The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 380: what you’re looking at

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aGgawing back: for the pious gentleman fixed upon her a look which filled her with confusion. “Verily and thou art a comely creature,” he cen- tinued; “and thou shall be welcomed amengst us as one of the fairest of our flock. Suffer that [ bestow upon thee the kies of peace, siater.” Aud, throwing his arm rousd her neck, the Rev. $72 alone with the young woman. “Thou wilt find a twue and valuable friend in me—one who, having mueh expevience im all good and pleasant ways, will teach thee many things agreeable unto thyself, Bu: then shall place a seal upon thy lips: yea—even wate thine aunt end thy parents shak thou be dumb respecting the gift of these gumeas which I have thee.” Mr. Nathaniel Sneakeby embraced the young women, | given whe was too much astunished at the sudden and ua- ‘expected nature of the proceeding to offer the slightest Tesistance or sven give uttesance to an qaculation. “ New, beloved sister in the good cause,” said the pious minister, “thou hast received the hiss of peace ; and henceforth art thou one of the chosen vessels of the Lord. Thy life shali be savoury aad pleasant ; and if theu requirest shekels of silver or shekels of gold, come unto me and { will succour thee. Say, then, thou well-favoured Ann,—wilt thou be as a sister unto-me f” “ If you behave kind and good, I've no objection,” anasrered the young woman. “ But keep your hands off!” “ Nay—verily, I meant no offence, Sister Aun,” said Mr. Sneaksby. “ With me you cannot err. I am new your spiritual pastor—and whatsoever I recom- mend, that must you perferm-—-whatscever I do, to that must yeu submit. Behold! thy shawl is not new and thy gown is of humble material. Get thee fitting raiment, dear sister, according to thy taste; anc here is the gold wherewith to purchase the same.” As he uttered these words, the reverend gentleman put three or four guineas into the hand of the young woman, who could scarcely believe ing her geod fortune: for her parents were very poor—chiefly de- pendent on Mre. Piggleberry—and unable to furnish their pretty daughter with an apparel calculated to set off her beauty to ite greatest advantage. | & Put away the oom, my well beloved sister, in a secure place,” said Mr. Sueakeby. “ Dost thou wear a pocket? No. Well—and thou dost not carry a bag. Ah! a thought striketh me !—<heaven never leaveth me at a loes for an idea to meot an emer- genov. Conceal the gold in thy boseom—it will be safe there. Yea, verily—in all brotherly feeling, I will show thee how to deposit it securely.” And, suiting the action to the word, the pieus gen- temen thrust his hand isto the young woman's dress—a proceeding which she had not courage to reseat after his generosity towards her. At the same moment the door was opened a little way—and the Rev. Unthank Sneg slowly protruded his bead, aay- ing, “ Brother Sneaksby, hast then brought the stray lamb to a state of grace?” “Verily, she is upen the road thither,” reterned the spiritual chief of the New Lights, hastily with- d:awing his hand fom the place into which % had intwuded and where it was lingeriug somewhat longer than was necessary. “ I will vejoin thee in a moment, Brother Snag.” “ The godly are growing impatient in the ebapel,” ebserved thie reverend assistant ; “and in the gallery eppecially the blessed elect ave stamping aad shuffling with their feet. The beloved vessels are anxious for the mesting te commence.” Having given thie intimation, Mr. Snag chat the decor again and returned to his seat in the vestry- toes. “Now attend to my counsel, dear Sister Ann,” id Mr. Snoeakeby, the instant he was ones more “Dear we, sir—I’m serry for that!” exclaimed Ann, who had already pictured to herself the parti- cular pattern of the dress which she should chocee: “the money is totally useless te me unless I can it.” “ Assurediy it is made to spend, beloved sister,” answered Mr. Sneaksby: “but thou canst say that thou didst pick it up ia the street—or that come lady took a fancy to thee and geve it—or thet thou hast done needie-work in secret and earned the wage of thy labour. One of these excuses shalt thou make: for verily thero is no harm in each trifing deception as that. Did not Abraham pass off his wife as his eiaterf —and yet he lost not the love of heaven en that account. Neither ehalt thou, Sister Ann: and in following my eounse! thou wilt act wisely.” “Oh! leave it to me to manage the matter, sir,” exclaimed Mrs. Pigg] “a niece. “I shan't mention your name at ali—and I thank you kindly for your goodness towards me.” “ Another kiss of peace,” said Mr. Sneaksby: and the young woman offered not the slightest resistance and exhibited not the least resentment, aa the pious gentleman refreshed himeecli with the sweets of her rosy lips. She doubtless felt herself bound to permit his feelings to find free vent in this manner, after the handsome present he had made her, In fact, it is impossible to say to what greater length the caresses might have extended, had notthe Rev. Mr. Unthank Snag again protruded his head slowly and discreetly into the room,—closing his eyes to the little peeca- dilloes of his pious superior,—but saying, “ Brother Sneaksby, the veesele in the gallery are stamping their feet in the exuberance of their pious im- patience !” “Damn the vessels!” muttered the Rev. Na- thaniel Saeakshy, seized with 2 momentary fit of irritability: but instantly recovering his self-pos- session, he said in his habitual canting drone, “ Dear Brother Snag, I come to hold forth to those blessed souls which are thus yearning for my spiritaal counsel f" Miss Ann Jones heard the oath that the reverend gentleman had jet slip; and she was certainly amazed to a degree. But, feeling that it was no concern o: her’s and entertaining a great admiration of Mr. Sneaksby's generosity, she offered no comment en the little occurrence. The pieus miuister snatched another kiss from her lipe—and then suffered her to depart, bidding her rejoin her aunt in the chapel. As she passed through the vestry, she averted her head from the four saints who were seated there—a hasty giance having shown her that they were greedily devouring her with their eyes: and, on re- eateving the chapel, she found ber aunt anxiewdy awaiting her reture. “Well, my dear Ana,” said the worthy Mrs, Pig- gieberry in a low whisper, whes they were seated together in a pow, “has that pious wessel begun @ bring you to a state of grease f° EOMICHOOOKS.Com