The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 110: what you’re looking at

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104 ging now; and I'll look down to-morrow night, betwixt nine and ten o’clock, to see what has been done or what ts to be done.” He rose from his seat—drained his glass— nodded familiarly to his three accomplices—stole gently up the flight of steps—and issued forth into the back yard. Having clambered over the wall again, he passed out of the narrow alley, and betook himself towards his own dwelling. This, as already stated, was in a court leading out of the New Cut, which is a large thoroughfare connect- ing the Waterloo and 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 seated at a table playing a game of dominoes. The room was wretchedly furnished, and had two beds spread upon the floor. One was the 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 was sufficiently ludicrous to provoke laughter, were it not that the entire ex- pression of his countenance denoted deep innate villany. He was not above eighteen years of age —and his face seemed that of 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 be taken for gray—thus adding to the aged appear- ance of his countenance. He had large goggle eyes—a little snub nose, very much resembling that of his precious preceptor in the ways of wickedness—immense ears—and a mouth of com- mensurate proportions. In shape he was almost as thin as a skeleton; and his voice, in its weak- ness, showed that it had suffered beneath the same attenuating influences which had caused the waste and premature decay of his physical being. His brother Tim was about fifteen—of somewhat stunted growth—short, stout, and thickset. He also had light hair, which was as matted as that of the Burker himself. There was a certain degree of similitude between the brothers, with the exception of that air of old age, haggardness, and ghastly pallor which characterized the elder one. In addition to their game of dominoes, they were recreating themselves with a quart of porter —to which however Bill Scott most frequently paid his addresses. “So you've come in, have you?” said the Burker, as he entered the room. ‘And now what luck, boys?” ‘ Here’s a reader, with a flimsy and-a quid in it,’ answered the elder brother, producing a pocket-book containing a five pound note and a sovereign: and his horrible countenance lighted up with pride and satisfaction as if he had performed the noblest of exploits. “Well, that’s good, my lad,’ exclaimed the Burker, his own hideous features expanding into agrin. “ Better than you have done for the last six weeks! Now, Tim, what’s your luck ?” “A yack, a blue billy, and a wedge-feeder,” | responded the younger thief, producing the results eee at —— THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. of his own day’s work, in the shape of a watch, a silk handkerchief (with white spots on a blue ground) and a silver spoon. “Good again!” cried the Burker. “Things ig looking up, and we mus’n’t say that trade’s been 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; “and 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 the younger one forth to purchase a quantity of com- modities, eatable and drinkable, tor the evening’s repast; while he lighted his pipe, therewith to recreate himself until the serving-up of the pro- posed banquet. CHAPTER XX, CHRISTINA AND LORD OCTAVIAN. Ir was, as already stated, a sorrowful thing for Christian and Christina to separate from each other : nevertheless there were many circumstances to alleviate the bitterness of the 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 were wearing the most deplorable aspect. Besides, youth is not the time when hearts 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 destination 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 cheerful look in the presence of Lady Octavian Meredith. His lordship was not at 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 had led his wife to engage none other than the beautiful Christina Ashton as her companion! His first impulse had been to start an objection: but a second thought had shown him that he could not. He had already cheerfully given the amiable Zoe permission to have such a companion: he dared not now confess to her everything that had passed in respect to himself, Christina, and the duel;—and without « giving some such explanations, it would appear simply whimsical and capricious in him to re- monstrate against the special choice which his wife had made. He was therefore constrained to leave matters as they thus stood—but to devise some means for preventing Christina from being taken by surprise through a sudden recognition, and from giving vent to ejaculations that would reveal past incidents to his wife. a ees ee GomiGcdooks (C©)