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

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Ggawing back: for the pious gentleman fixed upon her a look which filled her with confusion. “Verily and thou art a comely creature,” he cen- tinned; “and thou shall be welcomed amenget us as one of the fairest of our flock. Suffer that [ bestow upon thee the kies of peace, siater.” Aud, throwing hie arm rousd her neck, the Rev. $72 alone with the young women. “Thou wilt find a twue and valuable friend in me—one who, having mneh 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 unte thine aunt end thy pavents shek thou be dumb respecting the gift of these gumeas which I have thee.” Mr. Nathaniel Sneaksby embraced the young woman, | given whe was too much aatunished at the sudden and an- ‘expected nature ofthe proceeding to offer the slightest Tesistamce or even give uttesance to an qaculation. “ New, beloved sister in the good cause,” said the pious minister, “thou bast received the hiss of peace; | spend and henceforth art thou one of the chosen vessels of the Lord. Thy life shali be savoury aad pleasant ; and if thou requirest shekels of silver or shekels of 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 Aan,” 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 sieter, 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 in her geod fortune: for her parents were very poor—chiefly de- pendent on Mre. Piggleberry—and unable to furnieh their pretty deughter with an apparel calculated to set off her beauty to ite greatest advantage. | & Put away the com, my well beloved sister, in a secure place,” said Mr. Sueakeby. “ Dost thou wear a pocket? No. Well—and thou dost not carry a beg. Ah! a thought striketh me !—<heaven never leaveth me at a joes for an idea to mest 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 proceediug which she had not courage to reseut after his generosity towards her. At the same moment the door was opened a littl way—and the Rev. Unthank Sneg slowly protruded his bead, aay- img, “ Brother Sneaksby, hast then brought the stray lamb to a state of grace ?” “Verily, she is upon the voad thither,” returned the spiritual chief of the New Lights, hastily with- d:awing his band from the place into which #% had intsuded and where it was lingering somewhat longer than was necessary. “ I will vejoin thee in a moment, Brother Snag.” “ The godly are growing impatient in the chapel,” observed thie reverend assistant ; “and in the gallery eppecially the blessed elect ave stamping aad shaffiing with their fect. The beloved vessels are anxious for the mesting te commence.” Having given thie intimation, Mr. Snag shut the decor again and returned to his seat in the vestry- toemn. “Now attend to my counsel, dear Sister Ann,” eid Mr. Socaksby, the instant he was once more “Dear we, sir—I’m sorry for that!” exclaimed Ann, who had already pictured to herself the parti- euler pattern of the dress which she should choces: “the money is totally useless te me unless I can it.” “ Assuredly 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 shou make: for verily thero is no harm in sach trifing deception as that. Did not Abraham pass off his wife as his eiaterf —and yet he lost not the love of heaven on that account. Neither shalt 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, as 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 bandsome present he had made her. In fact, it is impossible to say to what greater length the caresses might have extended, had not the 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 Sneakshy, seized with a momentary fit of irritability: but instantly recovering his self-pos- session, he said in his habitual canting drone, “ Dear Brother Snag, I come to held forth to those blessed souls which are thus yearning for my spiritual counsel f" Mias Ano 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 0. 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- entering the chapel, she found ber aunt anxieudly awaiting her reture. “Well, my dear Ana,” said the worthy Mre, Pig- gieberry in a low whisper, when they were seated together in a pew, “has that pious wessel begun @ bring you to a state of grease f° EOMICHOOOKS.Com