The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 11: what you’re looking at

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I 4 ° THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. . poniler upon your enormities,—ond still your soul is obdurate. Not many minttcs havo elapsed sinco you glorifiod in one of the most infamous decds of your long and wicked! life.” "J spoke of Tom Rain to annoy you—becauso I was enraged with you for keeping mo here,” re- turned Old Death, bnstily. “Thera have been mo- ments,” ho added, after a skort pause, “ when I havo felt sorry for what I did in that respect. I syonld not do so over agaiu—no, my lord, 3 assure you I would not! I wish your poor half-brother was alive now—I would not seek to injuiu him, oven if I had tho power.” “You speak thus because you havo been aluno and in the dark,” observed tho Blackamoor, in 4 mournful vofee :—* but were you restored to free- dom—te tho enjoyment ef the light of God's own stin—and to the possession of the power of follow- ing your earcer of iniquity, you would again glory in that dreadful decd.” “ No," answered Old Death: “Iam sorry for it. I know that my naturo fs savage and ferocious: but will you tame we by crucl’s?) And your keeping me here is downright ernelty—and nothing more orless. Jt makes me yindictive—it nakes mo feel nt times a¢ if I hated you." "J shall keep you here, nevertheless,"for rome timo lorger,—aye, and in the dark,” returned the Vlackamvor: “because you eeck not to sub lue your revengeful feclings. It is terrible to think that so old a man should be so inveterately wicked. Do you know that your gang is broken up—rendered powerless? In the centro of this snbterrancay aro Timothy Splint—Joshua Pedler—Nrs. Bunce and her husband—and your agent, Tidmarsh." “Then I have no hops from without /" grawled Old Death, his garments again rustling with a movement of savage impatience; and for an in- stant it strncK tle DBlacknmoor that ho conld see two ferocious eyes gleaming in the dark—but this was doubtless the mere fancy of the moment. "“Yes,—you ara beyond tho reach of liuman nid, unless by my willand consent,” said the Blacka- moor. “Your lato companions or tools in ini- quits sro all housed safely hieres;—and, what is more, they aro penitent. Listen for a moment, Benjamin Bones; and may the information I am about to give you prove an instructive Iesson. Timothy Splint is at this instant reading tho Bible, therein to search for hopo and consolation, which God docs not deny to the worst sinners wlicn they aro truly penitent. Joshun Pedler is occupying himself in writing a letter of advice ton young girl who beeame his mistress, who'n ho drove fo prosti- tntion, but who is now earning her liveliliood in a respectablo manner. Tidmarsh deplores the folly which mado him your instrunient; and ho is read- ing good books. Bunce and his wifo aro together in tho same dungeon; and tho woman is rapidly Yielding [up to ber husband “that empire which sho had usurped. They too regret that they over know you; and tho Biblo is their solace. Of six persons,wwhom I imprisoned in this placo which was once your own property, fivo aro already repent- ants you, who are the sixth, alone romain obdurato and hardened.” % And my old friends curse mo!" moaned tho ancient miecreant, his voice seeming moro hollow and scjiulchral than ever, as if he wero coyer- ing his face with his hands. “ What—tho people who- owe so much fo me—the Bunees— Tid- marsh——" “Would not speak to you, unless it wero to convert you,” added tho Black, “Thus, you perceive, you — who in the common course of nature, ara of all tho six tho nearest to the thresh-. old of the tomb, — you, who have so many years upon your head, aud such deep and manifold crimes to expinte,-—yotr, Benjamin Bones,” continued the warning voice, “are tho lust to show tho slight- est—tho faintest sign of penitence. Is not this deplorable 2. And even now you appear to regrot that your Jato companions in crime should be in their hearts thus alicnated from you. Doubtless you trusted fo tho chapter of accidents — to the hazard of chances to enable them to discover your place of imprisonment and effect your res- cuc 2?” Old Death groaned hvavily, in spile of himself. * Yos:—such was your hope — such was your ideas,” resumed the Black; “and now you aro unmanned by disappointment. Even your friend Jeffreys turned against you—ho led you into the snare which I ect for yon—ho will not raise an arm to Fave you youfrom my power. Ho docs not even know whero you are.” "Thon I am‘ abandoned by all tho world!" shricked forth the wretched miscreant, unable to subdue tho agonising emotions which this convic- tion excited within him. *Io who finds himsclf abandoned by all the world, shonld throw Limself upon his Maker,” said tho Blackamoor. 4 There—there—'tis tho voice of Rainford again!" cried Old Death, cyidently seized with ineffable terror. * But, no-—no—yon aro the Earl of Elling- ham—you must be the Earl! Yet why do you covery now and then imitate the tono of Tom Rain? Is it to frighten me, my lord? Tell mo—is it to frighten me?" “You seem fo~sessiblo to fear of any kind,” answered the Black,—“I mean a fear which may be permanent and salutary. You have occasional qualms of conscience, which you cannot altogether resist, but which almost immediately pass away. Wave you no wisk to make your peaco with heaven ? Would yon pray with a clexgyman, wero one to visit you 2?" “No:—I am unfit for prayer—I should not have tho patience to stand the questioning of a clergy- man,” answered Old Death hastily: then, almost immediately afterwards, he said, “ But I was wrong to givo such n reply! Yes—send mo a clorgy- man—Ict him bring a light — do anything to ro- licve me from this solitude and this darkuces. My lord—for I know that you aro tho Esrl of Elling- ham—pray take compassion upon me! I am an olds very old man, my Jord; and I cannot en- dure this confinement. I told you just now that I was sorry for what I did to your brother-in- Inws and yon know that I eannof recall him to life. Noither will you do so by killing me. Have mercy upon me, thon, my lord: let mo Icavo this horrible pinco——” Mo enter tho great world again, and renow your course of crimo?” intorrupted the Black. “No— Bonjnmin Bones, that may not be! Let mo first becomo assured that yon sincerely and truly repent of your misdecds——lot mo be impressed with the con- yiction that you are sorry for the crimes which havo marked your long life,—and then—then we will speak of amoliorating your condition. For the present, do not consider mo as your enomy—do not lonk npon me ns a man acting towards you from (CO) C DOO SS (CO)