The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 387: what you’re looking at

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i A THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. { : | | a LE I IT $92 volunteer that explanation,” said Sir John Lascelles, who, firmly believing all that the Marquis had ut- tered, naturally considered that the most ample jus- tice should be done towards 2 lady who had esxhi- bited such a noble devotion to her husband under such peculiar circumstances, When tho physician had taken his leave, after proscribing certain medicines and giving tho in- structions necessary in the case, tho Marchioness bent over her husband, and with deeply blushing countenance, said, “If there were anything at all doserving of praise in my conduct, yours is beyond all commendation: for I have merely performad a duty—whereas you have proved yourself to be the most generous of men. Oh! how can I over sufli- ciontly thank you, my doar husband, for having thus disarmed scandal of its weapons—thereby saving my honour oven from tlio faintest breath of suspicion? And in order to do this, you havo takon upon yourself the odium which attaches itself to the soparation of man and wife.” “TY need—I desorve no thanks,” ssid the Marquis, “You have sared my lifo—you havo recalled mo to existence: to you am I indebted for that Icisure which, by God’s mercy, may yet bo afforded me wherein to repent of the heinous crime I liave committed in laying violent hands upon myself, Sir Jolin Lascelles goes much into society—ho is in- timato in oll tho first Houses at the West End: and he will bo careful to propagate tho intelligence which I gave him. You may thorefore hold up your lead proudly, Sophia: for your secrotis also retained within as narrow oa circle as my own. And now as you have cased my mind on 50 many points, let me reliero you from any shadow of uncertainty that may hang ovor yours, in respect to tho causo of this dreadful deed, the fatal results of which were averted only by your timely aid. Jt was through disappointment in respect to that very lady who presented horself at my bankers’——” “Bnough!” exclaimed the Marchioness: ‘ wo have already had too many painful rovelations this day,” she added, in a low and affectionnto tone. “If you aro now strong cnough to sco her, 1 will fotch Agnes to remain with us for a few minutes.” Tho Marquis joyfully assonted; and Sophia, having arranged the collar of his linen in sucha manner that the bandage on tho throat conld not bo ohserved, quitted the room. Sho however almost immediately returned, followed by her daugliter, who was overwhelmed with delight to find him whom she belioved to be her father 50 much im- proved. But when the Marchioness contemplated the heart-felt joy with which her husband welcomed Agnes to his arms, she was stricken with remorso at the deceit she was practising upon him,—per mitting him to regard that beanteous girl as his own efispring! Could she, however, destroy an illusion which gavo him so much delight, and was the source of so much happiness?—will our readers blame her for cherishing this secret in her own breast, instead of uselessly destroying tho fabric of domestic peaco which had once more been built up in that lordiy mansion ? After this interview with Agnes, tho Marquis shortly fell into a deep and refreshing slumber, which continued until the evening. On tho following morning he was s0 much farther improved, that when Trevelyan called, he insisted upon seeing that good young nobleman, - who was delighted beyond moasure to find that such a signal chango had tekon place in his condition. CHAPTER CC. JACK RILY AND THE LAWYER'S CLERK. IT was about nine in the evening, and Mr. Jolin Itily, alias the Doctor, was seated in his chamber at tho house in Roupel Street, smoking his pipe and pondering upon the best mode of disposing of tho Bank-notes that wero in his possession. Tio had seen by tho newspapers that his lato companion, Mrs. Mortimer, had died from the effects of tho terrible punishment inflicted upon hor by Vitriol Bob: but he had not observed any adyer- -tisoment proclaiming tho notes that had been derived from the forgery ;—and the journals wore likawise silent respecting the forgery itself, Tho Doctor accordingly concluded that the fraud remained undetected, and that the legitimate cheque hed not been presented; and as several days had now elapsed sinco tho notes had found their way into his possession, ho began scriously to meditato how ho could convert thom into gold. It may scem a singular thing to some that a mar having in his possession sixty thousand poundg’ worth, was at a loss for the means to realise tho amount: but such is often the predicamontin which thieves aro placed. For thus stood tho matter in respect to Jack Rily:—If he wore to take a quantity of the notes to tho Bank of Isngland, his appearance might bo so much against him as to excito suspicion: for lie was not endowed with vanity sufficient to blind his eves to the fact that his outward aspoct was of the Since villanously hang-dog description it was possible to conceive. Besides, ho was not certain that tho notes might not hava been privately stopped. Again, i. he applied to the “ fences” and receivers of stolen property with whom he was acquainted, ho know that they could not cash more than two or threo thousand pounds’ worth of the notes; and in doing oven this much, they might mulet him of one-half tho value. Besides, they wero only to bo trusted by men in such desporate circumstances as to learo no other alternative: whereas the Doctor had plenty of gold remnining from his sharo of the plandcr derived from the adventure in the Haunted Houses. Isastly in the catalogue of difficulties now enume- rated, Jack Rily had beard from a friend so much of the galloys in France, that ho did not at all relish the idea of repairing to that country and standing tho chanco of visiting those places by attempting to pass notes concerning which private information might have been sent, for any thing he know to the contrary, to the various money-changers, All these considerations ware occupying tlic Doctor’s thoughts on tho evening alluded to; when his Jandlurd entered to acquaint him that a rentl nf man named Green desired to speak to him. “Alii my old school-pal!” ojaculated Rily, joy- fully: “show him up by all means!” " And during the short interval which elapsed ore tho attorney's clerl: mado his appoaranco, the Doctor placed the brandy-bottle, a couple of tumblers, and a cloan pipe upon tlie table. By the timo these preparations were comploted, Mr. Green ontered the room, and was receiyed With tho familiarity of a long-standing acquaintance, EConnicloooks e* (CO)