The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 328: what you’re looking at

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

326 bachelor chambers of Mc. Faddle, where several of Dick’s liveried friends had been invited to meet them, As night drew on, the new-made husband became more and more melancholy. It was in vain that his acquaintances, andever Nancy, attempted to rally him. “If this is a specimen of a husband,” she spitefully observed, “ give me an undertaker. Why, Dick, you are as dull ag a mourning coach.” Finding he must do something to keep up his character, the poor fellow rallied, by a violent effort, and his mirth became even more sad than his previous silence. “Laugh !” he exclaimed, glaring round the table. “ Why the devil don’t you langh? There’s mirth in hell to-night—why should there not be here? Damnit, do be gay |” | Several of the guests had left; the bride had pre- viously retired to her chamber; when one of the female friends of his wife informed him that he might also bid the rest of his friends good night. “ Happy dog !’’ shouted a sentimental looking fellow, who was valet to a peer. “ Very !” sighed Dick. “* None but the brave’—you know the rest.” He soon will,’”’ observed a second. Good night,” said a steady old man, who during the day had scarcely spoken to any of the party, and beneath whose quiet smile the bridegroom had been repeatedly seen to wince; in fact, the speaker was no other than a confidant of Faddle’s, set on to watch, lest the atrocious plan he had laid should fail. “Go to your own room,’ whispered a deep, low voice in the bridegroom’s ear, as he approached the door of Nancy’s chamber; “ you will find the price of this day’s work upon the table.” afin 1 Grinding his teeth with impotent rage, and mutter- ing curses, the unhappy Dick withdrew to his solitary wretched couch, leaving the infamous Faddle to sup- ply his place by the side of his expecting bride, who, in the dark, and the confusion which woman naturally feels when first she yields her person to the embrace of man, pereeived net the exchange till too late to preserve her honour. The instant she did perceive it she would have sprung from the polluted couch, had not the artful ravisher forcibly detained her. “Be cool, Nancy,” he whispered, with a tri- umphan‘ smile; “ why make all the world as wise as ourselves?” “ Monster!” sighed the agitated bride; “ where is my husband?” “Safe in my bed, while I bave been enjoying hap- piness withent alloy in yours. Have no fear for your husband. To prove how devoted a lover I am, at any time, if he grows troublesome, I’ll hang him.” “Mean you,” sighed the exasperated girl, who began to suspect that Dick must have been a panderer to her shame, “that my husband knows of your having supplied his place?” “ How else, my charmer, think you it could have been managed? Give me another kiss—come!” So overcome was the unfortunate Nancy by the horror and disgust which Dick’s conduct inspired, that, in comparison, Faddle’s offence appeared but light. With all her boldness, she was but a child in her knowledge of the world. Shame held her tongue- tied; added to which, she judged, and truly so, that there was little chance of assistance from the man who had eo lately sworn to protect her. In her desolation she wept long and passionately. Faddle threw his arms round her half-fainting form, and _ ———— THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON, am co pillowed her head upon his perfidious breast. Exert- ing his specious elequence, he attempted to soothe her sorrow, protested that his existence depended upon her forgiveness, and seeing her smile again: “ You will forgive me?” he added. “ Provided you leave me,” sobbed the girl, whose feelings had exhausted her. “] will do so; but first, one kias.” Nancy was silent, and only faintly resisted. The kiss he asked for was obtained, a second followed; tha bride trembled in his vigorous arms, as he eagerly pressed her again towards him. “No! no! nol’? she shricked; but it was in vain, her cry was stifled by a shower of kisses, and again the outrage was committed. The first time Nancy was a victim—the second time more than half an accomplice. On the following morning, at a late hour, she des scended to breakfast in Faddle’s room, to all appear ance reconciled to her lot. Of Dick she took no more notice than of an entire stranger. Scorn and hate had entirely supplied the place of love; for what | woman could forgive the cur who on his wedding- night permitted another to supply his place? ** Nancy—Nancy!” he exclaimed, as soon as they were alone, “ pity and forgive me!” The reply was a cold and stony glance of hate. “If you knew what I have suffered,” he added; “how completely I am in the power of that man, that my life is in his hands, and that he threatened to | hang me unless I consented to act the villain’s part | did, you would forgive me,” “Possibly,” said his wife, coully. “At present } am ignorant how far you are in the power of you: | — master. I must know that before I judge you. Most | likely it is some mean excuse,” “ By heavens I am!” continued Dick, eager if pos- sible to exculpate himself in the eyes of Nancy “Hear me,” he added, lowering his voice to a whisper; “tempted by the devil when pressed by necessity, I committed forgery, and the captain holds the proofs,” “ Does he?” said Nancy, her eye evidently flash- ing with ferocious joy, as the means of revenge pre- sented themselves, “What mean you?” exclaimed the terrified Dick, struck by the peculiar expression of her countenance, “Surely you would not use the knowledge you have obtained to the destruction of your husband?” “ Husband?” repeated Nancy, scornfully, “Ay, are we not married!” demanded the poor | devil. “Married and divorced,” said the girl, firmly. “Since you have sold me to the captain I shall re- main with him. Beware,’’ she added, “how you ever attempt to claim the rights which, like a cur, you bartered! I loved you, Dick,” she added, burat- ing into tears. “ Had you trusted me, I would have | gone anywhere with you, worked for you, and con. | trived some means to release you from the thrall of | this heartless devil! As it is, I !oathe you, worse than | yourmaster! Bad as he is, he at least had one excuse— passion.” Dick fell upon his knees, and seizing her id begged her to forgive him. He was touched by the | poor girl’s misery, and hardened as he was in = felt a pang of remorse at the disgraceful part he had | played. Few men like to look contemptible before | the woman they profess to love, His wife shuddered at his touch, and flung his hand from her, = § | “Don’t touch me!” she almost shricked, “or IT | — a ee ee — (ele) Gomicoooks