Black Bess; or, The Knight of the Road — A Tale of the Good Old Times — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

2 > Ee nn or Somat 0 a Spe Ge SHU = ea, but, somehow or other, I have always hesitated to do a3 *Whatis it?” “his. We always speak of her and eall her by the familiar name of Edgworth Bess, but you know sa well as I do that that is not her title.” *“T do know it. I wish ic was!” No doubt—no doubt. Well, Jack, I like to call and think about her by that name, and so we will say nothing about that.” “ What is it you do want to say ?” Tn plain words, Jack, simply this: you love her ?”’ ** IT confess it.” “Tt is not necessary. I have seen it from the first. The circumstances under which you met with her are singular and romantic enongh, but still, knowing as you do who she is, you must be aware that it would be dis- honourable upon your part to show her the love you bear her.” ‘“‘ Blueskin, my friend, I like yon all the better for that speech. Believe me, I have never once forgotten who she is and what Iam. There is no need for you to tell me that there is animpassable gulf between us. I know it well enough already.” “Tam glad to hear it, both for your sake and her own. As you say, there is indeed an impassable gulf betwecn you. You could never cross it and become what she is, and surely you would not have her sink down to your level ?”’ “Never!” J thought not.” Blueskin, my friend, I love her! I acknowledge it to you. I care not who knows it. But I do love, and always shall love her Who could help doingso? But though I love her, that is no reason why I should tell her so, or seek to win her lovoin return. I ean worslip her at a distanee, without onee entertaining the thought that she could be mine.” Jack, if you will take my advice, you will try your best to banish sueh a feeling from your heart. It will only be prodnetive of unhappiness in the future.” “No—no! Thatis the only thing that makes hfe seem pleasant and endurable. Were I to diseard that dream, I should be the most miserable being on the face of the earth. No, Blueskin, 1 cannot do that!” ‘Then I am sorry to hear it.” Why P” ‘1 cau see mischief and misfortune in the future that will arise from it.” ‘Not by my causing.” ** 1 fear it will follow.” ‘You need not be afraid. I have her happiness too much at heart. Curses on the villain, Wild. Were it not for him, our plan of operations would be simple and easy enough.” “You are right there; but there is one consolation, his career cannot Jast much longer—the sum of his iniquity is almost reached.” JT should have thought it had been reached long since. He has committed more crimes than twenty men.’ “The day of reekoning is not far distant, Juek, but we have wandered away from what we were saying.” “We have, but it is not necessary to return toit. I fully understand and know all you would say to me, take my word for it.”’ “© T will.” “That is enough. But surely you cannot have thought that I should be so base as to take advantage of Ler in a ee — BLUULSARIN: & ROMLNCR. (ST NN SLT SE Sil TE TG Ny would he acensed of having made nse of yonr oppor- tunity to entrap the af'@:lions of the heiress, and you would drag her down to the same level as yourself.” Jaek was still silent. Blueskin did not attempt to interrupt bim further, but let what he had just said sink deeply into his mind. He judged the lesson necessary, and it was not given a moment too soon. At length Jack spoke, and when he did his voice was tinged with a sadness and seriousness which he could not disguise. ‘* Blueskin,” he said, “ you have opened my eyes. I[ thank you for it. If you will believe me, I desire but one thing, and that is her welfare and happiness. I will try to banish the feeling of love from my heart; but rest assured, let it be how it may, I will never take advantage of her in any way.” ‘“*T ean take your word, I know, Jack.” **'You ean.” ** You are all right, after all. And I only hope that we shall be fortunate enough to meet with good Inek, and have a profitable night’s work.” ‘Stop a moment, Blue,” said Jack. ‘* That reminds me I was thinking of something else, about which I should hke to speak to you.” CHAPTER CCIX. BLUESKIN AND JACK SHEPPARD LAY IN WAIT POR THE TRAVELLER ON HAMPSTEAD-HEATH., “WHAT is it, Jaek P”’ * Of course you know what we have agreed to do, and that is to get together a sum of money, and then after- wards to fly from Eugland along with Edgworth Bess, and wait untill she attains ber majority.” *‘Yos; that it is the plan, and you agreed to it.” © T know I did. What I wanted to know was, what sum of money would be sufficient for our purpose ?”’ **T have hardly given that a thought.” * But try aud form an estimate. How much should you think ?” *€ Tt would not do to run short.” * Of course not, nor would it do for ns to fix upon toc large a sum, and be too long obtaining it.” “ Edgworth Bess is safe.” *“T cannot think her so while she is in the power of Jonathan Wild.” ‘* Steggs is there watching over her.” ** J have no faith in Steggs.” ‘* Nor in any one else, to-night.” ** Except yourself, my friend.” * And you have faith in me?” ** Every faith.” ‘There is some consolation in knowing thas.” *¢ T am in earnest when I say it.” © | know you are, and now as for Stegga.“ What of him ?” *€T think you do him a great injustice.” Tn doubting him?” Yes.” ** J do not like the man.” ‘Nor did I; but he has proved himself a friend on so many oceasions that I eannot help having confidence in him.” Well, perhaps it is not misplaced; but then, great as is the faith I have in you, I should not feel satisfied if you oceupied Steggs’s position in Wild’s house.” Why not?” ‘Beeause you would only be singly opposed to Wild, such a way. No. Snch a course would be worthy only | and he is more than a mateh for two men. While he of a villain like Jonathan Wild.” attempts no harm against her, of course all is well; but ‘But now, Jack, look here. Suppose we should succeed | should he take it into his head to do go, what good would zp restoring Edgworth Bess to her title and estates.” ‘Suppose? I bave determiued upon it.” Well—well. Let that pass. Supposing we should suceced, and that any cireumstances afterwards arose, such as your receiving a pardon, for instance, do you think you would be justified in making her your wife?” Jack hesitated, and was finally silent. “IT understand your silenee, Jack. You wonld be tempted. Think a little. There 1s a world—soeiety—in whieh Edgworth Bess would have to move to maintain her position. Now, do you for a moment imagine that that society would tolerate and recognise you? No. You Ny Nani gn sags erm ie iene“ ony ] Steggs be then ?” * Not much, I am afraid.” ‘ None whatever, and then who can tell what tempting offers Jonathan may hold out to him to induce him to take part against us and her.” “He might, certainly,” said Blueskin, thoughtfully. ‘Jonathan has a rare knaek of bending people to his wishes. I do not feel half so easy in my mind as I did now you have begun to talk.” 1 4 You do not feel so deep an interest in the poor girl as 0.” ‘Perhaps not so warm a one,” ne ad EO NOOKS (SO)