ehe were dead ; for then her bones would rise up against you. You have no reason to be afraid. Dismiss from your mind all feelings of doubt. Allia well. I will answer for the girl with my ** T can’t tell how it is, Wild, but I feel no enjoyment in my possessions. Mine is truly a wretched life.” **'Tut—tut! I would willingly change with you; and now, ny lord, there 13 a little matter which, although you have not alluded to it, 1 hope has not slipped your memory.” “To what do you allude?” ** You employed me in tliis business, and I have devoted a great deal of time to it, to the exclusion of my own affairs, which were to me of paramount importance. I have completely succceded in doing all that J intended to do, and now I look for my reward.” ** You shall have it, Wild.” ** T thought your lordship would make that reply, and I rejoice to hear 1t; but be under no apprehension, I do not want it now. Any time will do; andasto the amount of it, why that I leave entirely to yourself.” ** You shall have no reason to be dissatisfied with the amount. But, Mr. Wild, you see before you a deeply repentant man. I have done wrong, and I care not who knows it; and I would faim do justice while it remains in my power.” Jonathan frowned. Were his schemes to be thwarted by the pusillanimity of one of his tools? Never. But if he did not adopt some powerful means of pre- venting it, he certainly would be ruined. A thought struck him. ‘*My lord?” ** Yes.” ** You are still in the same mind?” * JT am.” “And you would wish to place your niece in posses- sion of her fortune ?”’ ** Most gladly.” “Come with me, then, and I will take you to her. In my desire to see yourself righted, I have tried to persuade you to leave things to me, because then they would turn out most to your interest. But you think differently. So be it. Will it please you to come with meP” ‘** Certainly I will,” said Lord Donmull, riaing with alacrity from his scat. ** Come thia way, then. take hold of my arm.” ** Tg sho in this house P” ** Yes,” © Then we have not far to go?” "Oh! no. Thia way, if you please. Downstairs.” Lord Donmull took hold of the thief-taker’s arm, and the two descended the staircase. ; Upon reaching the ground, Jonathan turned and led his reap in the direction of the grating which led to the cells. The man who was on guard there, at a sign from Wild, unlocked the ponderous lock, and threw it open. Ts it through here, Mr. Wild ?”’ asked Lord Dunmull. You can, if you think proper, a Yes, yea. Down the steps. Take care, o you will 8 P] a ee ne eo Ce el EO DOO C SS (SO) 5}