The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

“I respect the religion cf the Christian, although I have beon taught to put no faith in it,” answered Esther doe Medina, in a modest and subdued tone. ‘ButI must now depart: and to-morrow I shall visit you again.” Esther withdrew, in the firm belief that 2 most salutary impression had been made upon the mind of one of the greatest criminals of modern times, Her report was received with the most heart-felt joy by tle Blackamoor; and he was enthusiastic in his expressions of gratitude towards the beautiful maiden for her exertions in what may unaffectedly be denominated “a good cause.” “Do you return to Finchley Manor with me this evening ?” sho asked, cutting short his compliments with a good-humoured smile. ‘*No-—-I havo particular business to attend to, Esther,” he replied. “ But you may tell a certain young lady,” he added, now smiling in his turn, “that I shall bo sure to see her to-morrow eyc- ning.” “ fo-morrow!” repeated Esther. ao” “Al! I did indeed forget,” interrupted the Black, Mo-morrow is the day on which Arthur returns to town; ard I must not risk a visit to the Manor. Tho fortnight of his absence has soon expired, me- thinks: but doubtless in that time he has made all the necessary preparation to render his country seat in Kent fitting and comfortable to receive his bride,” observed the Black, smiling again. ‘‘Nay—do not blush, Esther: he is a noble fellow, and well de- serving of all your love! And, by the bye, this ab- sence on his part las proved most serviccable in one sense,” he continued, again assuming a serious tone: ‘for had he remained in town, you never would have been able to devote the time you havo given each day to the reformation of that wretched man below.” ‘To speak candidly,” observed Esther, “I fore- sco a considerable difficulty relative to my future visits to the unhappy prisoner: but I feared tomen- tion my embarrassment in this respect—I fancied that you might suppose me to be wearied of thie task I had undertaken , “T know you too well to entertain such an in- jurious suspicion,” interrupted the Black, hastily and emphatically. “But it is natura}, now that Arthur and yourself aro so shortly to be united, that he should seek your society as often and for as long a period each day as circumstances will pcr- mit-——” “Yos,” observed Esther, with a modest blush: “and though his welfaro is so deeply interested in our present enterprise—though, in a word, so many grave and important interests depend upon the success of our endeavours to humanize and reform that wretched prisoner, and disarm him for the future—still I could not stoop to any falsehood or subterfuge to account to the Earl of Ellingham for my daily absonce from homo for sevcral hours. It is truce that my fathcr isin the secret of our pro- ceedings—that ho even approved of the course which you suggested, and which I lave adopted——” * Stay! an idea strikes mo!” suddenly ejaculated the Black. “ You-told me ere now that Benjamin Bones implored you to continue your visits to him, and not allow mo to tako your place; and from this circurnstance we havo both drawn favourable augu- ties rolativo to his ultimateand complete repentance. © Yon for- ane THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON af. W., _- 2 He already looks upon you as his guardian angel— the means of his salvation; and it would be perhaps productive of ovil results—it might even lead to a moral reaction on his part—were he to believe that you had deserted him. You have so well prepared the way in the grand work of reformation with re- gard to this man, that another might now under- take your duties—and Benjamin Bones would still continue to believe that it is the same Esthor de Medina who visits him.” “Tunderstand you,” said the Hebrew maiden, evidently rejoiced at asuggestion which relieved her mind from the fear of a serious difficulty. “But would you be satisfied with such an arrangement?” “T sec no alternative,” replied thoBlack. “Arthur will call daily at Finchley Manor—and your fre- quent absence would, to say the least of it, appear strange.” “Oh! wherefore not allow Arthur at once to be made acquainted with the whole truth?” demanded Esther, in an earnest and appealing manner, “No—no—that may not be!” exclaimed the Blackamoor., ‘“ My projects must first be carried out to the very end: for it would be my pride and my triumph, when all danger shail have passed away, to say to him, ‘Arthur, you were surrounded by, perils which you did not suspect: demons were plotting every kind of atrocity against your peace ; —and Ihave annihilated all their schemes, and tamed the schemers themselves?’ Urge me not thorefore, my dear Esther, to deviate from tlic course which I have chajked out for myself, and which I consider to be to some cxtent an atonement for the misdeeds of my own life. Yes—for he who accomplishes a great good, assuredly expiates a great amount of evil.” “ For heaven’s sake, recur not tothe past!” mur- mured the beautiful Jewess, turning paleand shud- dering at the crowd of unpleasant—nay awful re- miniscences which her companion’s language re- called to her mind, “No—let us deliberate only for the present,” exclaimed the Black; “and the moreI think of the plan which I have suggested, the more suitable does itappear. Yes,” he continued, “this is the only alternative. Let vour visits to Benjamin Bones cease, Esther—and yet Ict him still continue to believe that he is not neglected nor deserted by Miss de Medina. I need say no more: the rost lies with you,” “JT understand you,” returned the Hcbrew maiden; “and it shall be as you desire,” She then took her departure. CHAPTER CXIV. OLD DEATH IN THE DUNGEON, IT was five o’clock in the evening of the following day; and Old Death was crouched up, like a wild beast, upon his bed in the dungeon, which was now lighted by the lamp that Esther de Medina had given him. Jlis natural emaciation had so frightfully increased, that he seemed but a skeleton in the clothes which hung upon him as if they had never been made for one sothin ashe. The skirts of his dd groy coat were wrapped around his wasted shanks—for, though it was now the month of Maz vetit was cold in that (C(O) G DOO <S LL (SO)