The Soldier's Wife — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

- 102 THE SOLDIER'S WIFE ~ tenances of his wife and child, he threw his arms round them both, caught them to his breast and covered them with kisses. His tears poured out freely; and he experienced some slight reliet—or at all events, an abatemeut of the terrific excitement that a moment before had existed in his mind. The constable who had arrested him, now to England, and come on to Manchester. Ly You understand me, dearest—and you will ful- fil my wishes!” es, my beloved husband—you have but to express your desire and it becomes law for me. but, for heaven’s sake, do not abandon al) hope Oh! let me not see that bitter look slowly and somewhat hesitatingly produced upon your countenance !—it will haunt me like from his pocket certain objects which sent ore a horrible spectre when we are separated!” au ominous metallie sound ; and both F “No, dearest—I will study to compose my and Lucy at once too well understood bv wt feclings. But you, my beloved—will you pro- they were. The little boy oth oesia to have|inise that you will endeavor to lo the same ?” sine | dim but terrible idea that “the wieked| “ men,” as he called them, were about to put has upon his father ; and he looked on in speechless dismay. His beautifal countenance had lost its color: the child seemed pale, fright-|s ened, and i1—Oh, what a spectacle to harrow the minds of his parents! “Five guineas,” said Lonsdale, “if you take me up to London without those.” The officer glanced towards his companions, both of whom had placed their backs against the door; and one of them making a sizn to the etfect that he who held the handeutfs hi: ad better walt a moment, issued froin the rooin. In a few minutes he returned, saying, “ As we have got charge of the prisoner, it’s all : our own risk whether he escapes or uot, so we can do as we like.” The consequence was that, after a ‘little ne- gotiation, the constables agreed that, if the sum were doubled, they would not put on the handeuits. Fortunately, the Lonsdales had come from Calais well provided with money: the ten guineas were paid dowa, and thus, tor the present at least, was the unhappy man spared that fearful indiguity, aud his wife and child the anguish of seeing it tuflicted. “Will you permit me,” asked Loisdale, “to be alone with my family for a little while? You ean keep outside tie door.” This also was agreed to: and when the three constables had issued forth, there was a repe- tition of that auguished scene of embraciny, and sobbing, and weepliy, which we have just now deseribed. But wheua the father and mo- tier regained sutiicient fortitude to enable them to look their hideous calamity in the face, aud discuss what was to be done, they began te converse in whispering voices, in such a way that little Frederick might not overhear what they sald. “No, dearest Lucey,” remarked Lonsdale, ‘ listen to what [am “about to say; and I be- seech you to he guided by my counsels, which are also my wisnes. You know, dearest—alus that L should be compelled to torture your heart by giving verbal expression to the horri- ble thing; but you know, dearest, that I have a tewrful ordenl to pass throu sh—a repetition of what I have alre: uly (Lids leryone! ut you mist not be present in the same town while (iat is taking place. No: tor our child’s wares il must not be so! What L desire is this—th: at fron the front of the Paris [Lotel. you return to Calais with little Frederick to-| Not a word was spoken until long after the worrow, aud that you take the necessary mea-|stage was beyond the precincts of Dove ar; and sures to sell off all that we possess there. This then the barber, who had beer hdgeting about will, | will: for each other’s sake must we do it!”—and then there were more embracings —and, aias, more weepings| But we will not dwell any longer upon this sad, sad scene. Sutlice it to say that the an- fortunate fainily were left entirely to them- selves until the departure of the night-coach up to London; and then the sadness of that scene became far sadder still in the moment of separation. Lucy felt as if the chords of her heart were being torn out of her—as if she were parting with life itself aimidst rending avonies; but she suffered not all the extreme bitterness of her anguish to be betrayed by her looks, The poor child wept as it his little t)heart would break; and again aud ayain were those last embraces renewed, ere Lonsdale could so far master his emotions and exercise his fortitude as to tear himself away from the beloved ones and rush from the room. ‘Then Lucy, snatching up little Frederick in her arma, continued to weep over him long and plente- ously, in the poignant ecrneiixion of her feel- ings. ‘ Lonsdale entered the coach, and found that he was to be accompanied by two of the consta- bles “The whole of the inside of the vehicle had, however, been engaged to insure the safe custody of the prisoner: three of the seats were already occupied by himscif and the two constables—but who was to have the fourth? All doubt on that point, however, was speedily cleared up: for a person, muitied in a great coat, the long skirts of which trailed at his heels, came forth from the hotel, and with seme degree of hesitation approached the door of the vehicle. ; “Now, sir, jump in!” eried the guard, who was standing with the coaeh-door open in his hand; and at that instant the hght of the lamp fell full upon the countenance of Obadiah Bates. “You are sure he wont do me a mischief! he said to the constables, still hesitating to en- ter the coach. “ Tle has pledged himself to be perfectly quiet,” was the response. “Tf he isn’t, we tnust slip the darbies on. Bates accordingly entered the vehicle, and took the vacant place: the guard banged the door—and, leaping up behind, shouted “All will vecupy several daye youcan thea return|for some minutes—evideutly stirred by a ' comicbooks.co the time you arrive there, all will be over, rig it ’—whereupon the equipage rolled away \)