The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

——eE- LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF instrument I am, is singular, however, in his con- ceptions about some matters of business—indeed, I might say eccentric. The property is a very fine property, situated in a remarkably healthy and eligible spot, but the whim of the earl has led him to ut iy Regret it; and though he has shown, as yet» no intention of residing here himself, the price he demands for it is so much, I was about to say so much ore than it is worth, that I really should hesitate I recommended It to your notice, Sir John, as ing of your attention.” “Tn fact, then, you would decline any offer that I ht feel disposed to make ?”’ 7 wonld, of course, Sir John, depend in a great e upon the apc nature of the offer,” rejoined the t, in a soft, deferential tone; “ you are better able an myself to judge whether the hall, in its present state, would be equal to the expectations you might raise concerning it, and whether the outlay would not be better and more satisfactorily laid out if the money cB interest, with candour and impartiality, and I do Sir John—that is in my own humble opinion— are investments—but this is strictly be- ourselves, of course—that would yield a far more lucrative return than this,” is your firm opinion ?” opinion,” echoed Jarvis, emphatically ; according to the best of my judgment, in all fairness,” 1 in all honesty and fairness of judgment, and my firm opinion, I must say, that if the arl acted with his usual wisdom and discretion, he uld dismiss from his counsels a man whose past ife has been one of unmitigated rascality, and whose ent conduct shows that no hope of reformation can expected from him for the future.” ssly crossing one leg over the other with easy and meeting the passionate gaze that E E 5 i f ae & “ And eienape dare allude to, sir,” exclaimed Now standing before me,” answered his accuser, was directed towards him with a look of calm con- “Bit John Barrington, this conduct is most extra- ordinary; the groundless nature of the imputation, sir—the liability to which yon expose yourself in making the charge—the uncalled-for attack you have K ¢ moral character and unblemished repu- : of aman who——” he would haye completed ansehen Weorening, for the first time, to look an ently on ay ae the features of the individual whom he was addressing, his presence of mind for- ac his face underwent rapid alternations of on a yoice dropping down to a low sepul- ay ls stammered forth, “Is it possible that we can | met before?” * Soren ean must indeed haye changed one 2 of an 0 Look at me again, and tell me which yon former accomplices in guilt do I most re- ? Sng teins “and £4 sien not fo sxpel the living, I sho lieye you to be Mordannt himself,” ex ent, turning deadly pale, and catching Lac of a stat ir for support; “ you are not— cannot be the man J name?” ; “Villain! you may well tremble to encounter the presence of one who had the weakness to become — —_——ae ee ee ee eee ee wo. oa - - LONDON LIFE, 79 your victim, but who has now the power to be your destroyer. I am Mordaunt—he that you tempted into crime, and then betrayed—he that, among other boons for which he ‘has raised his hands in prayer to Heaven, has prayed for this hour to arrive, as the sole reward he asked to repay him for the perils and the struggles he has undergone, Now that we have met, be prepared to receive the retribution which your cruelty and dastardly treachery have so well merited.” Quailing under the fierce glance of Barrington—or Mordaunt, as we shall continue to call him for the future—the astounded agent sank back into his chair, almost paralysed by the apparition that had risen before him, and the associations that had been aroused in connection with the man he saw. Had the yawn- ing grave suddenly rendered up its inmate, he could not have exhibited more amazement in his look. His blood froze with horror—a thrill of appalling terror passed through his veins, and his teeth audibly rattled against each other; whilst his senses, reeling with the thoughts that darted through his brain, became mo- mentarily seized with stupefaction. When he recovered he was no longer the smooth-tongued hypocrite that he had seemed at first, but a timorous, trembling coward, that felt he had cause to dread the vengeance of the man whom he had hated and betrayed. “Cunningly as you wove the web,” pursued Mor- daunt, “ you find that it has been strong enough at last to enmesh the weaver. I knew that your lips had uttered the word which was to doom me to de- struction, but never, until this’ hour, had I guessed your hand had been base enough to involve the inno- cent in the consequences of my crime,” “Mr, Mordaunt, you have been misinformed in this matter, I assure you,” appealed Jarvis, in a whining, supplicatory tone, as, somewhat recovering from his fright, he strung up his nerves anew to combat with all the sophistry in his power the allegations of his accuser; ** the misfortunes of your wife I was the first to commiserate and deplore; and though I was com- pelled, in the exercise of a very unpleasant duty, tQ———=" “Hold! seek not the shelter of a pitiful subtor- fuge!” interrupted Mordaunt, with a look that en- forced the mandate given; “add not, by shallow falsehoods, to the enormity of your already oyer- charged soul, I ask you not to screen yourself by any plausibly-deyised story you may think will serve the occasion, but as it is too late to repair the injuries of the past, strive like a man to atone for them by devoting the future to a work that shall bring resti- tution to the wronged.” ae “I know not in what way to understand your allu- sions,” replied the other, with a sullen, dogged deter- mination to contest the ground with his adversary inch byinch. * Since you left England I have been a strict adherent to the calls of duty—following my yocation with that zeal which the earl’s interest demanded, but never exceeding the boundary prescribed by law. Am I then to be lectured needlessly into morality by & man who—only that the ordeal of a trial was evaded —is but slightly remoyed from the condition of a returned convict ?” * And do you imagine,” exclaimed Mordaunt with passionate yehemence, “that I am to be so blinded by this wretched assumption of honesty, that, in the canting defence of the hypocrite, I cannot read the diabolical thoughts of the thrice-tainted scoundrel ? Must I remind you of the time when, as clerks toge- ther in the same bank, you {irst poured your insidious poison ipto my ear; wher, from your competent ElOOOKS COL (E@)