The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

x 104 a =_ ging now; aud J’ look down to-morrow nigh betwixt nine and ten o'clock, to see what has been done or what és to be done.” He rose from his seat—drained his glass— nodded familiarly to his three acoomplices—stole gently up the flight of steps—and issued op into the back yard. Having clambered over wall again, he passed out of the narrow alley, and betook himself towards his own dwolling. This, as already stated, was in a court leading out of the New Cut, which is « large thoroughfare connect- ing the Waterloo aud Blackfriars Roads. Enter- ing a house in this dark court—the atmosphere of which, although in the winter-time, appeared to breathe infection, feculence, and filth--Barney the Burker ascended to a back-room, where two lads were soated at a table playing a game of dominoes. The room was wrotchedly furnished, and had two beds spread upon the floor. One was tho couch of the Burker: the other was for the use of the brothers. Bill Scott, the elder, was a most singular-looking being: his ugliness wae sufficiently ludicrous to provoke laughter, were it not that the entire ex. pression of his countenance denoted deep innato villany. He was not above eighteen years of age —<ébhd lis face seemed that ef an old man. It was pale and haggard, and even prematurely wrinkled, with the effects of a career of dissipa- tion commenced early and continuously pursued. The very hair had left all the upper part of his forehead; and where it remained on the rest of the head, it was thin and lanky: being too of a light flaxen colour, it might at the first glance bo taken for gray—thus adding to the aged appear- ance of his countenance. Ho had large goggle eyue—a little enub nose, very much reasmbling that of his precious preceptor in the waya of wickednese—immense ears—and a mouth of com- mensurate proportions, In shape he was almost es thin as a akeleton; and his voice, in ite weak- ness, showed that it had suffered beneath the same attenuating influences which had caused’ the waste and premature decay of his physical being. Hie-brother Tim was about iifteen—of somewhat stunted —~ehort, stout, and thickset. Hae also had light hair, which was as matted as that of the Burker himself. There was a .certain of similitude between the brothers, with the exception of that ait of old age, haggardness, and ghastly pallor which characterized the elder one. In addition to their game of dominosa, they were recreating themselves with a quart of porter to which however Bill Svott most frequently paid hia addresses. “So you've come in, have you?’ said the ‘ Barker, as he ontered the room. “And now * what luck, boys?” “ Here's a reader, with a flimay and # quid in it,” anewered the eldor brother,’ producing a pocket-bogg containing a five pound note and a sovereign: and his horrible countenance lighted up with pride and satisfaction as if he had performed the nobleat of expluite. “Well, that’s good, my led,” exelaimed the Burker, his own hideous features expanding into ngtin. “Better than you bave done for the last six wooke! Now, Tim, what's your luck?” “A yeok, a blue billy, and a wodge-feeder,” responded the younger thief, producing the results of bis own day’s work, in the shape of s watoh, & silk handkerchief (with white spots on a blue ground) aud a silver spoon. “@Qood again!” cried the Burker. “Things is looking up, and we mus’n’t say that trade's beon dull or business flat to-day. There's been a good deal doing, seemingly, in the prig’s market. So we'll have a jolly good blow out for supper. We'll spend this yaller boy,” added the villain, taking up the sovereign; “ank to-morrow I'll change the finnip”—meaning the bank-note—“ and spout the yack and the feeder. As for the fogle’’ —thus illustrating the handkerchief—“you two shall play a game of dominoes for it, and the winner shall have it.” . * . Having thus settled matters to his own special satisfaction, and to the perfect contentment of the two lads, the respectable Mr. Barnes sent tho younger one forth to purchase a quantity of com- modities, eatable and drinkable, for the evening’s repast; while he hghted his pipe, therewith to recreate himself until the serving-up of the pro-~ posed banquet. CHAPTER XX. CHEISTINA AND LORD OCTAVIAN. Ir was, as already atated, a sorrowful thing for Chriatian and Christina to separate from cach other: nevertheless there were many circumstances to alleviate the bitterness of Lhe pangs thus felt. Each had obtained an excellent situation; and this good fortune had overtaken them both sud- denly, at a period when their circumstances wore wearing the most deplorable aspect. Besides, youth is not the time when hearte sink irreclaim- ably into despondency; and moreover, the twins had the solace of knowing that they should meet frequently, and that in a day or two their first interview after their separation might take place. Thus, by the time that Christina reached her deatination in the cab which bore her thither, her tears were dried, and she had composed herself in order to appear with at least a placid if not a ebeerful look in the presence of Lady Octavian Meredith. His lordship was not st home when she arrived: indeed he was out purposely. For the reader may conceive with what astonishment, mingled with trepidation, it was that he learnt on ~ the preceding day how accident bad led his wife to engage none other than the beautiful’ Christina Ashton as her companion! His first impulse bad been to start an objection: but a gecond thought had shown him that be could not. He had already vheerfully given the amiable Zoe pegmission fo have such @ companion: he dared not now confess to her everything that had passed in respect to himeelf, Christina, and the duel;—and without | giving some euch explanations, it would appesr simply whimsical and capricious in him to re- monstrate against the special choide which his wife. had made. He wae therefore constrained to leave matters as they thus stood—but to devise some means for preventing Christina from being taken by wi through a sudden recognition, and from vent to ejaculations that would reveal past meidente to his wits. CONMUC THE MYSTSRING OF THE COURT. * NOG SS CO