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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:37:56 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:37:56 -0700 |
| commit | b70ac3f24f035a5b94d2a3ded9f0d41b3a339b55 (patch) | |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/28267-h.zip b/28267-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbcdf53 --- /dev/null +++ b/28267-h.zip diff --git a/28267-h/28267-h.htm b/28267-h/28267-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cbd06cc --- /dev/null +++ b/28267-h/28267-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,6391 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Venus in Boston;, by George Thompson</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both;} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em;} + +p.citation1 + {text-align: center; + font-size: 70%} + +p.citation2 + {text-align: right; + font-size: 100%} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + visibility: hidden; + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center;} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none;} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:35%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left;} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em;} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Venus in Boston;, by George Thompson</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Venus in Boston;</p> +<p> A Romance of City Life</p> +<p>Author: George Thompson</p> +<p>Release Date: March 7, 2009 [eBook #28267]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VENUS IN BOSTON;***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Woodie4, Suzanne Shell,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1><span class="smcap">Venus in Boston</span>;</h1> + +<h3>A ROMANCE OF CITY LIFE.</h3> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i0">"Ah, Vice! how soft are thy voluptuous ways!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While boyish blood is mantling,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">who can 'scape The fascination of thy magic gaze?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">A Cherub-hydra round us dost thou gape,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And mould to every taste,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">thy dear, delusive shape."<br /></span> +</div> + +<p class="citation1"><span style="margin-left: 15em;">BYRON'S CHILDE HAROLD<br /> +<br /></span></p> + +<p> </p> + +<h5>{<span class="smcap">First published 1849</span>}</h5> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="contents"> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#INTRODUCTION">INTRODUCTION</a></span></td> +<td align="left"></td> +<td align="right">3</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">Chapter I.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>The blind Basket-maker and his family.</i></td> +<td align="right">3</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">Chapter II.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>Innocence in the Grip of Lust.</i></td> +<td align="right">7</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">Chapter III.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>The Rescue.</i></td> +<td align="right">17</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">Chapter IV.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>A night in Ann street.</i></td> +<td align="right">20</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">Chapter V.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>The Chevalier and the Duchess.</i></td> +<td align="right">52</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">Chapter VI.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>The Stolen Package.</i></td> +<td align="right">75</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">Chapter VII.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>Showing the operations of Jew Mike.</i></td> +<td align="right">90</td></tr> + +<tr><td align="right"><span class="smcap"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">Chapter VIII.</a></span></td> +<td align="left"><i>The Chambers of Love.</i></td> +<td align="right">98</td></tr> +</table><br /><br /></div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/frontis01.png" width="400" height="273" alt="Frontispiece to Venus in Boston, 1850 edition. By +courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library." title="Frontispiece to Venus in Boston, 1850 edition. By +courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library." /> +<span class="caption">Frontispiece to Venus in Boston, 1850 edition. By +courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2> + +<p>I conceive it to be a prominent fault of most of the tales of fiction +that are written and published at the present day, that they are not +sufficiently <i>natural</i>—their style is too much exaggerated—and in +aiming to produce startling effects, they depart too widely from the +range of probability to engage the undivided interest of the enlightened +and judicious reader. Believing as I do that the romance of reality—the +details of common, everyday life—the secret history of things hidden +from the public gaze, but of the existence of which there can be no +manner of doubt—are endowed with a more powerful and absorbing interest +than any extravagant flight of imagination can be, it shall be my aim in +the following pages to adhere as closely as possible to truth and +reality; and to depict scenes and adventures which have actually +occurred, and which have come to my knowledge in the course of an +experience no means limited—an experience replete with facilities for +acquiring a perfect insight into human nature, and a knowledge of the +many secret springs of human action.</p> + +<p>The most favorable reception which my former humble productions have met +with, at the hands of a kind and indulgent public, will, I trust, +justify the hope that the present Tale may meet with similar +encouragement. It certainly shall not prove inferior to any of its +predecessors in the variety of its incidents or the interest of its +details; and as a <i>romance of city life</i>, it will amply repay the +perusal of all country readers, as well as those who reside in cities.</p> + +<p>With these remarks, preliminary and explanatory, I proceed at once to +draw the curtain, and unfold the opening scene of my drama.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h4><i>The blind Basket-maker and his family.</i></h4> + + +<p>It was a winter's day, and piercing cold; very few pedestrians were to +be seen in Boston, and those few were carefully enveloped in warm cloak +and great coats, for the weather was of that intense kind that chills +the blood and penetrates to the very bone. Even Washington street—that +great avenue of wealth and promenade of fashion, usually thronged with +the pleasure-seeking denizens of the metropolis—was comparatively +deserted, save by a few shivering mortals, who hurried on their way with +rapid footsteps, anxious to escape from the relentless and iron grasp +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> hoary winter. And yet on that day, and in that street, there stood +upon the pavement directly opposite the "Old South Church," a young girl +of about the age of fourteen years, holding in her hand a small basket +of fruit, which she offered to every passer-by. Now there was nothing +very extraordinary in this, neither was there anything very unusual in +the meek and pleading look of the little fruit girl, as she timidly +raised her large blue eyes to the face of every one who passed her—for +such humble callings, and such mute but eloquent appeals, are the common +inheritance of many, very many of God's poor in large cities, and do not +generally attract any great degree of notice from the careless (and too +often unfeeling) children of prosperity;—but there was something in the +appearance of the pale, sad girl, as, in her scant attire she shivered +in the biting wind, not often met with in the humble disciples of +poverty—a certain subdued, gentle air, partaking of much unconscious +grace, that whispered of better days gone by.</p> + +<p>At length the clock in the steeple of the "Old South" pronounced that +the dinner hour had arrived—and despite the intense cold, the street +soon became alive with people hurrying to and fro; for what weather can +induce a hungry man to neglect that important era in the events of the +day—his <i>dinner</i>? This perfumed exquisite hurried by to fulfil an +appointment and dine at Parker's; the more sober and economical citizen +hastened on his way to "feed" at some establishment of less pretensions +and more moderate prices; while the mass of the diners-out repaired to +appease their hunger at the numerous cheap refectories that abound in +the neighborhood. But the poor, forlorn little fruit girl stood +unnoticed by the passing throng, which like the curtain of a river +hurried by, leaving her upon its margin, a neglected, drooping flower.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she murmured—"why will they not buy my fruit? I have not taken a +single penny to-day, and how can I return home to poor grandfather and +my little brother, without food? Good people, could you but see them, +your hearts would be softened—." And the tears rolled down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>While thus soliloquizing, she had not noticed the approach of a little +old man, in a faded, threadbare suit, and with a care-worn, wrinkled +countenance. He stopped short when he saw that she was weeping, and in +an abrupt, yet not unkind manner, inquired—</p> + +<p>"My child, why do you weep?"</p> + +<p>The girl looked up through her tears at the stranger, and in a few +artless words related her simple story. She was an orphan, and with her +little brother, lived with her grandfather. They were very poor, and +were wholly dependent upon a small pittance which the grandfather (who +was blind) daily earned by basket making, together with the very small +profits which she realized by the sale of fruit in the streets. Her +grandfather was very ill, and unable to work, and the poor family had +not tasted food that day.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing!" exclaimed the little old man when she had concluded her +affecting narrative. He straightaway began fumbling in his pockets, and +it seemed with no very satisfactory result, for he muttered—"The devil! +I have no money—not a copper; bah! I can give you nothing. But hold! +where do you live, my child?"</p> + +<p>The girl stated her place of residence, which was in an obscure but +respectable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> section of the city. The little old man produced a greasy +memorandum book, and a stump of a pencil, with which he noted down the +direction; then, uttering a grunt of satisfaction, but without saying a +single word, he resumed his walk, and was soon lost in the crowd.</p> + +<p>Evening came, and with it a furious snow-storm. Madly the wind careered +through the streets—now fiercely dashing the snow into the faces of +such unfortunate travellers as chanced to be abroad in that wild +weather—now shaking the roofs of crazy old houses—and now tearing away +in the distance with a howl of triumph at its power. The storm fiend was +abroad—the elements were at war, and yet in the midst of that furious +tumult, the poor fruit girl was toiling on her way towards her humble +home. She reached it at last. It was a poor and lowly place, the abode +of humble but decent poverty; yet the angel of peace had spread her +wings there, and contentment had sat with them at their frugal board. +True, it was but a garret; yet that little family, with hearts united by +holy love, felt that to them it was a <i>home</i>. And then its little window +commanded a distant view of a shining river, and green, pleasant fields +beyond; and all day long, in fine weather, the cheerful sunshine looked +in upon them, casting a gleam of gladness upon their hearts. It had been +a happy home to the blind basket-maker and his grandchildren; but alas! +sickness had laid its heavy hand upon the aged man, and want and +wretchedness had become their portion.</p> + +<p>The girl entered with a sad heart, for she brought no relief to the +hungering and sorrowing inmates of that lowly dwelling. Without saying a +word she seated herself at the bed-side of her grandfather, and taking +his hand in hers, bedewed it with her tears. The old man turned towards +her, and said—</p> + +<p>"Thou art weeping, Fanny—what distresses thee? Tears are for the aged +and the sorrowing—not for the young. Thou hast not brought us +food?—well, well; the will of Heaven be done! I shall soon be in the +grave, and then thou and Charley—"</p> + +<p>"No, no, grandfather, pray don't say so," cried the poor girl, sobbing +as if her heart would break—"what should we do without you? Heaven may +spare you many happy years. I can work for you, and—"</p> + +<p>"So can I, too," rejoined her brother Charley, a lad eight or nine years +of age—"and only to-day I got a promise from Mr. Scott the tailor, that +I might, when a little older, run of errands for him, and my wages will +be a dollar and a half a week—only think how much money I shall earn!"</p> + +<p>"Thou art a brave little man," said the grandfather—"but, my children, +let us put our trust in God, and if it is His will that my earthly +pilgrimage should end, be it so! Thank Heaven, I owe nothing, and can +die at peace with all the world."</p> + +<p>It had long been Fanny's custom to occupy an hour or so every evening, +in reading to her grandfather. But that evening she did not, as usual, +draw up the little table, and open the pages of some well-thumbed, +ancient volume, to read, for perhaps the twentieth time, of the valorous +deeds of some famed knight of the olden time, or mayhap, of the +triumphant death of some famed martyr for religion's sake. For alas! the +frugal but wholesome meal which had always preceded the reading of those +ancient chronicles, was now wanting; and the little family sat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +listening to the raging of the pitiless storm without and counting the +weary moments as they passed.</p> + +<p>The bell in a neighboring steeple had just told the hour of nine, when, +as the echo of that last stroke died away in the distance, a heavy step +was heard ascending the stairs that led to their humble apartment. As +the sound approached nearer, Fanny heard a voice occasionally giving +utterance to expressions of extreme irritation and impatience, +accompanied by certain sounds indicating that the person, whoever it +might be, often stumbled upon the dark, narrow and somewhat dilapidated +stair-case. "Blood and bomb-shells!" exclaimed a voice—"I shall never +reach the top, and my shins are broken. The devil! there I go again. +Corporal Grimsby, thou art an ass, and these stairs are the devil's +trap!" And here the luckless unknown paused a moment to breathe, rub his +shins, and refresh himself with an emphatic imprecation upon all dark +and broken stair-cases in general, but upon <i>that</i> one in particular. At +this moment, Fanny made her appearance at the landing with a light, and +was astonished to behold her new acquaintance of that afternoon, the +little old man who had inquired her residence. A most rueful expression +sat upon his visage, and he carried upon one arm a huge basket. The +friendly light enabled him soon to reach the end of his journey; he +entered the little room without ceremony, and depositing his burden upon +the table, exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Hark'ee, child, I am an old soldier, am not apt to grumble at trifles, +[<i>illegible word</i>] and blunderbusses! I never before got into such a +snarl.—Mounting the ramparts of the enemy was mere child's play to it!" +Here he began to take out the contents of the basket, meanwhile keeping +up a running commentary, during which his countenance wore an expression +of the most intense ill-humor, in strange contrast with the evident +benevolence of his character and intentions. He found fault with +everything which he had brought, although, in truth, the articles were +all of excellent quality.</p> + +<p>"Here," said he, with a growl of dissatisfaction—"is a pair of +chickens—starved, skinny imps, for which I paid double their value to +that knave of a poultry merchant—bah! And here are some French rolls, +that I'll be sworn are as hard as the French cannon balls that were +thrown at Austerlitz. These vegetables are well enough, and this pastry +hath a savory smell, but pistols and cutlasses! this wine <i>looks</i> as +sour as General Grouty's face on a grand parade. Let me draw the cork +and taste—no, by the nose of Napoleon! it is excellent—fit for the +great Frederick himself. Here, child, haste and spread a cloth, for I am +hungrier than a Cossack. Powder and shot! we shall have a supper fit for +a Field Marshal!"</p> + +<p>By this time the eccentric but kind old man had placed upon the table +all the materials of an excellent and substantial repast. This done, he +turned to the grandfather of Fanny, who had listened to his speech with +much astonishment, and exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Cheer thee up, old friend, cheer thee up, and pick a bone with us; +here, wash the cobwebs from thy throat by a hearty draught from this +flask. I am an old soldier, and love all men; I stand on no ceremony; so +fall to, fall to!"</p> + +<p>Saying this, he seated himself at the table, and having seen that all +were duly supplied with a liberal portion of the edibles, commenced the +attack with [<i>illegible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> word</i>] truly surprising. Nor were the others at +all backward in emulating so good an example. The grandfather, whose +illness had mainly been produced by a lack of those little luxuries so +essential to the debilities and infirmities of advanced age, after +partaking sparingly of what was set before him, felt himself much +bettered and refreshed thereby; and Fanny, who had dried her tears, and +satisfied the cravings of hunger, smiled her gratitude upon the kind +provider. Little Charley had already become much attached to "good +Corporal Grimsby," who had given him such a nice supper—while the +latter gentleman, having finished his meal, drew forth an antiquated +pipe, having a Turk's head for the bowl and a coiled serpent for the +stem, which having lighted, he proceeded to smoke with much gravity and +thoughtfulness. Not a word did he utter, but smoked away in silence, +until the clock struck ten; then pocketing his pipe, and depositing the +now empty flask and dishes in the basket, he announced his intention of +departing. The grandfather was cut short in a grateful acknowledgment of +the stranger's kindness, by the abrupt exit of that singular personage, +who bolted down stairs with a precipitancy that was truly alarming, +scarce waiting for Fanny to light him down.</p> + +<p>This singular visit was of course the subject of much surprise and +conjecture in the little family of the blind basket-maker; but when +Fanny related how the stranger had accosted her in the street, and +inquired her residence, they concluded that he was some eccentric but +benevolent person, who had taken that method of contributing to the +relief of their wants.</p> + +<p>And who was this queer little old man, so shabby and threadbare—so +"full of strange oaths,"—so odd in his manner, so kind in his +heart—calling himself Corporal Grimsby—who had come forward at that +opportune moment to supply a starving family with food? Time will show.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h4><i>Innocence in the Grip of Lust.</i></h4> + + +<p>The day which succeeded the stormy night described in the last chapter, +was an unusually fine one. The sun shone clear and bright, and many +people were abroad to enjoy the fine bracing air, and indemnify +themselves for having been kept within doors on the preceding day. The +streets were covered with an ample garment of snow, and the merry music +of the sleigh-bells was heard in every direction.</p> + +<p>At an early hour, Fanny Aubrey (for that was the name of our little +heroine,) issued from her dwelling, and taking the sunny side of the +streets, resumed her accustomed perambulations, with her basket on her +arm. Fanny was small for her age, but exceedingly pretty; her eyes were +of a dark blue—her hair a rich auburn—her features radiant with the +inexpressible charm of youth and innocence. I have said that her air was +superior to her condition; in truth, every motion of hers had in it a +certain winning grace, and her step was light as a fawn's, although her +figure was not without a certain degree of plumpness, which gave ample +promise of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> speedy voluptuous development. Though plumpness in the +female figure is considered to be incompatible with perfect grace, I +agree with those who regard it as decidedly preferable to an excessive +thinness, though the latter be accompanied with the lightness of a +zephyr, and the grace of a sylph.</p> + +<p>Dress is sometimes acknowledged to be a sign of character—and the dress +of Fanny Aubrey certainly indicated the native refinement of her +mind—for though poor in material and faded by long use, it was well put +on and scrupulously neat—indeed, there was something almost coquettish +in the style of her bonnet and the arrangement of her scanty shawl—too +scanty, alas! to shield her adequately from the inclemency of the +weather.</p> + +<p>As she passed along the street, her beauty and prepossessing appearance +attracted the attention of many gay loiterers, who regard her with +various feelings of admiration, pity and surprise that one so lovely +should pursue so humble an occupation; nor were there wanting many +well-dressed libertines, young and old, who gazed with eyes of lustful +desire upon the fair young creature, evidently so unprotected and so +poor.</p> + +<p>Reader, pardon us if for one brief moment we pause to contemplate the +black and hideous character of THE SEDUCER. Should the teeming hosts of +hell's dominions meet in grand convention, amid the mysterious darkness +and lurid flames of their eternal abode—should that infernal conclave +of murderers, robbers, monsters of iniquity, perpetrators of damning +crimes; possessors of black hearts and polluted souls on earth, whose +mighty sins had sunk them in that burning pit—should all those lost +spirits select from among their number, <i>one fiend</i>, the worst of them +all, to represent them <i>all</i> on earth—unite within his being <i>all</i> the +crimes of which they had collectively been guilty—to show mankind how +vast and stupendous have been <i>all</i> the sins perpetrated since the +creation of the globe—<i>that fiend</i> could not cast a blacker shadow upon +human nature than doth the seducer of female innocence. Oh! if there be +one wretch living who deserves to be cast forth from the society of his +fellow men—if there be one who deserves to be trod on as a venomous +insect, and crushed as the vilest reptile that crawls—it is he who +calmly and deliberately sets himself about the hellish task of +accomplishing the ruin of a weak, confiding woman—and then, having +sipped the sweets and inhaled the fragrance of the flower, tramples it +beneath his feet. Will not the thunderbolts of Omnipotent wrath shatter +the perjured soul of such a villain?</p> + +<p>But to resume. Fanny Aubrey pursued her walk, and was so fortunate as to +escape the insults (except such as were conveyed in glances,) of the +many libertines who are ever ready to take advantage of a female in a +situation like hers. As she was passing a magnificent mansion in a +quarter of the city mainly occupied by the residences of the +aristocracy, a beautiful young lady alighted from a splendid sleigh, and +observing the little fruit girl, beckoned her to approach. Fanny +modestly complied, and the young lady, with one of the sweetest smiles +imaginable selected an orange from her basket, and taking out a purse, +presented her with a bright gold coin.</p> + +<p>"I have no change, Miss," said Fanny, in some confusion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Keep the money, my poor girl," rejoined the young lady, with a look of +deep compassion, as a tear of pity dimmed her bright eyes—"I am sure +you need it; you are much too pretty for such an employment. If you will +try and pass this way to-morrow at about this time, you may see me +again."</p> + +<p>Amid Fanny's heartfelt thanks, the young lady entered the mansion, and +the door was closed.</p> + +<p>Poor Fanny! she resumed her journey with a light heart. She never before +had possessed so much money. Five dollars! the sum seemed inexhaustible, +and she began to devise a thousand plans to expend it to advantage—and +the fact that she herself was not included in any of those plans, was a +beautiful illustration of the unselfishness of her character. Not for a +moment did she dream of appropriating it to the purchase of a good warm +shawl or dress for herself, although, poor girl! she so much needed +both. She would buy a nice comfortable rocking-chair for her +grandfather; or a thick great-coat for little Charley—she couldn't make +up her mind which, she loved them both so much—yet when she thought of +the poor, sick, blind old man, a holy pity triumphed over sisterly +affection, and she resolved upon the rocking-chair. Then she determined +to hasten homewards to communicate her good fortune to her friends; and +on her way she could not help thinking of the beautiful young lady who +had given her the money, of her sweet smile, and the kind words she had +spoken; and wondered if she should really see her again the next day. +These thoughts, and the hope of seeing her benefactress again, made her +feel very happy; and she was hastening towards her home with a glad +heart, when her footsteps were arrested by a crowd of those dissolute +young females, who pervade every section of the city, and are +universally known as "apple girls."</p> + +<p>These girls are usually from ten to fifteen years of age, and are +proverbial for their vicious propensities and dishonesty. Under pretence +of selling their fruit, they are accustomed to penetrate into the +business portions of the city particularly; and in doing this they have +two objects in view. In the first place, if on entering an office or +place of business, they find nobody in, an opportunity is afforded them +for plunder; and it is needless to say they are ever ready to steal and +carry off whatever they can lay their hands on. Secondly, these girls +have been brought up in vice from their infancy; they are, for the most +part, neither more nor less than common prostitutes, and will freely +yield their persons to whoever will pay for the same.—Should the +merchant, or lawyer, or man of business, into whose office one of these +"apple girls" may chance to intrude, solicit her favors (and there are +many miscreants, <i>respectable</i> ones, too, who do this, as we shall +show,) and offer her a small pecuniary reward, he has only to lock his +door and draw his curtains, to accomplish his object without the +slightest difficulty. Thus, their ostensible employment of selling fruit +is nothing but a cloak for their real trade of prostitution and +thieving. The profanity and obscenity of their conversation alone, is a +sufficient evidence of their true character.</p> + +<p>The girls whom we have mentioned as having encountered Fanny on her +return home, were a squalid and dirty set, though several of them were +not destitute of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> good looks, as far as form and features were +concerned. They surrounded her with many a fierce oath and ribald jest, +and it was easy to see that they were jealous of her superior +cleanliness of person and respectability of character.</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha!" cried one, a dirty-faced wench of thirteen, clutching Fanny +fiercely by the arm, while the poor girl stood afraid and trembling in +the midst of that elfish crew—"ha, ha! here is my fine lady, with her +smooth face and clean gown, who disdains to keep company with us, and do +as we do! Let us tear off her clothes, and roll her in the mire!"</p> + +<p>They were proceeding to act upon this suggestion, when Fanny, bewildered +and speechless with terror, dropped her gold coin, which she held in her +hand, upon the ground. It was instantly snatched up by one of the gang, +who was immediately attacked by the others, and a fierce struggle +ensued, for the possession of the coin, the young wretches tearing, +scratching and biting each other like so many wild cats. During this +conflict, Fanny made off as fast as she could run, but was followed and +overtaken by one of the gang, a large girl of fifteen, who was known +among her companions by the pleasing title of "Sow Nance." She was a +thief and prostitute of the most desperate and abandoned character, +hideously ugly in person, and of a disposition the most ferocious and +deceitful.—Laying her brawny hand upon Fanny's shoulder, she said, in a +hoarse and croaking voice—</p> + +<p>"See here, Miss What's-yer-name, I wants to speak to you, if you please. +You needn't be afraid of me, for I won't hurt you. Them thieving hussies +has got your money, and you must make up your loss the best way you can. +Look at my basket—you see it's empty, don't yer? I've sold all my fruit +already, and if you'll go with me, I'll show you a nice gentleman who +will buy all the fruit in your little basket, and pay you well, too. +It's not far—will you go with me?"</p> + +<p>The prospect of effecting a speedy sale of her stock in trade, was too +tempting to be resisted by poor Fanny, especially in view of the severe +loss she had just sustained, in being robbed of the money which the kind +young lady had given her. She therefore gladly consented to accompany +Sow Nance to the nice gentleman who would pay her so well for the +contents of her basket.</p> + +<p>Poor, innocent, unsuspecting Fanny! she little thought that the +abandoned creature at her side was leading her into a snare, imminently +dangerous to her peace of mind and future happiness! "I will save up +money enough to buy grandfather a rocking-chair, after all," thought +she, as she gaily trudged onward, while ever and anon Sow Nance would +glare savagely at her from the corners of her snake-like eyes. It is one +of the worst qualities peculiar to corrupt human nature, the hatred with +which the wicked and abandoned regard the innocent and pure. Fanny had +never in the slightest degree injured the wretch who was plotting her +ruin;—and Sow Nance had no other reason for hating her, than because +she herself was a guilty and polluted being, while Fanny she knew to be +without stain or blemish.</p> + +<p>In about a quarter of an hour they reached a handsome brick house in +South street.</p> + +<p>"This is the place," said Sow Nance, as she rang the door bell; the +summons was immediately answered by an old negro woman, who, exchanging +a significant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> look with Nance, admitted them, and ushered them into a +large parlor. The apartment was handsomely furnished, the walls adorned +with many pictures, and the floor covered with a very rich carpet.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, young ladies, and I will call Mr. Tickels down," said the old +negro woman, as she left the room; in a few moments, a gentleman +entered, and regarded Fanny with a gaze so piercing, that the poor girl +was covered with confusion.</p> + +<p>The gentleman was, to all appearances, full sixty years of age; he was a +large, portly man, with very gray hair and a very red face: he was +attired in a dressing-gown and slippers, and wore a magnificent diamond +pin in his shirt frill.</p> + +<p>This man was one of those wealthy beasts whose lusts run riot on the +innocence of young females—whose crimes outnumbered the gray hairs upon +his head, and whose riches were devoted to no other purpose than the +procurement of victims for his appetite, and the gratification of his +abominable passions.</p> + +<p>A vague, strange fear stole over Fanny, while this gentleman thus viewed +her so closely—a fear which she could not define, yet which rendered +her excessively uneasy. Apparently the survey was satisfactory to the +gentleman—for he smiled, and in doing so displayed two rows of teeth +not unlike the fangs of a wolf. Then he beckoned Sow Nance to follow him +from the room, and held a whispered conversation with her in the +passage.</p> + +<p>"Who is she, Nance?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Not <i>one of us</i>," was the reply, "she sells fruit, and is poor, but her +folks are respectable;—you must pay me well for bringing her here, for +she's handsome."</p> + +<p>"True; but are you sure she has never—"</p> + +<p>"<i>Sure!</i>" replied Nance, almost fiercely—"I'll take my oath on it; +hasn't she always kept away from us, and ain't all the girls hating her +like h——l, 'cause she's virtuous? Don't you suppose <i>I</i> know?"</p> + +<p>"Good," said the gentleman; and taking a gold coin from his pocket, he +gave it to Nance, who, stooping down, secreted it in her stocking; then +she noiselessly opened the front door and left the house, singing in a +hoarse voice, as she sped on her way towards Ann street, (where she +lived,) these barbarous words:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"The lamb to the wolf is sold, sold, sold;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">No more she'll return to her fold, fold, fold—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Sow Nance will dare another to snare,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the wolf shall have her for gold, gold, gold!"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The gentleman (I use the word <i>ironically</i>, reader,) re-entered the +parlor, advanced to where Fanny was seated, and laying his heavy hand +upon the young girl's shoulder, glued his polluted lips to her pure +cheek. She sprang from his profaning grasp with a cry of terror, and +fled towards the door—it was <i>locked</i>! The gentleman laughed, and +said—</p> + +<p>"No, no, my pretty bird, you cannot escape from your cage so easily; and +why should you wish to? Your cage shall have golden wires, and you shall +be fed on delicacies, my little flutterer—so smooth the feathers of +your bright wings, my dear, and sing your sweetest notes!"</p> + +<p>Fanny burst into tears, and fell on her knees before the old +libertine.—Young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> and innocent as she was, a dark suspicion of his +purpose came like a shadow over her soul, and she cried in piteous +accents—</p> + +<p>"Pray, good sir, let me go home to my poor grandfather and my little +brother—they will be expecting me, and will feel worried at my absence. +Surely, sir, you will not have the heart to harm me—I am but a poor +fruit girl, without father or mother. Pray let me go, sir."</p> + +<p>That appeal, made touching by the youth and innocence of the speaker, +and by her profound distress, might have melted a heart of iron—but it +moved not the stony heart of the old villain, and he looked upon her +with his cold, hard eyes, and his disgusting smile, as he said—</p> + +<p>"Your tears make you doubly interesting, my sweet child. I am afraid +that your poor grandfather and your little brother, as you call them, +will be obliged to wait a long while for your return, let them worry +ever so much at your absence. You say truly that I have not the heart to +harm you, a poor fruit girl,—no, I will make a lady of you; and as you +have, you say, neither father nor mother, I will supply their place, my +pretty dear, and be your <i>lover</i> into the bargain. Those coarse garments +shall be changed for silks and satins,—that shining hair shall be made +radiant with gems,—jewels shall sparkle on that fair neck, and on those +taper fingers,—you shall ride in a carriage, and have servants to wait +on you,—and you shall sleep on a downy bed, and live in a grand house, +like this. Say, will not all these fine things be better than selling +fruit in the cold streets?"</p> + +<p>But the sobbing girl implored him to let her go home. The gentleman +ground his teeth with rage.</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said he, after a brief pause, and speaking in an assumed +tone of kindness, "you <i>shall</i> go home, since you wish it." He rang a +bell, and the old negro woman appeared, to whom he whispered for a few +moments, and then left the room.</p> + +<p>"Come, Miss," said the old wench, addressing Fanny, with a grin that was +anything but encouraging or expressive of a friendly feeling—"come with +me up stairs, and wash the tears from your pretty face; then you shall +go home—ha, ha, ha!"</p> + +<p>It was a demon's laugh, full of malice and hatred; yet Fanny smiled +through her tears, for she saw not the old wretch's malignity, and only +thought of her escape from the danger which had menaced her, and +anticipated the happiness she should feel when once more in safety +beneath her own humble roof, in the society of all she held dear on +earth. Joyfully did she follow the old wench up stairs and into an +apartment still more handsomely furnished than the one below; but what +was her astonishment and affright, when her sable conductress gave her a +violent push which threw her violently to the floor, and then quickly +left the room and locked the door! A presentiment that she was +imprisoned, and for the worst of purposes, flashed through her mind, and +she made the apartment resound with her shrieks. But, alas! no help was +near—no friendly hand was there to burst open the door of her prison, +and rescue her from a house, within whose walls she was threatened with +the worst fate that can befall a helpless maiden—the loss of her honor. +Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> loud shrieks penetrated not beyond the precincts of that massive +building—her calls for help were answered only by the taunting laugh of +the black hag outside, who loaded her with alternate abuse, threats, and +curses. At last, exhausted and despairing, poor Fanny threw herself upon +the carpet, and prayed—oh, how earnestly!—that no harm might happen to +her, which could call the blush of shame to her cheek, or make her poor +grandfather think of her as a lost, polluted thing.</p> + +<p>Somewhat relieved by this, (and who shall say that a holy whisper +breathed not into her pure heart the assurance that she should pass +unscathed through the fiery furnace?) she arose with a calmer spirit, +and began to survey the apartment in which she was confined. It was a +large room, very elegantly furnished, containing a piano, and a +profusion of paintings. On examining one of these, Fanny turned away +with a burning cheek—for it was one of those immodest productions of +the French school, which show how art and talent can be perverted to the +basest uses. She looked at no more of the pictures, but went to a window +and looked out. The view from thence was not extensive, but merely +included a garden of moderate size, surrounded by a high wall; the +prospect was not a pleasant one, for instead of blooming flowers, the +appropriate divinities of such a place, nothing was to be seen but a +smooth surface of snow, relieved here and there by gaunt trees, whose +leafless branches waved mournfully in the breeze, seeming to sing a +requiem for the departed summer.</p> + +<p>Fanny turned sadly away from this gloomy prospect, and seating herself +upon a luxurious sofa, abandoned herself to the melancholy reflections +engendered by her situation. Soon the fortitude which she had summoned +to her aid, deserted her, and as the increasing darkness of the room +betokened the approach of night, a thousand fears chilled her heart. She +was alone in that strange house—no friends were near—the treatment she +had received from the gentleman and his negro menial, indicated that +neither of them would hesitate to do her mischief, if they were so +inclined—what if they should murder her—or, dreadful thought! first +outrage, and then despatch her! While employed in such terrible +meditations as these, the darkness increased; grim shadows hovered +around, and dim but terrific shapes seemed to glide towards the +trembling girl. She groped her way towards the window, and looked +out—there was no moon, and not a star glimmered in the firmament. Soon +the darkness grew so intense, that had she held her hand close to her +eyes, she could not have seen it.</p> + +<p>Every moment augmented her fears; and sinking down in one corner, she +pressed her hands to her aching eyes, as if to shut out some hideous +spectacle.</p> + +<p>Not long had she been thus, when a mortal terror, to which all her other +fears were as nothing, seized her; she shivered with horror, and cold +perspiration started from every pore of her skin—for her sense of +hearing, painfully acute, detected the presence of a <i>moving object</i> in +the room—she heard the rustle of garments—a footstep—the sound of +breathing; she strained her eyes through the intense darkness, but could +distinguish nothing. The moving object approaching her, nearer and +nearer—it seemed to be groping in search of her—and her blood froze +with horror when at last a cold hand touched her cheek, and she beheld a +pair of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> eyes glaring at her through the gloom. A low, mocking laugh—a +whispered curse—and the object glided away; then Fanny lost all +consciousness.</p> + +<p>When she recovered from the swoon into which she had fallen, daylight +was shining through the windows. Hours passed away, and no one came to +invade the girl's solitude. At about noon, the door was unlocked, and +the old negro woman appeared, bearing a plate of provisions and a basket +full of clothing. Placing the food before Fanny, the hag bade her eat, a +request readily complied with, as she had fasted since the preceding +day. While she was eating, the old negress regarded her with a hideous +grin, and eyes expressing all the malignity of a serpent; and at the +conclusion of the repast, asked her—</p> + +<p>"Well, Miss, how did you pass the night?"</p> + +<p>Fanny related the fearful visitation she had experienced, and implored +to be released from her confinement; the black woman laughed +disdainfully.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Miss," said she, "my master will never let you go until of your +own free will, you become his own little lady, and take him for a lover. +Listen to me, girl: I am going to speak for your own good. My master is +very fond of young ladies such as you, and goes to every expense to get +them into the house; but he never likes to <i>force</i> them to his wishes, +his delight being to have them <i>willing</i> to receive him as a lover—do +you understand? But those silly girls who are <i>not</i> willing, he shuts up +in this room, which is haunted by a fearful spectre, who every night +visits the obstinate girl, and sometimes punishes her dreadfully, until +she consents to my master's wishes."</p> + +<p>Fanny shuddered—and the old black woman continued, in a gentler tone—</p> + +<p>"Now won't you, to avoid this fearful spectre, consent to become my +master's little lady? I am sure you will, my dear. See—I have brought +you some fine clothes to wear, so that you may be fit to receive Mr. +Tickels this afternoon, as he intends to visit you. Now, don't fail to +be very good and kind to him, for he loves you very much, and will make +a fine lady of you. Come, let us take off those old clothes, and put on +this beautiful silk dress that has been bought on purpose for you."</p> + +<p>We have so far depicted Fanny as a very timid, gentle girl; but she was +not destitute of a becoming spirit.—When, therefore, she heard that old +wretch so calmly and deliberately talk of her surrendering herself to +dishonor and shame, the flush of indignation mantled her cheek; she +arose, and boldly confronting her tormentor, said, with spirit and +determination—</p> + +<p>"I <i>will not</i> wear your fine clothes, nor become the slave of your +master's will! He is a villain for keeping me here—and you are a +wretch, a wicked wretch, for trying to tempt me to do wrong. I am not +afraid of the spectre you speak of, for God will protect me, and keep me +from harm. You may kill me, if you like, but I will not—<i>will not</i> be +guilty of the wickedness you wish me to commit; and if ever I get free +from this bad place, you and your master shall be made to suffer for +treating me so. Remember this, you nasty old black devil—remember +this!"</p> + +<p>The negress quailed before the young girl, whose singular beauty was +enhanced ten-fold by the glow of indignation on her cheek and the +sparkle of anger in her eye. Then, without saying a word, she left the +room, locking the door after her.</p> + +<p>Half an hour elapsed, and the wench again made her appearance; in her +hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> she carried a short, stout piece of rope. With the fury of a +tigress, and a countenance (black as she was) livid with rage, she flew +at the young girl, tore every shred of clothing from her person, and +then beat her cruelly with the rope, until her fair skin was covered in +various places with black and blue marks. In vain poor Fanny implored +for mercy; the black savage continued to beat her until obliged to +desist by sheer exhaustion. Throwing herself breathless into a chair, +she said, with a fierce oath—</p> + +<p>"So, Miss—I'm a nasty old black devil, am I? You impudent hussy, how +dare you use such language to me? But I'll learn you better. You shall +be more civil, and do as my master wishes, and obey me in everything, or +I'll not leave a whole bone in your skin. Now put on these new clothes +instantly, or I solemnly swear I'll not leave off beating you, until you +lie at my feet, a corpse!"</p> + +<p>Poor Fanny was obliged to obey—for, apart from the black woman's +threat, she had no alternative but to put on the costly garments which +had been procured for her, her own clothes being torn to pieces; and of +course she did not wish to remain in a state of nudity. She therefore +dressed herself—and in truth, the garments were well selected, and +fitted her to a charm. Even when attired in her old clothes, she had +looked exceedingly pretty; but now, dressed in an elegant costume which +displayed her fine shape and budding charms to the best advantage, she +was positively beautiful. Even the old black woman could not help +smiling with satisfaction at her improved appearance.</p> + +<p>"She is a choice tit-bit for my master's appetite," thought she, +chuckling to herself; and then she brought water, and made Fanny wash +the traces of tears from her face, and arrange her rich auburn hair +neatly and tastefully. This done, the negress departed, after telling +the young girl to prepare to receive Mr. Tickels in the course of the +afternoon.</p> + +<p>What must have been the reflections of that poor young creature, while +dreading the entrance of the hoary villain who sought her ruin? We can +but imagine them: doubtless she thought with agony of her poor +grandfather and little Charley, both of whom she knew would suffer all +the anguish of uncertainty and fear, with reference to her fate. Then, +perhaps, her mind reverted to the happiness she used to enjoy within the +hallowed precincts of her humble home—which, humble as it was, and +devoid of every luxury, and many comforts, was nevertheless endeared to +her by a thousand tender associations, and had been to her as an ark of +safety from the storms of life. Her thoughts next dwelt upon the kind +young lady, who had given her the gold coin, and whose sweet smile and +pitying words still lingered in her heart. And should she ever see those +dear relatives or that kind friend again? Or if she did, would she be +able to look them in the face as a pure and stainless girl, or would she +blush in their presence with a consciousness of degradation? But she was +interrupted in these painful meditations by the sound of the key turning +in the lock; and a moment afterwards Mr. Tickels entered the room, and +advanced towards her. On observing her improved appearance, a smile of +intense satisfaction overspread his bloated face and sensual +features—and his eyes rested admiringly upon her form, which, though +not ripened, was beginning to assume a voluptuous fullness that +betokened approaching womanhood. Taking her hand,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> he drew her to a sofa +and seated her by his side. How tumultuously her heart beat with +apprehension and fear!—and the old <i>gentleman's</i> first words were by no +means calculated to allay her alarm.</p> + +<p>"My charming little girl," said he, raising her hand to his lips—"how +beautiful you look! A <i>fruit girl</i>!—by heavens, you are fit to be a +duchess! Such sweet blue eyes—such luxuriant hair—such pure Grecian +features—such a complexion, the rose blending with the lily—such a +snowy breast, expanding into the two "apples of love!" And that little +foot, peeping so coquettishly from beneath the skirts of your dress, +should ever be encased in a satin slipper, and press naught but rich and +downy carpets in the magnificent saloons of aristocratic wealth! Nay, +nay, my little trembler, be not afraid, but listen to me: I love you +more than words can express—you are the star of my life, and your +lustre shall light me on my way to more than celestial felicity. Hear me +still further: the world bows the knee to me because I am rich—thus do +I kneel to you, my angel, for you are beautiful. You shall dwell with me +in a mansion, to which, in point of splendor, this is nothing. I will +have a <i>boudoir</i> prepared expressly for your use; it shall be lined with +pink satin, and in summer the windows will overlook a beautiful garden, +full of choice fruits and rare flowers; a sparkling fountain shall play +in its centre, and your ears will be ravished with the melody of birds. +You shall wander in that garden as much as you choose, and when you are +tired, you shall repose in a shady arbor, and dream of love and its +thousand blisses. In the winter season, like this, the opera, the +ballroom, the theatre, shall minister to your pleasure; and in those +places, none shall surpass you in splendor of dress or magnificence of +jewels. Say, <i>belissima</i>, will you give me your love in exchange for all +these things?"</p> + +<p>While uttering the above wild rhapsody, (which is given at length in +order to show the temptations with which the old libertine sought to +allure his intended victim,) he had kneeled at her feet, and, despite +her resistance, encircled her waist with his arm.</p> + +<p>And did that poor girl—the daughter of poverty—the child of +want—whose home was a garret, and who was familiar with the chills of +winter and the cravings of hunger,—did she, while listening to the +splendid promises of the rich man who knelt at her feet, for a moment +waver in her pride of virtue, or even dream of accepting his brilliant +offers? No! for even had she no other scruples, a host of holy memories +encircled her heart, as a shield of power against the tempter's +wiles,—the memory of home, of the two loved beings she had left there, +of former happiness in a more elevated sphere; and of a gentle mother, +whose beauty and virtues she had inherited, whose counsels she +remembered, and who was sleeping in the churchyard.</p> + +<p>Disengaging herself from the libertine's embrace, and thoroughly aroused +to a sense of her danger, and the necessity of making all the resistance +she was capable of, to preserve her chastity and honor, the young girl, +losing all sense of fear, poured forth a torrent of indignant eloquence +that for the time completely abashed and overcame the hoary and +lecherous villain.</p> + +<p>"No, sir—I will not, cannot love you; I hate and despise you, old +wretch that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> you are, seeking to tempt a poor child like me to her ruin. +Oh! you are rich, and have the manners of a gentleman before the +world,—and yet you are more base, mean and cowardly than the commonest +ruffian that ever stole a purse or cut a throat! Let me go hence, I +command you; you dare not refuse me, for I know there is a law to +protect <i>me</i>, as well as the richest and the highest, and I will go to +those who execute the law, and have you dragged to the bar of justice to +answer for this outrage. Do you hear, sir?—let me go from this accursed +place, or dread the power of the law and the vengeance of Almighty God!"</p> + +<p>The libertine quailed before the flashing eyes and proud scorn of his +intended victim; his discomfiture, however, lasted but for a moment. His +red face grew black with the passions of rage and lust combined; he +muttered a fierce curse, and springing forward, seized her in his +vice-like grasp, and forced her towards the sofa, exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"Curses on you, little hell-bird, since neither persuasions nor promises +will make you mine, it shall be done by force. Nay, if you scream so, by +the powers of darkness I'll strangle you!"</p> + +<p>In all human probability he would have been as good as his word, for +Fanny continued to scream louder and louder; when suddenly Mr. Tickels +received a blow on the head that brought him to the ground, and a voice +cried out—</p> + +<p>"Broad-swords and bomb-shells! I am just in time!"</p> + +<p>While the libertine lay sprawling upon the carpet, Fanny turned to thank +her deliverer; and what was her astonishment and joy when she beheld the +wrinkled, care-worn face, and odd, shabby garments of—Corporal Grimsby.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h4><i>The Rescue.</i></h4> + + +<p>"By the nose of Napoleon!" cried the worthy Corporal, clasping Fanny in +his arms,—"this is fortunate. Attacked the enemy in the rear—drove him +from his position,—completely routed him, and left him wounded on the +field; and you, my dear child, are the spoils of war!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels arose with difficulty from his prostrate position, rubbing +his forehead, which was decorated with a token of the Corporal's vigor, +in the shape of a huge bump not included in the science of phrenology. +Turning fiercely to the latter gentleman, and quivering with rage, he +demanded—</p> + +<p>"Death and fury, sir! how dare you intrude into this room,—into this +house? Who are you, and what in the devil's name brings you here? Speak, +you villain, or—"</p> + +<p>"Hold!" cried the Corporal, his face crimsoning with anger, for he was a +choleric little old gentleman, was the Corporal, and as quick to become +enraged as to do a good action; "hold! No man shall call me villain with +impunity; I shot two rascally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> Dons at Madrid for the same word, and by +God, sir, if <i>you</i> repeat it, I'll cane you within an inch of your +life!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels was as great a coward as a scoundrel; and though he was a +much more powerful man than the Corporal, he deemed it prudent not to +enrage the fierce little old gentleman more than necessary. He therefore +adopted a milder tone, and asked,—</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, what is your business here?"</p> + +<p>"To convey this poor child to her home and friends," replied the +Corporal, sternly. "It matters not how I ascertained her whereabouts; +'tis enough to know that I arrived here in time to rescue her from your +brutality. You shall pay dearly for this outrage, damn you!" added the +Corporal, again getting into a passion, and turning very red in the +face. "But come, my child, let us leave the den of this old hyena, and +go to your poor grandfather and little Charley."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels closed the door, and placed his back against it with a +determined air.</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, sir," said he, calmly,—"if you suppose that you can +thus force yourself into my house, and into my private apartments, and +without explanation kidnap or carry off a young person whose presence +here is no affair of yours. Do you know me, sir? I am the Honorable +Timothy Tickels, ex-member of Congress, men are not in the habit of +questioning my motives or interfering with my actions. I am rich, and my +influence is unbounded, and, were I so disposed, I could have you +severely punished for the assault which you have committed on me. Your +dress and appearance indicate poverty, although your language evinces +that you have enjoyed more elevated fortunes; I am disposed to be not +only merciful, but generous. Come, sir—leave this young person with me, +unmolested; depart from this house quietly, and say nothing about what +you have seen, and here is a fifty dollar bill for you. When you need +more, come to me, and you shall have it."</p> + +<p>The Honorable Mr. Tickels drew from his well-filled wallet a bank-note +for the amount named, and handed it to the Corporal, who regarded it +with a curious smile, and twirled it in his fingers. His smile may have +been one of gratification at receiving the money—but it looked very +much like a sneer of contempt for the donor and his bribe.</p> + +<p>"Now is it not strange," quoth the Corporal, soliloquizing,—"that this +dirty little bit of paper—its intrinsic value not one cent, its +representative value fifty dollars,—is it not strange, I say, that this +flimsy trifle, that an instant's application to the sickly flame of a +penny candle would destroy, can procure food for the starving, clothing +for the naked, shelter for the homeless? Great is thy power, +money!—thou art the key to many of earth's pleasures,—the magic wand, +which can summon a host of delights to gild the existence of thy +votaries; thou cans't buy roses to strew life's rugged pathway—but thou +cans't not, O great deity at whose shrine all men kneel, thou cans't not +cleanse the polluted soul, still the troubled conscience, or dim the +pure surface of unsullied honor. Nor cans't thou purchase <i>me</i>, thou +sordid dross. Guns and grappling-irons!" abruptly added the Corporal, +abandoning his philosophical strain, and getting into a towering +passion,—"would you bribe me to desert my post as a guardian of +innocence, and turn traitor to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> every principle of honor in my +heart?—Bah!" and crumpling the bill in his hand, he threw it into the +face of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, much to that individual's amazement.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir?" he demanded, "do you scorn my gift?"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" thundered the little Corporal, "you and your gift may go to the +devil together; and hark'ee, sir, perhaps 'tis well that you should know +who <i>I</i> am, as you have so formally introduced yourself to me; I am—"</p> + +<p>The remainder of the sentence was whispered in the ear of his listener, +but the effect was magical. The Honorable Mr. Tickels started, and +rapidly surveyed the person and countenance of the Corporal; then he +reddened with confusion, and began to murmur a broken apology for his +conduct, in which he was interrupted rather abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Not a word, sir, not a word," said the little old gentleman, "all your +apologies cannot remove from my mind the impression created by your +treatment of this poor child; and, sir," (here the Corporal again lost +his temper) "you cannot destroy my conviction that you are the d——dest +scoundrel that ever went unhung! Consider yourself fortunate if you are +not held legally responsible for your forcible detention of the young +girl in your house, and for your attempted outrage on her person,—damn +you! Come, my child, this gentleman will no longer oppose our exit from +his mansion."</p> + +<p>The Corporal was right; the Honorable Mr. Tickels offered not the +slightest objection to their departure, but on the contrary ushered them +down stairs with great politeness, and held open the street door for +them to pass out.</p> + +<p>When Fanny found herself once more in the open street, out of the power +of her persecutor, and on the way to her home and friends, her gratitude +to her deliverer knew no bounds; she thanked the good Corporal a +thousand times, and spoke of the approaching meeting with her +grandfather and brother with rapture. Soon they reached their place of +destination; once more the young girl stood in the humble apartment +wherein all her affections were centered;—once more her aged +grandfather clasped her in his arms, and again did she receive the fond +kiss of fraternal love from the lips of her brother.</p> + +<p>As soon as they had left the residence of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, in +South street, the gentleman locked himself up in his study, threw +himself into a chair, and actually began tearing his hair with rage and +vexation.</p> + +<p>"Hell and furies!" cried he—"to be thus fooled and baffled at the very +moment when my object was about to be accomplished—to have that +luscious morsel snatched from my grasp, when I was just about to taste +its sweets. The thought is madness! And, in the name of wonder, how came +HE to know that she was here, and why does <i>he</i> interest himself in her +at all? I dare not trifle with <i>him</i>! Were some poor, poverty-stricken +devil to constitute himself her champion, I might crush him at once; but +<i>he</i> is above my reach. No matter; she shall yet be mine—I swear it, by +all the powers of hell! I care not whether by open violence, or secret +abduction, or subtle stratagem; I shall gain possession of her person, +and once in my power, not all the angels in heaven, or men on earth, or +fiends in hell, shall tear her from my grasp.—Ah, by Beelzebub, well +tho't of!—I know the mistress of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> a house of prostitution (of which +house I am the <i>owner</i>,) beneath whose den, as she has often told me, +there is a secret cellar, which she has had privately constructed, and +to which there is no access except through a panel in her chamber—which +panel and the method of opening it, are known only to her, and a few +persons in whom she can place implicit confidence.—This brothel-keeper +told me, too, that she had the cellar made as a safe depository for +young females who had been abducted from their homes,—a place of +security from the search of friends, and the police. In that +subterranean retreat, (which she informed me, is luxuriantly furnished, +although the light of day never penetrates there,) these stolen girls +are compelled to receive the visits of their lovers; and there, amid the +gloom and silence of that underground prison they are initiated in all +the mysteries of prostitution. By heaven 'tis the very place for my +little fruit girl; she shall be abducted and conveyed there—and once +safely lodged in these secret "Chambers of Love," HE who spoiled by +sport to-day, shall in vain search for her. Let him come, bringing with +him the myrmidons of the law; and let them search my house—then let +them, if they choose, go to the brothel, beneath the foundation of which +the girl is hidden, and search <i>that</i> house, too,—ha, ha, ha! They will +search for her in vain. But <i>how</i> to abduct her—there's the rub! Tush! +when did my ingenuity ever fail me, when appetite was to be fed or +revenge gratified? Courage, Timothy Tickels, courage! Thy star, though +dim at present, shall soon be in the ascendant!"</p> + +<p>Such were the reflections of the old libertine, as he sat in his study +after the departure of the Corporal and Fanny; and he was so delighted +at the thought of a safe asylum for the latter, that, with restored good +humor he applied himself to the discussion of a bottle of wine, and +then, stretching himself comfortably on a sofa, fell asleep and dreamed +of the subterranean "Chamber of Love," and the little fruit girl.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h4><i>A night in Ann street.</i></h4> + + +<p>We proceed now to show how the Corporal discovered the fact that Fanny +Aubrey was confined in the mansion of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, in +South street.</p> + +<p>Great was the consternation and alarm of the blind basket-maker and +little Charley, as the day passed away and evening came on, without the +return of Fanny. They were agitated with a thousand fears for her +safety, for both their lives were bound up in hers, and they doted on +her with an affection rendered doubly ardent by their poverty and almost +complete isolation from the world. In the midst of their distress, +Corporal Grimsby entered, bringing, as on the evening before, a basket +of provisions. To him they communicated the intelligence that Fanny had +not returned; and the eccentric old man, without waiting to hear the +recital of their fears, threw the basket on the table, bolted +precipitately down stairs, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> walked away towards Ann street with a +rapidity that betokened the existence of some fixed purpose in his mind. +Meanwhile, his reflections ran somewhat in the following strain, and +were half muttered aloud, as he trudged quickly onward, now nearly +upsetting a foot passenger and receiving a malediction on his +awkwardness, and then bruising his unlucky shins against lampposts and +other street fixtures.</p> + +<p>"By the nose of Napoleon! what can have become of the little minx? lost +or stolen?—most probably the latter, for in this infernal city a pretty +girl like her, so unprotected and so poor, can no more traverse the +streets with safety, than can a fine fat goose waddle into the den of a +wolf unharmed. Curses on these lampposts, I am always breaking my neck +against them—bah! Well, to consider: but why the devil do I interest +myself in this little girl at all? Is it because I am a lonely, solitary +old codger, with neither chick nor child to bless me with their love, +and whom I may love in return? Bah! no—that can't be; and yet, somehow, +there is a vacant corner in my old heart, and the image of that little +girl seems to fill it exactly. I am an old fool, and yet—damn you, sir, +what d'ye mean by running against me, eh!—and yet, it did me more good +to see that hungry family last night, eat the food that I had provided +for them, than it did when I, Gregory Grimsby, was promoted to the +elevated rank of Corporal. Now about this little girl—I'll bet my +three-cornered cock'd hat against a pinch of Scotch snuff that she has +been abducted—entrapped into the power of some scoundrel for the worst +of purposes. That's the most natural supposition that I can get at. Now +display thy logic, Corporal: thy supposed scoundrel must be rich, for +poor men can seldom afford such expensive luxuries as mistresses; being +rich implies that he is <i>respectable</i>—so the world says and +thinks—bah! Being respectable, he would not compromise his character by +engaging personally in such a low business as entrapping a girl; no—he +would employ an <i>agent</i>; and such an agent must necessarily be a very +low person, whether male or female—if a male, he is a ruffian—if a +female, she is a strumpet—and where do ruffians and strumpets, of the +<i>lower orders</i> (for even in crime there is an aristocracy)<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> where do +they usually reside? why, in a congenial atmosphere—in the lowest +section of the city; and what is the lowest section of this city? why, +<i>Ann street</i>, to be sure. Truly, Corporal Grimsby, thou art an admirable +logician! So now I am on my way to Ann street, to explore its dens, in +the hope (a vain one, I fear) of finding the supposed agent who was +employed by the supposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> rich scoundrel to abduct, kidnap, or entrap my +little Fanny. Should I be so fortunate as to find that agent, money will +readily induce him or her to divulge the place where the girl is hid; +for the principle of "honor among thieves" has, I believe, but an +imaginary existence."</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> The honest Corporal was right; the well-dressed, +gentlemanly, speculating, wholesale swindler would scorn to associate +with the needy wretch who protracts a miserable existence by small +pilferings—and the fashionable courtezan who promenades Washington +street and "sees company" at a splendidly furnished brothel, can +perceive not the slightest resemblance between her position in society +and that of the wretched troll who practises indiscriminate prostitution +in some low "crib" in Ann street. And yet philosophy and common sense +both level all moral distinction between the two conditions.—A noble +murderer once protested against being hung on the same gallows with a +chimney-sweep—there was aristocracy with a vengeance! We opine that the +lofty and arrogant pretensions of some of our "nabobs," who are often of +obscure and sometimes of ignominious birth, are scarcely less ridiculous +than the aristocratic notions of a gentlemanly rascal who robs <i>a la +mode</i> and picks a pocket with gentility and grace!</p></div> + +<p>Leaving the Corporal to explore the intricate labyrinths of Ann street, +(in the hope of obtaining some clew to the fate of Fanny Aubry,) thou +wilt have the kindness, gentle reader, to accompany us into one of the +squalid dens of that great sewer of vice and crime. But first we pause +to read and admire the sign which decorates the exterior of a "crib" +opposite Keith's Alley, and which, with a peculiarity of orthography +truly amusing, notifies you that it is a "<i>Vittlin Sollor.</i>" (This sign +remains there to this day.) Passing on, we cannot fail to be impressed +with the "mixed" nature of the society of the place; colored ladies and +gentlemen (by far the most decent portion of the population) are every +where to be seen, thronging the side-walks, indulging in boisterous +laughter; loafers of every description are lounging about, whose +tattered garments indicate the languishing condition of their wardrobes; +great, ruffianly fellows stare at you with eyes expressive of the +villainy that prompts to robbery and murder;—miserable men, ghastly +women, and dirty children obstruct the pathway, and annoy you with their +oaths and ribald jests. Let us descend this steep flight of steps, and +enter this cellar. Be not too fastidious in regard to the odor of the +place, for <i>eau de cologne</i> and otto of rose are not exactly the +commodities disposed of here, the place being devoted to the sale of +that beverage classically termed "rot-gut," and eatables which, unlike +wine, are by no means improved in flavor by age. There is the "bar," and +the red-nosed gentleman behind it seems to be one of its best patrons. A +wooden bench extends around the apartment, and upon it are seated about +twenty persons of both sexes. A brief sketch of a few of the "ladies" of +this goodly company may prove interesting, from the fact that the names +are real, and belong to prostitutes who even now inhabit the regions of +Ann street.</p> + +<p>That handsome, finely-formed female, with dark eyes and hair in +ringlets, and who is also very neatly dressed, is "Kitty Cling-cling," +who has been termed the "belle of Ann street." That lady in a red dress, +with hair uncommonly short, (she having only recently dispensed with a +wig,) is Joannah Westman, of Fleet street, and Liverpool Jane from the +same <i>respectable</i> neighborhood. This renowned "Lady" of the town was +(and is) distinguished by a huge scar on her left cheek, which seems to +be the exact impression of a gin bottle, probably thrown in some brawl +in Liverpool, her native place. Then there is Lize Whittaker, from +Lowell, who "ties up" at the corner of Fleet and Ann streets. Then we +notice two ladies who rejoice in the mellifluous names of "Bald-head" +and "Cockroach," and who are both worthy representatives from Keith's +Alley. These, with a small sprinkling of ebony lasses and their +attendant cavaliers, make up the very respectable assemblage.</p> + +<p>And now everybody brightens up, as a couple of colored gentlemen enter +the cellar, and seating themselves upon a raised platform termed by +courtesy "the orchestra," commence tuning a fiddle and base viol, +preparatory to a dance by "all the characters."—Away the musicians +glide into the harmonious measures of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> gay quadrille—and to say the +truth, the music is excellent, for Picayune and Joe are very skillful +performers on their respective instruments; and are well qualified to +play for a much more select and fashionable auditory. And now the +voluptuous Kitty Cling-cling is led to the centre of the festive hall by +a sable mariner, and begins to foot it merrily to the dulcet strains; +while Bald-head and Cockroach find partners in two African geniuses, +whose dress and general appearance would most decidedly exclude them +from admission into a fancy ball at Brigham's. Away they go, through all +the intricate mazes of the giddy dance. But see—a crowd of well-dressed +but dissipated young men enter the cellar, their wild looks and +disordered attire plainly indicating that they are on a regular "time." +Those young men have been imbibing freely at some fashionable saloon in +Court or Hanover street, and have come to consummate the evening's "fun" +by having a dance with the fallen goddesses of Ann street. With a +facetious perversity, they select as partners the most hideous of the +negro women, and "mix in" the dance with a relish that could not be +surpassed if their partners were each a Venus, and the cellar a +magnificent hall of Terpsichore. The dance concluded, they throw down a +handful of silver upon the counter, and invite "all hands to take a +drink," but very rarely drink themselves in such a place, well knowing +the liquor to be unworthy the palate of men accustomed to the superior +beverages of the aristocratic establishments. At the completion of this +ceremony, they take their departure, to visit some other "crib," and +repeat the same performances.</p> + +<p>But let us (supposing ourselves to be invisible) pass from the dance +hall and enter the adjoining apartment, which is smaller. Seated around +a rough deal table are about thirty men and women, engaged in smoking +and drinking. The room is dimly lighted by a couple of tallow candles, +stuck in bottles; the walls are black with dust and smoke, and the +aforesaid table and a few benches constitute the entire furniture of the +room. The general frequenters of the cellar are not admitted to this +place, it being especially reserved for the use of those ladies and +gentlemen who gain their living on the principle of an equal division of +property—or in other words, <i>thieves</i>. In this room, secure from being +overheard by the uninitiated and vulgar crowd, they could "ply the +lush," and "blow a cloud," while they talked over their exploits and +planned new depredations. The room was called the "Pig Pen," and the +society who resorted there classed themselves under the expressive tide +of "Grabbers." Although not a regularly organized association, it had a +sort of leader or captain whose authority was generally recognized. This +gentleman was called "Jew Mike," from the fact of his belonging to the +Hebrew persuasion; he was a gigantic, swarthy ruffian, with a long, +black and most repulsive features, and was dressed in a style decidedly +"flash," his coat garnished with huge brass buttons, and his fingers +profusely adorned with jewelry of the same material. He had recently +graduated from the State Prison, where he had served a term of ten years +for manslaughter, as the jury termed it; although it was universally +regarded as one of the most cold-blooded and atrocious murders ever +committed. To sum up the character of this man in a few words, he was a +most desperate and blood-thirsty villain, capable of perpetrating the +most enormous crimes; and dark hints<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> were sometimes thrown out by his +associates in reference to his former career; some said that he was an +escaped murderer from the South; others that he had been a pirate; while +all united in bearing unqualified testimony as to the villainy of his +character and the number and blackness of his crimes. He could not plead +<i>ignorance</i> in extenuation of his manifold enormities, for he possessed +an education that would have qualified him to move in a respectable +sphere of society, had he been so disposed. Upon his right was seated no +less a personage that "Sow Nance," the hideous girl who had that day +entrapped poor Fanny Aubry into the power of Mr. Tickels; she was much +intoxicated, and by the maudlin fondness which she displayed for Jew +Mike, it was easy to surmise the nature of the relation existing between +her and him. Included in the company were several other "apple girls," +whose proficiency as thieves entitled them to the distinction of being +considered as competent "Grabbers;" each one of these wretched young +creatures had her lover, of "fancy man," who was generally some low, +petty thief—although, among the male portion of the assembly, there +were several expert and daring robbers, the most distinguished of whom +was Jew Mike himself, whose skill as a burglar had elevated him to the +highly honorable position of captain of the "Grabbers."</p> + +<p>The "lush" was freely handed round, and the company soon grew "half seas +over;" then came wildly exaggerated narratives of exploits in robbery, +thieving, and almost every species of crime, interspersed with smutty +anecdotes and obscene songs, in which the females of the company were +not a whit behind the males. At length Jew Mike himself was vociferously +called on for either a song or a story; and not being a vocalist, the +gentleman preferred entertaining his friends with the latter; so, +clearing his throat by an enormous draught of brandy, he began as +follows:</p> + + +<h2>JEW MIKE'S STORY</h2> + +<blockquote><p>"You see, lads and lasses, a year or two before I came to this +accursed country to be <i>jugged for a ten spot</i>, for manslaughter, (it +was a clear murder, though, and a good piece of work, too,) I was a +nobleman's butler in the great city of London. Ah, <i>that</i> was the +place for a man to get a living in! No decent "Grabber," would stoop +to petty stealing there; beautiful burglaries, yielding hundreds of +pounds in silver plate; elegant highway robberies, producing piles of +guineas and heaps of diamond watches,—that was the business followed +by lads of the cross at that time in England. Well, there's no use in +crying over spilt milk, any how; I was obliged to step out of England +when the country got too hot to hold me, and if I returned there, by +G——! my life wouldn't be worth a moment's purchase. And now to go on +with my story. I was a nobleman's butler, and glorious times I had of +it—little to do, plenty of pickings and stealings, free access to the +pantry and wine-cellar, and enjoying terms of easy intimacy with the +prettiest chambermaid in London. The only drawback upon my happiness +was Lord Hawley's <i>valet</i>, a Frenchman, named Lagrange, who had been +in his lordship's service many years, and was regarded as a remarkably +honest and faithful man,—and so he was; but those qualities which +rendered him valuable to his lordship, of course rendered him devilish +obnoxious to me,—for he suspected my real character, and was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +continually playing the spy upon me, and informing my master of all my +little peccadilloes. For instance, his lordship would send for me in +his library, and say, sternly,—'Simpson, my valet Lagrange informs me +that you are improperly intimate with one of the female domestics; you +must stop it, or quit my service.' And perhaps the next day he would +again summon me before him, and, with that cursed valet grinning +maliciously at me from behind his chair, say to me,—'Simpson, I hear +that you make too free with my wine, and are frequently intoxicated; +stop it, or I shall dismiss you.' In short, Lagrange was the bane of +my existence, and I secretly swore to be terribly revenged upon him +for his tattling propensities. You'll soon see how well I kept my +oath.</p> + +<p>"My Lady Hawley was a very gay, dissipated and beautiful woman, and I +had long been aware that during my master's absence she was in the +habit of receiving the clandestine visits of a handsome young officer +of dragoons. To tell the truth, I used to admit him to the house, and +see that no one was in the way to observe him enter her ladyship's +chamber, for which services I received very liberal rewards from both +her ladyship, and Captain St. Clair. Lord Hawley doted upon his wife, +who was many years younger than himself; and often have I laughed in +my sleeve when I thought what a cuckold she made of him. But he +suspected nothing of the kind; I was the only person, besides the +parties, who knew of the intrigue; even Lagrange, artful spy as he +was, did not discover it. My master, who was addicted to gambling, was +absent until a late hour every night, at Crockford's; and thus her +ladyship had every opportunity to enjoy frequent interviews with her +lover. As I knew of her frailty, I had her completely in my power; and +often I was tempted to threaten her with exposure, unless she would +"come down" handsomely with a thousand pounds or so, and grant me <i>any +other favor</i> that I might choose to demand, as the price of my +silence,—for, as I said before, she was a beautiful woman, and a +butler has feelings as ardent as those of a captain of dragoons.</p> + +<p>"Well, matters continued very quiet and agreeable, until late one +night, after I had gone to bed, I heard a low but hurried knock at the +door of my room. I arose, hastily threw on a few garments, and opened +the door, when to my astonishment in rushed Lady Hawley, in her +night-dress, and threw herself into a chair, breathless with +agitation. Almost instantly the thought flashed through my mind that +her intrigue had been discovered; cautiously closing the door, I +advanced towards her ladyship, and in a respectful manner inquired why +she had honored me with a visit so unexpected, and what might be the +cause of her evident agitation, at the same time assuring her of my +assistance, should she require it. She fixed her proud, beautiful eyes +upon my face, and said, in a voice trembling with emotion,—</p> + +<p>"'Good heavens, Simpson, only think of it, my foolish affair with +Captain St. Clair is discovered!'</p> + +<p>"'Is it possible, your ladyship?' I cried, 'and may I ask who—'</p> + +<p>"'His lordship's valet, Lagrange, saw me, half an hour ago, conducting +the Captain to the private stair-case which leads to the garden,' +replied her ladyship, shuddering, and shading her face with her hands.</p> + +<p>"'And might not your ladyship purchase his silence?' I asked. She +replied,—</p> + +<p>"'I have just come from his room; you know how obstinate he is,—how +entirely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> devoted to his lordship,—how blindly honest and faithful +he has ever been,—how singularly averse to receiving presents from +any source whatever, fearing it might have the appearance of bribery. +I went to his room, and offered him a hundred guineas if he would +solemnly swear never to reveal what he had seen. In a tone of cold +indifference he said, 'I must do my duty to his lordship, to whom I am +bound by the strongest ties of gratitude, even at the sacrifice of +your ladyship's honor.' I entreated him, almost on my knees, to give +the required promise; I offered to double, nay, treble the sum that I +had named, but no; he turned from me, almost with disdain, (the +low-born menial!) and requested me to retire, as I must be aware of +the impropriety of such a visit, at such an hour. Perceiving the +uselessness of attempting to bribe him to secrecy, I left him, cursing +him for his obstinacy, and came direct to you. Heavens!' added her +ladyship, drawing her robe over her partially denuded bosom, 'how +desperate the fear of exposure has made me, that in this indecent +attire I go at midnight to the chambers of male servants!—Simpson, +can you help me in this dreadful emergency? You have heretofore proved +faithful to me,—do not desert me now. <i>Lagrange must be +silenced!</i>—do you understand me? At any cost,—at any risk,—his +babbling tongue must be hushed, <i>by you</i>, for you are the only person +whom I can trust in the affair. Yes, he must never speak the word that +will proclaim my dishonor to the world!'</p> + +<p>"'<i>At any cost</i>, your ladyship?' rejoined I, fixing my eyes steadily +upon hers, for her despair rendered me bold, and I was not one to +suffer an opportunity to slip by unimproved.</p> + +<p>"'I understand you, fellow!' she replied, with a hysterical laugh and +a glance of scorn,—'and much as I despise you, I answer yes! at any +cost. But, gracious Heavens, what do I say? <i>you</i>, a menial, a +base-born servitor! But no matter; even <i>that</i> is far preferable to +exposure. Good God! to think of being cast off by his lordship with +loathing and contempt, despised and hated by my relatives,—an eternal +blot upon my name,—forever excluded from the sphere of society of +which I am the star and centre,—no, that shall never, never be. +Silence Lagrange—silence him forever,—then ask of me any favor, and +it shall not be denied.'</p> + +<p>"I approached her ladyship; she was pale as marble, but how superbly +beautiful! Her glossy hair, all disordered, hung in rich masses upon +her uncovered shoulders; her seductive night-dress but imperfectly +concealed the glories of her divine form,—her heaving bosom, so +voluptuous and fair, was more than half disclosed to my gaze. With a +palpitating heart I laid my trembling hand upon one of her plump, +white shoulders. Never shall I forget the majestic rage and scorn of +her look, as she started to her feet, and stood before me in all the +pride of her imperial beauty.</p> + +<p>"'Fellow,' she said, with desperate calmness, 'you are bold; but +perhaps I ought to have expected this. I perceive that you are +disposed to take every advantage of my situation. Be it so, then; but +not until you have <i>earned the reward</i>, can you claim it. Remember +this. Fortunately, his lordship is out of town, and will not return +until the day after to-morrow; but oh! how unfortunate that his +accursed valet did not accompany him! Lagrange pretended to be ill, +and was left behind,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> and my lord was attended by another servant. No +matter,—you will have an opportunity to dispose of this French spy +ere the return of his master. I care not what method you take to +silence his tongue,—but be secret and sure; and when the work is +done, you shall have your reward—not before.'</p> + +<p>"Having thus spoken, her ladyship swept out of the room with the air +of a queen, leaving me to devise the best method of silencing Lagrange +forever. I could not mistake her ladyship's meaning; she wished me to +<i>murder</i> the man. Now, the fact is, ladies and gentlemen, murder's a +devilish ticklish business, any how; not that I ever had any false +delicacy in relation to the wickedness of the thing—pshaw! nothing of +the kind,—you'll all believe me when I assure you that I'd as soon +cut a human throat, as wring the neck of a chicken, for that matter; +but then the consequences of a discovery are so ducedly unpleasant, +and although I am confident in my own mind that I am destined to +terminate my existence ornamented with a hempen cravat, I have never +had any desire to hasten that consummation. So I didn't altogether +relish the job which her ladyship had given me; but when I thought of +her surpassing beauty, my hesitation vanished like mists before the +rising sun, and I resolved to do it.</p> + +<p>"Several times the next day I tried to provoke Lagrange into a +quarrel, but the wily rascal, as if divining my intentions, only +shrugged his shoulders and smiled in the cold and sarcastic manner +peculiar to him. This enraged me greatly, and after applying the most +abusive epithets to him, I finally struck him. But all availed +nothing; unlike the majority of his countrymen, the fellow was cold +and passionless, even under insults and blows. I had provided myself +with a sharp butcher's knife, which I carried in my sleeve, ready to +plunge into his heart, had he offered to attack me in return; and thus +I hoped to make it appear that I had slain him in self-defence. But +his admirable coolness and self-possession defeated that scheme,—and +I saw that I would be obliged to slay him deliberately at the first +opportunity.</p> + +<p>"That opportunity was not long wanting.</p> + +<p>"During the afternoon he had occasion to visit the wine vault, of +which I alone had the key; I accompanied him thither, and while he was +engaged in selecting some malt liquor for the servants' table, I said +to him,—</p> + +<p>"'Monsieur Lagrange, you are acquainted with a secret that intimately +concerns her ladyship; what use do you intend to make of this +knowledge?'</p> + +<p>"The Frenchman very coolly intimated that it was none of my business, +and continued his employment. His back was towards me; I approached +nearer to him, and said, in a low tone—</p> + +<p>"'You infernal, backbiting, sneaking scoundrel, you have often +betrayed me to my master, and would now betray her ladyship. You shall +not live to do it—die like a dog, as you are!'</p> + +<p>"While thus addressing him, I had drawn forth my knife; and as I +uttered the last words, I plunged it with all my force into his left +side, up to the very handle. The blade passed directly through his +heart, and without a groan he fell dead at my feet.</p> + +<p>"No remorse—no sorrow for the bloody deed I had committed, found +entrance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> to my soul; on the contrary, I gazed at the corpse with +savage exultation. 'That babbling tongue is now forever hushed,' +thought I; and then, as a sudden strange thought struck me, I +added—'and that tongue shall be my passport to a bliss more exquisite +than the joys of Paradise.' With an untrembling hand I cut off the +dead man's tongue, secured it about me, and having hid the body behind +a row of wine casks, left the cellar, securely locked the door, and +then went about my usual avocations, resolving to dispose of the +corpse that night in some manner that should avert suspicion from me, +for I had every confidence in my own ingenuity.</p> + +<p>"Towards evening, I sought and obtained an interview with her +ladyship, in private. She advanced to meet me with a hurried step and +sparkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"'Simpson, <i>is it done</i>?' she asked, in a tone of extreme agitation, +and laying her delicate hand on my arm.</p> + +<p>"'It is, your ladyship,' was my reply, producing and holding before +her the bloody evidence of the deed—'and here is the tongue of +Lagrange,—the tongue that would have proclaimed your shame and +effected your ruin, had its owner lived; but he now lies a cold +corpse, and this once mischievous member is now as powerless as a +piece of carrion beneath a butcher's shamble.'</p> + +<p>"'And the body—how will you dispose of that?' she asked, shuddering, +and turning from the sickening spectacle with disgust.</p> + +<p>"'To-night it shall be sunk deep in the waters of the Thames,' I +replied; and then, in a more familiar manner than I had as yet +ventured to assume, I reminded her ladyship of the <i>reward</i> she had +promised me, as soon as the job should be completed. Again she +shuddered;—and turned deadly pale; and with a bitter smile, which +seemed to me to be expressive of hatred and contempt combined, she +answered—</p> + +<p>"'You are right, Simpson; you have obeyed my wishes, and merit your +reward,—but not now, not now! Come to my chamber at midnight; I shall +expect you,—you understand. Go now—leave me; remove all traces of +your crime. I shall take care to have a quantity of plate removed from +the house to-night, and destroyed, and when his lordship returns +to-morrow, he will imagine that Lagrange, despite his supposed +faithfulness and integrity, has absconded and stolen the plate,—that +will account to him for the valet's sudden disappearance. Leave me.'</p> + +<p>"'Remember, at midnight, your ladyship,' said I, and left her; but +when I had closed the door of the apartment, I imagined that I heard +her give utterance to a scornful laugh. However, I attributed it to +her gratification at the death of Lagrange, and descending to the wine +cellar, I busied myself in washing away the stains of blood from the +floor. How impatiently I longed for the arrival of midnight! the hour +that was to bring with it the reward of my crime!</p> + +<p>"During the evening, I paid a visit to a noted "<i>boozing ken</i>" in St. +Giles', which bore the very suitable appellation of the "Jolly +Thieves." Here I engaged two desperate fellows of my +acquaintance—(for I went on a <i>crack</i>, now and then, myself, just to +keep my hand in,)—to make away with the body of Lagrange; they were +to come to the rear of my master's house, an hour after midnight, +provided with a sack and some means of conveyance; and, for a liberal +reward, they promised to carry off the corpse, and, having attached a +heavy weight to it, sink it in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> Thames,—although I felt assured +in my own mind, that, instead of giving it to the fishes, they would +make a more profitable disposition of it, by selling it to some +surgeon for dissection;—body-snatching being a part of their +profession, as well as burglary and murder. Having made this important +arrangement, and paid them a good round sum in advance, (for I was +well provided with money,) I returned to my master's house, which I +reached about eleven o'clock.</p> + +<p>"At length the welcome midnight hour arrived, and with a beating heart +I repaired to the chamber of her ladyship. It was a large apartment, +furnished with exquisite taste and elegance,—in fact, a perfect bower +of the graces; and, to my somewhat voluptuous mind, not the least +attractive feature of it, was a magnificent and luxurious <i>bed</i>, +mysteriously hidden beneath a profuse cloud of snowy drapery, heavily +laden with costly lace. I had already pictured to myself the delights +of an amorous dalliance within that bower of Venus, with one whose +glorious beauty could not have been surpassed by that of the ardent +goddess herself—but how grievously was I doomed to be disappointed, +at the very moment when I fancied my triumph certain! But I must not +anticipate my story.</p> + +<p>"In answer to my respectful, and I must own, somewhat timid, knock at +the chamber door, I heard the musical but subdued voice of her +ladyship bidding me to 'come in.' I entered, and having softly closed +the door, noiselessly turned the key in the lock, and advanced to +where she was seated by a table, upon which there stood wine, and +materials of a <i>recherche</i> supper. Drawing a chair close to her +ladyship, I seated myself, and gazed at her long and ardently, while +she, apparently unconscious of my presence, seemed to be deeply +engaged in perusing a splendid volume of Byron's poems.</p> + +<p>"Surprised and not perfectly at ease, in consequence of her silence +and abstraction (for she had not even glanced at me,) I at length +ventured to observe—</p> + +<p>"'Your ladyship sees that I am punctual; as of course I could not +neglect to keep so delightful an appointment.'</p> + +<p>"Still she answered nothing, nor even raised her eyes from the book! +During the silence of some minutes that ensued, I had an excellent +opportunity to feast my eyes upon the seraphic loveliness of her face, +and the admirable proportions of her queen-like form. She was dressed +with studied simplicity, and in a style half <i>neglige</i>, infinitely +more fascinating than the most elaborate full dress. A robe of snowy +whiteness, made so as to display her plump, soft arms, and fine, +sloping shoulders, and entirely without ornament, constituted her +attire; and a single white rose alone relieved the jet darkness of her +clustering hair. She was seated in a manner that enabled me to view +her profile to the best advantage; I was never more forcibly struck +with its purely classical and Grecian outlines; and I observed that a +soft expression of melancholy was blended with the usual <i>hauteur</i> +that sat enthroned upon her angelic features.</p> + +<p>"As I gazed admiringly upon the beautiful woman, whom I could almost +imagine to be a being from a celestial world, I could not help saying +to myself—</p> + +<p>"'After all, she is an adulteress and a murderess; and is now about to +sacrifice her person to me, the instrument of her murderous wishes. +Why, what a devil is here, in the form of a lovely woman, whose beauty +would seem to proclaim her a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> tenant of the skies, while the black +depravity of her heart fits her only for the companionship of the +fiends below! Why do I hesitate and tremble in her presence? She is in +my power—my <i>slave</i>! Yet, by heavens, what a superb creature! A +thousand passionate devils are dancing in her brilliant eyes—her lips +are moist with the honey of love—and her form seems to glow with +ardent but hidden fires! Come, let me delay no longer, but speak to +her in the language befitting a master to his slave!'</p> + +<p>"'Lady,' said I, in a tone familiar, yet not disrespectful—'why this +reserve and silence? You know for what purpose I come thus at midnight +to your chamber—it is by your own appointment, and to receive the +reward of a difficult and dangerous service which I have performed for +you. Nay, I see that you have anticipated my coming, by preparing this +delicate and acceptable feast for our entertainment. Is it not so, my +charmer? And you have dressed yourself in this bewitching style of +chaste simplicity, solely to please me—am I right? But come; though +you have not yet spoken or looked at me, sweet coquette that you are, +I read in your bright eyes the confirmation of my hopes. Let us first +banquet upon the delights of love, and then sip the ruby contents of +the sparkling wine-cup, which I'll swear are not one half so sweet as +the nectar of your lips, which now I taste.'</p> + +<p>"I clasped her in my arms as I spoke, and attempted to imprint a kiss +upon her lips; but she hurled me from her with disdain, and said, with +an air of lofty dignity—</p> + +<p>"'Dog, how dare you thus intrude into the sanctity of my chamber? and +how dared you for a moment presume to think that I intended to keep +the promise which, in my eagerness to have Lagrange silenced, I gave +you? Know that, sooner than submit to your base and loathsome +embraces, I'd brave exposure and even death itself! If <i>money</i> will +satisfy you, name your sum, and be it ever so great, it shall be paid +to you; but presume not to think that Lady Adelaide Hawley can ever so +far forget her birth and rank, as to debase herself with such as you.'</p> + +<p>"'<i>Money</i>, your ladyship, was not what I bargained for,' I boldly +replied; for the scorn and contempt with which she treated me, stung +me to the quick, and enraged me beyond all measure. 'If your ladyship +refuses to perform, honorably and fairly, your part of the contract, +you must take the consequences; you shall be proclaimed as an +adulteress, and as an accessory to the crime of murder.'</p> + +<p>"'Fool!' she cried—yet her countenance indicated the fear she really +felt, notwithstanding the boldness of her words—'fool! expose me at +your peril! You dare not, for your own neck would be stretched in +payment for your treachery, while your charges against me, low, +miserable menial that you are, would never be believed—never! Such +accusations against me, a peeress of the realm, and a lady whose +reputation has never been assailed, would but add to the general +belief in your own guilt, and the certainty of your fate; such charges +would be regarded as a paltry subterfuge, and no one would credit +them. Go, fellow—the bat cannot consort with the eagle, nor can such +as you aspire to even the most distant familiarity with persons of my +rank. Depart, instantly; and to-morrow you shall receive a pecuniary +reward that will amply compensate you for the disappointment you now +feel.'<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"With these words she turned away from me, waving her hand in token +that the conference was closed; but I was enraged and desperate, as +much by the scorn of her manner as by the disappointment I felt. A +hell of passion was burning in my heart; and I said to her, in a low, +deep tone—</p> + +<p>"'Woman, you shall be mine, even if I am obliged to commit another +murder—I swear it! I hesitated not at perpetrating a deed of blood; +nor will I hesitate now to obtain, by violence and even bloodshed, the +reward you promised me for that deed! Lady, be wise; we are alone at +this silent hour—I am powerful and you are helpless. Consent, then, +or—'</p> + +<p>"She interrupted me with a scornful laugh, that rendered me almost +frantic with fury. Reason forsook me; I lost all self-control, and +rushed upon her with the ferocity of a madman, determined to strangle +her.</p> + +<p>"Ere I could lay my grasp upon her, I was seized with a force that +nearly stunned me. I arose with difficulty, and to my astonishment +beheld the handsome countenance and glittering uniform of her +ladyship's favored lover, Captain St. Clair!</p> + +<p>"'Villain,' said he, in his usual cold and haughty manner, (he was of +noble blood, and as proud as Lucifer,) 'you little imagined that I was +a witness of the entire scene in which you have played so praiseworthy +a part! Upon my honor, you are the most ambitious of butlers! Cooks +and chambermaids are not sufficiently delicate for your fastidious +taste, forsooth!—but you must aspire to ladies of noble birth! Faith, +I should not be surprised to hear of your attempting an intrigue with +her gracious Majesty, the Queen! Hark'ee, fellow, begone! and thank my +moderation that I do not punish you upon the spot, for your infernal +presumption! Yet I would scorn to tarnish the lustre of my good sword +with the blood of such a thing as thou!'</p> + +<p>"'Captain,' said I, boldly, (for I am no coward, ladies and gentlemen, +as you all know,) 'as you have seen fit to play the spy, it is fair to +presume that you are acquainted with the circumstances upon which my +claim to the favor of this lady is based. At her instigation, and +prompted by her promises of reward, I have murdered Lord Hawley's +valet, Lagrange, in order to prevent his revealing to his master, the +criminal intimacy existing between you and her ladyship. Now, Captain, +I submit it to you as a man of honor—having committed such a deed, +and exposed myself to such a fearful risk, am I not entitled to the +reward promised by her ladyship? without the hope of which reward, I +never would have bedewed my hands in the blood of my fellow servant. +And can I justly be blamed for claiming that reward, and even for +attempting to obtain it by force, since I have faithfully earned it?'</p> + +<p>"The Captain laughed, half in good nature, half in scorn, and said—</p> + +<p>"'Faith, you are a well-spoken knave, and appeal to my honor as if you +were my equal; and I am half inclined to pardon your presumption on +account of your wit. Now listen, my good fellow;—her ladyship, as a +measure of policy, wished to have a certain person removed, who was +possessed of a dangerous secret; now you were the only available agent +she could employ to effect that removal. But you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> demanded a certain +favor, (which shall be nameless,) as the price of your services, and +would accept of no other remuneration. The danger was imminent; what +could her ladyship do? The man must be disposed of, even at the +sacrifice of truth; her ladyship gave the required promise (<i>intending +never to keep it</i>,) you performed the service, and very properly, I +own, come to receive your reward. Of course, you perceive the +impossibility of a compliance with your wishes. No intrigue can exist +between the patrician and the plebeian—you are low-born, she of the +noblest blood of the kingdom. Are you so blind, man, that you cannot +see—or are you so stupid that you cannot comprehend—the repugnance +which her ladyship must naturally feel at the very idea of an amorous +intimacy existing between a high-born lady and—good heavens!—a +<i>butler</i>? Here, my good fellow, is a purse, containing fifty +guineas—I will double the sum to-morrow. Now go; and remember that +you have everything to expect from our generosity, in a pecuniary +point of view; but a repetition of your demand for her ladyship's +favors, will most assuredly result to your lasting disadvantage.'</p> + +<p>"Seeing the folly of attempting to press my claim further, I sneaked +out of the room, with very much the air of a disconcerted cur with his +tail between his legs, to use a simile more expressive than elegant. +The moment I had entered my own chamber, the clock in a neighboring +steeple proclaimed the hour of two, and then for the first time I +remembered the appointment which I had made with my two particular +friends, from the "Jolly Thieves," in reference to the disposal of +Lagrange's body. The hour appointed for meeting them, was passed; and +suddenly a thought struck me—a strange thought—which had no sooner +flashed through my mind, than I resolved to act upon its suggestion. +'Twas a glorious plan of revenge, and one which could only have +emanated from my fertile imagination.</p> + +<p>"'The corpse of the Frenchman shall become the instrument of my +vengeance,' thought I, chuckling with glee. 'I shall not need the +assistance of those two fellows now—and, if they are still lurking +about the house, I will reward them for their trouble and send them +away. Ah, lucky thought—lucky thought!'</p> + +<p>"I found my two friends in waiting for me; they grumbled much at my +want of punctuality, but their murmurings were hushed when I paid them +liberally, and dismissed them, saying that I had discovered a much +safer and more convenient method of disposing of the body, than the +plan originally proposed, and therefore should not require their +assistance.—They departed, rejoicing at their good fortune in being +freed from a difficult and dangerous task, and congratulating +themselves on having received as much money as they had been promised +for its performance.</p> + +<p>"Taking with me a dark lantern, I descended noiselessly into the wine +vault, and having secured the massive iron door, proceeded to execute +my plan of vengeance. Comrades, can you guess what that plan was? No, +I'll swear you cannot. But listen, and you shall hear.</p> + +<p>"Placing my light in a convenient position, I dragged the dead body of +Lagrange from its place of concealment; then I bent over it, and +examined the ghastly countenance. The features were pale and rigid, +the teeth firmly set, and the glassy eyes wide open and staring. The +awful expression of those dead orbs seemed, bold<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> as I was, to freeze +my very soul as with the power of a basilisk. For a single moment I +repented the deed; but that feeling soon passed, and I rejoiced at it.</p> + +<p>"It occurred to me to search the pockets of my victim; I did so, and +found a small sum of money, and a sealed letter, addressed to Lord +Hawley. The valet had probably intended to despatch that letter to his +master that afternoon—which design was frustrated by his sudden death +by my hand. Eagerly I broke the seal, and read as follows:—</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"'LONDON.</p> + + +<p>"'My lord.—Should your lordship have possibly designed extending +your visit to Berkshire beyond the time originally allotted to the +same, I entreat your lordship to set aside every +consideration—every engagement, however pressing or important its +nature may be, and to return immediately to town. Something has +occurred, in the conduct of her ladyship, intimately affecting your +lordship's honor. To relieve your lordship from any painful +uncertainty that may be occasioned by this indefinite announcement, +you will pardon me for stating plainly, that I myself saw her +ladyship and Captain St. Clair, under circumstances that admitted of +but one opinion in reference to the nature of the intimacy existing +between them. Simpson, the butler, whom I am persuaded is in the +confidence of her ladyship and the Captain, this afternoon +questioned me in regard to my knowledge of the affair, and the use I +intended to make of that knowledge; and he, not deeming my replies +satisfactory, abused and struck me. My duty to your lordship +prevented any retaliation on my part; and that duty, (the offspring +of humble gratitude for your lordship's many acts of generous +kindness to me, both in this country and in France,) now impels me +to communicate these unpleasant facts—which I do, with sincere +sorrow for her ladyship's indiscretion, and every desire for the +preservation of your lordship's honor.</p> + + +<p class="citation2">"'From your lordship's humble servant,<br /> +"'LOUIS LAGRANGE.'<br /></p> + +</blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"This letter, so characteristic of the polished, wily and educated +Frenchman, was written in the French language, with which I was well +acquainted, I therefore easily translated it. After a careful perusal, +I placed it in my pocket-book—for I was well aware that it might one +day prove a valuable auxiliary to me, should I feel disposed to inform +my master of his wife's infidelity, and his lordship then could not +doubt the truth of his own favorite and faithful servant, in whom he +had the most unbounded confidence.</p> + +<p>"'Oh, scornful Lady Hawley and sarcastic Captain St. Clair!' I could +not forbear exclaiming—'ye shall both be caught in a net of your own +making, when ye least expect it! My lady will be turned out of doors +as an adulteress; and my gentleman will perhaps be shot through the +head by the husband he has wronged! Patience, patience, good Simpson; +thou shalt yet riot in the very satiety of thy vengeance. But now to +put in operation my first method—an ingenious one it is, too—of +avenging my wrongs!'</p> + +<p>"Among the various wines with which the extensive cellar was +abundantly stocked, was a large cask containing a particular kind, of +a very rich and peculiar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> flavor; and of this wine I knew Lady Hawley, +who was a luxurious woman, very fastidious in her taste, to be +especially fond. Captain St. Clair, too, preferred it above all other +kinds; and at the midnight suppers which he so often enjoyed with her +ladyship, the ruby contents of this particular cask was most +frequently called into requisition, as I well know, for I had been +accustomed to carry it from the cellar to the door of the bed-chamber +wherein the amorous pair indulged in the joys both of Venus and of +Bacchus. The wine had been imported by his lordship, who was a <i>bon +vivant</i>, from Bordeaux and was particularly valued for its rich color, +solid body, and substantial yet delicate flavor, rivalling in these +qualities, perhaps, that classic beverage, the famed Greek wine.</p> + +<p>"'I will add to the exquisite flavor of this wine,' said I—'her +ladyship and her lover shall banquet on human blood; the corruption of +a putrifying corpse shall be mingled with the sparkling fluid that +nourishes their unholy passions.'</p> + +<p>"With but little difficulty, and less noise, (for I well understood +such matters,) I removed the head of the cask, which I found to be +about half full. How luxurious was the odor that arose from the dark +liquid, fragrant with spices! Taking a small vessel, I drank a +bumper—then another. My blood instantly became charged with a +thousand fires; my heart seemed to swell with mighty exultation; my +brain seemed to swim in a sea of delight. I laughed with mad glee to +think of the superb vengeance I was about to wreak on my enemies; then +I raised the corpse of Lagrange with Herculean strength, thrust it +into the cask, and pressed it into the smallest possible compass; but +found to my inexpressible chagrin, that it would be absolutely +impossible to re-adjust the head of the cask, unless the body was in +some manner made smaller. After a few moments' reflection, a happy +thought struck me. I hesitated not a moment, but drew a sharp clasp +knife from my pocket, deliberately severed the head from the body, and +thrust it into the cask. Then, without the least difficulty, I +replaced the top of the cask, and my work was accomplished.</p> + +<p>"I repaired to my chamber but slept not, as you may suppose; the +events of that day and night had been of a nature too singularly +exciting to admit of repose. Shortly after I had retired, I heard Lady +Hawley conduct her lover to the back stair-case; there was a sound of +kissing, and a whispered appointment made for another meeting, on a +night when his lordship would probably be absent. 'Yes, and at that +interview, my amorous pair,' thought I, 'shall you taste of the wine +which I have improved by an addition which you little suspect, but +with which you shall one day be made acquainted.' And then I laughed +till the tears rolled down my cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Lord Hawley returned at the expected time, and immediately inquired +for his valet, Lagrange. The gentleman was, of course, among the +missing; and I overheard her ladyship announcing to her husband that +the Frenchman had absconded, carrying off plate and jewelry to a +considerable amount. Lord Hawley was extremely shocked and grieved on +receiving this (false) intelligence; and I heard him mutter, as he +retired in great perturbation of mind to his study,—'What, can it be +possible?—Lagrange, whom I esteemed to be the most honest and +faithful fellow in the world—of whose fidelity I have had so many +evidences,—whom I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> often benefitted,—can it be that <i>he</i> has +deserted and robbed me? Then indeed do I believe all mankind to be +false as hell!'</p> + +<p>"A week passed, and nothing occurred in Hawley House worthy of +mention. At the expiration of that time, his lordship went on a short +journey, (connected with some political object,) which would occasion +him a fortnight's absence from home. Then was her ladyship and the +captain in clover! and then was afforded me an opportunity to set +before them the wine which I had enriched by my famous <i>addition</i>!</p> + +<p>"Not deeming it necessary to adopt the usual precautions, my lady +feasted, toyed and dallied with her handsome lover in her own private +apartments, fearing no detection, as she was certain that her husband +would not return before the specified time, and as I was the only +person aware of the captain's presence in the house; she feared not, +thinking that I dared not betray her, as she imagined that I was +completely in her power on account of the murder I had committed. +Pretty fool! she little thought of the plan I had formed for her +destruction, and that of her haughty and hated paramour.</p> + +<p>"I waited on them at table in my humblest and most respectful manner; +and I could perceive that they inwardly congratulated themselves on +having, as they thought, completely subdued me, and bribed me to +eternal silence with regard to their amours.</p> + +<p>"At their very first banquet, (for the splendor of their repasts +merited that high-sounding title,) I was requested to bring from the +cellar a decanter of their <i>favorite</i> wine. You may be sure I did not +mistake the cask, comrades. I drew from the cask which contained the +corpse of Lagrange, a quantity of the wine, and holding it to the +light, observed with intense satisfaction that it had assumed a darker +tinge—it looked just like blood. For a moment I was tempted to +<i>taste</i> it; but damn me! bad and blood-thirsty as I was, I could not +do <i>that</i>. The corpse had been soaking in the wine a full week; I was +convinced that the liquid was pretty thoroughly impregnated with the +flavor of my scientific improvement; and even my stomach revolted at +the idea of drinking wine tainted and reeking with the dead flesh and +blood of the man I had murdered.</p> + +<p>"I placed the wine on the table before my lady and the Captain; and I +am free to confess that I trembled somewhat, in view of the +possibility of their detecting, at the first taste, the trick which I +had played them. Very nervous was I, when the Captain slowly poured +out a wine glass full, and raised it to his lips; but how delighted +was I, when he drained every drop of it with evident satisfaction, +smacked his lips, and said to the lady—</p> + +<p>"'By my faith, Adelaide, 'tis a drink for the gods! How that wine +improves by age! Never before has it tasted so rich, so fruity, so +delicious! Observe what a firm body it has—what deep, rich color—a +fitting hue for a soldier's beverage, for 'tis red as blood. Allow me +to fill your ladyship's glass, that you may judge of its improved and +wonderful merits.'</p> + +<p>"Her ladyship drank, and pronounced it excellent. I was in silent +extacies. 'Drink the blood and essence of the murdered dead, ye fools, +and call it sweet as honey to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> your taste!' I mentally said—'ere many +days your souls shall be made sick with the knowledge of <i>what</i> ye +have drank!'</p> + +<p>"The guilty pair were not in the slightest degree reserved in my +presence; on the contrary they jested, they talked, they indulged in +familiarities before my face, in a manner that astonished me not a +little. Comrades, none of you have seen much of fashionable life, I +take it; for although you all belong to the very best society in Ann +street, you can't reasonably be supposed to have much of an idea of +society as 'tis seen in the mansion of an English nobleman. Therefore, +if you don't think my yarn already too tedious, (it's as true as +gospel, every word of it, upon the unsullied honor of a gentleman!) +and if you'd like to know something of the capers of rich and +fashionable people in high life, I'll tell you, in as few words as +possible, some of the sayings and doings of my lady Hawley and her +handsome lover, Captain St. Clair, as witnessed by me, at the time of +which I have been speaking, in London."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Jew Mike paused to take breath and "wet his whistle;" while all his +listeners eagerly requested him to "go on" with his yarn. During the +progress of the narrative, an old, comical looking man, not over well +dressed, had entered the room, unnoticed; and seating himself in one +corner, he pulled a pipe from his pocket, lighted it, and began to +smoke, at the same time taking a keen and intelligent survey of the +motley assembly. Jew Mike, having quenched his thirst, resumed his +story. [The reader will be good enough to observe, that while we give +the substance of this worthy gentleman's narrative, we pretend not to +give his precise words. It is highly probable that he adapted his +language to the humble capacities of his low and illiterate auditors; +and we have taken the liberty to clothe his ideas in words better suited +to the more intelligent and refined understandings of our readers.]</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Well, ladies and gentlemen," said Jew Mike—"as I was saying, Lady +Hawley and Captain St. Clair got so bad that they never minded my +presence a bit, but talked and acted before me with as much freedom as +if I were both deaf and blind. My lady would dress herself in the +Captain's uniform, which fitted her to a charm, for she was a large, +magnificent woman, while he was of no great stature for a man, +although exceedingly well-made and handsome. Not was that all: the +Captain would attire himself in her splendid garments, and, but for +his moustache and imperial, might have passed for a very handsome +woman. And, to carry out the idea still further, my lady would pretend +to take very wild and improper liberties with her lover, which he +would affect to resent with all the indignation proper to his assumed +sex. Then they would roll and tumble upon the soft carpet until they +were quite spent and breathless; after which the Captain would run +into the chamber, and conceal himself beneath, behind, or <i>in</i> the +bed; she would follow in pursuit, close the chamber door, and—I would +apply my eye to the key-hole; but as I am a polite man, and as there +are ladies present, (ahem!) you'll excuse me for not entering into +particulars.</p> + +<p>"So much for their actions, now for their words. I was attending them +at supper one night, and to say the truth they were both of them +highly elevated in consequence of having too profusely imbibed their +favorite wine, seasoned with the <i>essence of Lagrange,</i> the name which +I had privately given it. The Captain was very slightly attired, and +my lady had on nothing but a very <i>intimate</i> garment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> which revealed +rather more than it concealed—for they had just before been playing +the very interesting game of "hide and seek," and had not yet resumed +all their appropriate garments. I had formerly regarded lady Hawley as +the very <i>beau ideal</i> of all that was dignified, haughty and majestic; +but that night she looked lewd and sensual, in an eminent degree, and +appeared utterly reckless of all decency. She exposed her person in a +manner that astonished me, and seemed to abandon herself without +reserve, to all the promptings of her voluptuous nature. Her +appearance, conversation and actions were not without their influence +on me, you may be sure; and if ever I envied mortal man, it was that +young officer, who could revel at will in the arms of the beautiful +wanton at his side.</p> + +<p>"The Captain, reclining his head upon her fair bosom, said—</p> + +<p>"'And so Adelaide, in a few days your odious husband will return, and +terminate these rapturous blisses. Why in the devil's name don't the +accursed old man die of apoplexy, or break his neck, or get shot in a +duel, or do something to relieve us of his hated interference with our +stolen joys?'</p> + +<p>"'Ah, St. Clair,' answered the lady, with a glance of passion—'would +that the old man were dead! Since I have tasted the sweets of your +society—since I first listened to the music of your voice, and since +first this heart beat tumultuously against yours, my whole nature is +changed—my blood is turned to fire; my religion is my love for you; +my deity is your image, and my heaven—is in your arms. Oh,' she +suddenly exclaimed, as the rich blood mantled on her face and +neck—'how terrible it is for a young and passionate woman to be +linked in marriage to an old, impotent, cold, passionless being, who +claims the name of <i>man</i>, but is not entitled to it! And then if she +solaces herself with a lover—as she must, or die—she is continually +agitated with fears of her husband's jealousy, and the dread of +discovery. Like the thirsty traveller in a barren waste, her soul +yearns for an ocean of delights—and pants and longs in vain. +Husband—would that there was no such word, no such relation as it +implies—'tis slavery, 'tis madness, to be chained for life to but one +source of love, when a thousand streams would not satiate or overflow. +Yet the world—the world—disgraces and condemns such as I am, if +discovered; it points to my withered husband, and says—'there is your +only <i>lawful</i> love.' Heavens! the very thought of him sickens and +disgusts me; <i>he</i> a lover! He is no more to be compared to thee, my +St. Clair, than is the withered leaf of autumn to the ripe peach or +juicy pomegranate!'</p> + +<p>"'By all the gods of war,' exclaimed the Captain, fired with +admiration at her beauty and the fervor of her passion for him, and +straining her to his breast in a perfect phrenzy of transport—'thy +husband shall be no longer a stumbling-block between us, angel of my +soul; I will insult him—he will challenge me—we will fight—I am the +best shot in Europe, and he will be shot through the heart, if the +cold dotard have one. Yet stay—damn it, why not have him disposed of +after the manner of the valet? Ha, ha! a good thought! Simpson, what +say you? Will you do it for a couple of hundred guineas, and without +laying claim to the favors of her ladyship?'</p> + +<p>"The last sentence was uttered with a very palpable sneer; it enraged +me, for by it I was reminded of the manner in which I had been +swindled out of the reward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> promised for my other murder. Besides, the +man's cool villainy, and the woman's shameless lechery, disgusted me, +bad as I was; for they belonged to that class which professes all the +gentility, refinement and virtue in the world; and to hear the one +glorying in adultery, and the other deliberately proposing murder, +afforded such a damnable instance of the sublime hypocrisy peculiar to +the "upper ten" of society, that I became desperately angry, and +answered the Captain in a manner that astonished him.—You will +remember, comrades, that as great a villain as I am, I am no +hypocrite, and was never accused of being one. And yet hypocrisy +prevails in every department of life. Look," continued Jew Mike, +getting into a philosophical strain, and stroking his enormous beard +with an air of profound complacency—"Look at that venerable looking +old gentleman, who every Sabbath stands in his pulpit to declaim +against wickedness and fleshy lusts. Mark his libidinous eye, as he +follows that painted strumpet to her filthy den. There's hypocrisy. +Then turn your eyes toward a sister city, and mark that grey-headed, +sanctimonious editor, who every week solemnly prates of honesty, +sobriety, and their kindred virtues. 'What an excellent man he is,' +exclaim the whole tribe of fat, tea-drinking old women in mob-caps, +raising their pious eyes and snuffy noses to heaven.—Ha, ha, ha! Why, +ladies and gentlemen, that editor is so cursedly dishonest and so +im—<i>mensely</i> mean, that his hair wouldn't stay black, but turned to a +dirty white before its time—so mean, his food won't digest easy—his +shirt won't dry when washed—his clothes won't fit him—the cholera +won't have him—musquitoes won't bite him—and if, after his lean +carcass is huddled under the turf, his cunning little soul should +attempt to crawl through the key-hole of hell's gate, the devil, whose +lacky he has ever been, would kick him with as much disgust as this +<i>fraction</i> once displayed in kicking a poor wretch whom he had +beggared, starved and ruined!</p> + +<p>"But I see, comrades, that you begin to grow impatient at this +moralizing—and well you may, for 'tis always distasteful to look at +such reptiles as we have been contemplating. Well, to take up the +thread of my yarn, which I shall bring to a close as speedily as +possible, for 'tis getting late.—When the Captain proposed that I +should murder Lord Hawley, his and her ladyship's hypocrisy enraged me +to such an extent, that I boldly looked him in the face, and said to +him—</p> + +<p>"'Say, who is the greater villain, you or I? You, who prate of your +birth, rank and position in life, and propose a murder, or I, making +no pretensions whatever, I that have committed a murder at the +instigation of one of your class, in the hope of reward? Look you, +Captain; neither you nor your noble strumpet at your side shall bribe +me to commit further crime. Wretches that you both are, false in honor +and in truth, know that I am already fearfully revenged upon you—and +your exposure is at hand. Another murder, indeed!—<i>have you not both +drank blood enough?</i>'</p> + +<p>"This last sentence I uttered with such significance that the Captain +started and turned pale. 'What mean you, scoundrel?' he demanded.</p> + +<p>"'Follow me, both of you, to the wine cellar!' I exclaimed in answer, +fully determined to reveal the awful truth to them at once. Astonished +and subdued by the impressiveness of my manner and the singularity of +my words, they obeyed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> Having seized a light from the table, I led +the way to the cellar, and advanced to the cask wherein rotted the +remains of the murdered Lagrange.</p> + +<p>"The scene must have been a striking one, comrades. There was the vast +vault, dimly lighted by a single wax taper; around were many black and +mouldering casks containing the juice of the grape, some of which was +of a great age. Before one of those casks, much larger than the +others, stood I, brandishing aloft the implement with which I was +about to break open that strange tomb, and disclose its awful secret. +Beside me, dressed in the slight garments I have already described, +their pale countenances expressive of mingled curiosity and fear, +stood Lady Hawley and Captain St. Clair, whom I thus addressed—</p> + +<p>"'This cask, may it please your ladyship and the Captain, contains the +wine which you both are so extremely fond of. You have observed, with +some surprise, that its flavor has of late much improved. I shall now, +with your permission, show you the cause of that improvement, for +which—ha, ha, ha!—you are solely indebted to me. The opening of this +cask will disclose a mystery that you have never dreamed of. Look!'</p> + +<p>"They both strained forward in eager expectation. A few blows sufficed +to remove the head of the cask. Horror! a sickening stench arose, and +there became visible the headless trunk of a human being. That portion +of the body which was not immersed in the wine, was putrid. 'Look +here!' cried I, in mad triumph, plunging my arm into the cask, and +drawing forth the ghastly head of Lagrange. I held aloft the horrid +trophy of my vengeance; there were the dull, staring eyes, the +distorted features, and drops of wine oozed from between the set +teeth. With a long, loud shriek, her ladyship fell to the ground +insensible; muttering fierce curses on me, the Captain turned to raise +her, and profiting by the opportunity, I escaped from the cellar and +fled from the house. Making the best of my way to the 'Jolly Thieves,' +in St. Giles, I sought safety and concealment there, where I had ample +leisure to mature my future plans.</p> + +<p>"In a day or two I saw it announced in one of the newspapers that a +cask had been found floating in the river Thames, which on opening was +found to contain the body and head of a man, and a quantity of wine. +The circumstance gave rise to the supposition that the body had been +procured by some surgeon for dissection, and for some reason had been +abandoned and thrown overboard. The cask and its contents had, of +course, been thrown into the river through the agency of the Captain; +and the affair gave rise to neither excitement nor investigation.</p> + +<p>"Meanwhile, Lord Hawley had returned to town. No sooner was I apprised +of the fact, than I sent him the following blunt and somewhat rude +epistle—for I felt too keen a thirst for vengeance on my enemies to +admit of my being very choice or respectful in my language, even to a +nobleman:—</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"'My lord,—you are a cuckold. Do you doubt it? I can prove it, +beyond the shadow of a doubt. Captain Eugene St. Clair is your +lady's lover—she is his mistress. For a long time past, she has, +during your absence, received him into her chamber. You are laughed +at by the pretty pair, as a withered, impotent old dotard. You know +the handwriting of your late valet, Lagrange. Accompanying this is a +letter written<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> by him, to you; before he had an opportunity of +sending it to you, he was <i>made away with</i>, through the +instrumentality of your amiable wife, who had every reason to +suppose that he would betray her. The tale trumped up by the noble +harlot about the Frenchman's having stolen your property and fled, +is a lie. My lord, I think you have reason to be grateful to me for +exposing the guilty parties; if so, any pecuniary reward which you +may see fit to send me, by one of your servants, (I am at the <i>Jolly +Thieves</i>, in St. Giles,) will be gratefully accepted by</p> + +<p class="citation2">MICHAEL SIMPSON.'<br /></p> + +</blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"I thus freely disclosed my place of concealment to his lordship, +because I apprehended no danger to myself, knowing that the nobleman +was a man of honor, who would not injure the person who had rendered +him such an important service as to put him on the track to avenge his +wrongs. And I also anticipated receiving a liberal reward for my +information; nor was I disappointed,—for that very evening a servant +in the Hawley livery called at the <i>Jolly Thieves</i>, and presented me +with a small package, which on opening I found to contain bank notes +to the amount of five hundred pounds, and the following note, which +though in his lordship's handwriting, bore neither address nor signature:—</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"'Here is the reward of your information. Accept, also, my thanks. +The proof you have furnished of the truth of your statement, admits +of no doubt. I know how to punish the w**e and her blackguard +paramour. You had better leave the country, for I can surmise what +agency <i>you</i> had in the affair of Lagrange's disappearance; but as +you were the tool of others, I stoop not to molest you. Should the +event, however, gain notoriety, <i>the law</i> of course, will not prove +equally considerate.'</p></blockquote> + +<blockquote><p>"I was overjoyed! Five hundred pounds, and the certainty of having +ruined my enemies! That night I gave a sumptuous supper to all the +frequenters of the <i>Jolly Thieves</i>; and a jolly time we had of it, +I'll assure you, comrades. The most respectable men in London were +present at the feast; there were nine cracksmen, five highwaymen, +twelve pickpockets, two murderers, three gentlemen who had escaped +from transportation, and a smart sprinkling of small workmen, in the +way of <i>fogle hunters</i>, (handkerchief thieves,) and <i>body snatchers</i>, +(grave robbers). Full forty of us sat down to a smoking supper of +stewed tripe and onions,—ah, how my mouth waters to think of it now! +And then the <i>lush</i>!—gallons of ale, rivers of porter, and oceans of +grog! Every gentleman present volunteered a song; and when it came to +be my turn, I gave the following, which, (being something of a poet,) +I had myself composed, expressly for the occasion, to the air of the +<i>Brave Old Oak</i>:—</p> + + +<h4>SONG OF THE JOLLY THIEF.</h4> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"A song to the thief, the jolly, jolly thief,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Who has plied his trade so long;—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May he ne'er come down to the judge's frown,<br /></span> +<span class="i2">Or the cells of Newgate strong.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">'Tis a noble trade, where a living's made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span><br /></span> +<span class="i0">By an art so bold and free;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May he never be snug in a cold, stone jug,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or swing from a two-trunk'd tree!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">CHORUS<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then here's to the thief, the jolly thief<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who plies his trade so bold—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">May he never see a turnkey's key,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or sleep in a prison cold!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"This song was received with the most uproarious applause by the +jovial crew; and we separated at a late hour, after giving three +groans for the new police.</p> + +<p>"A few days passed away. I never neglected each morning to carefully +peruse all the newspapers; and just as I was beginning to despair of +ever seeing any announcement calculated to assure me that my enemies +were overthrown, I had the intense satisfaction of reading the +following paragraph in the <i>Times</i>:—</p> + +<p>"'AN AFFAIR OF HONOR. Yesterday morning, his lordship Viscount Hawley +and the Honorable Captain Eugene St. Clair had a hostile meeting in +the suburbs of London. Circumstances of a delicate nature, of which we +are not at liberty to speak at present, are reported to have led to +the difficulty between the noble gentlemen. At the first fire Captain +St. Clair fell, and upon examination it was found that he had been +shot through the heart. He died instantly. His lordship was uninjured, +and immediately departed for the Continent unaccompanied by her +ladyship.'</p> + +<p>"I danced with delight when I read this paragraph. 'My vengeance is +already half accomplished,' thought I. But what had become of Lady +Hawley? The newspapers, from day to day and from week to week, were +silent with respect to her fate. At length I began to fear that her +ladyship, after all, was destined to escape uninjured by my endeavors +to effect her ruin. Was I right? You shall see.</p> + +<p>"Nearly two years passed away, during which time, with the aid of my +five hundred pounds, I had set up a first-rate public house in a +populous and respectable neighborhood, and was making money. I have +little doubt but that the sign of '<i>The Red Cask</i>' is still remembered +in that vicinity—for that was the name which, actuated by a strange +whim, I had given to my tavern; and the same was illustrated by a huge +swinging sign in front, on which was painted the representation of a +large cask overflowing with blood—which, I need scarcely tell you, +was a sly and humorous allusion to the affair of Lagrange's +murder.—Well, one cold, stormy winter's night, when the wind was +howling like ten thousand devils around the house, I was seated in my +comfortable tap-room, making myself extremely happy over a reeking +jarum of hot rum punch. I was alone, for the hour was late, and all my +guests had departed; when suddenly, during a pause in the clatter of +the elements, I heard a low, timid knock at my outer door, which faced +on the street.—Supposing it to be either some thirsty policeman, or a +belated traveller anxious to escape from the fury of the storm, I +arose and unbarred the door; as I opened it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> a fierce gust of wind +rushed in, so piercing cold, that it seemed to chill me to the very +marrow of my bones; and at the same moment I beheld a human form +crouching down under the narrow archway over the door, as if vainly +endeavoring to shield herself from the fury of the tempest. I knew it +was a woman, for I caught a glimpse at an old bonnet and tattered +shawl. She shivered with the cold, which even made my teeth chatter, +stout and rugged as I was. 'What do you want?' I demanded roughly—for +I was impatient at having been thus unseasonably interrupted while +paying my devotions to the mug of hot rum punch, in front of a rousing +fire. As she made no immediate reply, I was about to bid her begone +and shut the door, when she said, in a faint, yet earnest tone—'Oh, +sir, for God's sake, as you hope for mercy yourself hereafter, let me +come in for a moment—only a moment—that I may warm my benumbed and +freezing limbs!' I paused a moment; I am not naturally hard-hearted, +unless there is something to be gained by it; and besides, I felt a +kind of curiosity to see what sort of a creature it was who wandered +the streets that awful night, destitute and houseless; so I bade her +come in, and with difficulty she followed me into the tap-room; +placing a seat for her near the fire, I resumed my own, and while +leisurely sipping my punch, a good opportunity was afforded me to +examine her narrowly. She was probably about twenty years of age, but +much suffering had made her look older. Though her features were worn +and wasted, and though her cheeks were hollow by the pinchings of +want, she was beautiful; her eyes were large, lustrous and eminently +expressive, and two or three stray curls of luxuriant hair peeped from +beneath her old, weather stained bonnet. Her form was tall, and +graceful in its outlines; but what particularly struck me was the +singular whiteness and delicacy of her hands, which plainly indicated +that she had never been accustomed to labor of any kind. Her dress was +wretched in the extreme, and was scarce sufficient to cover her +nakedness, much less shield her from the inclemency of the +weather,—nay, my inquisitive researches soon convinced me that the +miserable gown she wore was, excepting an old shawl, her <i>only +garment</i>—no under clothing, not even stockings,—and her feet (I +noticed that they were small and symmetrical,) were only separated +from the cold sidewalk by thin and worn-out shoes.—Yet, +notwithstanding all her poverty and wretchedness, there was about her +a look of subdued pride, which, though in strange contrast with her +garb, well became her general air, and regular handsome features. +Everything about her, excepting her dress, convinced me that she had +fallen from better days, and, somehow, that look of pride struck me as +being strangely familiar; yet I racked my brain in vain to recall from +the dreamy past some image that I could identify with the female +before me, who sat in front of my blazing fire and warmed her chilled +limbs with every appearance of the most intense satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Her superior air commanded my involuntary respect. 'Madam,' said I, +'are you hungry?' She eagerly answered in the affirmative; I placed +provisions before her, and she ate with an appetite almost ravenous. I +then gave her some mulled wine, which seemed to revive her greatly; +and she returned me her thanks in a manner so lady-like and refined (a +manner, however, which insensibly partook of a peculiar and indirect +kind of <i>hauteur</i>, as remarkable in her tone as in the expression<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> of +her features,) that I was more than ever satisfied that she had +descended to her present wretched situation, certainly from a +respectable, if not from a very superior, order of society.</p> + +<p>"'You have benefitted me greatly, sir, and I thank you,' said she, +inclining her head towards me with an air almost condescending. 'I +assure you, you have not bestowed your <i>assistance</i> (she didn't say +<i>charity</i>, observe!) upon a habitual mendicant or common person. I am +by birth a lady; you will pardon me for declining to state the causes +of my present condition. Again I thank you.'</p> + +<p>"The devil, comrades! here was a starving, freezing beggar woman whom +I had picked out of the street, and warmed and fed, playing the +condescending, reserved lady, forsooth! and abashing and humbling me +by her d——d lofty, proud looks! Ha, ha, ha! and yet I liked it, +mightily; the joke was too good; and so I continued to 'madam' her, +until at last I actually detected her on the very point of calling me +'fellow;' but fortunately for her, she checked herself in time to +escape being turned into the street forthwith.</p> + +<p>"And yet the superiority of her air and the haughtiness of her manner +had for me an indescribable charm, no less than her beauty; and I +resolved, if possible, to make her my mistress, for I doubted not that +when she should become nourished and strengthened by proper food and +rest, she would make a very desirable companion for a man of my +amorous temperament. However, I did not broach the subject at that +time, but contented myself with seeing that she was comfortably +provided for that night, under the charge of one of the females of the +house, to whom I gave money with which to provide the strange lady +with proper and respectable clothing in the morning. The next day I +had occasion to go away at an early hour, and did not return until +late in the afternoon, and on entering my little parlor, I was +surprised at beholding a lady, handsomely dressed, who advanced +towards me with an air of dignified politeness. Her rich hair was most +tastefully arranged; her neat dress closely fitted a slender but +elegant shape, and I was struck with the dazzling fairness and purity +of her complexion, and the patrician cast of her features. A second +glance told me it was the female whom I had relieved the previous +night; and I became aware of the fact that the strange lady was no +other than Lady Adelaide Hawley!</p> + +<p>"She did not recognize me, for I was much changed, in consequence of +having removed the huge beard which I had worn, while in her husband's +service. You may imagine my triumph at finding the proud lady an +inmate of my house and a dependent on my bounty, under circumstances +so humiliating to her and so gratifying to me; and you may well +believe that I lost no time in giving her to understand the nature of +the reward I expected in return for my hospitality. Would you believe +it? She actually repulsed me with scorn, and began to talk of her +birth, and the superiority of her rank to mine! Her confounded pride +had now become altogether ridiculous; and somewhat enraged, I told her +who I was. She started, regarded me for a moment with a scrutinizing +look, and burst into tears, saying—'It is so, indeed! My punishment +is just; I am humbled and degraded before the very menial I despised. +Take, me, Simpson; do with me as you will; crime levels all ranks. Yet +stay; I am still feeble; delay the consummation of your triumph for +one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> week. During that period I shall regain the strength I have lost, +and the beauty that has faded; then shall I be a fitting partner for +your bed.' I consented; two or three days passed, and I was rejoiced +to perceive that she daily grew in strength and beauty, and was fast +regaining that voluptuousness of person which had formerly +distinguished her. She related to me, at my request, the particulars +of her downfall. She had been cast off by her husband and rejected by +her relations with scorn and curses, when the fact of her adultery +with St. Clair was discovered.—Entirely friendless and without +resources, she was compelled to place herself under the protection of +a gentleman of fashion and pleasure, who rioted on her luxuriant +charms for a brief season, until possession and excess produced +satiety, the sure forerunner of disgust—she was then thrown aside as +a worthless toy, to make room for some fresh favorite. Rendered +desperate by her situation, she became an <i>aristocratic courtezan</i>, +freely sacrificing her person to every nobleman and gentleman of rank +who chose to pay liberally for her favors. In this manner she +subsisted for a time in luxury—but at last, her patrons (as is always +the case) grew tired of her; she had become</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Like a thrice-told tale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vexing the dull ears of a drowsy man,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>and was again thrown upon the world without resources. Her indomitable +pride still clung to her, through all her misfortunes; and though she +plainly saw that her amours with the aristocracy were at an end +forever, she disdained to seek meaner lovers among the humbler +classes. Every offer made to her by men of medium rank, was spurned by +the proud harlot with supreme contempt. 'I am a companion for +nobility—not for the grovelling masses,' she would reply, in answer +to all such offers; nor did the pinchings of want and hunger even for +a moment shake her resolution, or disarm her prejudices. She might, +had she been disposed, have still lived in comfort and even splendor, +by becoming an inmate of some fashionable brothel; but as in such an +establishment she would be required to bestow her favors +indiscriminately on men of all ranks, who could pay for the same, she +recoiled from the idea with disgust. Thus did the pride of this +singular woman triumph over her wants and poverty; when on the very +verge of starvation, with the means of relief within her grasp, the +thought—'I am of noble birth,' would sustain her, and enable her to +resist successfully the longings of hunger and the sufferings +incidental to a homeless life. No scrupulous delicacy prevented her +from accepting any assistance, pecuniary or otherwise, that might be +offered to her; she even did not hesitate to ask for charity, in tones +of <i>affected</i> humility; but the all-pervading principle, PRIDE OF +BIRTH, implanted within her breast, imperiously restrained her from +bestowing the favors of her patrician person upon 'vulgar plebeians;' +and, in consequence, she had sunk lower and lower in want, destitution +and misery, until driven, on that terrible winter's night, to +supplicate for a slight and temporary relief at the door of one whom +she had formerly so much despised, but on whom she was now so +dependent.</p> + +<p>"It was a cold evening, and her ladyship and myself were seated before +a comfortable fire. An abundance of wholesome food, and every comfort +which it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> was in my power to procure for her, had improved her +appearance greatly. Her form had regained much of its natural +roundness, and her countenance had recovered all its original beauty. +She was gazing pensively into the fire; while I regarded <i>her</i> with an +eye of admiration, and a heart full of amorous longings. At length I +broke the silence. 'To-morrow night, madam,' said I, 'the week for +which you stipulated, will have expired.' She sighed deeply, and +murmured, in an almost inaudible tone, 'It is so, indeed.' Noticing +the sigh which accompanied her words, a frown of displeasure gathered +on my brow; but it was almost instantly dispelled, in the delight I +felt at my approaching happiness. 'Yes,' I continued, 'to-morrow night +I shall be the happiest of men; but madam, why delay until to-morrow +night that felicity which may as well be enjoyed to-night? You can +never be more beautiful or more voluptuous than you are at this +moment.' During the utterance of these words, I had drawn my chair +close to hers, and encircled her enchanting waist with my arm; I felt +her heart throbbing wildly beneath my hand, which had invaded the +snowy regions of her swelling charms—and I took it to be the wild +throbbing of passion. We were alone—not a soul was stirring in the +house; propitious moment! How longingly I gazed upon her dewy lips, +which reminded me of the lines in Moore's <i>Anacreon</i>—which, I +suppose, is all Latin and Greek to you, comrades:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Her lips, so rich in blisses,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Sweet petitioners for kisses!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Pouting nest of bland persuasion,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Ripely suing Love's invasion."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>And they did not long sue in vain; for such vigorous salute as I gave +them would have put even Captain St. Clair to the blush. While thus +tasting the honey of the sweetest and most luscious pair of lips in +the three kingdoms, I fancied that I felt her trembling with delight +in my arms; but too soon did I become aware that she was only +shuddering with disgust; for by a vigorous effort she struggled from +my embrace, and, breathless and panting, said—'Not now, Simpson, not +now, I entreat, I implore you! To-morrow night, the week's exemption +which I craved, will be completed,—then—then—at this hour—you +may—you will find me in my chamber; <i>then</i>, so help me God! I will +offer no resistance; but now, not now!' I surveyed her ladyship with +some surprise; her eyes sparkled like diamonds, and her face, neck and +bosom were suffused with a ruddy, glowing hue. 'As you please, madam,' +I coldly rejoined, for I was provoked at her violent and unexpected +resistance—'as you please; but remember, I am no longer to be trifled +with. To-morrow night be it, then; and see that you do not repeat this +obstinacy of conduct, for I will then accomplish my object, even if I +have to resort to force and violence!' '<i>I will not then resist you</i>, +I swear it!' said she, with much solemnity of manner, and then +added—'one favor I will ask of you: permit me to remain all day +to-morrow in my chamber, and do not even attempt to see me, until +twelve o'clock to-morrow night, at which hour you will find me waiting +for your appearance.' I agreed to this request; and she bade me +good-night in a tone almost cheerful, as she left the room to seek her +chamber.</p> + +<p>"The next day and the next evening passed;—the midnight hour arrived. +I closed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> my house, and repaired to the chamber which had been +assigned to the use of my lady guest. Finding the door unlocked, I +softly entered the apartment; it was a spacious room, tolerably well +furnished, and the bed was shrouded by muslin curtains; a lighted +candle stood upon the table; glancing around I saw nobody. 'She is in +bed,' thought I, and every nerve in my body thrilled with delight at +the thought. I approached the bed, and drew aside the curtain. There +she lay—but how very still! 'She sleeps,' thought I, somewhat +surprised; and bending over in the dim light of the unsnuffed candle, +I kissed her lips—heavens! what made them so very cold—and why was +the hand which I had lasciviously laid upon her bosom, dampened with a +warm liquid? I rushed to the table, seized the candle, and returned to +the bed-side. There she lay—DEAD! The life-blood was welling from an +awful gash in her left breast; her right hand grasped a dagger—the +instrument of her death; the bed on which she lay was literally soaked +with her blood, and my hand was stained with it. Then I comprehended +her words—'<i>I will not then resist you!</i>' I staggered back, +horror-stricken; the shadow of remorse for the first time darkened my +soul; I would have wrested the dagger from her lifeless hand, and +plunged it into my own heart, but in the agonies of death she had +clutched it too firmly to admit of my easily tearing it from her +grasp. I turned from the bed, and again placed the candle upon the +table; I sat down by it, with the cold perspiration starting from +every pore. Ha! what is this? a letter, and addressed to me? I had not +observed it before. Eagerly I tore it open, and instantly recognized +the elegant handwriting of her ladyship—not a blot, not a misformed +letter marred the beautiful chirography of the missive; it was written +with the same grace and precision that had in former days +characterized her ladyship's notes of invitation to her splendid +parties. As near as I can remember, it read as follows:—</p> + +<p>"'Death is preferable to the dishonor of your vile embraces. Were you +a man of birth, gladly would I accept the protection of your arms; but +Lady Adelaide Hawley can never become the mistress of a menial. I +welcome death, as it will preserve me from staining the purity of my +noble blood by cohabitation with such as <i>thou</i> art. May heaven pity +and forgive me!'</p> + +<p>"After I had read this characteristic note, I reflected deeply upon +the tragic event—her suicide. Innocent as I was of her death, might I +not be arrested as her murderer?<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> Circumstances were strong against +me; how could I prove my innocence? Many men have been hung on +circumstantial evidence less strong. Though I had escaped detection on +a murder which I had actually committed, I now feared that I should +suffer for a deed of which I was not guilty. The gallows arose before +my excited fancy, in all its terrors; my throat seemed encircled by +the fatal rope.—I determined to fly the country; instantly acting +upon this impulse, I left the chamber, and hastily collected together +all my money (which was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> considerable) and valuables. Then I left the +house, and seeking a safe asylum in an obscure party of the city, +remained there until an opportunity was afforded me to take ship to +America. I arrived here—soon spent all my money—was hauled up for a +murder—was convicted of manslaughter only, and did the State service +for a period of ten years in the stone institution at Charlestown; +served out my time—and here I am. Now, comrades, you have heard my +story; that it has been a long one, and a dry one, I grant—at all +events, the narration of it has made <i>me</i> confoundedly dry. Here's a +health to jolly thieves all the world over, and confusion to honesty, +the law, and the police!"</p></blockquote> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Acute and sagacious as Jew Mike was, it did not occur to +him, in his trepidation and alarm, that the note which he had just read, +and which was in Lady Hawley's own handwriting, would clearly exonerate +him from all suspicion of his having murdered her. But guilt is +sometimes singularly short-sighted, and Mike, as cunning a villain as he +was, threw aside or perhaps destroyed the only evidence he could have +possibly produced to substantiate his innocence.</p></div> + +<p>Jew Mike did honor to his own toast in a bumper of brandy; nor were the +others backward in following his example. Sow Nance, who had just awoke +from a sound sleep, swore it was the most capital story she had ever +heard in her life, which opinion she enforced by many oaths that we need +not repeat. 'Charcoal Bill' and 'Indian Marth' were loud in their +expressions of delight; and Jew Mike had the satisfaction of perceiving +that he had pleased his audience, and made himself the hero of the +night. A general conversation followed, which lasted until the Jew, as +chairman of the meeting and Captain of the <i>Grabbers</i>, called the +assembly to order, and announced that Sow Nance had the +floor;—whereupon silence was restored, and that lady gave utterance to +the following words, in a hoarse voice.—Her remarks were copiously +interspersed with oaths, which, out of respect for the reader's feelings +and our own credit, we omit:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Well, gals and fellers, being as how my Mike here has been a blowin' +off his gas, I might as well blow mine. You all know how I first came +to be se-duced, don't yer? It was a rich State street lawyer wot first +did it, when I was 'leven years old. Ha, ha, ha! a jolly old cock he +was, with a bald head and a face all over red pimples—he used to be +mighty fond of us girls, I tell yer. Maybe I didn't use to suck the +money out of him, by threatenin' to <i>blow</i> on him—well, I did! Yer +all know how I had a young-'un, and how—ha, ha, ha!—the brat was +found, the next day after it was born, dead in the <i>Black Sea</i>; it +never died no nat'ral death that young-'un didn't, yer can bet yer +life; the old Cor'ner wasn't far out of the way when he said in his +werdict that the child had been strangled! The State street lawyer was +its father, I believe, tho' I can't say for certain, I had so many +partick'lar friends; for if I <i>ain't</i> werry good-looking, I've got +winnin' ways. I came from a first-rate family, I did; my father was +hung for killing my mother—one of my brothers has also danced a horn +pipe in the air, and another is under sentence of death, off South, +for beating a woman's brains out with a fire shovel, and choking her +five children with a dishcloth. He's one of the true breed, he is. I +ain't no dishonor to my family, either; for besides that strangling +business, (mind, I didn't say <i>I</i> did it!) I once pitched a drunken +sailor down stairs, which accidentally broke his neck, after I had +lightened his pockets of what small change he had about him.—To tell +the honest truth, I'm rather too ugly to make much money by doing +business myself; so I've gone into the business of picking up young, +good-looking gals, coaxing them off, and getting them into the houses +of my regular customers, who pay me well, at so much a head. My best +customer is the rich Mr. Tickels, who lives in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> South street; many's +the young gal I've carried to him, and many's the dollar I've earned +by it. Look here—do you see this five dollar gold piece? I earned it +this morning by coaxing a gal to go with me to Mr. Tickel's house; she +was a little beauty, I tell yer, and I'll bet she won't come out of +that house the same as she went in, no how. She was a fruit gal, but +she wasn't one of us; her name, I believe was Fanny—"</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Blood and battering-rams!"</p> + +<p>This singular exclamation was made by the comical looking old man, who +had entered the "Pig Pen" unperceived, and had been seated in the corner +unnoticed by any of the company. He had arisen from his seat, and stood +in an attitude which betokened profound interest and great astonishment. +For a moment the whole gang, male and female, regarded him with surprise +and suspicion; then Jew Mike sprang forward, seized him by the throat, +shook him strongly, and in a rough, fierce voice, demanded:—</p> + +<p>"Death and the devil, old scoundrel, how came you here? Who are +you?—are you a police spy—one of Marshal Threekey's gang? Speak, +d——n you, before I break every bone in your accursed old carcass!"</p> + +<p>It was a singular contrast, between the great, powerful ruffian, and the +little old man—nevertheless, the latter individual (who, the reader +need scarcely be told, was no other than our eccentric friend, the +Corporal,) did not tamely submit to such rough treatment; extricating +himself, with much agility, from the grasp of the Jew, he dealt that +worthy such a quick and stinging blow in the region of his left ear, +that it laid him sprawling on the floor, at the same moment exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"Skulls and skeletons! do you take me for a child? Nay, come on again, +if you are so disposed, and by the nose of Napoleon! I'll beat you to a +jelly!"</p> + +<p>It is difficult to say what might have been the fate of the gallant +Corporal, had a second encounter taken place, for the Jew arose from the +floor with a howl of rage, his dark face livid with passion. But, +fortunately for our friend, at this crisis there stepped forward a big, +brawny, double-jointed Irishman, with a fist like a shoulder of mutton; +this gentleman gloried in the title of 'Cod-mouth Pat,' in humorous +allusion to the peculiar formation of his 'potato trap,' an aperture in +his head which might have been likened either to a cellar door or a coal +scuttle.</p> + +<p>"Och, be the powers, Misther Jew Mike," said Pat, placing himself +between the Corporal and his gigantic antagonist—"be asy, and lave the +owld gintlman alone; he's a brave little man intirely, and it's myself +that'll fight for him. Whoop! show me the man that 'od harm my friend, +and be the holy poker, and that's a good oath, I'll raise a lump on his +head as big as the hill of Howth, and that's no small one!"</p> + +<p>The good-hearted Irishman's interference saved the Corporal from a +severe beating, if not from being killed outright—for the Jew dared not +engage in a personal conflict with a man of Pat's resolution and +strength. Yet any ordinary observer could not have failed to notice the +look of deadly vengeance that gleamed in his eyes, indicating that he +would not soon forget or forgive the blow he had received.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>At that moment, a loud noise resembling the crash of decanters and +glasses, mingled with loud oaths and yells of defiance, which sounds +proceeded from the adjoining dance cellar, plainly indicated that one of +those "bloody rows" for which Ann street is famous, had commenced. Such +a scene was too much the element of Cod-mouth Pat for him to remain +tranquil during its progress; with an unearthly yell he grasped a short, +thick cudgel which he always carried, and leaving the "Pig Pen," plunged +into the thickest of the fight. Many a black eye and broken head +attested the vigor of his arm; but the glory of his achievements did not +screen him from being borne to the watchhouse, nor did his valor prevent +the magistrate in the morning from inflicting upon him a very decent +fine, which drew from him the indignant remark that—"'Tis a great +country, any how, where a man can't have a ginteel bit of a fight +without paying for it!"</p> + +<p>The Corporal's case again looked desperate, when Pat left the "Pig Pen," +for he was then without a protector from the vengeance of Jew Mike. But +the Jew did not appear inclined to assail the old man personally, though +his ferocious eyes still gleamed with rage. Standing apart, he held a +whispered conversation with Sow Nance, during which the Corporal could +occasionally overhear the words—'spy,' 'danger,' 'police,' 'murder,' +and the like. At last they seemed to arrive at some definite conclusion; +for the Jew came forward, and said—</p> + +<p>"Old fellow, whoever you are, you have heard too much of our private +discourse, for our safety.—We must confine you, until such time as you +may succeed in convincing us that you meant no foul play in thus +intruding into our secret rendezvous."</p> + +<p>The Corporal began to speak, but the Jew fiercely commanded him to be +silent. Meanwhile, Sow Nance had procured a rope, and ere the old man +was aware of her intention, she had seized and pinioned his arms with +great dexterity.</p> + +<p>"Into the <i>Black Hole</i> with him!" shouted the Jew. The poor Corporal was +hurried from the room, through a low, narrow door, along a dark, winding +passage, and soon found himself in a spacious cellar, crowded with +negroes, who were drinking "blue ruin" and smoking vile cigars. This +resort of the "colored society" was a place of the most degraded and +vicious kind, frequented by the lowest of the black population of Ann +street. At that period, respectable public houses for the exclusive +accommodation of the colored aristocracy, were very rare; and it is only +recently that the enterprise and public spirit of Mr. William E. Ambush +has established a <i>recherche</i> and elegant Saloon in Belknap street, +bearing the poetical cognomen of "<i>The Gazelle</i>." We allude to this +latter place for the purpose of showing that however degraded may be the +colored denizens of Ann street, and however low their resorts, there are +nevertheless those of the same complexion who are elevated in their +notions of propriety, and strictly exclusive in their associations.</p> + +<p>"Hallo, here—where's Pete York?" demanded the Jew, looking around upon +the sable assembly with an air of authority.</p> + +<p>A small, very black and hideous looking negro stepped forward in answer +to the name, with a grin that would not have disgraced the very devil +himself.</p> + +<p>"Dat's me, master," said he. (It may be as well to remark here, that +this negro<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> was soon afterwards sentenced to be hung for an atrocious +murder, in Ann street. His sentence was, however, commuted by the +Governor to imprisonment for life. He is now comfortably located in the +Charlestown State Prison.)</p> + +<p>"Well, then, you black scorpion, I wish you to take charge of this old +fellow, and let him not escape, as you value your life. Keep him here +safely for a day or two, and I'll reward you well for your trouble. +Sooner than let him escape, <i>kill him</i>—do you hear?"</p> + +<p>The negro <i>did</i> hear, and perfectly comprehended, also. He replied not +in words, but in expressive pantomime. Drawing a knife from his belt, he +passed his finger approvingly along its glittering edge—then he drew it +lightly across his own throat, in the immediate vicinity of his +windpipe; by which actions he meant to intimate that should the old +gentleman, with whose guardianship he had the honor to be entrusted, +manifest the least inclination to "give him the slip," he, Mr. Peter +York, would, in the most scientific manner, merely cut his throat from +ear to ear, as a particular token of his warm personal regard. Jew Mike +appeared perfectly satisfied with the assurance thus eloquently +conveyed, and, accompanied by Sow Nance, left the cellar, leaving the +Corporal to the tender mercies of as desperate a band of villains and +cut-throats as ever prowled about in the dark alleys and underground +dens of Ann street.</p> + +<p>"Now, my good fellow," said the old gentleman, addressing the negro +whose prisoner he now was—"you had better instantly unbind me, and +suffer me to take my departure from this infernal trap. Give me my +liberty, and I will pay you ten times the sum that your Jew friend can +afford to give you for detaining me here. What say you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, you shut up!" responded Pete York—"you s'pose I'm going to b'lieve +any such gas as dat? You look like paying more money than Jew Mike, and +not a decent coat on your back! Hush up your mouf, or you'll get this +knife a-twixt your ribs in less than no time."</p> + +<p>The black ruffian, in order to convince his prisoner that he meant what +he said, pressed the sharp point of his knife so closely to the +Corporal's breast, that it penetrated the skin. Mr. York, having thus +practically admonished his victim to preserve silence, (which the +Corporal thought it best to do, under the circumstances,) called to +another negro, who was indulging in deep potations at the bar, in +company with his "ladye love," a wench whose personal attractions +consisted of a knotty head, flat nose, and mouth of immoderate +dimensions—and that she <i>was</i> attractive to her lover, was afterwards +manifested by the fact that in a fit of jealousy he murdered a rival in +her affections; for which amusement he was hung in the yard of the +Leverett street jail on the 25th day of May, 1849, in the presence of a +very jovial party, who were highly delighted with the exhibition.</p> + +<p>"Wash Goode," cried Mr. Peter York, addressing that gentleman with a +familiar abbreviation of his patriotic Christian name—"look yeah, a +moment, will you nigger?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Washington Goode crossed the cellar, and desired to know in what way +he could be serviceable to his particular friend and boon companion, Mr. +Peter York. The latter gentleman explained himself in a few words.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Jew Mike has put this old white man under my charge," said he, "for a +few days, and I don't know where the h——l to keep him. What shall I do +with the old son of a——?"</p> + +<p>"Why, put him in de coal-hole, to be sure," replied the other, with a +boisterous laugh at his own ingenious suggestion.</p> + +<p>Mr. York signified his approval of this plan, and dragging the poor +Corporal into the dark passage which he had traversed in going to the +cellar, he seized a large iron ring, opened a trap door, and violently +pushed his victim into the dark and yawning chasm. Then he shut down the +trap door, securely fastened it and departed.</p> + +<p>The unfortunate Corporal fell a distance of about eight feet, and landed +upon a soft, damp bed of earth, with but little personal injury. It will +be recollected that his arms had been pinioned by Sow Nance; but, by a +desperate effort, the old man succeeded in freeing himself from his +bonds. He then essayed to examine and explore the dismal pit into which +he had been thrown—which, in the intense darkness that prevailed, was a +task of no little danger. However, he cautiously began to grope about, +and soon became satisfied that the place was of considerable extent.</p> + +<p>It will readily be inferred that our friend Corporal Grimsby was a man +of dauntless courage; but, notwithstanding this, a thrill of terror +nearly paralysed his limbs, when, while exploring the dungeon into which +he had been thrown, his feet came in contact with an object, which, on +examination, he discovered to be a human skeleton. The dread of being +left to starve and perish in that dismal den, in such awful company, +well nigh overcame both his philosophy and courage; and seating himself +upon the damp earth, he abandoned himself to those feelings of +despondency naturally engendered by his situation.</p> + +<p>A man placed in such circumstances, in the midst of intense darkness, +can "take no note of time." An hour of horror will sometimes seem an +age, while a week of unalloyed pleasure will often glide by seemingly +with the same rapidity as a few fleeting moments. It may have been one +hour—it may have been ten—that the Corporal sat on the floor of his +dungeon; when suddenly he was startled by the noise of the trap-door +above his head being opened, and looking up, he beheld Sow Nance gazing +down upon him, holding in her hand a lantern. After regarding him +intently for a few moments, she thus addressed him:—</p> + +<p>"Say, old chap, what'll yer give me if I help yer to 'scape from this +hole? Yer don't look as if yer had any money—but if yer have, pay me +well, and I'll get you out."</p> + +<p>"Lower down a ladder or a rope, and raise me from this infernal trap, +and you shall have this purse—see, 'tis full of gold!" replied the +Corporal, at the same time producing from his pocket a purse which was +evidently well lined with the "needful."</p> + +<p>Nance uttered an exclamation of surprise and pleasure, and then +disappeared; in a few minutes she returned and lowered a ladder into the +pit; the Corporal rapidly ascended, and soon stood at the side of his +deliverer, whom he could not avoid thanking warmly, as he gave her the +purse. Bidding him follow her, she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> conducted him through the dark +passage; they entered the "Pig Pen," which was empty—passed through the +dance cellar without attracting any attention, and to the intense joy of +the Corporal, he found himself standing in the open air, with the sun +shining brightly, and no one to hinder his departure from those corrupt +regions of sin and horror.</p> + +<p>He distinctly remembered that Sow Nance had boasted of having enticed a +young girl to the abode of Mr. Tickels in South street. Now this latter +individual was known to him as a libertine and a villain; and inwardly +praying that he might not be too late to rescue his fair young friend +(for he doubted not it was Fanny Aubrey,) from the power of such a +monster, in season to preserve her virtue undefiled, he made the best of +his way to South street. The reader knows how he rushed into the room +just as Tickels was preparing to consummate the outrage, and how he laid +the villain sprawling upon the floor, exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"Broad-swords and bomb-shells! I am just in time!"</p> + +<p>We have now seen the manner in which Corporal Grimsby discovered the +whereabouts of Fanny Aubrey: and the mystery of his having arrived at a +moment so very opportune, is explained.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h4><i>The Chevalier and the Duchess.</i></h4> + + +<p>A period of six months elapsed, and it was now the month of +June—voluptuous June, clad in the gorgeous livery of summer. A great +change had taken place in the circumstances of several of the most +prominent characters of our narrative. The grandfather of Fanny—the +blind old basket-maker—had been "gathered to his fathers," and was +sleeping in a humble but honorable grave. The excellent old Corporal, +having seen the remains of his aged friend consigned to its kindred +dust, had procured a comfortable and delightful asylum for the two +orphans in the family of a valued friend of his—an elderly gentleman +whom we shall call Mr. Goldworthy; he was a retired merchant, possessing +an ample fortune, and was a widower, having an only daughter, with whom +he resided in a splendid mansion in Howard street. Miss Alice +Goldworthy, (then in her eighteenth year,) was one of those rare +creatures who seldom bless this grovelling earth with their bright +presence. She was truly an admirable combination of excellent personal +and mental qualities, and possessed in an eminent degree that beautiful +art (so seldom attained) of making all who came within the sphere of her +genial influence, <i>perfectly happy</i>. But her most amiable characteristic +was her good heart, which prompted her to entirely overlook every +consideration of self, in her desire to benefit others. We have now, in +our mind's eye, the exquisite original from whom we imperfectly draw +this beautiful character; her pure soul looks gently forth from the +azure depths of her soft eyes; lovely in her smile, for it is the glad +sunshine of a happy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> heart—but has that heart ne'er known affliction or +grief? Ah, yes; the harsh world hath, in former times, bruised that +gentle sanctuary of all womanly virtue, by its rude contact; but an +o'er-ruling Providence would not suffer the blighting storms of life to +crush the sweet flower that bent resignedly to the blast—for the angels +in heaven are not more pure and holy than she. Peace be with her, now +and forever! and should her eyes e'er encounter these humble lines, she +will pardon their unknown author for having ventured to gild his pages +with her beautiful character—for he has gazed upon her as upon a star, +shipping with a serene and softened lustre from the blue vault of +heaven.</p> + +<p>Her domestic accomplishments were not inferior to her social virtues. In +the charming (because truthful) words of an unpretending but excellent +poet—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"She had read<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her father's well-filled library with profit,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And could talk charmingly; then she could sing<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And play, too, passably, and dance with spirit;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Yet she was knowing in all needle-work,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And shone in dairy and kitchen, too<br /></span> +<span class="i0">As in the parlor."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>When Fanny Aubrey was ushered into the presence of this amiable young +lady, she started with surprise and pleasure—for she instantly +recognized in her the kind young lady who had presented her with the +gold coin on the memorable day when she was entrapped by Sow Nance into +the house of Mr. Tickels. The recognition was mutual; Miss Alice +instantly remembered the pretty fruit girl whose appearance had so much +interested her; and warmly did she welcome both the young orphans, as +future inmates of her family. Fanny had never before lived in such a +grand house, surrounded by every appliance of luxurious wealth; yet the +unbounded kindness of Miss Alice and her worthy father soon placed her +perfectly at her ease. Excellent teachers were provided for her and her +brother Charles—and, under the fostering care of their generous +patrons, they promised to become ornaments to the elevated sphere of +society in which they were probably destined to move.</p> + +<p>Time passed on, and nothing occurred to interrupt the smooth current of +Fanny's existence, until it was deemed advisable to engage a person +properly qualified to give her instructions on that indispensable +fixture to a fashionable parlor—the piano-forte. A teacher of some +reputed talent was employed for this purpose; he was a Mr. Price, of +Charlestown—and has since rendered himself somewhat famous for his +amours in the above city with a married lady whom we shall call Mrs. +Stout; he had for some time been giving her lessons on the piano—but +the husband suspected that he was in the habit of imparting to her +secrets more profound than those of music; he accordingly placed himself +in a position to observe the operations of the parties—and soon +detected them under circumstances of a very unequivocal character. +Rushing in, he severely castigated the gay Lothario, who, laboring under +the great disadvantage of having his costume seriously disarranged, +could only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> implore for mercy, while he assumed the abject posture so +faithfully depicted by a talented artist, in the engraving which +accompanies this chapter. Long previous to this humorous event, Mr. +Price was, as we have stated, engaged to instruct the pretty Fanny +Aubrey in the science and mystery of the noble instrument of which he +was a well-known professor; but he soon began to indulge in such +alarming familiarities with his fair pupil, that she acquainted her +friends with his conduct, and the consequence was that Mr. Price +received a very dishonorable dismissal from the house. Nature has been +very miserly of her favors to this amorous music teacher: his +countenance resembles that of an unwashed charcoal merchant, while his +manners are utterly devoid of anything like gentlemanly refinement.—We +are no great critic of the art of piano teaching; but we opine that it +is rather unnecessary, in the first stages of the instruction, to clasp +a lady's waist, or even to bring one's mouth in too close proximity to +her rosy lips. It leads a sensitive female, or a fastidious gentleman to +suspect the existence of a strong desire to enjoy a more familiar +intimacy with a feminine pupil, and is apt to result in the teacher's +ignominious ejection from the house and family which he attempts to +dishonor.</p> + +<p>With the exception of Mr. Price's insults, (from which she easily +escaped by appealing to her kind patrons for protection,) Fanny's life +passed on happily and quietly for some time; until one evening, on +entering the parlor, she was startled by seeing no less a person than +the Hon. Timothy Tickels, of South street, in familiar and friendly +conversation with Mr. Goldworthy and Miss Alice. Mr. Tickels himself +started and turned pale on beholding the maid whom he had attempted to +dishonor under circumstances of such peculiar atrocity; however, he +quickly recovered himself, and bowed low as Mr. Goldworthy presented her +to him, saying—</p> + +<p>"Mr. Tickels, this is Miss Aubrey, the young lady whom I spoke to you +about, as having recently come to reside with me. Fanny, this is an old +and much esteemed friend of mine, who has expressed a great desire to +see you, and whom, I am sure, you will love and respect for his piety +and moral excellence!"</p> + +<p>Fanny coldly returned the salutations of the lecherous old hypocrite, +whom she had such a good reason to hate and despise; it was evident to +her that he had imposed on her worthy patrons, who really believed him +to be a man of unblemished moral and religious character. During the +evening, other company came in, and Tickels, having placed himself at +Fanny's side, whispered in her ear—</p> + +<p>"My dear young lady, I see you recognize me; I also knew you instantly; +for God's sake do not expose me! I am sincerely sorry for the wrong I +meditated against you—I have since repented in sackcloth and ashes. +Promise me, I entreat you, that you will not whisper a word in regard to +that infamous affair to Miss Alice or her father—or, indeed, to any one +else; promise me, angel that you are—will you not?"</p> + +<p>Fanny reflected a few moments, during which she asked herself—"What is +the right course for me to pursue in this matter? It will be very wrong +for me to ruin this man by exposing him, if he has sincerely repented. +The Bible tells us to forgive our enemies—ought I not to forgive him? +Yes, I will; my heart and conscience tell me it will be right to do so. +Mr. Tickels," she added, aloud—"I forgive you for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> having tried to +injure me, and, if you have truly repented, I will never say anything +about the affair which you wish to have kept secret."</p> + +<p>How artlessly and ingenuously she pronounced those words of forgiveness, +to a man who had tried to inflict upon her the greatest injury that can +befall woman—a man who, even at that moment, in the black hypocrisy of +his heart, gloated upon her youthful charms as the wolf doth feast his +savage eyes upon the innocent lamb! Yes, and even at that moment, too, +his polluted soul was hatching an infernal plan to get her again in his +power, in a place where no aid was ever likely to wrest her from his +grasp—a place established for purposes of lust and outrage, to which he +had alluded, (in his soliloquy after the rescue of Fanny by the +Corporal,) as the "Chambers of Love."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my young paragon of virtue," said the old hypocrite to himself—"it +is all very well for you to prate of forgiveness; but I'll have you in +the 'Chambers' in less than a month—then see if you can again escape +me! In that luxurious underground retreat, from whose mysterious recess +no cry can reach the ears of prying mortals above—there, amid the +sumptuousness of an Oriental palace, will I riot on those charms of +thine, which now I dare but gaze upon! I'll make thee a slave to every +extravagant caprice of my passion; I'll become a god of pleasure, and +thou, my beautiful blonde, shall be my ministering angel; for me shalt +thou fill the glittering wine-cup with the sparkling gem of the grape; +for me shalt thou sing at the banquet, and preside as Venus at the rosy +couch of love."</p> + +<p>Such were the thoughts that passed through the mind of the disgusting +old voluptuary, while his lying tongue gave utterance to words like the +following:—</p> + +<p>"A thousand thanks, my kind young lady, for that promise! Ah, if you +only knew how beautiful you are, you would not so much blame me for my +folly—my wickedness. But I'll say no more, as such language seems to +pain you. I have, by long fasting and sincere prayer, succeeded in +cleansing my heart from every impure desire—I can now view you with the +holy feelings—the passionless regard, of a father for his daughter. My +dear child, forget not your promise to refrain from exposing an erring +fellow mortal; and may Heaven bless you!"</p> + +<p>Poor, unsuspecting Fanny!—could she have seen the black heart of the +smooth villain who addressed her with such pious humility, how well she +might have exclaimed, with Byron—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Thy love is lust, thy friendship all cheat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Mr. Tickels continued to visit the Goldworthys frequently; and they, far +from suspecting his real character, always received him with the +familiarity of an old friend. They noticed that Fanny treated him with +marked coolness and reserve; this they thought but little of, however, +merely regarding it as an excess of diffidence.</p> + +<p>It is now necessary that we introduce a new character on the stage. This +was a gentleman who bore the rather aristocratic title of the "Chevalier +Duvall," and was supposed to be a foreigner of distinguished birth; and +if noble lineage ever indicated itself by splendid personal or mental +gifts, then was the Chevalier entitled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> to the fullest belief when he +declared himself to have descended from one of the noblest families of +France—for a man of more superb and commanding beauty never won the +heart of a fair lady. We confess ourselves rather opposed to the +prevailing tastes of authors, who make all their heroes and heroines +perfect paragons of personal beauty—but, in the present instance, we +are dealing, not with an imaginary creation, but with an actual +character. The Chevalier, then, was a man of a thousand; elegant in his +carriage, superbly graceful in every movement, possessing a form of +perfect symmetry, and a countenance faultlessly handsome, no wonder that +he captivated the hearts of many lovely damsels, and made no unfavorable +impression upon the mind of the fair Alice Goldworthy, whom he had +casually met in polished society, and whose admiration he had enlisted, +as much by the charms of inimitable wit as by the graces of his +matchless person. What wonder that the gentle girl, all unskilled as she +was in the ways of the world, should receive his frequent visits with +pleasure; and when her kind father intimated to her that her lover was a +man possessing no visible resources, and was besides very unwilling to +allude to his former history, which was involved in much obscurity, what +wonder that she made herself his champion, and assured her father that +he (the Chevalier) was everything that the most fastidious could desire. +And the good old man, never very inquisitive or meddlesome in what he +considered the affairs of others, and satisfied that his daughter's +views of her lover must be correct, forbore to pain her further by any +insinuations derogatory to the Chevalier's character, and made no +objections to his oft-repeated visits.</p> + +<p>Delicious was that dream of love to the pure-hearted maiden! Her lover +was to her the <i>beau ideal</i> of manhood; so delicate in his attentions, +so uniformly respectful in his behavior. What if mystery <i>did</i> exist in +reference to his history and resources?—when did Love ever stop to make +inquiries relative to descent or dollars? As long as she believed Duvall +to be an honorable and good man, she would have deserted her luxurious +home and shared poverty and exile with him, if necessary. Ah, how often +does Love, in the best and purest natures, triumph over filial affection +and every consideration of worldly or pecuniary advantage.</p> + +<p>"My Alice," said Duvall, as they were seated in Mr. Goldworthy's +luxurious parlor, at that most delightful period of the +day—twilight—bewitching season, when day softly melts into the embrace +of night!—"<i>My</i> Alice, there is much connected with my name and +fortunes that must be to you a profound mystery; but, believe me, my +name is untainted with dishonor, and my fortunes are free from disgrace. +A solemn vow prevents me from explaining myself further, until the +blissful moment when I can call you wife; then, idol of my soul, shall +you know all. Behold this right hand; it has never committed an action +that could make this cheek blush with shame. And now, fairest among +women, when shall I claim this soft hand as my own lawful prize?"</p> + +<p>The day was named, and the happy Alice was for the first time clasped to +the bosom of her lover.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At the hour of noon, on the next day, a gentleman might have been +standing on the steps of the Tremont House, gazing with an eye of +abstraction upon the passing throng. The age of this gentleman might +have been a matter of dubious inquiry; he was not young, you'd swear at +the first glance, and yet, after you had gazed two minutes into his +superb countenance, you would be as ready to swear that he was not over +thirty, or thirty-five at most. In truth, he was one of those singular +persons whose external appearance defies you to form any opinion as to +their age, with any hope of coming within twenty years of the truth. Not +a single gray hair could be seen among the glossy curls that fell over +his noble forehead—not a wrinkle disfigured the smooth surface of his +dark, beautiful skin—and yet there was <i>something</i> that we cannot +define or describe, in the expression of his eyes, which now flashed +with all the fire of youth, and then grew almost dim as with the shadows +of advancing age—a something that indicated to any acute observer that +the elegant stranger had passed the prime of manhood.</p> + +<p>He was dressed with tasteful simplicity. A splendid black suit set off +his fine form to advantage; yet his attire was utterly devoid of +ornament. Many were the bright eyes that glanced admiringly at his +handsome person; yet he seemed unconscious of the admiration he excited, +and gazed upon the passing crowd with all the calm complacency of a +philosopher.</p> + +<p>This gentleman was the Chevalier Duvall. Not long had he been standing +upon the steps of the Tremont House, when he was accosted by an elderly +gentleman of a portly appearance, whom he cordially greeted with every +token of familiar friendship.</p> + +<p>The portly old gentleman was the Honorable Timothy Tickels; he and the +Chevalier had long been intimate friends, having frequently met at the +house of Mr. Goldworthy. After the usual compliments, Mr. Tickels +remarked to his friend—</p> + +<p>"By the way, my dear Chevalier, you remember that you long since +promised to introduce me to a sister of yours, whose charms you highly +extolled. I am anxious to see if she really merits your somewhat +extravagant praise. I have a few hours of leisure to-day, and if you +will present me to her, I shall be delighted."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, my good sir, certainly," rejoined the Chevalier—"the +distance is but trifling, and if you will do me the honor to accompany +me, to my humble abode, you shall be made acquainted with the most +beautiful woman in Boston. My sister is called the <i>Duchess</i>, and as +mystery is the peculiar characteristic of myself and family, you will +have the kindness to address her by that title."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels expressed his thanks; and the two gentlemen proceeded to +Somerset street, wherein stood the residence of the Chevalier. It was a +house of modest exterior, very plain but respectable in appearance; yet +the interior was furnished very handsomely. On entering the house, +Duvall directed a servant to inform the Duchess that he had brought a +gentleman to be introduced to her; and in about a quarter of an hour the +lady sent word that she was prepared to receive her brother and his +friend in her <i>boudoir</i>. Accordingly, the gentlemen ascended to that +apartment; and on entering, Mr. Tickels stood for a few moments rooted +to the floor with astonishment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was a small chamber, but furnished with every indication of the most +exquisite taste. Fresh flowers, smiling from beautiful vases, scented +the air with their delicious perfume; classic statuary adorned every +corner, and gorgeous drapery at the windows excluded the glare of day, +producing a kind of soft twilight. Voluptuous paintings, with frames +superbly carved and gilded, ornamented the walls; and the footsteps fell +noiseless on the rich and yielding Turkish carpet. A splendid harp and +piano evinced the musical taste of the tenant of that elegant retreat.</p> + +<p>But it was not the fragrance of flowers, or the beauties of sculpture, +or the divine skill of the painter, that enthralled the senses of Mr. +Tickels, and caused him to pause as if spell-bound in the centre of the +room. No—his gaze was riveted upon a female form that reclined upon a +sofa; and now we are almost inclined to throw down our pen in despair, +for we are conscious of our inability to describe such a glorious +perfection of womanly beauty as met the enraptured gaze of a man, whose +sensual nature amply qualified him to appreciate such charms as she +possessed.</p> + +<p>She was not what the world calls a <i>young</i> woman; yet thirty +years—thirty summers—had not dim'd the lustre of her beauty. Truly, +she was the VENUS OF BOSTON! A brow, expansive and intellectual—hair of +silken texture, that fell in massive luxuriance from beneath a jewelled +head-dress which resembled the coronet of a duchess—cheeks that glowed +with the rosy hue of health and a thousand fiery passions—eyes that +sparkled with that peculiar expression so often seen in women of an +ardent, impetuous nature, now languishing, melting with tender desires, +now darting forth arrows of hate and rage—these were the +characteristics of the Duchess! There she lay, the very personification +of voluptuousness—large in stature, full in form, and exquisitely +beautiful in feature! Her limbs (once the model of a renowned sculptor +at Athens,) would have crazed Canova, and made Powers break his "Greek +Slave" into a thousand fragments; and those limbs—how visible they were +beneath the light, transparent gauze which but partially covered them! +Her leg, with its exquisite ankle and swelling calf,—faultless in +symmetry,—was terminated by a tiny foot which coquettishly played with +a satin slipper on the carpet,—a slipper that would have driven +Cinderella to the commission of suicide. Her ample waist had never been +compressed by the wearing of corsets, or any other barbarous tyranny of +fashion; yet it was graceful, and did not in the least degree approach +an unseemly obesity; and how magnificently did it expand into a glorious +bust, whereon two "hillocks of snow" projected their rose-tinted peaks, +in sportive rivalry—revealed, with bewildering distinctness, by the +absence of any concealing drapery! When she smiled, her lips, like "wet +coral," parted, and displayed teeth of dazzling whiteness, and when she +laughed, she did so <i>musically</i>. Her hand would have put Lord Byron in +extacies, and her taper fingers glittered with costly gems. Such was the +glorious creature who entranced the senses of the Honorable Timothy +Tickels on entering her luxurious <i>boudoir</i>.</p> + +<p>She greeted her brother the Chevalier with a smile, and his friend with +a graceful inclination of her head; but she did not arise, for which she +apologized by stating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> that she was afflicted with a slight lameness +caused by a recent fall. Then she glided into a discourse so witty, so +fascinating, that Mr. Tickels was charmed beyond expression.</p> + +<p>"I must really chide you, Chevalier," said she, turning to her +brother—"for not having afforded me the gratification of an earlier +introduction to your friend; for I now have the honor of making his +acquaintance under extremely unfavorable circumstances;—almost an +invalid, and arrayed in this slovenly <i>dishabille</i>. My dear Mr. +Tickels," she added, "you must not look at me, for I am really ashamed +of having been caught in this deplorable plight."</p> + +<p>Admirable stroke of art!—to apologize to an accomplished libertine, for +liberally displaying to his amorous gaze charms that would have moved a +marble statue!</p> + +<p>"Magnificent Duchess," quoth Mr. Tickels, drawing nearer to her, and +eagerly surveying the exposed charms of her splendid person—"offer no +apology for feasting my eyes on beauty such as yours. I am no fulsome +flatterer when I declare to you, that you are the queen and star of all +the beautiful women it has ever been my lot to behold! You are not +offended at my familiarity?"</p> + +<p>The Duchess only said "fie!" and pouted for a moment, so as to display +her ripe lips to advantage; and then her face became radiant with a +smile that made Mr. Tickels' susceptible heart beat against his ribs +like the hammer on a blacksmith's anvil.</p> + +<p>The Chevalier rose. "You must excuse me, both of you," said he, as he +took up his hat—"I have got an engagement which will oblige me to +deprive myself of the pleasure of your agreeable company for the +present. So <i>au revoir</i>—make yourself perfectly at home, my dear Mr. +Tickels; and it will be your own fault if you do not ripen the intimacy +which has this day commenced between yourself and the Duchess."</p> + +<p>The Chevalier departed, and Mr. Tickels was alone with the magnificent +Duchess.</p> + +<p>The old libertine spoke truly when he declared that he had never before +seen such a beautiful woman. Accustomed as he was to the society of +ladies, in whose company he always assumed a degree of familiarity that +was almost offensive, he was nevertheless so awed and intoxicated by the +divine loveliness of the Duchess, that, when he found himself alone with +her, he completely lost his usual self-possession, and could only +declare his admiration by his glances—not by words. For a few minutes +she coquettishly toyed with her fan—then she carelessly passed her +jewelled hand over her queenly brow to remove the clustering hair; and +finally, with an arch glance, she complimented Mr. Tickels on his +taciturnity, and laughingly enquired if he was always thus silent in the +society of ladies?</p> + +<p>"Madam," replied Mr. Tickels—"I am struck dumb by your unsurpassable +beauty. Forgive me, but my tongue is mute in the presence of such a +divinity."</p> + +<p>"Fie, sir! I must scold you if you flatter me," responded the Duchess, +as her cheeks were suffused with a charming blush—"and yet I find it +very hard to be angry with you, for your compliments are clothed in +language so elegant, that they are far from being odious. Here is my +hand, in token of my forgiveness."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>She gave him her hand—a hand so white, so soft, so exquisitely +delicate, that its touch thrilled through the entire frame of Mr. +Tickels. Involuntarily he raised it to his lips, and knelt down before +her;—then suddenly recollecting himself, he arose, murmuring a confused +apology for his rudeness. Her brilliant eyes were turned upon his, with +a soft expression, like that of languishing desire; and partly rising +from the sofa, she made room for Mr. Tickels to seat himself at her +side. This action she accompanied by a gesture of invitation; and +eagerly did the old gentleman sink down upon the soft and yielding sofa. +At first he sat at a respectful distance from her; but gradually he +edged closer and closer, until their persons touched. Still she +manifested not the slightest displeasure; and at last, maddened by his +close proximity to such matchless charms—for lust very often triumphs +over prudence—he ventured to steal his arm around her voluptuous waist. +To his inexpressible delight, she did not repulse him; and then how +wildly palpitated his heart, as he gazed down into those swelling +regions of snow, within whose mysterious depths a score of little Cupids +might have nested! Bolder and bolder grew the excited old voluptuary, as +he found that she did not resist his amorous advances; her fragrant +breath fanned his cheek, and the glances of her lustrous eyes dazzled +his senses. Her ripe lips were provokingly near to his—why not taste +their nectar? He pressed her closer to him, and she turned her charming +face full towards him, and seemed, with an arch smile, to challenge him +to bear off the prize. One little inch alone intervened between her rosy +mouth and his own <i>watering</i> one; in a moment 'twas done! He had stolen +a kiss, and received in return a playful tap with her fan. Who, that has +once ravished a kiss from the divine lips of a lovely woman, does not +feel inclined to repeat the offence? Again and again he kissed her; and +finally, almost beside himself with rapture, he glued his hot lips to +her neck, her shoulders, her bosom. Then Mr. Tickels became sensible +that he had gone too far—for she disengaged herself from his embrace, +and said, with an air of offended dignity—</p> + +<p>"You seem to forget yourself, sir; my foolish complacency to the friend +of my brother has, I fear, led me to permit liberties, which have +engendered in your breast desires injurious to my honor. I confess that +I was, for a moment, overcome by certain feelings which I possess, in +common with all others of the human family; nay, I will even admit that +I am of a nature peculiarly ardent and susceptible; and your refined +gallantry, and my close contact with your really very agreeable person, +aroused my passions, and caused me to forget my prudence until your +liberties became so intimate that I feared for the safety of my honor. I +must not forget my position as a lady of character and birth; and I +trust that you will remember your pretensions to the title of a +gentleman."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, beautiful Duchess," cried Tickels, in tones the most +abject—"on my bended knees I implore your pardon. What man, possessing +heart and soul, could view such heavenly charms as thine, without being +betrayed into an indiscretion? But forgive me, and I will ask no greater +favor than to be allowed to kiss that beauteous hand."</p> + +<p>"I am not angry with you," said the Duchess, giving him her hand, which +he raised reverently to his lips, "for I can fully appreciate the +feelings which prompted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> your conduct; therefore, I willingly +forgive,—and now that we are good friends again, you may come and sit +by my side, provided you will promise to be very good, and neither kiss +me or clasp my waist with your arm. So, sir, that is very well—but why +do you gaze so intently at my pretty shoulders and—but, good heavens! +until this moment I was unconscious of my almost naked condition; if you +will persist in looking at me, I must positively cover myself with a +shawl."</p> + +<p>"Charming Duchess, that would be worse sacrilege than to cover a costly +jewel with tow-cloth," rejoined Tickels; and the lady smiled at his +gallantry, as she remarked—</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, naughty man, you must not take advantage of my negligent +and slight attire to devour my person with your eyes. Besides, I am too +<i>em bon point</i> for either grace or beauty, and am naturally anxious to +conceal that defect."</p> + +<p>"Defect!" exclaimed Tickels,—"if there is one single defect in your +glorious person, then is Venus herself a pattern of ugliness. The +voluptuous fullness of your form is your most delightful attribute."</p> + +<p>A silence of some minutes ensued, during which the old libertine +continued his longing gaze, while the lady took up and fondly caressed a +beautiful little lap-dog, whose snowy fleece was prettily set off by a +silver collar, musical with bells. How Tickels envied the little animal, +when its mistress placed it in her bosom, and bestowed upon it every +epithet of tender endearment!</p> + +<p>"Poor Fido!" at length said the lady, with a soft sigh,—"thou art the +sole companion of my solitude. You would scarcely believe, Mr. Tickels, +how devotedly I am attached to this little creature, and how much he +loves me in return. He will only take his food from my hand, and I feed +him on the most delicate custards. Every morning I wash him carefully in +rose water, and he is my constant bed-fellow at night. ('Lucky dog!' +sighed Tickels.) I have only his society to dispel the <i>ennui</i> of my +solitude;—but, now I think of it, I have other sources of amusement: +for there are my books, my music, my flowers. By the way, are you fond +of music? Yes, I know you are; for you are a gentleman of too much +elegant refinement of mind, not to love the divine harmony of sweet +sounds. And now I shall put your gallantry to the test by requesting you +to bring my harp hither; and to reward you for your trouble, you shall +hear a song."</p> + +<p>The instrument was placed before her, and she sang, with exquisite +feeling and pathos, the beautiful song commencing with—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"'Twere vain to tell thee all I feel,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Or say for thee I sigh."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Tickels, to do him justice, was a true connoisseur in music; and warmly +did he express his gratification at the performance, particularly as the +Duchess accompanied the words by glances expressive of every tender +emotion.</p> + +<p>"Heigho! what can have become of the Chevalier? Devoted as he is to the +erratic pursuits of a man of fashion, he is seldom at home, and +consequently I see but little of him." Thus spoke the Duchess, after a +long pause which had begun to be embarrassing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you long for his return?" asked Tickels—"will not my society +compensate for his absence?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" laughingly replied the lady—"you are gallant and agreeable; +whereas my brother is often moody and abstracted. Besides, you know, a +<i>brother</i> cannot of course be such a pleasant companion to a lady, +as—as—I had almost said a <i>lover</i>. In truth, I am willing to confess +that you are a dear, delightful old gentleman, and I am half in love +with you already. Nay, don't squeeze my hand so, or I shall repent +having made the declaration."</p> + +<p>"You are a sweet creature," rejoined Tickels—"and very cruel for having +afforded me a glimpse of heaven, and then shut out the prospect from my +longing gaze. But tell me, how is it that you and your brother are so +completely isolated in society? Certainly you must have relatives and +many friends; yet you complain of solitude. If my question is not +impertinent, will you tell me?—for a woman of your extraordinary beauty +and accomplishments never finds it difficult to surround herself with a +circle of admirers, and loneliness is an evil with which she never need +be afflicted. To say merely that I feel interested in you, would fail to +express the degree of admiration with which I regard you; and it would +afford me an unspeakable pleasure to hear the history of your life, from +those rosy lips."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" exclaimed the Duchess, as a tear dim'd for a moment the lustre +of her fine eyes—"my story is but a short and sad one. Such as it is, +however, you shall have it. I was born beneath the fair skies of sunny +France; my parents were noble and rich—my father, the Duke D'Alvear, +could even boast of royal blood in his veins, while my mother was +closely allied to several of the most aristocratic families in the +kingdom. Reared in the lap of luxury, my childhood passed like a +pleasant dream, with nothing to disturb its quiet, until I had reached +my fifteenth year, at which period I lost both my parents by a +catastrophe so sudden, so dreadful, that when you hear its particulars, +you will not blame me for weeping as I do now." Here the lady's voice +was broken by many sobs—but she soon recovered her composure, and +continued her narrative.</p> + +<p>"My mother was beautiful but frail—which was in her case peculiarly +unfortunate, for my father was the most jealous of men. He had reason to +suppose that a handsome young Count was too intimate with her; keeping +his suspicions profoundly secret, he made preparations for a long +journey, and having announced his intention of remaining abroad several +months, he departed from Paris. That very night, at midnight, he +abruptly returned, proceeded directly to my mother's chamber, and found +the Count St. Cyr in her arms. The guilty pair were taken too much by +surprise to attempt resistance or escape, and both were slain on the +spot by my father, who had provided himself with weapons for that +purpose. The Duke then went to his own chamber—the report of a pistol +was heard soon afterwards, and the unfortunate man was found dead, with +his brains scattered over the carpet. Thus in one fatal night were my +only brother and myself made orphans—nor was this our only misfortune, +for the notary who had the charge of our joint patrimony, absconded, and +left us penniless. Why need I dwell on the painful details of our +poverty and its attendant miseries? Suffice it to say that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> resisted a +hundred offers from men of rank and wealth, who would have maintained me +in luxury had I consented to part with the priceless gem of my virtue. +Yes—I resisted each tempting proposal, for poverty itself was sweeter +to me than dishonor. We came to America, and finally to Boston; the +Chevalier, by giving private lessons in the sword exercise, supports us +both in a style of quiet comfort—but I charge you, sir, never let that +fact be known, for the gossiping world must never learn that the son of +France's proudest noble has so degenerated as to <i>labor</i> for his +support. Of course, with our modest means, we can mix but little in the +gay and fashionable world—as for myself, I prefer to remain at home, +and see but few persons except my brother and such of his intimate +friends as he occasionally brings home with him. My retired habits have +preserved me from the matrimonial speculations of gentlemen, of which I +am very glad, for I do not think I shall ever marry; and the seclusion +of my life has also saved me from the dishonorable proposals of amorous +gentlemen, who are ever ready to insult a good-looking woman provided +she is poor, and they are wealthy. Unfortunately for me, I have a +constant craving for male society; and when thrown into the company of +an agreeable man, be he young or old, passions which have never been +gratified will assert their supremacy in my breast, and I often tremble +lest, in a moment of delirium, I surrender my person unresisting to the +arms of a too fascinating seducer. This weakness of my ardent nature has +already several times nearly brought me to ruin; and when your arms just +now encircled me, and your lips were pressed to mine, the dizzy delight +which I experienced would, in a few moments, have made me your victim, +had I not, by a powerful effort, overcome that intoxication of my senses +which was fast subduing me; I escaped from your arms, and thank heaven! +my honor is preserved. Now, sir, I have frankly told you all; you +certainly will not censure me for my misfortunes—and I trust you will +not blame me for those propensities of nature to which we are all +subject, and which are so peculiarly strong in me as to render their +subjection an act of heroic self-denial."</p> + +<p>Thus ended the narrative of the Duchess; and it may well be imagined +that her words inflamed the passions of her listener more than ever. To +have that splendid creature sit by his side, and candidly confess to him +that the ardor of her soul yearned for enjoyments which cold prudence +would not permit her to indulge in,—what could have been more provoking +to his already excited feelings? Mr. Tickels gazed earnestly at her for +a few minutes, and his mind was decided; he resolved, if possible, to +<i>reason</i> her into a compliance with his wishes.</p> + +<p>"Madam," said he, assuming a tone of profound respect—"you are an +educated and accomplished lady; your mind is of the most elevated and +superior order. You can reflect, and reason, and view things precisely +as they are, without any exaggeration. Look abroad upon the world, and +you will see all mankind engaged exactly alike—each man and woman is +pursuing that course which he or she deems best calculated to promote +his or her happiness; and happiness is the essence of <i>pleasure</i>. Your +miser hoards gold—that is <i>his</i> source of pleasure; your vain woman +seeks pomp, and display, and adorns her person with many jewels—from +all of which she derives <i>her</i> pleasure; and as the child is pleased +with its rattle, so is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> musty antiquarian with his antique +models—so is the traveller with his journeyings and explorations—so is +the soldier with glory—and so is the lady of warm impulses with her +secret amours. All seek to extract pleasure from the pursuit of some +darling object most congenial with their passions, their tastes, their +preferences. Why, then, should any one seek to set aside the order of +things universal—the routine of nature? As consistently might we +disturb the harmonious operation of some complex machinery, as to act in +opposition to the great fundamental law of human nature—viz: <i>that +every created being, endowed with a ruling passion, should seek its +legitimate gratification</i>. By legitimate gratification, I mean, that +indulgence which interferes not with the enjoyments or interests of +others. The miser should not accumulate his gold at the expense of +another; the libertine should not revel in beauty's arms, by force; the +lady must make a willing sacrifice—thus nobody is injured—and thus the +pleasure is <i>legitimate</i>; though bigoted churchmen and canting +hypocrites may declaim on the sin of carnal indulgences unsanctioned by +the priest and his empty ceremonies. Fools! NATURE, and her laws, and +her promptings, and her desires, spurn the trammels of form and custom, +and reign triumphant over the hollow mummery of the parson and his pious +foolery.</p> + +<p>"Now, dear madam," continued the artful logician, (whose words belied +his own sentiments, and his own belief,) "supposing that you admit all +these premises; what do we next arrive at? Let me be plain, since you +have been so candid with me. You have admitted that the prevailing and +all-absorbing passion of your nature is—an intense desire to enjoy that +delicious communion which had its origin in the garden of Eden. Why +deprive yourself of the gratification you long for? Why do you hunger +for the fruit which is within your reach? Why disregard the promptings +of nature? Why obstinately turn aside from a bliss which is the rightful +inheritance of every man and woman on the face of the earth? And, +lastly, why are you so cruel to me, whom you have been pleased to +pronounce agreeable? Answer me, charming Duchess, and answer me as your +own generous heart and good sense shall dictate."</p> + +<p>The Duchess was silent for a short time, and appeared to reflect +profoundly; then she said, in a tone and manner singularly earnest—</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, my friend—for that you are such, I am very sure. I do +not deprive myself of the pleasures of which you speak, in consequence +of any scruples, moral or religious. I have no respect for the +institution of matrimony, or its obligations; I laugh at the doctrines +of those who speak of the crime of an indulgence in Love's pleasures, +without the sanction of the church. I agree with you that we all have +derived from nature the <i>right</i> to feed our diversified passions +according to their several cravings; but while we are authorized, by the +very laws of our being, to seek those delights of sense for which we +yearn, a perverted and ridiculous PUBLIC OPINION prohibits such +indulgences, unless under certain restrictions, and accompanied by +certain forms. Now, though this public opinion undoubtedly <i>is</i> +ridiculous and perverted, it must nevertheless be respected, +particularly by a lady; otherwise the world, (which is public opinion,) +calls her a harlot—points at her the finger of scorn—excludes her from +all decent society, and she is forever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> disgraced and ruined. I must +preserve my reputation and position as a lady, no matter at what cost, +or what sacrifice; ardently as I long for the delights of love, I shall +never, to enjoy them, surrender my personal freedom by marriage, or my +character by yielding to the solicitations of a lover,—unless, in the +latter case, I should unfortunately, while in the intoxication of +excited passion, grant the favors which he asks; which I pray heaven may +never happen to me! It is all very well, sir," continued the Duchess, +assuming a tone of arch vivacity—"it is all very well for you <i>men</i> to +be in such continual readiness to indulge in the joys of Venus, whenever +opportunity presents itself; for this odious public opinion is very +lenient with you, gay deceivers that you are, and kindly pardons and +even smiles at your amorous frailties; but we poor women, good heavens! +must not swerve six inches from the straight path of rectitude marked +out for us, under pain of eternal condemnation and disgrace; and thus we +are either driven into matrimony, or are obliged to deprive ourselves of +a bliss (to use your own language) which is the rightful inheritance of +every man and woman on the face of the earth. Well," added the Duchess, +in a tone of mock melancholy which was irresistibly charming,—"poor <i>I</i> +must submit to the stern decree, as well as the rest of those +unfortunate mortals called women;—unfortunate because they <i>are</i> women, +and because they are even more ardent in their passions than those who +have the happiness to be men. Let me congratulate you, sir, on your +felicity in belonging to a sex which possesses the exclusive privilege +of unrestricted amative enjoyment; and I am sure you will not refuse to +sympathize with me on my misfortune, in having been born one of those +wretched beings who are doomed to be forever shut out from a Paradise +for which they long,—a Paradise whose bright portals are guarded by the +savage monster, Public Opinion, which ruthlessly denies the admission +within its flowery precincts, of every poor daughter of Eve."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels had listened with breathless attention to the words of the +Duchess; he plainly saw that she was not to be subdued by <i>argument</i>. +"Her only vulnerable point lies though the avenue of the passions," +thought he—"for according to her own confession, she was intoxicated +with rapture when encircled by my arms, and when receiving my ardent +kisses; and only escaped the entire surrender of her person to me, by a +powerful effort. My course, then, is plain—I must delicately and +gradually venture on familiarities which are best calculated to arouse +her sensibilities, without incurring her suspicions as to my ultimate +object. I must—I shall succeed; for, by heaven! if I should fail to +make this exquisite creature mine, I'll eat my own heart with vexatious +disappointment!"</p> + +<p>"My dear madam," said he, taking the unresisting hand of the Duchess in +both of his, and gently pawing it in a manner that would have been +disgusting to a spectator—"what can I say, after your candid avowal? +Simply, that you are the most ingenuous, the most delightful creature in +the world. I love you to distraction; and yet I will not urge you to +depart from the course which you seem determined to pursue, though by +adhering to that course you deprive me, as well as yourself, of the most +exquisite delights this world can afford. Nevertheless, let us be +friends, if we cannot be lovers. See, my hair is gray; I am old enough +to be your father; will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> you not confer upon me a daughter's love? Ah, +that bewitching smile is a token of assent. Thanks, sweet one; now, you +know, a father should be the recipient of all his daughter's little joys +and sorrows—he should be made acquainted with all her pretty plans and +all her naughty wishes; is it not so, my charming daughter?<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a> Again +your soft smile answers, yes. And when the daughter thus bestows her +confidence upon her father, she leans her head upon his bosom, and his +protecting arm embraces her lovely waist—thus, as I now do yours. He +places his venerated hand in her fair breast—thus—and feels the +pulsations of her pure heart; ah! methinks this little heart of thine, +sweet one, beats more violently than comports with its proper freedom +from fond and gentle longings; thy father must reprove thee, thou +delightful offender—yet he forgives thee with this loving kiss—nay, +start not, for 'tis a father's privilege. How dewy are thy lips, my +daughter, and thy breath is fragrant with the odor of a thousand +flowers—'tis thy father tells thee so! Pretty flutterer, why dost thou +tremble? I will not harm thee. Ah, is it so?—dost thou tremble with the +bliss of being held in a father's arms, and pressed to his heart? Why +doth this bosom heave—why do thine eyes sparkle as if with fire, and +thy cheeks glow with the rosy hue of a ripe peach? What meaneth that +longing, languishing, earnest, voluptuous look? Doth my daughter yearn +after the soft joys of Venus?—Confess it, and I'll forgive thee; for +thou art a passionate darling, and such desires as now swell within my +breast become thee well, for they are nature's promptings, and enhance +thy beauty. Ah, ha! that blush, glowing like a cloud at sunset, assures +me that I am not mistaken. Yes, hide thy radiant face in my bosom, and +let me gather thee closer to my heart—my life—my treasure! Let me no +longer play the father; let me be thy lover—thy all—thy own +Timothy—thy chosen Tickels! Ah, my bird, have I caught thee at +last?—thou art mine—mine—mine—"</p> + +<p>Every circumstance of position and the lady's compliance seemed about to +confer upon Mr. Tickels the boon which he so eagerly desired, when at +that critical moment the Duchess uttered a piercing scream, and pointed +frantically upward to a large mirror that hung directly over the sofa +upon which they were partially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> reclining; the old libertine glanced +hurriedly up at the mirror, and to his horror he saw there reflected the +figure of the Chevalier Duvall, standing in the centre of the room. He +had entered abruptly and noiselessly, and was contemplating the scene +before him with every appearance of astonishment and rage.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> As an apology for the insertion of this silly, sickening +rhapsody of the old libertine, the author begs to state that he +introduced it, (as well as other speeches of a like character,) for the +purpose of painting, in strong colors, the disgusting lechery of a man, +whose primal passions had degraded him to the level of a brute. He would +also assure the reader that the character of old Tickels is drawn from a +living original, whose real name sounds very much like the curious +cognomen that has been assigned him. It will readily be observed that +during the entire scene between him and the Duchess, the latter makes +him her complete tool—encouraging him to take the very liberties which +she affects to resent, and even while declaring her firm intention of +remaining virtuous, using language most calculated to inspire him with +the thought of being able to enjoy her charms in the end. Her object in +all this will be shown towards the conclusion of the chapter. It has +been the author's design to portray, in the character of the Duchess, an +accomplished, artful, fascinating and totally depraved woman, possessing +the beauty of an angel, and the heart of a devil—precisely such a one +as could not fail to enslave and victimize such a sensual old wretch as +Mr. Tickels; how far this design has been successful, the intelligent +and discerning reader is left to judge. In the Chevalier Duvall will be +recognized one of those splendid villains, whose superb rascality is +cloaked beneath the mantle of a fine person, elegant address, and the +assumption of every quality likely to interest and please the credulous +people whom he <i>honors</i> with his patronising friendship.</p></div> + +<p>The Duchess hid her face in her hands, and sobbed violently, as if +overcome with shame and affright; while old Tickels, pale and trembling +with fear, (for he was a most detestable coward,) fell upon his knees, +and gazed upon the Chevalier with an expression of countenance that +plainly indicated the terror which froze his blood, and rendered him +speechless—for the position in which he and the Duchess had been +detected, would, he well knew, admit of no explanation—no equivocation.</p> + +<p>"God of heaven!" said Duvall, in a voice whose calmness rendered it +doubly impressive and terrible—"am I the sport of some delusion—some +conjuror's trick? Do I dream—or do these eyes actually behold that +which appalls my soul? Speak, Duchess—for sister I will not call +you—and you, white-faced craven—what is the meaning of this scene?"</p> + +<p>But neither the Duchess nor Mr. Tickels could utter one word in reply.</p> + +<p>"Damnation!" exclaimed the Chevalier, drawing a pistol from his pocket, +and cocking it—"answer me, one of you, and that quickly, or there will +be blood spilled here!"</p> + +<p>This brought Mr. Tickels to his senses; he arose from his knees and +stammered forth—</p> + +<p>"My dear sir—don't shoot, for God's sake—put up that pistol, and I'll +explain all. I—that is—you know, my dear Chevalier—as a man of the +world—beautiful woman—strong temptation—"</p> + +<p>"Hold, sir!" cried the Chevalier—"say no more, in that strain, or you +die upon the instant. Duchess, tell me the meaning of all this."</p> + +<p>The lady raised her tearful eyes imploringly to the stern face of her +brother, and said, in a voice rendered indistinct by her sobs—</p> + +<p>"Oh, brother! pardon your erring sister, who, in a moment of weakness, +forgot her proud and unsullied name! You know the fire and passion of my +nature; and you know the resolution with which I have heretofore +struggled against it. I am inexperienced—unused to the ways of the +world—unaccustomed to the artifices of wicked men. Debarred as I am +from male society, what wonder that, in the company of a male, I should +be overcome by the weakness of a woman's nature? Forgive me, Chevalier, +I implore you—indeed, my honor is preserved; your timely intervention +prevented the consummation of my ruin."</p> + +<p>"Sister," rejoined Duvall, gazing at her with a softened aspect—"I <i>do</i> +forgive you, your honor being still undefiled; I know the power of your +passions, notwithstanding your many excellent qualities; and I can +scarcely wonder at your momentary weakness, when an accomplished villain +tempts you to ruin. Hereafter, dear sister, govern those unruly passions +with a rod of iron; remember the grandeur of our ancestral house and +name, and let that remembrance be your safeguard.—As for you, sir," +continued the Chevalier, turning savagely towards Mr. Tickels,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> while +his magnificent features grew dark with terrible rage—"as for you, sir, +you have betrayed my confidence and abused my hospitality; I introduced +you into this house, supposing you to be a man of honor and a friend. +You have attempted the seduction of my sister; you have basely tried to +take advantage of the weakness of an inexperienced and unsuspecting +woman; but more than all this, sir—and my blood boils with fury at the +thought!—you would have tarnished the unstained name and honor of a +kingly race! Look you, sir, these wrongs demand instant reparation—one +or both of us must die. Here are two pistols; take your choice; place +yourself at the distance of six paces from me, and let impartial Fate +decide the issue!"</p> + +<p>"But, my dear sir," cried the old villain, almost beside himself with +terror—"I can't—I don't want to be killed—my God, sir, I never fired +a pistol in all my life. Can't we settle this matter in some other way? +Will not <i>money</i>—"</p> + +<p>"Money!" exclaimed me Chevalier, scornfully—"fool, can money heal a +wounded honor, or wipe away the odium of your insults? Choose your +weapon, sir!"</p> + +<p>"Mercy—mercy!" cried the dastard, falling on his knees before his stern +antagonist—"I am rich, let me depart in safety, and I'll give you a +cheque for a hundred—"</p> + +<p>The Chevalier cocked a pistol.</p> + +<p>"Five hundred—," groaned Tickels.</p> + +<p>The pistol was raised, and pointed at his head.</p> + +<p>"A thousand dollars!" yelled the victim, his face streaming with a cold +perspiration, his hair bristling, and his teeth chattering with fright.</p> + +<p>The Chevalier paused, and said, after a few moments' reflection—</p> + +<p>"After all, to make such men as you disgorge a portion of their wealth, +is a punishment as severe as any that I can inflict upon you. You are a +coward and dare not fight; I wish not to murder you in cold blood. I +will content myself with exposing your infamous conduct to the +world—publishing your rascality in every newspaper, and you will be +kicked like a dog from all decent society; this will I do, unless you +immediately fill me out a cheque for the sum of five thousand dollars."</p> + +<p>"Five thousand devils!" growled Tickels, gaining courage as he believed +his life to be in no imminent danger—"what! five thousand dollars for +only having kissed and toyed a little with a pretty woman, without +having reaped any substantial benefit? No, no, my friend—you can't come +it; you are, to use a vulgar phrase, cutting it rather fat; I'm not so +precious green as you think. I don't mind giving you a couple of +hundred, or so, for what fun I've had, but five thousand—whew! rather a +high price for the amusement, considering what a remarkably +free-and-easy lady your sister is!"</p> + +<p>"No more of this!" thundered the Chevalier, in a tone that made Mr. +Tickels leap two feet into the air—"instantly give me a cheque for the +sum that I demand, or by my royal grandfather's beard, (an oath I dare +not break,) I'll blow your head into fragments!—Look at that clock; it +now lacks one minute of the hour; that minute I give you to decide; if, +at the expiration of that period, you do not consent to do as I request, +you die!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>The muzzle of the pistol was placed in very close proximity to the +victim's head; there was no alternative—life was exceedingly sweet to +Mr. Tickels, although the wickedness of half a century rested heavily on +his soul; in a few seconds more, unless he consented to give up a +portion of his basely acquired wealth, he had every reason to fear that +soul would be ushered into a dark and unfathomable eternity. No wonder, +then, that he tremulously said—</p> + +<p>"Put up your weapon; I will do as you require."</p> + +<p>Writing materials were soon brought, and in a few minutes the Chevalier +was the possessor of a cheque on a State street bank, bearing the +substantial autograph of Timothy Tickels.</p> + +<p>"Now, sir," said Duvall, depositing the valuable document in his +pocket-book—"you are at liberty to depart. I am confident that you +will, for your own sake, keep this affair a profound secret; and so far +as myself and much-injured sister are concerned, you may rest assured +that nothing shall ever be said calculated to compromise your +reputation. I cannot avoid expressing my regret that a man of your +advanced age, and high standing in society, should descend so low as to +manifest such base and grovelling sensuality—such unprincipled +libertinism—especially towards a lady who has heretofore regarded you +as a friend. Go, sir, and seek some other victim, if you will—but +confine your amours to your own class, and do not again aspire to the +favors of a lady in whose veins flows the noblest blood of France!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels took his leave of the indignant brother and his much-injured +sister, with a very ill grace; and bent his steps towards his own house, +grinding his teeth with impotent rage. The loss of his money, and the +mortifying disappointment he had experienced, rendered him furious, and +he muttered as he strode thro' the streets with hasty and irregular +steps—</p> + +<p>"Eternal curse on my ill fortune! Five thousand dollars gone at one fell +swoop—but hah! the money's nothing, when I think of my being cheated +out of the enjoyment of such celestial charms as those possessed by that +splendid enchantress!—At the very critical moment—when she lay panting +and unresisting in my arms—with all her glorious beauties spread out +before me, like the delicious materials of a dainty feast—just as the +cup of joy was raised to my eager lips, and I was about to quaff its +bewildering contents, to be balked by the unexpected entrance of that +accused Chevalier. Confusion!—I shall go mad with vexation. **** Well, +'tis of no use to grumble about what can't be helped; let me rather turn +my attention to future joys, concerning which there can be no +disappointment. My plans are all arranged; in a few days my pretty Fanny +Aubrey will be an inmate of the luxurious "Chambers of Love." Ha, ha! +<i>that</i> thought almost reconciles me to the loss of the Duchess—though, +egad! <i>she</i> is a luscious piece, all fire, all sentiment, all +enthusiasm! But oh! five thousand dollars, five thousand dollars! *** But +let me see: where is the infernal trap of that scoundrel, <i>Jew Mike</i>, +whom Sow Nance recommended as a fellow well qualified to abduct my +pretty Fanny, and convey her to the "Chambers?" Ah, good; his address is +in my memorandum book: <i>'Inquire for the Pig Pen, No.—Ann street, any +night after midnight.</i>' Ugh! I don't like this venturing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> among +cut-throats and thieves, at such untimely hours; but nothing risk, +nothing have; and anything for love!"</p> + +<p>The reader's attention is now summoned to the scene which transpired +between the Chevalier and the Duchess, immediately after the departure +of Mr. Tickels from the house.</p> + +<p>The Duchess, who had been sitting upon the sofa, bathed in tears and +sobbing as if her heart would break, jumped up, bounded across the +carpet in a series of graceful pirouettes, and then, throwing herself +upon the floor, indulged in a peal of silvery laughter that made the +room fairly echo, exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"What a d——d old fool that man is! Oh, I shall die—I shall positively +suffocate with mirth!"</p> + +<p>The Chevalier, throwing aside every appearance of indignation and +dignity, placed himself in that humorous and rather vulgar position, +sometimes adopted by jocose youths, who wish to intimate to their +friends the fact that any individual has been most egregiously "sucked +in." Fearing that the uninitiated may not readily comprehend this +pantomimic witticism, we may as well state, for their enlightenment, +that it is accomplished by applying the thumb to the tip of the nose, +and executing a series of gyrations with the open hand; the whole affair +being a very playful and ingenious invention, much practised by +newsboys, cabmen, second-hand clothes dealers, and sporting gentlemen.</p> + +<p>"A cool five thousand!" shouted the Chevalier, abandoning this comic +picture, and "squaring off" at his reflection in the mirror, in the most +approved style of the pugilistic art—as if he were about to give +himself a "punch in the head," for being such a funny, clever dog; +"bravo! I'll go and get the cheque cashed at once; and then hurrah for a +brilliant season of glorious dissipation! But, my Duchess, how the devil +did you mange to get the old fool so infatuated—so crazy with passion? +for I stood over ten minutes looking at both of you through the +key-hole, before I entered the room, and I never before saw a man act so +extravagantly ludicrous; it was only with extreme difficulty that I +could keep myself from laughing outright. And you, witch that you are, +looked as if you were panting and dying with amorous desires. By my +soul, 'twas admirably done!"</p> + +<p>The Duchess smiled with gratification at the praise; and arising from +the carpet, on which she had been literally <i>rolling</i> in the excess of +her mirth, threw herself upon the sofa in an attitude of voluptuous +abandonment; and while complacently viewing her matchless leg, she +said—</p> + +<p>"For your especial entertainment, my Chevalier, I will relate all that +transpired between me and the old goat, after your departure. At first, +he assailed me with a profusion of silly, sickening compliments on my +beauty; I blushed, (you know how well I <i>can</i> blush, when I try,) and +assured him that his praises were divine—so eloquent, so elegantly +conveyed—and yet I thought them intolerably stupid. Then I gave him my +hand to kiss; and its contact with his lips made him as amorous as I +could possibly desire. He knelt at my feet; then arose, apologizing for +his rudeness. I threw all my powers of fascination into my looks, and +permitted him to take a seat by my side, on the sofa. At first, he sat +apart from me; but at last, gaining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> courage, he moved close to me, and +gently placed his arm around my waist; of course, I did not repulse him. +With secret joy I observed the eagerness with which he regarded such +parts of my person as were exposed—and I took good care to reveal it +liberally; how the odious old wretch gloated upon this bust, which you, +my Chevalier, pronounce so charming! At last, he kissed me—ugh! how +horribly the old creature's breath smelt! But I pretended to be more +pleased than angry; and from my lips his nauseous mouth wandered to my +neck, my shoulders, my bosom. I fairly shuddered as he besmeared me with +his disgusting kisses; and thinking that he had gone far enough, for +that time, I burst from his embrace, and reproached him (but not too +severely,) for his rude behavior—taking good care, however, to fan his +passions into a still fiercer flame, by telling him that my reason for +particularly dreading such familiarities, was, that they had a tendency +to excite my own desires to a degree that was dangerous to my honor. As +I foresaw, this artful assurance was received by him with ill-concealed +delight. He begged my pardon; it is needless to say, I forgave him, and +suffered him to resume his seat at my side, on condition that he would +take no further liberties, knowing very well that he could not long keep +his promise. Then came more compliments; I sang and played for him, and +he was beyond measure delighted. After a short conversation on the +secluded manner in which I lived, and the loneliness which I felt, I +confessed to him that I was half in love with him; while at the same +time I thought him the most disgusting old brute in existence. In return +for my pleasing lie, he pressed my hand fervently, and requested me to +relate to him the story of my life, from "my own rosy lips," as he said. +My Chevalier, you know what splendid powers of imagination, and what a +rich, prolific fancy I possess; and well I may—for am I not a leading +contributor to a fashionable ladies' magazine, besides being the +authoress of "Confessions of a Voluptuous Young Lady of High Rank," and +also the editress of the last edition of the "Memoirs of Miss Frances +Hill?" Well, I entertained my aged admirer with a pretty little +impromptu "romance," "got up expressly for the occasion," as the +playbills have it; and he religiously believed every word of it—though, +of course, it contained not one single word of truth in it. I told him +that <i>my brother</i> and myself—ha, ha!—were the children of some Duke +Thingumby, (whose name I have forgotten already,) who was one of the +greatest nobles in France; yes, faith—our venerable papa had royal +blood in his veins, while our mamma, bless her dear soul, was 'closely +allied to several of the most aristocratic families in the kingdom.' +Then I trumped up a cock-and-bull story about papa killing mamma in a +fit of jealousy, having caught her in a naughty fix with the young Count +Somebody-or-other, whom he also slew, and then, to wind up the fun, went +to his own chamber and shot himself—great booby as he was! Next, the +notary who had charge of our princely fortune, "stepped out," as they +say, and left us, poor orphans, without the price of a penny roll. I was +intensely virtuous, of course, resisted a hundred tempting offers to +become the kept mistress of men of wealth and rank—we came to America, +and settled in Boston, where you now obtain for us a comfortable +subsistence by privately teaching the use of the small sword. Ah, my +Chevalier, wasn't that brought in well? Then I went on to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> lament that +my passions were so fiery that I could not enjoy the society of an +agreeable man without danger to my honor; and concluded my story by +hinting to Mr. Tickels that my virtue had never been in such peril, as +when his arms had embraced me—for, said I, my senses were fast becoming +intoxicated; and in a few moments more I should have been your victim, +had I not, by a powerful effort, escaped from the sweet delirium which +was stealing over my soul. Thus you will see, Chevalier, that my story +and its accompanying remarks were both judicious and appropriate; my +victim manifested the most intense interest during the recital, and I +could plainly perceive the exciting effect which the concluding words of +my narrative had upon him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"My story being done,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He gave me for my pains a world of sighs."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"After the completion of my delightful little romance," continued the +Duchess, "the venerable goat attempted to subdue me by the force of +<i>argument</i>; and, to do him justice, I must say that his philosophy, if +not very rational, was at least very profound. He went over the entire +field of moral subtleties, and proved himself an excellent sophist. He +argued that as nature had given me passions, I was justified in +gratifying them, despite the opinions of the world and the prohibitions +of decent society. Much more he said that I have forgotten; but the +drift of his remarks was, that as I had admitted him to be the most +charming and agreeable person in the world, I could not do a better +thing than to throw myself into his arms, and enjoy with him, as he +said, 'the rightful inheritance of every man and every woman on the +face of the earth.'"</p> + +<p>"In reply to his specious reasoning, I assured him that I couldn't think +of complying with his wishes, as I should thereby lose my reputation and +position in society, as a lady—which was, I added, the only +consideration that restrained me from testing those joys which he had so +eloquently depicted; for as to any scruples, moral or religious, I had +none whatever. Then I congratulated him on his happiness in belonging to +a sex having the privilege of amative delights, with almost perfect +impunity; and deplored my own hard fate—'for', said I, 'am I not a +woman, and are not women sternly prohibited from tasting the joys of +love unsanctioned by the empty forms of matrimony, under pain of having +their names and characters forever blasted and disgraced?'</p> + +<p>"Well, my Chevalier, the old wretch, seeing that he was not likely to +accomplish his object by argument, adopted a new plan. Instantly, he +dropped the lover, and became the fond and doting father, in which +sacred capacity he proceeded to take liberties to which his former +familiarities were as nothing. He began by reminding me of his gray hair +and advanced age; then he asked permission to regard me as a daughter, +to which I made no objection, as I wished to see how far he would +operate during the personation of that character—though I shrewdly +suspected that his actions would be anything but fatherly. Therefore, +when he again clasped my waist, and made me lean against him, I did not +repulse him, for his conduct was in furtherance of <i>our</i> plans; and I +also permitted him, (though with extreme disgust on my part,) to toy +with my breasts, and kiss me again and again, all of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> which he did under +cover of his holy privileges as a father! The moment had then arrived +for <i>me</i> to play <i>my</i> part; and though the old rascal's conduct and +person were loathsome to me in the extreme, I affected all the languor, +flutter, and ardor of passionate longings; which he perceived with the +most extravagant demonstrations of delight—"</p> + +<p>"I know all the rest," interrupted the Chevalier, almost suffocated with +laughter, in which the merry Duchess joined him—"I applied my eye to +the key-hole just at that moment, and saw the old goat, as you properly +term him, hugging you with the ferocity of a bear; I heard him say—'Let +me no longer play the father; let me be thy lover—thy all—thy own +Timothy—thy chosen Tickels!' Ha, ha, ha! was anything so richly +ludicrous. And, by Jove, how admirably you acted, my Duchess! You +appeared absolutely dying with rapture—your eyes seemed to express a +thousand soft wishes—your face glowed as if with the heat of +languishing desire; how wildly you seemed to abandon your person to his +lascivious embraces! and yet I know the disgust which you must have felt +towards him, at that very moment; for he was anything but a comely +object, with his gray hair disordered, his bloated countenance red as +fire, and his dress indecently disarranged. At that moment I noiselessly +stole into the room; and just at the very instant when the old fool +thought himself sure of his prey, you screamed, and pointed to my +reflection in the mirror. The result was precisely as I expected; too +cowardly to fight, afraid of his life, and anxious to preserve his +reputation, he preferred giving me the handsome sum of five thousand +dollars—which money we very much needed, and which will last us a long +time, provided we exercise a reasonable degree of economy. That last +five hundred, which we extracted from the parson, lasted us but little +over a month; let us be more discreet hereafter, my Duchess—we may live +splendidly, but not extravagantly; for old age will come on us +by-and-by, and your beauty will fade—then what is to become of us, +unless we have a snug competency in reserve? And really, my dear, you +must curtail your personal expenditures; you recollect but a week ago +you gave two hundred dollars for that diamond coronet you have on—and +you are constantly purchasing costly dresses and superb shawls. Do you +not observe the plainness of my attire? Believe me, an elegant +simplicity of dress is far more attractive to men of taste, than gaudy +apparel can possibly be."</p> + +<p>"Have you done sermonizing?" cried the Duchess, good-humoredly—"really, +you would make an admirable parson; and a far better one, I am sure, +than the reverend gentleman whom we wheedled out of the five hundred +dollars. But go at once and get the cheque cashed; you shall give me +exactly one half, and we both shall have the privilege of expending our +several portions as we choose."</p> + +<p>"Agreed," said the Chevalier,—"but I have a little business to transact +in my <i>workshop</i>, before I go to the bank. What are you laughing at?"</p> + +<p>"Oh," answered the Duchess—"I cannot help thinking of that amusing old +goat, Mr. Tickels. The recollection of that man will certainly kill me! +The idea of your passing me off as your sister was so rich; he little +suspected that for years we have been tender lovers and co-partners in +the business of fleecing amorous gentlemen out of their money. And then +to represent myself as the daughter of a French nobleman!—Why, my +father gained a very pretty living by going around<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> the streets with a +hand-organ, on which he played with exquisite skill, and was accompanied +in his perambulations by a darling little monkey named Jacko—poor +Jacko! he came to his death by being choked with a roasted potato. My +mother, rest her soul! was an excellent washerwoman, but her unfortunate +fondness for strong drink resulted in her being provided with bed and +board in the alms house, in which excellent institution she died, having +first conferred upon the world the benefit of bringing me into +existence; therefore, instead of having first seen the light within the +marble walls of a French palace, I drew my first breath in the sick ward +of a pauper's home. At ten years of age I was a <i>ballet girl</i> at the +theatre; at fourteen, my Chevalier, it was my good fortune to meet you; +you initiated me, not only into the mysteries of love, but into the art +of making money with far greater facility than as a <i>figurante</i> in the +opera. You christened me 'Duchess,'—took the title of 'Chevalier,' and +together we have led a life of profit, of pleasure, and of charming +variety."</p> + +<p>"And I," rejoined the Chevalier, "can boast of a parentage as +distinguished as your own. My father was an English thief and +pickpocket; he took pains to teach me the science of his profession, and +I will venture to affirm that I can remove a gentleman's watch or +pocket-book as gracefully as could my venerated sire himself, whose +career was rather abruptly terminated one fine morning in consequence of +a temporary valet having tied his neckcloth too tightly: he was hung in +front of Newgate jail, for a highway robbery, in which he acquired but +little glory and less profit,—for he only shot an old woman's poodle +dog, and stole a leather purse full of halfpence. My mother was a very +pretty waiting woman at an ordinary tavern; one night she abruptly +stepped out and sailed for America, carrying with her my unfinished +self, and the silver spoons. I saw you—admired you—made you my +mistress, and partner in business, the profitable nature of which is +proved by our being now possessed of the very pretty sum of five +thousand dollars, the result of three hours' operation."</p> + +<p>"You have yet one grand stroke of art to accomplish, which will place us +both on the very pinnacle of fortune," said the Duchess. "I allude, of +course, to your approaching marriage with Miss Alice Goldworthy."</p> + +<p>The Chevalier's brow darkened, and his handsome features assumed an +expression of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"That," said he, "is the only business in which I ever faltered. Poor +young lady! she is so good, so pure, so confidingly affectionate, that +my heart sinks within me when I think of the ruin which her marriage +with me will bring upon her. When I gaze into her lovely countenance, +and hear the tones of her gentle voice, remorse for the wrong that I +contemplate towards her, strikes me to the soul, and I feel that I am a +wretch indeed."</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" exclaimed the Duchess, her lips curling with disdain—"you grow +very sentimental indeed! Perhaps you really <i>love</i> this girl?"</p> + +<p>"No, Duchess, no—but I pity her; a devil cannot love an angel. There +was a time when my soul was unstained with guilt or crime—then might I +have aspired to the bliss of loving such a divine creature as Alice; but +now—villain as I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> there can be no sympathy between my heart and +hers. Well, well—the die is cast; I will wed her, for I covet the +splendid fortune which she will inherit on the death of her father. You +know that the wedding day will soon arrive; but how I dread its +approach! for I fear that ere I can embrace my bride within the sacred +nuptial couch, she will discover that which I can never remove or +entirely conceal—that <i>fatal mark</i>, the brand of crime, which I carry +upon my person. She loves me; but her love would be changed to hate, +were she to see that horrid emblem of guilt."</p> + +<p>"You must conceal it from her view," rejoined the Duchess, +shuddering—"or it will spoil all. The marriage would be annulled by the +discovery of that detestable mark."</p> + +<p>"Let us trust to fortune," said the Chevalier.—"I must leave you now, +and shut myself up for an hour or so in my <i>workshop</i>. Afterwards, I +shall go and convert the cheque into substantial cash."</p> + +<p>Duvall left the room, and ascended to the highest story in the building. +Here he entered a small apartment, which contained many curious and +remarkable things. A small printing press stood in one corner; in +another was a pile of paper, and other materials; tools of almost every +description lay scattered about, among which were the necessary +implements for robbery and burglary. An experienced police officer would +have instantly pronounced the place a secret den for the printing of +counterfeit bank-notes—and so it was. The gallant Chevalier was the +most expert and dangerous counterfeiter in the country.</p> + +<p>Seating himself at a trunk, on which stood writing materials, he drew +forth the cheque which Mr. Tickels had given him. Having examined it +long and narrowly, he took a pen and paper, and wrote an exact copy of +it; this he did so admirably, that Mr. Tickels himself would have been +puzzled to point out the original and genuine cheque which he had +written.</p> + +<p>"This will do," said the Chevalier, communing with himself—"to-day I +will draw five thousand dollars; and within a week I will <i>send</i> and +draw five thousand more; and it shall be done so adroitly, that I will +never be suspected. Hurrah! Chevalier Duvall, thy star is on the +ascendant!"</p> + +<p>That afternoon the gentleman presented the cheque at the bank; it was +promptly paid, and he returned to the Duchess, with whom he celebrated +the brilliant success of the operation, by a magnificent supper.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h4><i>The Stolen Package.—The Midnight Outrage.—The Marriage, and Awful +Discovery.</i></h4> + + +<p>A very merry party were assembled in the elegant parlor of Mr. +Goldworthy's superb mansion in Howard street about two weeks after the +events described in the last chapter. There was Fanny Aubrey herself, +looking prettier than ever, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> her splendid hair tastefully braided, +her graceful, <i>petite</i> form set off to advantage by an elegant dress, +and her lovely countenance radiant with the hues of health and +happiness. Then there was her friend and benefactress, Miss Alice, +looking very beautiful, her face constantly changing from smiles to +blushes—for the next day was to witness her marriage with the Chevalier +Duvall. At her side was seated her lover and affianced husband, his +dark, handsome features lighted up with an expression of proud triumph, +almost amounting to scorn. Then there was Corporal Grimsby, very shabby, +very sarcastic, and very droll; near him sat the Honorable Timothy +Tickels, wearing upon his sensual countenance a look of uneasiness, and +occasionally betraying a degree of nervous agitation that indicated a +mind ill at ease. At intervals he would glance suspiciously and +stealthily at the Chevalier—for that was their first meeting since his +scandalous adventure with the Duchess, and he was not without a fear +that he might be exposed, in the presence of that very respectable +company, in which case his reputation would be forever ruined; but his +fears were groundless—the Chevalier had not the remotest idea of +exposing him, having his own reasons for keeping the affair profoundly +secret; and he saluted and conversed with Mr. Tickels with as much +composure and politeness as though nothing had ever happened to disturb +the harmony of their friendship. Mr. Goldworthy himself was present, and +also a nephew of his—a handsome youth of nineteen, named Clarence +Argyle; he was studying the profession of medicine at a Southern +University, and was on a visit at his uncle's house. It was evident, by +the assiduity of his attentions to Fanny Aubrey, that the mental and +personal charms of the fair maid were not without their effect upon him; +and it was equally evident by the pleased smile with which she listened +to his entertaining conversation—addressed to <i>her</i> ear alone—that the +agreeable young stranger had impressed her mind by no means unfavorably. +Fanny's brother, Charles, completed the party.</p> + +<p>It will be necessary to explain here, that the old Corporal had never +exposed the rascally conduct of Mr. Tickels towards Fanny, in +consequence of the young lady's having earnestly entreated him not to do +so. He had never before met the old libertine at the house of Mr. +Goldworthy; and (until informed of the fact by Fanny,) was ignorant that +he (Tickels) was in the habit of visiting there, as a friend of the +family. He treated him with coldness and reserve; but otherwise gave no +indication of the contempt which he felt for the unprincipled old +wretch.</p> + +<p>As Mr. Goldworthy surveyed, with a smiling aspect, the sociable group +which surrounded him, little did he suspect that the man who on the +morrow was to become his son-in-law—who was to lead to the altar his +only child, that pure and gentle girl—little, we say, did he suspect +that the Chevalier Duvall was in reality a branded villain of the +blackest dye—a man whose soul was stained by the commission of almost +every crime on the dark catalogue of guilt. And as little did he think +that his warm political and personal friend, the Honorable Timothy +Tickels—the man of ample wealth, of unbounded influence, of exalted +reputation—was at heart an abandoned and licentious scoundrel, who had +basely tried to accomplish the ruin of a poor orphan girl, and was even +at that very moment gloating over an infernal plan which he had formed, +for getting her completely in his power, where no human aid was likely +to reach her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>"To-morrow, my Alice," whispered the Chevalier in the ear of the +blushing object of his villainous designs—"to-morrow, thou are mine! +Oh, the devotion of a life-time shall atone to you for the sacrifice you +make, in wedding an unknown stranger, whose birth and fortunes are +shrouded in a veil of mystery."</p> + +<p>"Thy birth and fortunes are nothing to me," responded Alice, softly, as +a tear of happiness trembled in her eyes—"so long as thy heart is +faithful and true."</p> + +<p>What wonder that the Chevalier's false heart grew cold in his breast, at +the simple words of the confiding, gentle, unsuspecting creature whom he +designed to ruin? But still he hesitated not; "her father's gold is the +glittering prize which I shall gain by this marriage," thought he; and +the vile, sordid thought stimulated him on, despite the remonstrances of +his better nature.</p> + +<p>"When I return to the University, we will write to each other often, +will we not?" said Clarence Argyle to Fanny, in a tone that could not be +overheard by the others of the party; and the fair girl yielded a +blushing consent to the proposal, so congenial to her own inclination. +The whisper and the blush were both observed by old Tickels, who said to +himself—</p> + +<p>"Humph! 'tis easy to see that those two unfledged Cupids are already +over head and ears in love with each other. Have a care, Master +Argyle—thy pretty mistress may be lost to thee to-morrow; go back to +thy books and thy studies—for she is not for thee. Ah, the devil! I +like not the look which that impertinent old fellow, who calls himself +Corporal Grimsby, fastens upon me—it seems as if he read the secret +thoughts of my soul! He has once already snatched from my grasp my +destined prey; let him beware how he interferes a second time, for Jew +Mike is in my employ, and his knife is sharp and his aim sure!"</p> + +<p>"That d——d scoundrel, Tickels, meditates mischief, I am convinced," +thought the Corporal, whose keen and penetrating gaze had been for some +time riveted upon the old libertine—"and I feel convinced that my +pretty Fanny is the object of his secret machinations. Beware, old Judas +Iscariot!—you'll not get off so easy the next time I catch you at your +tricks."</p> + +<p>"And so, my dear Mr. Tickels, you are again a candidate for Congress," +remarked Mr. Goldworthy, during a pause in the conversation.</p> + +<p>"I again have that distinguished honor," was the pompous reply. "My +party stands in great need of my services and influence in the House at +the present crisis."</p> + +<p>"No doubt," dryly observed the Corporal—"I would suggest that your +first public act be the introduction of a bill for the punishment of +seduction, and the protection of poor orphan girls."</p> + +<p>Mr. Tickels writhed beneath the sarcasm, and turned deadly pale, +although he and his tormentor were the only persons present who +comprehended the secret meaning of the words—for Fanny was too much +engrossed in conversation with Argyle, to heed the remark.</p> + +<p>"And, my good sir," rejoined the Chevalier, who was resolved to improve +so good an opportunity to wound the old reprobate to the quick, +(although he was ignorant of the application of the Corporal's +words,)—"do not, I beseech you, neglect to insert a clause in your +bill, providing also for the punishment of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> respectable old +wretches who bring ruin and disgrace upon families, by the seduction of +wives—of daughters—or of <i>sisters</i>! I confess myself interested in the +passage of such an act, in consequence of a wealthy old scoundrel having +once dared to insult grievously a near female relative of mine. The name +of this old wretch—"</p> + +<p>Tickels cast an imploring look at the Chevalier, and the latter was +silent—but upon his lips remained an expression of withering scorn; for +villain as he himself was, he detested the other for his consummate +hypocrisy. The vicious frequently hate others for possessing the same +evil qualities that characterise themselves. The character of the +Chevalier was doubtless hypocritical in its nature; but <i>his</i> hypocrisy +was, in our opinion, far less contemptible than that of Tickels; the +former was a hypocrite for pecuniary gain; the latter, for the +gratification of the basest and most grovelling propensities that can +disgrace humanity.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen—gentlemen!" cried Mr. Goldworthy, amazed at the turn which +the conversation had taken, and comprehending neither of the +allusions—"I beg you to remember that there are ladies present."</p> + +<p>"Blood and bayonets!" exclaimed the Corporal—"you are right: I forgot +the ladies, my worthy host, and crave your pardon and theirs, for my +indiscreet (though I must say, <i>devilish appropriate</i>) remarks!"</p> + +<p>The Chevalier also apologized, though with less circumlocution than the +worthy Corporal; and nothing further occurred to disturb either the +harmony of the company, or the equanimity of Mr. Tickels, until Mr. +Goldworthy, with a countenance full of astonishment and alarm, announced +to his guests that he had, during the evening, lost from his pocket a +package of bank-notes and valuable papers, amounting to some thousands +of dollars, which he had procured for investment the following day in an +extensive mercantile speculation—for although retired from active +business, he still frequently ventured large sums in operations which +were generally successful.</p> + +<p>For half an hour previous to making his fearful discovery, he had been +in private and earnest conversation with the Chevalier, concerning some +arrangements relative to the approaching marriage.</p> + +<p>"It is indeed astonishing—what can have become of it?" cried the old +gentleman, searching every pocket in vain for the missing package. "I am +certain that 'twas safely in my possession scarce one hour ago," +continued he; and summoning a couple of servants, he commanded a +diligent search to be made in every part of the room—but still in vain; +no package was to be found.</p> + +<p>Everybody present, with but one exception, expressed their concern and +astonishment; that exception was Fanny Aubrey; she was much agitated, +and pale as death.</p> + +<p>It was suggested by the Chevalier and several others, that he must have +dropped the package in the street, as it could not be found in the +house. In reply to this, Mr. Goldworthy said—</p> + +<p>"No, no, my friend—I will swear that I lost it in this very room, +within an hour. Plague on it! what particularly vexes me, is, that it +comprised all my present available<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> capital—and to have it disappear in +such a d——d unaccountable, mysterious manner! Why, curse it," cried +the old gentleman, getting more and more angry—"if I didn't know the +thing to be impossible, I should suspect that there was an accomplished +pickpocket in the room!"</p> + +<p>"So should I," dryly observed the Corporal; and so said the Hon. Mr. +Tickels, also.</p> + +<p>The Chevalier arose, and said, with calm dignity—</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, I conceive that an insinuation has been made, derogatory to +our honor. Mr. Goldworthy, your words indirectly imply a suspicion; I +must request you, sir, to explain your words, and to state distinctly +whether or no you suppose that any person present has robbed you. I also +suggest that all here be carefully searched."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens, my dear Chevalier!" cried Mr. Goldworthy, much +excited—"can you think for a moment that I suspect you or these +gentlemen, of an act so base and contemptible? Pardon my hasty words; +vexation at my great loss (a serious one, I assure you,) for a moment +overcame my temper. Let the package go to the devil, sooner than its +loss should occasion the least uneasiness to any of us. Come, my dear +friends, let's say no more about it."</p> + +<p>Harmony was once more restored; but still Fanny Aubrey looked so pale +and agitated, that Miss Alice, crossing over to where she sat, anxiously +inquired if she were unwell? The poor girl essayed to reply, but could +not; it was evident to her friend, that she was struggling with feelings +of the most painful nature. She pressed Alice's hand, burst into tears, +and abruptly left the room.</p> + +<p>"The poor girl is either very unwell, or very much troubled about +something," whispered Alice to her cousin Clarence—"I will go and +comfort her;" and having made her excuses to the company, she left the +room, and followed Fanny to her chamber.</p> + +<p>Her departure was the signal for the guests to take their leave of their +worthy host. Mr. Goldworthy warmly pressed the Chevalier's hand at +parting, and said to him—</p> + +<p>"To-morrow, my dear sir, you will be my son-in-law. Be kind to my Alice, +she is a good girl, and worthy of you. God bless you both! I did intend +to advance you a sum of money, sufficient to enable you to begin +housekeeping in handsome style; but the loss of that large sum of money +to-night will, I fear, place it out of my power to assist you much, at +present. However, I shall endeavor to raise a respectable sum for you, +in the course of a few days. Meantime, you and Alice must be my guests; +and I am not sure but that I shall insist upon your continually residing +beneath my roof—for I am a lonely old man, and so accustomed to the +kind attentions and sweet society of my only daughter, that to part with +her would deprive me of half my earthly joys. Farewell—may you and her +be happy together!"</p> + +<p>Tears stood in the eyes of the good old man, as he uttered these words; +and again the conscience of the Chevalier upbraided him for his +contemplated villainy—but still he paused not nor faltered in carrying +out his diabolical schemes.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the following scene occurred in Fanny's chamber, to which +Alice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> had repaired for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of the +young girl's agitation and tears.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, my dear sister? For such I will call you," said +Alice, clasping her arms around the weeping girl, who had thrown herself +upon the bed without undressing.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my friend, my benefactress!" cried Fanny—"how can I help feeling +so distressed, when I know that your happiness is about to be destroyed +forever?"</p> + +<p>"My happiness destroyed!" cried Alice, surprised and alarmed—"what mean +you! Do you allude to my marriage to-morrow with the Chevalier Duvall? +Yes, I see you do. Silly girl, that marriage will render me the happiest +of women; what reason have you for supposing otherwise? The Chevalier +loves me, and I sincerely reciprocate his affection; so dry your tears, +for you know you are to be bridesmaid, and smiles better become you than +tears."</p> + +<p>These words were spoken in the kindest and gentlest tone; but Fanny +exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Miss Alice, you are cruelly deceived in that man."</p> + +<p>"Deceived!" cried the young lady—"what mystery is hidden in your words? +Oh, if you love me, Fanny—and you have often told me that you +did—instantly explain the meaning of your dreadful declaration."</p> + +<p>"Listen to me, Miss Alice," said Fanny, with a calmness that strangely +contrasted with her previous agitation—"and I will tell you plainly +what I have seen, and what I think. To you I owe everything: the +comforts of a home, the kindness of a friend, and the benefits of a +superior education, now enjoyed by my brother and myself—two poor +orphans, who, but for your benevolence, would be dependent upon the +world's cold charity. My gratitude I can never express; my heart alone +can feel it—but oh! believe me, I would gladly lay down my life to +promote your happiness. How, then, can I see future years of misery +awaiting you, without tears of anguish—without feeling an intense +anxiety to preserve you from a fate ten times worse than death?"</p> + +<p>"Do not interrupt me, I pray you," continued Fanny, seeing that Alice +was about to speak—"To-morrow you are engaged to be married to the man +calling himself the Chevalier Duvall. When I first saw him, I was struck +with his beauty and accomplishments—his brilliant wit, and graceful +manners; and when, in sisterly confidence, you informed me that he was +your affianced husband, you know how warmly I congratulated you on +having won the affections of a man who, as I then believed, was in every +way calculated to make you happy.</p> + +<p>"Alice, I tell you that man is a villain!" cried Fanny, with startling +emphasis—"I saw him pick your father's pocket of the money that was +lost; yes, I alone saw him do it; <i>that</i> was the cause of my agitation +and tears. Do not marry him, for he is a robber and a scoundrel!"</p> + +<p>"Say no more, Miss Aubrey," said Alice, rising with an air of cold +dignity, which plainly indicated her entire disbelief of the statement +she had just heard—"Say no more: you have mistaken your position, when +you seek to prejudice me against a gentleman whom I am so soon to call +my husband. Nay, not a word more—I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> not listen to you. The +Chevalier Duvall is the very soul of honor; and to accuse <i>him</i>—how can +I say it?—of the crime of <i>theft</i>, is so preposterous that it would be +ludicrous under any other circumstances. Fanny, I can scarcely believe +that you have been actuated by <i>jealousy</i> in telling this dreadful +story; I will try to think that your eyes deceived you, and that you +really <i>thought</i> that you saw the Chevalier do as you have said. But oh! +how mistaken you are, unhappy girl! when you impute such a crime to one +of the noblest and best of men."</p> + +<p>"But, Miss Alice," cried Fanny, almost angrily—for she was certain of +the truth of her statement—"I tell you that I am not mistaken; I saw—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, I entreat—I command you!" cried the young lady, now +thoroughly indignant at the disgraceful accusation which had been +brought against her lover—"speak not another word to me on this odious +subject, or you forfeit my friendship forever. Good night; learn in +future to be more discreet."</p> + +<p>So saying, Alice left the unhappy young girl to her bitter tears. Soon +wearied nature asserted her rights, and she sobbed herself to sleep. But +her slumbers were disturbed by hideous dreams: in fancy she again saw +the magnificent Chevalier dexterously abstract the package of money from +Mr. Goldworthy's pocket—then she thought that the brilliant stranger +stood over her, and surveyed her with an expression of fearful menace. +The scene again changed; she was alone, in a vast and splendid +apartment, reclining upon a sumptuous couch; delicious music, from +invisible minstrels, soothed her soul into a sort of dreamy and +voluptuous trance; an unearthly happiness filled her heart—her senses +were intoxicated with delight. Suddenly, in the dim distance, she saw a +Hideous Object, and the blood went tingling through her veins with +terror; it had the form of a gigantic reptile; slowly it crawled towards +the couch on which she lay; dim grew the light from the sparkling +chandeliers—heavy grew the air with noxious odors; the Hideous Object +crouched beneath the bed; she heard its deep breathing—its heavy sighs; +then it reared its awful form above her, and then approached its ghastly +head to hers; she felt its foul breath upon her cheek—its green +dragon-like eyes penetrated her soul, and made her brain dizzy—it +fanned her by the flapping of its mighty wings. It breathed into her ear +vile whispers, tempting her to crime. It placed its huge vulture's claw +upon her heart, as if to tear it from her breast. She awoke.</p> + +<p>Gracious heavens! there—there—at her bed-side, stood a human form, its +countenance dark and threatening—the savage features almost totally +concealed by masses of black and shaggy hair. A rough, hard hand rested +upon her breast, and a pair of fierce, cruel eyes struck terror to her +soul.</p> + +<p>She uttered one piercing scream, and fainted. The report of a pistol was +heard; then hasty footsteps descended the stair-case; the hall was +rapidly traversed—the street door was opened and shut with a loud +noise—and all was still.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the affrightened inmates of the mansion, half dressed, +were hastening to the scene of the late tumult; Mr. Goldworthy and his +daughter Alice were among them. What was the astonishment and dismay of +the startled group, on discovering that Fanny Aubrey was nowhere to be +found, while at her chamber door, wounded and bleeding, lay the +insensible form of Clarence Argyle!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> + +<p>They raised the young gentleman, and placed him upon the bed; a +physician, who fortunately resided next door, and was almost instantly +upon the spot, pronounced the wound severe, but not dangerous. He had +been shot in the breast; the ball was with some difficulty extracted, +and the patient rendered as comfortable as possible.</p> + +<p>But where was the clue to all this fearful mystery? What had become of +Fanny Aubrey? Who had dared to enter that house at midnight, and after +nearly murdering one of the inmates, carry off a young lady? What was +the <i>object</i> of the perpetrator of the outrage? These were the questions +uttered by everybody present; but no one could answer them.</p> + +<p>Both Mr. Goldworthy and Alice watched over the sufferer during that +night. Towards morning, he revived sufficiently to tell them all he knew +of the dreadful occurrence which had taken place. His chamber adjoined +that of Fanny; he had been aroused from his slumbers by her piercing +scream; instantly leaping from his bed, he rushed into the young lady's +apartment, and saw a tall, black-visaged ruffian standing over her +apparently insensible form, in the act of dragging her from the couch. +The villain turned suddenly, drew a pistol upon the young gentleman, and +fired. Clarence fell, severely wounded, and remained unconscious of +everything, until he found himself stretched upon a bed of pain, with +his uncle and cousin watching him with affectionate solicitude.</p> + +<p>On learning that poor Fanny had disappeared—undoubtedly carried off by +the ruffian whom he had seen in her chamber—the grief and rage of +Clarence knew no bounds. Regardless of his wound and sufferings, he +would have arisen from his bed and gone in pursuit of the ravisher, had +he not been restrained by his more considerate relatives, who +represented to him the folly and danger of his undertaking such a +hopeless task, in his precarious state of health. Overcome by their +united persuasions, as well as by a consciousness of his own bodily +weakness, he contented himself with his uncle's assurance that every +effort would immediately be made to discover the whereabouts of poor +Fanny, and restore her to her friends.</p> + +<p>Early the next morning, Corporal Grimsby, as being the friend and +guardian of the missing girl, was apprised of the fact of her abduction. +It is needless for us to repeat all the singular oaths with which the +eccentric, good old man expressed his honest indignation, when he +received the alarming intelligence; suffice it to say, he swore by the +nose of Napoleon, and by his own whiskers, (an oath which he used only +on very solemn occasions,) never to rest until he had discovered Fanny, +his darling <i>protege</i>, and severely punished her rascally kidnapper.</p> + +<p>A dark suspicion crossed his mind that the villain Tickels was at the +bottom of the business; acting upon the first impulse of the moment, he +instantly proceeded to the residence of the old libertine, forced his +way into his presence, and boldly accused him of the deed. Mr. Tickels +was perfectly on his guard, for he had expected such a visit; with cool +politeness he assured the Corporal that until that moment he knew +nothing of the matter; he was sorry that his <i>friend</i> should suspect him +of any participation in such a piece of rascality; he had long since +cleansed and purified himself of the wicked and silly passion which he +at one time felt for Miss Aubrey;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> he sincerely hoped that nothing +unpleasant would befall her; he'd do all in his power to seek her out; +and concluded by coolly inviting the Corporal to breakfast with him.</p> + +<p>"Breakfast with the devil!" cried the old man, indignantly—"sooner +would I sit down to table in social companionship with—with <i>Jew Mike</i> +himself!" and as he uttered these words, he gazed keenly into the +other's countenance. Tickels started, and turned deadly pale; the +Corporal, with a sarcastic smile, bowed with mock politeness, and +withdrew.</p> + +<p>"Swords and carving-knives! I thought so," he muttered, after he had +left the house—"a masterly stroke, that; a masterly stroke! This +villain Jew Mike is the <i>cher amie</i> of Sow Nance, as she is called; and +Nance is in the confidence of Tickels; what wonder that the dirty slut +recommended her <i>pal</i> and paramour to the old libertine, as a fit agent +to abduct my poor Fanny—and what wonder that he was employed to +accomplish that object? But first, I'll hasten to Mr. Goldworthy's +house, and question the young man who was wounded; if his description of +the villain corresponds with the appearance of Jew Mike, then there can +be no further doubt on the subject, and I shall know what course to +pursue. Egad! how old Tickels changed color when I mentioned Jew Mike! +His confusion alone indicated his guilt. 'Sdeath; I have no time to +lose; may heaven preserve and guard that poor, persecuted orphan girl!"</p> + +<p>On reaching Mr. Goldworthy's house, he requested to be conducted +immediately to Clarence's chamber. In answer to his inquiries, the young +man stated that the villain who had wounded him was a tall, powerfully +built person, his face almost entirely concealed by a profusion of black +hair. The Corporal rubbed his hands with glee.</p> + +<p>"Jew Mike, by the bones of the great Mogul!" he exclaimed—"and now that +I am on the right scent, I shall soon ferret out the ravenous wolves +that have carried my poor lamb to their infernal den. Ah, Corporal +Grimsby, thou art a cunning dog!" So saying, he departed on his +benevolent errand of endeavoring to rescue Fanny Aubrey from the power +of her enemies.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>That evening, from every window of Mr. Goldworthy's princely mansion in +Howard street, shone brilliant lights. It was the eve appointed for the +marriage of Alice and the Chevalier Duvall.</p> + +<p>In consequence of the melancholy and startling events which took place +in the house on the preceding night—the severe wounding of Clarence, +and the abduction of Fanny—it had been suggested by both Alice and her +father, that it would be proper to defer the performance of the ceremony +for a short time, or until the fate of the missing girl could be +ascertained; the Chevalier, however, strongly opposed this proposition, +and assuming the authority of an accepted suitor, delicately but firmly +insisted that the marriage should take place that evening, as had been +previously arranged "for," said he, "to defer the consummation of our +happiness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> will not assist in the recovery of Miss Aubrey. When I become +your husband, my Alice, I can with far more propriety aid in seeking the +lost one, for were we to remain unmarried, my interest in the poor young +lady might be imputed to improper or even dishonorable motives."</p> + +<p>This reasoning had the desired effect; it was decided that the marriage +ceremony should not be postponed.</p> + +<p>Alice had not communicated to the Chevalier the story which Fanny had +told her, concerning the affair of the lost package of money—for as she +utterly disbelieved the tale, (imputing it to the effects of an excited +imagination,) she had no desire to wound the feelings of her lover by +acquainting him with the absurd charge (as she thought) which had been +brought against him. How blind is love to the imperfections, the faults, +and even the crimes of the object of its adoration! We believe it is +Shakespeare who says:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The folding doors which separated the two spacious parlors in Mr. +Goldworthy's house were thrown open, forming a vast hall, brilliantly +illuminated by superb chandeliers, and decorated with every appliance of +modern elegance and taste. About a dozen relatives and friends of the +family had assembled to witness the ceremony; among them were several of +the wealthiest members of the Boston aristocracy. There was the +gray-headed millionaire, who has made his name famous by the +magnificence of his donations to public institutions which are already +wealthy enough; but then such liberal gifts are heralded in the +newspapers, and his name is blazoned forth as the great philanthropist; +and—it really is so troublesome to give to the suffering poor; besides, +the world seldom hears of deeds of unostentatious charity. Now, we are +one of those plain people who like to look at things in the light of +common reason, without regard to high-sounding titles, or lofty +associations; and it is our unpretending opinion that the God of charity +and mercy looks down with much greater approbation upon the act of +feeding a starving family, or comfortably clothing a few of His naked +little ones, than upon the bestowal of twenty or thirty thousand dollars +on this or that University, for the purpose of endowing a Professor of +Humbugonomy, that he may initiate a class of learned blockheads into the +mysteries of star-gazing, patient-killing, legal fleecing, or cheating +the devil by turning parson.</p> + +<p>Besides the gray-headed millionaire, to whom we have thus particularly +alluded, there was the young lady who boasts of being heiress to +hundreds of thousands of dollars; consequently, of course, she is +unanimously voted to be "charming—divine—perfection!" Her beauty is +pronounced angelic; her accomplishments are the theme of universal +admiration. "Oh, she is an unsurpassable creature!" exclaim the whole +tribe of contemptible, sycophantic, brainless calves in broadcloth, who +are ever ready to fall down and worship the golden emblem of themselves. +And yet she is pug-nosed, freckle-faced, and red-headed; insolent to her +equals, coarsely familiar with her inferiors; her vulgarity is without +wit, her affectation is devoid of elegance or grace; ignorant and +stupid, the meanest kitchen wench would suffer<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> by a comparison with +her. In striking contrast with this ludicrous specimen of degraded +aristocracy, there were several young ladies present who were really +lovely and accomplished women. These were the personal friends of Alice; +they had come to witness her nuptials with the magnificent Chevalier.</p> + +<p>Precisely as the clock struck eight, Duvall entered the apartment, and +saluted the company with that exquisite and gentlemanly grace for which +he was distinguished. With difficulty could the assembled guests refrain +from expressing their admiration aloud; for his appearance was +singularly grand and imposing. In his dress, not the slightest approach +to foppery could be detected; all was faultless elegance. In his dark +eyes and on his proud features an observer could read the lofty triumph +which he felt; for was not he, an unknown and perhaps penniless +adventurer, about to wed the beautiful and accomplished daughter of one +of Boston's "merchant princes"?</p> + +<p>Soon the clergyman arrived, and Alice was summoned to take her part in +the solemn ceremony which was about to be performed. She was dressed in +simple white, her only ornaments consisting of a few natural flowers +among the rich clusters of her shining hair.</p> + +<p>She was very beautiful; the flush of happiness suffused her cheeks—her +eyes sparkled with ineffable joy. Oh, terrible sacrifice!</p> + +<p>The ceremony proceeds; the solemn words are spoken. 'Tis all +over—friends crowd around with their congratulations—there are smiles, +and blushes, and tears; but a deep sense of happiness pervades every +heart. Alice is the wife of Duvall, by the sacred rites of the church, +in the sight of Heaven, and before men. The Chevalier pressed her madly +to his heart, while</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Unto the ground she cast her modest eye,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, ever and anon, with rosy red,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The bashful blush her snowy cheeks did dye."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Then came music, and the merry dance—and finally, a repast, that +rivalled in luxury the banquet of an emperor. In the midst of the +supper, in obedience to the secret signal of one of her bridesmaids, +Alice stole away, and was conducted by a charming <i>coterie</i> of her +female friends, to Hymen's sacred retreat, the nuptial chamber—which +nothing should induce us to invade, gentle reader, were it not necessary +to do so in order to develop a scene in our narrative, which cannot +possibly be omitted.</p> + +<p>It was an apartment of but moderate size; yet it was a gem of luxurious +comfort. Everything was in the most perfect taste; and it was evident by +a certain refined delicacy in all the arrangements, that the fair Alice +herself had superintended the preparations. Happy the man who should +bestow the first chaste kiss of wedded love, upon the pure lips of a +lovely bride, within that soft bower of voluptuousness!</p> + +<p>She is disrobed; from her virgin limbs are removed the snowy garments; +she is coquettishly arrayed in the seductive costume of bewitching +night! She blushes, and is almost painfully embarrassed; for never +before have her glowing charms been contemplated thus, even by female +eyes. She finds herself at last reclining within the luxurious folds of +the magnificent nuptial couch; then her kind friends<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> kiss her—bid her +a smiling good-night—and leave her to await the coming of her husband. +For the first time, her bosom heaves tumultuously with emotions which +she acknowledges to be delightful, though she cannot comprehend them.</p> + +<p>But where, meanwhile, is the happy bridegroom? He is at the head of the +splendid board, responding to the many toasts which are proposed in his +honor, and that of his lovely and expectant bride. Again and again he +fills the goblet, and quaffs the foaming champagne. He fascinates +everybody by his rare eloquence—his inimitable wit; Mr. Goldworthy +congratulates himself on his good fortune in having secured so +charming—so talented a son-in-law. The dark eyes of the Chevalier +sparkle almost fearfully; his superb countenance is flushed with wine +and passion. This rosy god of the grape has nearly conquered him; he is +more than half intoxicated. Losing his habitual caution, he launches +forth into the recital of the most brilliant and daring adventures in +intrigue, fraud and robbery, he relates these events with a gusto that +would seem to indicate his having taken a leading part in them himself. +The guests are startled, and view him with an admiration mixed with +fear. The Chevalier drinks deeper and deeper. Wilder and more exciting +grow his narratives; he tells strange tales of the Italian banditti—of +pirates upon the Spanish main—of dashing French pickpockets—of bold +English highwaymen—of desperate American burglars, and of expert +counterfeiters. Mr. Goldworthy, at last, begins to regard him with a +feeling akin to suspicion. "Who can this man be," he mentally asks +himself—"that talks so familiarly of every species of crime and +villainy? Is he a fitting husband for my pure and gentle daughter? Can +he have been a participant in those lawless adventures which he so +eloquently describes? I like not the dark frown upon his brow, nor the +fierce glances of his eyes. But tush! of what am I thinking? I must not +harbor unjust suspicions against the husband of my child; he is merely +somewhat excited by the generous wine, and probably derived his +knowledge of these matters from the romances of the day. 'Tis best that +he should drink no more at present; I will therefore hint to him that it +is high time for a loyal bridegroom to retire to the arms of his +expectant bride. He surely will not disregard so tempting a suggestion, +for my Alice is very like her mother, and egad! on <i>my</i> wedding night, +twenty years ago, I needed no second hint to induce me to fly eagerly to +<i>her</i> arms. Ah, I was young then, and old age plays sad havoc with us!"</p> + +<p>The worthy old gentleman whispered a few moments in the ear of the +Chevalier. The latter arose with a flushed cheek and a flashing eye.</p> + +<p>"Thanks for the hint, good father-in-law," he cried, draining another +goblet of wine—"I have paid my devoirs to Bacchus; now will I worship +at the shrine of Venus!"</p> + +<p>With rather an unsteady gait he left the apartment, and, under the +guidance of two lovely, blushing, tittering damsels, sought the nuptial +chamber. At the door of that sacred retreat, his fair guides left him. +He entered—and the black-hearted villain, stained with a thousand +crimes, stood in the presence of angel purity.</p> + +<p>And now, fain would we draw a curtain over what followed—but if we did +so, our task would be incomplete. We therefore pass over the delicate +details with as much rapidity as the nature of the case will admit.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Chevalier advanced to the couch, and viewed his bride; evading his +ardent gaze, she turned away, her maiden cheek glowing with blushes. +Upon the snowy pillow, in rich masses, lay her luxuriant hair; her +modestly veiled bosom, whose voluptuousness of outline no drapery could +entirely conceal, heaved tumultuously with gushing joy, and holy +happiness, and pure passion, and maidenly fear. Her small, exquisite +hand, on whose taper fore-finger glittered a magnificent diamond ring, +(her husband's gift,) rested upon the gorgeous counterpane, like a +snow-flake upon a cluster of roses.</p> + +<p>Still the Chevalier profanes not that pure form with his unhallowed +touch; perchance some unseen power, the guardian of spotless innocence, +restrains him. Placing himself before the splendid mirror, he begins to +remove his superb garments with a deliberation and a composure that +astonishes even himself.</p> + +<p>As each article of dress is successively thrown aside, the magnificent +symmetry of that man's unrivalled form becomes more and more apparent. +Though of a build unusually powerful, his limbs possess all the grace +and suppleness of the Apollo Belvedere. He is one of those rare +combinations of strength and beauty, so often represented by classic +statuary, yet so seldom seen in a living model.</p> + +<p>His task is at length completed; he is in the primeval costume of +nature. Complacently he surveys his reflection in the mirror; for he is +fully conscious of his great personal advantages, and, in the vanity of +his heart, he wishes to display them to the enraptured gaze of his +bride. And she—who will say that she does not stealthily contemplate +his symmetrical proportions with secret satisfaction—for what woman +could, under such peculiar circumstances, be indifferent to the physical +advantages possessed by the man of her choice?</p> + +<p>Alas! how suddenly did poor Alice's golden dream of happiness vanish +forever!</p> + +<p>For there—upon her husband's naked breast—in black characters of +damning distinctness—is <i>branded</i> the ghastly, hideous +words—"CONVICTED FELON!!"</p> + +<p>Alice uttered one piercing scream, and fainted.</p> + +<p>The marriage guests below had not yet departed. They heard that awful +cry, which seemed to be the very concentration of all human anguish. Mr. +Goldworthy started to his feet, and his cheeks grew ashy pale.</p> + +<p>"My friends," said he, in a low tone—"there is something wrong with my +child. Remain here, and I will ascertain the cause of this strange +outcry."</p> + +<p>Having armed himself with a pistol, he repaired to his daughter's +chamber, which he entered without ceremony; for when does a father stand +on ceremony, when he believes the safety of his only child to be in +danger? There, in the centre of the room, confused and abashed, stood +the nude form of the Chevalier; and there, upon his breast, did Mr. +Goldworthy behold the accursed brand of crime which had horrified his +daughter, and elicited her piercing scream.</p> + +<p>"<i>Convicted felon!</i>" gasped the old gentleman, almost disbelieving the +evidence of his own senses. "Good God! am I dreaming, or do I actually +behold that awful badge of infamy branded upon the flesh of the husband +of my child! Almighty heaven, thy judgments are inscrutable, but this +blow is too much—too much!"</p> + +<p>He buried his face in his hands, and wept bitterly. The Chevalier, by a +powerful effort, recovered his accustomed assurance and presence of +mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Come, my good sir," said he—"don't get in such a bad way about a few +insignificant letters which are stamped upon me. I pledge you my honor +'twas merely done in jest, in a thoughtless moment. Pray retire, and +leave me to console my bride for her silly fright."</p> + +<p>"Liar and villain!" cried the old man—"would'st thou, with a red-hot +iron, brand such words as <i>those</i> upon thee, in jest? Thou are a +convicted scoundrel—an impostor—a murderer, for aught I know. Thou +hast no claim upon my poor girl, who now lies there, insensible; the +marriage is null and void!"</p> + +<p>"Pooh—nonsense!" said the Chevalier, very coolly—"you make a devil of +a fuss about a very small matter. This brand is but the consequence of a +youthful folly—crime, if you will—of which I have long since repented, +I assure you. A ruffled shirt will always conceal it from the world's +prying gaze; your daughter and yourself are the only persons who will +ever know of its existence; why, then, should it interfere with our +matrimonial arrangements?"</p> + +<p>"Dare you parley with me, villain?" cried Mr. Goldworthy, growing more +and more indignant at the other's impudent assurance. "Hark'ee, sir," he +continued, "the mystery which has always surrounded you, has been +anything but favorable to your reputation, for <i>honest</i> men are seldom +reluctant to disclose all that concerns their past career and present +pursuits. But your damnable effrontery, and the accursed fascination of +your manners, overcame all our suspicions relative to you; you were +regarded as an honorable man, and a gentleman. Unfortunately, my Alice +loved you, and in an evil moment I consented to your union. This +evening, at the wine table, when you discoursed so learnedly and +eloquently upon the exploits of daring villains, the thought struck me +that you must have derived your knowledge of them from personal +intimacy; but I instantly discarded the suspicion as unworthy of myself +and unjust to you. But now—now your guilt can no longer be questioned, +for its history is written there, upon your breast! Scoundrel, I might +hand you over to the iron grasp of the law, but I will not; resume your +garments, and leave this chamber—for your vile presence contaminates +the very atmosphere, and 'tis no place for you!"</p> + +<p>"No, you will not hand me over to the law, neither will you expose me," +said the Chevalier, his lip curling with proud disdain. "Listen to me, +old man: you are right—I <i>am</i> a villain—nay, more; I glory in the +title. Am I not candid with you?—and yet you, yourself, will be as +anxious as I can be, to keep the world ignorant of the fact that I am a +villain,—for will the aristocratic Mr. Goldworthy consent that the +public shall know that his beautiful daughter Alice is married to a +branded criminal? Being perfectly safe, what need is there of +concealment on my part? Know, then, that I am an escaped convict from +Botany Bay, to which colony I was transported from England, for an +atrocious crime. This brand upon my breast was placed there as a +punishment for having attempted to murder one of my guards. I have been +a pirate, a robber, a highwayman, a burglar, and (but let me whisper +this word in your ear,) a <i>murderer</i>! Ha, ha, ha! how do you like your +son-in-law now?"</p> + +<p>"Monster, out of my sight!" cried the old man, shuddering.</p> + +<p>"Softly, softly," said the Chevalier, with imperturbable calmness—"you +have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> not heard all yet; of my skill as a pickpocket, you yourself have +had ample proof, for 'twas I who relieved you of the valuable package +last night; yet you dare not prosecute me—for am I not your son-in-law? +But curses on my own indiscretion, in allowing wine to overcome my +habitual prudence! For had I not been partially intoxicated, think you +this mark of guilt would have been so easily discovered? No, believe +me—"</p> + +<p>"Silence, villain!" thundered Mr. Goldworthy, no longer able to contain +his indignation at the cool effrontery of the Chevalier—"I have bandied +words with you too long already; you see this pistol?—you are unarmed; +I give you five minutes to dress yourself and leave the house; if you +are not gone at the end of that time, I swear by the living God to shoot +you through the head."</p> + +<p>These last words were pronounced with a calmness that left no doubt of +their sincerity on the mind of the Chevalier. Villain as he was, he was +brave even to desperation; yet he had no particular wish to be hurried +into eternity so unceremoniously. He therefore commenced dressing +himself, while Mr. Goldworthy stood with the pistol cocked and pointed +at his head with a deadly aim.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the unfortunate Alice recovered from her swoon. Starting up +in bed, she cast a hurried glance at her father and the discomfited +Chevalier. That glance was sufficient to reveal to her the true state of +affairs; and covering her face with her hands, she wept bitterly.</p> + +<p>Who can comprehend the depth and devotedness of woman's love? Could it +be possible that there still lingered in her crushed heart a single atom +of affection for that branded villain, who had so cruelly deceived her? +Philosophy may condemn her—human reason itself may scoff at her—but +from her pure heart could not utterly be obliterated the sincere and +holy love which she had conceived for that unworthy object. To her might +have been applied the beautiful words of the poet Campbell:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"Let the eagle change his plume,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The leaf its hue, the flower its bloom,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But ties around that heart were spun<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Which would not, could not be undone."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Before the expiration of the prescribed five minutes, the Chevalier was +dressed, and ready to depart. Turning towards Alice, he regarded her +with a look which was eloquently expressive of grief, remorse and +sorrow. His breast heaved convulsively; he was evidently struggling with +the most powerful emotions. A single tear rolled down his cheek—he +hastily wiped it away—murmured, "Farewell, Alice, forever!"—and +reminded by an imperious gesture from her father that the scene could +continue no longer, he turned calmly and walked out of the room. Mr. +Goldworthy followed him to the street door, and saw him depart from the +house; then, with a deep-drawn sigh, he returned to his guests, who were +naturally eager to know the nature of the difficulty. In answer to their +inquiries, the old gentleman said—</p> + +<p>"My dear friends, do not, I entreat you, press me for an explanation of +this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> most melancholy affair. Suffice it for me to say, the Chevalier +Duvall has proved himself to be utterly unworthy of my daughter. The +marriage which has taken place, though not legally void, is <i>morally</i> +so. I beg of everyone present to respect my feelings as a father and as +a man, so far as to preserve a strict silence in reference to this +painful matter. The Chevalier Duvall has departed from the house, and +will never see my daughter more."</p> + +<p>The required promise was given, and the guests took their leave, +experiencing feelings of a far different nature from those which had +animated them at the commencement of the evening. They had come in the +happy anticipation of witnessing the consummation of a beloved friend's +felicity; they went away oppressed by a painful uncertainty as to the +nature of the difficulty which had arisen in reference to the husband, +and chilled by a fear that the earthly happiness of poor Alice was +destroyed forever.</p> + +<p>The Chevalier returned to the Duchess, to apprise her of the total ruin +of his matrimonial schemes, in consequence of the <i>fatal brand</i> upon his +person having been discovered; and we return to Fanny Aubrey, who had +been conveyed by Jew Mike to the "<i>Chambers of Love</i>," in obedience to +the directions given him by the Hon. Timothy Tickels.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h4><i>Showing the operations of Jew Mike and his coadjutors.—The necessity +of young ladies looking beneath their beds, before retiring to rest.</i></h4> + + +<p>We have seen in what manner Jew Mike escaped from the house of Mr. +Goldworthy, bearing off the insensible form of Fanny Aubrey; but as the +reader may be curious to learn how the ruffian gained entrance to the +house, and to the chamber of the young lady, we shall briefly explain.</p> + +<p>In the first place, it is perhaps understood that old Tickels applied to +Sow Nance for assistance in the business of abducting Fanny, and +conveying her to that den of iniquity called the "Chambers of +Love,"—which place will be hereafter described. Nance, on being applied +to, informed her employer that she had a "<i>love cull</i>," (paramour,) who +was exactly suited to the business, and who would, for a proper +compensation, engage to do the job. Tickels was delighted with the +proposal, and eagerly desired to have an early interview with her +accommodating lover. But there was a difficulty; Jew Mike had an +invincible repugnance to going abroad under any circumstances, inasmuch +as he had recently been engaged in a heavy burglary, and the pleasure of +his company was earnestly sought after by police officer Storkfeather +and other indefatigables. He was safely housed in the "Pig Pen," and +regarded it as decidedly unsafe to venture out, even to execute a piece +of work as profitable as the one which Mr. Tickels wished him to +perform. It was finally arranged that the latter gentleman would call on +Mike at the "Pen," on a certain evening. This was done; and the result +of that interview was, that Mike,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> for and in consideration of receiving +the sum of one hundred dollars, agreed to carry off Fanny Aubrey, and +deposit her safely in the "Chambers of Love."</p> + +<p>To obviate the possibility of Mike's being overhauled by his old friends +the police officers, it was arranged that a cab should be at his entire +disposal; the same vehicle would serve to convey the young lady with +secrecy and rapidity to the place destined for her imprisonment. Tickels +engaged to have Mike privately introduced into the house of Mr. +Goldworthy, and it was effected in this manner.</p> + +<p>On the night previous to the abduction, at about the hour of nine, a cab +was driven through Ann street, and halted in front of the dance cellar +which communicated with the "Pig Pen." The driver of this vehicle was a +sable individual, who has since attained some notoriety under the +cognomen of "Jonas." He is intimately acquainted with the location and +condition of every house of prostitution in Boston, and enjoys the +familiar acquaintance of many white courtezans of beauty and fashion, +not a few of whom (so 'tis said,) testify their appreciation of his +valuable services in bringing them profitable custom, by freely granting +him those delightful privileges which are usually extended to white +patrons only, who can pay well for the same. Jonas has lately become the +editor and proprietor of that valuable periodical known as the "Key to +the Chambers of Love," which is a <i>card</i> containing a list of almost +every bower of pleasure in Boston, with the names of their keepers. It +is a document which is extensively patronized by the sporting bloods. +This fortunate darkey it was, then, who was employed in the delicate +matter, the progress of which we are now describing.</p> + +<p>He had no sooner halted his cab, as we have stated, than there +cautiously issued from the cellar an individual carefully concealed from +observation by a huge slouched hat and cloak. This, it is almost +needless to say, was Jew Mike himself. Having greeted Jonas with the +assurance of "all right," he quickly entered the cab, and the sable +driver started his horse towards Howard street at a slapping pace.</p> + +<p>In the neighborhood of the Athenaeum, the cab paused, and Mike got out. +He was instantly joined by the Hon. Mr. Tickels, who said to Jonas—</p> + +<p>"Drive away, and be on this spot again, with your horse and cab, +precisely at twelve o'clock. Remain here until one; if by that time Mike +does not make his appearance, you will know that the job can't be done +to-night, and you need wait no longer. To-morrow night, be on this spot +again, at twelve, and remain until one—and don't fail to repeat this +every night until Mike appears with the young woman he is to carry off. +For every night that you come here, you shall be paid five dollars. Do +you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, ole hoss," replied the delighted Jonas, displaying his +mouthful of dominoes—"dat five dollars ebery night will 'nable dis +colored person to shine at de balls of de colored society dis winter; +perhaps be de manager—yah, yah, yah!" When giving utterance to his +peculiar laugh, Jonas makes a noise as if he were undergoing the process +of being choked to death by a fat sausage. Having thus given vent to his +satisfaction, he mounted his cab and drove off. When he had departed, +Tickels drew Mike within the dark shadow of a building, and, in +whispered tones, thus addressed him:—</p> + +<p>"I have, as you are aware, succeeded in bribing one of Goldworthy's +servants to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> admit you into the house, and conceal you until the +favorable moment arrives for you to bear off the prize. Whether you do +it to-night, or to-morrow night, or the next, you must be sure to do it +only between the hours of twelve and one, for only during that interval +of time will Jonas and his cab be in waiting for you. When the time for +action arrives, you must satisfy yourself that all is still in the +house—that all have retired. I have ascertained that Goldworthy and his +household almost invariably retire to rest at ten o'clock; therefore, it +is reasonable to suppose that they are all asleep by twelve. At that +hour, if you think the coast is clear, steal cautiously forth from your +place of concealment, and noiselessly enter the young lady's chamber; +this you will have no difficulty in doing, for I have taken the pains to +ascertain that she never takes the precaution to lock the door."</p> + +<p>"But," interrupted Jew Mike—"in that large mansion, containing so many +apartments, how shall I know for certainty which particular room the +young woman sleeps in?"</p> + +<p>"I have anticipated and provided for that difficulty," rejoined +Tickels—"although the servant whom I have bribed, could doubtless +direct you to the chamber. Here, on this sheet of paper, I have drawn a +diagram of the entire building; by studying it for a few minutes, you +will readily be enabled to find your way to any part of the house.—To +resume: you will enter the chamber, and assure yourself that the young +lady is sleeping; this is an important point, because, if she should +chance to be awake, and observe you, she would naturally scream with +affright, which would ruin everything. Well, having satisfied yourself, +beyond a doubt, that she is fast asleep, you will softly approach the +bed, and, in the twinkling of an eye, <i>bind and gag her!</i> so that she +will be utterly incapable of voice or motion. Then take her in your +arms, steal noiselessly down stairs, and make your exit by the front +door, which will be left unlocked for that purpose. Having reached the +street, leap with your precious burden into the cab, and Jonas will +drive you with all speed to the 'Chambers.' Take off your shoes when in +the house, and your footsteps will be less liable to be heard. Now, +Mike, I have one request to make: I know the laxity of your principles +with respect to the virtue of honesty, and admire your system of +appropriation—but steal nothing, not even the merest trifle, in the +house. I will tell you why I require this of you; when the young lady is +missed, if property is also missed, they will naturally suppose that +both she and the valuables have been carried off by some marauder; for +they could never believe <i>her</i> to be guilty of theft; and their +affection for her would prompt them to make every effort for her +recovery. If, on the contrary, no property disappears with her, they may +possibly think that she has voluntarily eloped, and will be apt to +trouble themselves very little about her, for her supposed ingratitude +will arouse their indignation. Do you not perceive and acknowledge the +force of my argument?"</p> + +<p>Jew Mike replied that he certainly did, and assured his worthy employer +that he would, for the first time in his life, refrain from stealing, +even where he had an excellent opportunity.</p> + +<p>"This heroic self-denial on your part is worthy of the highest +commendation," said Mr. Tickels. "I have but one more observation to +make, and then I will detain you no longer. If it should unfortunately +happen that you are detected in this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> business, for God's sake don't +bring my name in connection with it. Tell them that your design was to +rob the house; they will send you to jail, and no matter how many +charges may be brought against you, I have money and influence +sufficient to procure your liberation. Now, my good fellow, do you +consent to this?"</p> + +<p>Mike answered affirmatively; and the two proceeded towards Mr. +Goldworthy's house. Fortunately for their operations, there was no moon, +and the night was intensely dark; therefore, they were by no means +likely to be observed by any prying individual or inquisitive +Charley—besides, the gentlemen who belong to the latter class, prefer +rather to indulge in a comfortable doze on some door-step, than to go +prowling about, impertinently interfering with the business of +enterprising burglars and others, who "prefer darkness rather than +light."</p> + +<p>The Hon. Mr. Tickels and Jew Mike, having reached Mr. Goldworthy's +house, stationed themselves in front of the door, and after a short +pause, to assure themselves that all was right, the former worthy gave +utterance to three distinct coughs, which were, however, rendered in a +very low tone. The signal was answered almost immediately; the door was +softly opened, and a man made his appearance; this was the unfaithful +servant who had been bribed to admit a villain into his master's house.</p> + +<p>"Is everything all right, Cushing?" asked Tickels, in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the fellow, in the same tone—"there's no one +stirring in the house except myself, as Mr. Goldworthy and the ladies +have gone to the theatre, and have not yet returned; and as to the other +servants, they have all gone to bed."</p> + +<p>"That's well," remarked Tickels—"now, Mike, this man will conceal you +in some safe place. If the business can be done to-night, do it; if not, +defer it until a favorable opportunity presents itself. You know all the +arrangements; therefore I need not repeat them. Fulfil your contract, +and come to me for your reward. Good night."</p> + +<p>He departed. Cushing desired Jew Mike to follow him into the house; the +latter obeyed, and was conducted into a small room, which the servant +gave him to understand was his sleeping chamber.</p> + +<p>"Is this to be my place of concealment?" demanded Jew Mike, glancing +around with a growl of dissatisfaction—"damn it, you couldn't hide a +mouse here without its being discovered."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough," rejoined Cushing—"you can't hide here, that's +certain. I confess I am at a loss where to put you. There's no time to +be lost, for I expect my master and the ladies to return every instant. +Hell and furies, there's the carriage now! they have come!"</p> + +<p>It was true; a carriage stopped at the door, and they could hear the +voices and footsteps of people entering the house.</p> + +<p>"We are lost!" cried Cushing, pale with fear—"yet stay; there is but +one way of escaping immediate detection. Have you the courage to hide +in—in—"</p> + +<p>"Courage!" exclaimed Mike, in great rage—"show me a place of +concealment, and I'll stow myself in it, if it be hell itself! Our +enterprise must not fail by my being discovered here."</p> + +<p>"Quick, then—this way—follow me—softly, softly," whispered the +other,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> conducting Mike up a flight of stairs, and into a handsomely +furnished bed-chamber.</p> + +<p>"This," said Cushing—"is the room in which Miss Fanny Aubrey sleeps; +the young lady whom you are to carry off. It is the best place in the +world for you to conceal yourself in, for your victim will be almost +within your grasp. Quick—stow yourself <i>under the bed</i>, in the farthest +corner. She will not discover you, if you keep perfectly quiet, for you +will be screened from view by the thick curtains of the bed. If you +cannot do the job to-night, you must remain in your hiding-place all day +to-morrow—and indeed, you must not think of stirring forth, until the +moment arrives for you to carry off Miss Fanny. I will contrive to +supply you with food and drink. Hark!—by God, somebody is coming +up-stairs. I must be off—under the bed with you—quick, quick!"</p> + +<p>In a twinkling was Jew Mike snugly ensconced beneath the bed, while +Cushing hastily left the chamber, and repaired to his own room.</p> + +<p>Within the space of one minute afterwards, Fanny Aubrey entered her +chamber, accompanied by a maid-servant bearing a light.</p> + +<p>"You may set down the candle, Matilda, if you please, dear," said Fanny, +in her sweet, gentle voice—"and leave me, for I shall not need your +assistance to undress me."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Miss, axing your pardon, I shall do no such thing," responded +Matilda, who was a buxom, good-humored, and rather good-looking young +woman; and with a kind of respectful familiarity, she began to perform +upon her young mistress the delicate and graceful duties of a <i>femme de +chambre</i>. "You are very silly, Matilda, thus to insist on waiting on +<i>me</i>; I, that am as poor as yourself, and was brought up as nothing but +a fruit girl."</p> + +<p>"Lor, Miss!" cried Matilda, holding up her hands with a sort of pious +horror—"how can you compare yourself with the likes of me? You were +born to be a lady, and I am so happy to be your servant—your own +ladies' maid! You will have a fine husband one of these days, Miss. Now, +if I might make so bold, there is that pretty young gentleman, Miss +Alice's cousin, Master Clarence—"</p> + +<p>"Hush, Matilda," interrupted Fanny, blushing deeply—"what has Master +Clarence to do with me? you are a silly creature. Make haste and undress +me, since you will do it, for I am so tired and sleepy!"</p> + +<p>Matilda did as she was desired, but being, like all other ladies' maids, +very talkative, kept up a 'running commentary' on the charms of her +young mistress, as ladies' maids are very apt to do.</p> + +<p>"What beautiful hair!" quoth the abigail, in an under tone, as if she +were merely holding a sociable chat with herself—"for all the world +like skeins of golden thread; and what a fair skin! just like a heap of +snow, or a newly washed sheet spread out to bleach. Patience alive! this +pretty arm beats Mrs. Swelby's wax-work all hollow; and these +beautiful—"</p> + +<p>"You vex me to death with your nonsense, Matilda," cried Fanny—"how +tiresome you are! Pray be silent."</p> + +<p>Thus rebuked, the ladies' maid continued her task in silence. When the +young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> lady was disrobed, and about to retire to bed, she was startled +by a sudden exclamation of Matilda's—</p> + +<p>"Bless me, Miss! what noise was that? It sounded as if somebody was hid +somewhere in this very chamber."</p> + +<p>They both paused and listened; all was again still. Fanny, as well as +her maid had certainly heard a slight noise, which seemed to have been +produced by a slow and cautious movement, and sounded like the rustling +of a curtain.</p> + +<p>"Twas nothing but the noise of the night-breeze agitating the window +curtains," remarked Fanny, at length, with a smile.</p> + +<p>Ah! neither she, nor her maid, saw the two fearful eyes that were +glaring at them from among the intricate folds of the curtain, beneath +the bed!—Neither saw they the dark and hideous countenance of the +ruffian that lay concealed there.</p> + +<p>"Well, Miss," said Matilda, not over half re-assured by the words of her +mistress—"it may be nothing, as you say; but, for my part, I never go +to bed a single night in the year, without first <i>looking under the bed</i> +to see that nobody is hid away there. And I advise you to do the same, +Miss; and I am sure you would, if you only knew what happened to my +cousin Bridget."</p> + +<p>"And what was that, pray?" asked Fanny, as she got into bed, and settled +herself comfortably, in order to listen to what happened to cousin +Bridget—all her fears in regard to the noise which she had heard, +having vanished.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, miss," said Matilda, seating herself at the +bed-side,—"cousin Bridget was cook in a gentleman's family in this +city, and a very nice body she was, and is to this day. In the same +family there lived a young man as was a coachman, very good-looking, and +very attentive to Biddy, as we call her for shortness, miss. But, though +he was desperate in love with my cousin, she would give him no +encouragement, and the poor fellow pined away, and neglected his +wittles, and grew thin in flesh, until, from being called Fat Tom, he +got to be nicknamed the 'Natomy, which means a skeleton. It was in vain, +miss, that poor 'Natomy threatened to take to hard drinking, or pizen +himself with Prooshy acid, unless she took pity on him—not a smile, or +a kiss, or a hope could he get from cousin Biddy. Now, between +ourselves, I really think she had a sort of a sneaking notion after him; +you know, miss, that we women folks like to tease the men, by making +them think that we hate 'em, when all the time we are dead in love with +'em. Well, matters and things went on pretty much as I have said, for +some times; until something happened that made a great change in the +feelings of cousin Biddy towards Tom the coachman. Biddy slept in a nice +little bed-room in the attic—all by herself; and Tom slept in another +nice little bed-room in the attic—all by <i>himself</i>, too. Well, miss, +one night Biddy went to a fancy ball in Ann street, given in honor of +her brother's wife's second cousin, Mrs. MacFiggins, having been blessed +with three twins at a birth; she danced very late, and drank a great +deal of hot toddy, which made her so nervous that she had to go home in +a hackney-coach. She went to bed, but the toddy made her feel so very +uncomfortable, that she had to get up again, during the night; and she +happened, by accident, to reach her hand under the bed—and what do you +think, miss? her hand caught hold of something—she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> pulled it towards +her, out from under the bed—and oh, my gracious! what must have been +the feelings of the poor body, when she found that she had taken hold of +a man's—<i>nose!</i> and, what was worse than all, that nose belonged to +Tom, the coachman! My poor cousin Biddy, on making this awful discovery, +gave a low scream, and fainted; and then—and then, miss—in about half +an hour, when she came to her senses, on finding that nobody, except +Tom, had heard her scream, she felt so kind of <i>put out</i> about the whole +matter, that she agreed to marry Tom, if he would promise never to say +nothing about it. He agreed, and in a few weeks afterwards they were man +and wife. I heard this story, miss, from Biddy's own lips, and it's as +true as gospel. So that is the reason why I look under my bed every +night, to see if anybody is hid away there; because the very idea of +having a man <i>under</i> a body's bed, is so awful! But bless me, miss—you +are fast asleep already, and I dare say you haven't heard half of my +story."</p> + +<p>Matilda was right; Fanny had fallen asleep at the most interesting point +of the foregoing narrative, and she was therefore in blissful ignorance +of the catastrophe by which cousin Biddy became the wife of Tom the +coachman. The ladies' maid, muttering her indignation at the very little +interest manifested in her story, by her young mistress, left the +chamber, and took herself off to bed, leaving the candle burning upon +the table.</p> + +<p>Half an hour passed; all throughout the house was profoundly still. The +deep and regular breathing of Fanny indicated that she slept soundly. A +small clock in the chamber proclaimed the hour of midnight. Scarce had +the tiny sounds died away in silence, when the hideous head of Jew Mike +cautiously emerged from beneath the bed. The ruffian noiselessly crept +forth from his place of concealment, and stood over the fair sleeper. +Having satisfied himself of the soundness of her slumbers, he drew from +his pocket the handkerchief and cord with which he intended to gag and +bind her.</p> + +<p>At that moment, Fanny stirred, and partially awoke; quick as lightning, +Jew Mike crouched down upon the carpet, and crawled beneath the bed. To +his inexpressible mortification and rage, the young lady arose from the +couch, advanced to the table, and having snuffed the candle, and thrown +a shawl over her shoulders, seated herself, and taking up a book, began +to read. The truth is, she felt herself rather restless and unwell, and +determined to while away an hour or so by perusing a few chapters in the +work of a favorite author.</p> + +<p>The clock struck one, and then Jew Mike knew that his villainous plans +could not be carried out that night. A few minutes afterwards, the negro +Jones, who had, since twelve o'clock, been waiting with his horse and +cab near Mr. Goldworthy's house in Howard street, drove off—the sable +genius muttering, as he urged his 'fast crab' onward—</p> + +<p>"Five dollars for to-night, and five dollars more for to-morrow +night—dat I'm sure of, any how; gorry, dis nigger's in luck."</p> + +<p>After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes, Fanny Aubrey closed her +book, and again retired to bed. Again she slept; and for that night, she +was safe. Mike knew that the cab had departed, and was obliged to defer +the execution of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> scheme until the next night, or even for a longer +period, if a favorable opportunity did not then occur.</p> + +<p>Poor Fanny! during the remainder of that night her slumbers were +attended by peaceful and pleasant dreams. What if she had known that +beneath her couch there lurked a desperate and bloody ruffian, +impatiently awaiting the hour when he could bear her off to a fate worse +than death!</p> + +<p>Slowly wore the night away; and at length the cheerful rays of the +morning sun, shining upon the beautiful countenance of the fair sleeper, +awoke her from her slumbers. She arose—gracefully as a young fawn did +she spring from the chaste embraces of her luxurious couch, and caroling +forth a gay air—the gushing gladness of her happy heart—she proceeded +to perform the duties of her toilet. Now, like a naiad at a fountain, +does she lave that charming face and those ductile limbs in the limpid +and rose-scented waters of a portable bath, sculptured in marble and +supported by four little Cupids with gilded wings; then, like the fabled +mermaid, does she arrange her shining hair in that style of beautiful +simplicity which is so becoming, and so seldom successfully +accomplished, even by women of undoubted taste. The amorous mirror +glowingly reflects her young and budding charms, as she coquettishly +admires the loveliness of her delicious little person, half-blushing at +the sight of her own voluptuous nudity. Little does she suspect that the +savage eyes of a concealed ruffian are gloating with lecherous delight +upon her exposed form!</p> + +<p>In happy unconsciousness of this hideous scrutiny, the young lady having +completed the preliminary arrangements of her toilet, proceeded to array +herself in a charming and delicate morning costume. Although it could +not be said that</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Her snowy breast was bare to ready spoil<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of hungry eyes,"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>yet these lines from <i>Thomson's Seasons</i> might be applied to her, with +peculiar force:—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Her polished limbs<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Veil'd in a simple robe, their best attire,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Beyond the pomp of dress; for loveliness<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Needs not the foreign aid of ornament,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>She was scarcely dressed, when the breakfast bell sounded its welcome +peal; and she hastened below to take her place at the hospitable family +table.</p> + +<p>During the whole of that day, Jew Mike did not venture to stir once from +his retreat. In the forenoon, a female domestic came and arranged the +bed, without discovering him; after a while, Fanny came into the +chamber, to dress for dinner, which being done, she withdrew without +suspecting the presence of the villainous Jew Mike, who again had an +opportunity of feasting his eyes on her denuded charms. Late in the +afternoon, much to the joy of the ruffian, who was half starved, Cushing +stole into the chamber, bringing with him some provisions and a bottle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> +of wine; those he hastily passed under the bed, and abruptly retired, +for he was apprehensive of being detected in the room, which would have +ruined all.</p> + +<p>Night came on. Mike was a witness of the scene which took place between +Alice Goldworthy and Fanny, wherein the latter charged the Chevalier +with having stolen the packet of money. The reader knows how Fanny was +afterwards awakened from her sleep by a horrid dream, and how she +discovered the form of a man bending over her—that man was, of course, +Jew Mike. It will be recollected that the young girl screamed and +fainted; that Clarence Argyle rushed into the chamber, and was instantly +shot down by Mike—and that the ruffian made his escape from the house, +bearing off the unfortunate girl in his arms.</p> + +<p>Jonas was waiting at a short distance from the house; Mike hastily +entered the cab with his burden, and the negro drove rapidly towards +Warren street, wherein was located the "Chambers of Love."</p> + +<p>The vehicle halted before a house of decent exterior; Jew Mike came out, +bearing the still insensible girl; the door of the house opened, and he +entered; then the door closed, and all was still. With a low chuckle of +satisfaction, Jonas whipped his horse into a gallop, and away he rattled +through the silent and deserted streets.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h4><i>The Chambers of Love.—Conclusion.</i></h4> + +<p>On entering the house in Warren street with his burden, Jew Mike passed +through a dark passage, and entered a large, well-lighted and +well-furnished room. Here he was received by a rather stout and +extremely good-looking female, the landlady of the house, who rejoiced +in the peculiar title of Madame Hearthstone. Notwithstanding the +lateness of the hour, several courtezans of the ordinary class were +lounging about, or indolently conversing with a few intimate male +friends, who were probably their private lovers, or <i>pimps</i>.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Madame Hearthstone, with a smile of satisfaction—"you have +caught the bird at last, I see; but she must not remain here, for when +she recovers from her swoon, she may take it into her head to scream, or +make a disturbance, which might be heard in the street. We will carry +her below to the <i>Chambers</i>, and there she may make as much noise as she +pleases—there's no possibility of her ever being overheard by people +above ground!"</p> + +<p>In obedience to her directions, Jew Mike again took the young girl in +his arms, and followed Madame out of the room, while she bore a light. +She led the way into a bed-chamber on the second floor, which apartment +was furnished with that luxury so invariably found in the bowers of +land-ladies of pleasure, who care but little for the comfort of their +<i>boarders</i>, so long as they themselves are "in clover."'</p> + +<p>The walls of Madame's chamber were beautifully adorned with fancy paper, +representing panels in gilded frames, decorated with wreaths of flowers. +The lady advanced towards one of these panels, and kneeling down upon +the floor, touched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> a secret spring; instantly a door, which had +previously been invisible, sprang open, revealing an aperture large +enough to admit a person standing upright.</p> + +<p>The reader must not be surprised that the landlady should thus expose to +Jew Mike the means of entering her private rendezvous; for Mike was +perfectly in her confidence, having often before been employed to convey +victims to that den, and being already well acquainted with the mystery +of the secret panel.</p> + +<p>They entered the aperture—the landlady bearing the light, and the +ruffian carrying the unconscious form of Fanny Aubrey. Having carefully +closed the panel behind them, they began to descend a long flight of +steps, so steep and narrow, that extreme care was necessary to enable +them to preserve their footing.</p> + +<p>Down, down they went, seemingly far into the bowels of the earth. At +length they arrived at the bottom, and a stout oaken door intercepted +their further progress. The landlady produced a key, and the door swung +back upon its massive hinges; they entered a vast apartment, fitted up +in a style of splendor almost equal to the fabled magnificence of a +fairy palace.</p> + +<p>The hall was of circular shape, surmounted by a dome, from which hung a +superb chandelier, which shed a brilliant light over the gilded +ornaments and voluptuous paintings that adorned the walls. In the centre +stood a table, laden with fruits and wines, around which were seated +half a dozen young females, all very beautiful, and several of them +nearly half naked. Two of these girls, who were more modestly dressed +than the others, seemed sad and dispirited; their four companions, +however, appeared vicious and reckless in the extreme.</p> + +<p>"Girls," said the landlady, addressing them—"I have brought you a new +sister; she has come to learn the delightful mysteries of Venus. Give +her all the instruction in your power, and learn her the arts and ways +of a finished courtezan."</p> + +<p>Jew Mike laid Fanny upon a sofa; the girls crowded around her, and +regarded her with looks of interest and joy.</p> + +<p>"She is very pretty," said one of them, a bold, wanton looking young +creature, of rare beauty, her seductive form wholly revealed beneath a +single light gauze garment, such as are worn by ballet girls—"I will +become her teacher; I will show her how to turn the brains of men crazy +with passion, and bring the proudest of them grovelling at her feet. +Oh,'tis delightful to humble the lords of creation, as they call +themselves, and make them whine for our favors like so many sick +spaniels!"</p> + +<p>"You are a girl of spirit, Julia," said the landlady, regarding her with +a look of admiration—"and will make a splendid courtezan."</p> + +<p>"But," cried Julia, with sparkling eyes and a heaving breast—"when +<i>shall</i> I become a courtezan? How long must I remain here, pining for +the embraces of fifty men, and enduring the impotent caresses of but +one, and <i>he</i>, bah! a fellow of no more fire or animation, of <i>power</i>, +than a lump of ice!"</p> + +<p>"Have patience, my love," rejoined the landlady—"Mr. Lawyer may be a +poor lover, but he is a profitable patron; so long as he pays liberally +for your exclusive favors in these 'Chambers,' you must receive him, for +you will share the profits, when you 'turn out.' And now see what you +can do in the way of restoring this new comer, for her <i>owner</i> will be +here soon, to see her. Carry her into the <i>Satin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> Chamber</i>, which is to +be her room, and when she revives, make her partake of some +refreshments."</p> + +<p>The landlady and Jew Mike left the hall; the massive door was relocked, +and ascended to the upper regions of the house, leaving Fanny Aubrey to +the care of the inmates of the luxurious Chambers below.</p> + +<p>The Satin Chamber was an apartment of moderate dimensions, which +adjoined the principal hall. It was completely lined throughout with +white satin, which produced an effect so voluptuous as to defy +description. Into this gorgeous bower of lust the girls carried Fanny, +and laid her down upon a soft and yielding couch.</p> + +<p>Restoratives were applied, and she was speedily brought to a state of +consciousness. Her wonder and astonishment may easily be imagined, when, +on starting up, she found herself in that strange place, surrounded by a +group of showily dressed females, some of them indecently nude.</p> + +<p>Without answering her eager inquiries, as to where she was, and how she +came there, they brought her wine and other refreshments, of which they +compelled her to partake.</p> + +<p>"You are in a place of safety, and among friends," said one of them, a +beautiful brunette of sixteen, whose glossy hair fell in rich masses +upon her naked shoulders and bosom.—This abandoned young creature was a +Jewess, named Rachel; her own wild, lascivious passions had been the +cause of her being brought to the 'Chambers,' rather than the arts of +the man who was at that time enjoying her delectable favors.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear," chimed in the voluptuous Julia—"we are your sisters, and +it will be our task to teach you the delights of love, while you remain +among us.—But come, girls; let us leave our sister to repose; she is a +little Venus, and will dream of Cupid's pleasures, and when she awakes +from her soft slumbers, she may find herself in the arms of an impetuous +lover.—Happy girl! I envy her the bliss which she is soon to +experience, because it is to her, as yet, a bliss <i>untasted</i>."</p> + +<p>Each of the embryo Cyprians kissed the intended victim; some did it +almost passionately, as if their libidinous natures derived a +gratification even in kissing one of their own sex; some did it +laughingly, with whispered words of encouragement and congratulation; +but one of them, less hardened than the rest, dropped a tear of pity on +her cheek, and in a gentle, yet faltering voice, murmured—"Poor girl, I +am sorry for you!" They departed, and Fanny was left alone—alone with +her tears, her troubled thoughts, and a thousand fears; for she +remembered having seen the ruffian at her bed-side, and although she +recollected nothing of what had subsequently occurred, still she doubted +not that she had been carried to the place where she found herself, for +some terrible purpose.</p> + +<p>The six 'daughters of Venus' returned to the principal hall, and had +scarcely resumed their places at the table, when the door was opened, +and an old gentleman entered. He was a very tall, erect, slim personage, +dressed in blue broadcloth, his neck neatly enveloped in a white cravat, +garnished with a shirt collar of uncommon magnitude. Judging from +appearances, he might formerly have been an individual of rather comely +presence; but, strange to say, he was almost entirely destitute of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> a +<i>nose</i>—the place formerly occupied by that important feature, being now +supplied by a stump of flesh little larger than an ordinary pimple. This +deformity gave his face an aspect extremely ludicrous, if not positively +disgusting; and was the result of an indiscreet amour in former times, +which not only communicated the fiery brand of destruction to his nasal +organ, but also effectually disqualified him from any further direct +indulgence in the amorous gambols of Venus. Thus painfully afflicted, +'Tom Lawyer,' as he has always been familiarly called, was obliged to +content himself with such enjoyments as lay within the limited range of +his physical powers—enjoyments which, though rather unsatisfactory, +were nevertheless expensive; yet his immense wealth enabled him to +command them. To explain: he would maintain in luxury some beautiful +young female, with whom he would pass a portion of his leisure time in +harmless dalliance—therefore was he the <i>patron</i> of the voluptuous +Julia, whom he kept strictly secluded in the 'Chambers,' fearing that +her unsatisfied passions would seek their 'legitimate gratification,' +were an opportunity afforded her to do so.</p> + +<p>As he entered, Julia affected the utmost delight at seeing him, and +rushing into his arms, almost devoured him with kisses; and then she +followed him into an adjoining chamber, her beautiful countenance +wearing an expression of ill-concealed disgust.—They entered—the door +was closed, and—we dare not describe what followed.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>At an early hour, on the morning succeeding these events, Jew Mike +called on the Hon. Mr. Tickels, for the purpose of receiving the one +hundred dollars, which had been promised him as the reward of his +villainy in abducting Fanny Aubrey.</p> + +<p>On learning that the infamous project had been crowned with complete +success, the old libertine was overjoyed beyond measure; but when Mike +demanded the one hundred dollars, his face lengthened—for he was +avaricious as well as villainous, and his recent loss of five thousand +dollars, in favor of the Chevalier and the Duchess, made him exceedingly +loth to part with a cool hundred so easily.—Not exactly knowing the +sort of a man he had to deal with, he assumed a stern tone and aspect, +and said—</p> + +<p>"One hundred dollars, for two nights' work! Do you take me for a fool? +Here, fellow, is twenty dollars for you, and I consider you are well +paid for your trouble."</p> + +<p>"But sir," remarked Mike—"you know you promised—"</p> + +<p>"Pooh!—promises are nothing; when a man wants to get possession of a +pretty girl, he'll promise anything; when she is once in his power, he +is not so liberal. Here, take your twenty dollars, and be off!"</p> + +<p>"And this is my reward and thanks for the risk I have run!" demanded Jew +Mike, bitterly.</p> + +<p>"I've no time to waste words with you," rejoined Tickels, haughtily—"I +know you; you're an old offender, and I could send you to prison, if I +chose, without paying you a cent.—Once more, take the money, or leave +it."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then you would break your contract with me? Be it so—keep your money; +but, by God! I'll drink your heart's blood for this! My name is Jew +Mike, and I have said it. Farewell, till we meet again!"</p> + +<p>He rushed from the house, leaving Tickels divided by joy at having saved +a hundred dollars, and fear, in consequence of the ruffian's savage +threat.</p> + +<p>Five minutes after Mike's departure, Corporal Grimsby entered, announced +the abduction of Fanny Aubrey from the house of her friends, on the +preceding night, and boldly accused Tickels of having been the cause of +that outrage. The details of this interview are related in the sixth +chapter of this narrative; it is consequently unnecessary to repeat +them.</p> + +<p>Satisfied in his own mind that old Tickels was at the bottom of the +business, and that Jew Mike was the agent employed, the Corporal made +the best of his way to Ann street, resolved to find the Jew, and prevail +upon him, by bribes, to disclose the place where Fanny had been carried. +During the whole of that day, he searched in vain; Mike was nowhere to +be found;—towards evening, however, as the old gentleman was about to +abandon the search in despair, he was informed by 'Cod-mouth Pat,' whom +he had enlisted in his service, that Mike had just been seen to enter +the 'Pig Pen.' With some difficulty, our friend contrived to gain an +entrance to that 'crib,' where he had the satisfaction to find the +object of his anxious search brooding over a half pint of gin. The +ruffian instantly recognised in the Corporal, the person who had escaped +from the 'Coal Hole,' some time previously, but every hostile feeling +vanished, when the old man announced the object of his visit to be the +discovery of Fanny Aubrey, and the punishment of the villain Tickels.</p> + +<p>Without entering into details which might prove tedious, suffice it to +say that Jew Mike agreed to conduct the Corporal to the place where +Fanny was confined, on condition that the punishment of old Tickels +should be left entirely to him, (Mike). This was assented to, and the +pair instantly set out, in a cab, for the 'Chambers of Love,' in Warren +street—the Corporal, eager to rescue poor Fanny from the power of her +persecutors, and the Jew thirsting to revenge himself upon his employer, +for having refused to give him the stipulated reward.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>That same evening, at about the hour of seven, the Hon. Timothy Tickels +issued from his residence in South street, and proceeded towards Warren +street, which having reached, he entered the mansion of Madame +Hearthstone. That lady, with a significant smile, conducted him to her +chamber, and opened the secret panel; they descended the steps, and Mr. +Tickels was ushered in the grand hall of the 'Chambers of Love.' The +landlady pointed to the door of the apartment to which Fanny Aubrey had +been conveyed; the old libertine opened the door, and entered.</p> + +<p>In a few moments a piercing scream is heard—then another; but alas! +those sounds could not be heard above, from the depths of that +voluptuous tomb. But hark!—there is a noise without—nearer and nearer +comes the tumult—the great door is burst open with a tremendous crash, +and Jew Mike rushes in, followed by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> Corporal Grimsby. "This way!" +shouts the Jew—"Forward!" responds the gallant Corporal. They reach the +door of the <i>Satin Chamber</i>—they open it.</p> + +<p>"Brick-bats and paving-stones! just in time again!"</p> + +<p>There, upon a satin couch, her dress disordered and torn, her face +flushed, her hair in wild disorder, her bosom naked and bleeding, lay +Fanny Aubrey, panting, writhing, fiercely struggling in the ruffian +grasp of the villain Tickels, who savagely turned and confronted the +intruders. In an instant, he was stunned by a powerful blow from the +gigantic fist of Jew Mike, and Fanny was folded in the arms of her +preserver, the brave old Corporal.</p> + +<p>They left that underground hell—the Corporal, bearing the now overjoyed +Fanny in his arms, and Jew Mike, half carrying, half dragging the +insensible form of old Tickels. They reached the chamber above, and +emerged from the secret panel; the affrightened inmates of the house +offered no resistance; they entered the cab which was in waiting, and +were driven to the residence of the Corporal, who, with his fair young +<i>protege</i>, alighted, and entered the house; then Jew Mike and his victim +were driven to Ann street, and the vehicle halted before the cellar +which led to the 'Pig Pen.'</p> + +<p>The night was very dark, and no one observed the Jew, as, issuing from +the cab, he descended into the cellar, bearing in his powerful arms the +unconscious form of Tickels. Fortunately for him, he passed through the +cellar and 'Pig Pen,' without exciting much notice, as the hour was too +early for the usual revellers of the place to assemble, and those who +saw him, merely supposed that he was carrying some drunken friend to a +place of safety from the police—a sight common enough in that region. +Mike needed no light to guide his footsteps, he traversed the dark +passage, he seized the iron ring, and drew up the trap door of the 'Coal +Hole,' from which the Corporal so providentially escaped. Then, with a +deep curse, he cast the old libertine into the dark abyss, closed the +entrance, and departed.</p> + +<p>When Tickels revived, and found himself in that loathsome place, he rent +the air with his cries and supplications; but no aid came to the +crime-polluted wretch, and in a few days he sank beneath the combined +effects of despair, starvation, and the foetid atmosphere, and miserably +perished.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION</h2> + + +<p>The Conclusion of a Tale is like the end of a journey: the Author throws +aside his pen and foolscap as the tired traveller does the dusty +garments of the road, and stretching himself at ease, looks back upon +the various companions of his erratic ramblings.</p> + +<p>The curiosity of the reader is doubtless highly excited to know who +"Corporal Grimsby" is. Circumstances, we regret to say, will not permit +us to state definitely—but should a guess be made that the worthy old +Corporal, and a certain Capt.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> S——, commander of a Revenue Cutter, +were one and the same person, we will venture to say that the conjecture +would not be far removed from the actual truth.</p> + +<p>The "Chevalier Duvall" and the "Duchess" still continue in their +brilliant career of crime, in Boston. We regret that the limits of the +present work have not permitted us to record more fully their +extraordinary operations in voluptuous intrigue and stupendous fraud.</p> + +<p>Fanny Aubrey is again a happy inmate of the family of Mr. Goldworthy. +Poor Alice, although a shade has been cast over her pure life by the +dark villainy of the Chevalier, has been restored to a state of +comparative felicity by the constant kindness and sympathy of her +relatives and friends.</p> + +<p>"Jew Mike" has gone on a professional tour to the South and West. "Sow +Nance" has become the most abandoned prostitute in Ann street.</p> + +<p>Dear reader, thanking thee for the patience with which thou hast +accompanied us in our devious wanderings, and hoping that thou hast not +always found us to be a dull companion, we bid thee farewell.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VENUS IN BOSTON;***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 28267-h.txt or 28267-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/2/6/28267">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/2/6/28267</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Venus in Boston; + A Romance of City Life + + +Author: George Thompson + + + +Release Date: March 7, 2009 [eBook #28267] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VENUS IN BOSTON;*** + + +E-text prepared by Woodie4, Suzanne Shell, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustration. + See 28267-h.htm or 28267-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/2/6/28267/28267-h/28267-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/2/6/28267/28267-h.zip) + + + + + +VENUS IN BOSTON; + +A Romance of City Life. + + + + + + + + "Ah, Vice! how soft are thy voluptuous ways! + While boyish blood is mantling, who can 'scape + The fascination of thy magic gaze? + A Cherub-hydra round us dost thou gape, + And mould to every taste, thy dear, delusive shape." + BYRON'S CHILDE HAROLD + + +{First published 1849} + + +CONTENTS + + VENUS IN BOSTON; + + A Romance of City Life + + + INTRODUCTION 3 + + CHAPTER I. _The blind Basket-maker and his family._ 3 + + CHAPTER II. _Innocence in the Grip of Lust._ 7 + + CHAPTER III. _The Rescue._ 17 + + CHAPTER IV. _A night in Ann street._ 20 + + CHAPTER V. _The Chevalier and the Duchess._ 52 + + CHAPTER VI. _The Stolen Package._ 75 + + CHAPTER VII. _Showing the operations of Jew Mike._ 90 + + CHAPTER VIII. _The Chambers of Love._ 98 + +[Illustration: Frontispiece to _Venus in Boston_, 1850 edition. By +courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library.] + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +I conceive it to be a prominent fault of most of the tales of fiction +that are written and published at the present day, that they are not +sufficiently _natural_--their style is too much exaggerated--and in +aiming to produce startling effects, they depart too widely from the +range of probability to engage the undivided interest of the enlightened +and judicious reader. Believing as I do that the romance of reality--the +details of common, everyday life--the secret history of things hidden +from the public gaze, but of the existence of which there can be no +manner of doubt--are endowed with a more powerful and absorbing interest +than any extravagant flight of imagination can be, it shall be my aim in +the following pages to adhere as closely as possible to truth and +reality; and to depict scenes and adventures which have actually +occurred, and which have come to my knowledge in the course of an +experience no means limited--an experience replete with facilities for +acquiring a perfect insight into human nature, and a knowledge of the +many secret springs of human action. + +The most favorable reception which my former humble productions have met +with, at the hands of a kind and indulgent public, will, I trust, +justify the hope that the present Tale may meet with similar +encouragement. It certainly shall not prove inferior to any of its +predecessors in the variety of its incidents or the interest of its +details; and as a _romance of city life_, it will amply repay the +perusal of all country readers, as well as those who reside in cities. + +With these remarks, preliminary and explanatory, I proceed at once to +draw the curtain, and unfold the opening scene of my drama. + + + + +CHAPTER I + +_The blind Basket-maker and his family._ + + +It was a winter's day, and piercing cold; very few pedestrians were to +be seen in Boston, and those few were carefully enveloped in warm cloak +and great coats, for the weather was of that intense kind that chills +the blood and penetrates to the very bone. Even Washington street--that +great avenue of wealth and promenade of fashion, usually thronged with +the pleasure-seeking denizens of the metropolis--was comparatively +deserted, save by a few shivering mortals, who hurried on their way with +rapid footsteps, anxious to escape from the relentless and iron grasp +of hoary winter. And yet on that day, and in that street, there stood +upon the pavement directly opposite the "Old South Church," a young girl +of about the age of fourteen years, holding in her hand a small basket +of fruit, which she offered to every passer-by. Now there was nothing +very extraordinary in this, neither was there anything very unusual in +the meek and pleading look of the little fruit girl, as she timidly +raised her large blue eyes to the face of every one who passed her--for +such humble callings, and such mute but eloquent appeals, are the common +inheritance of many, very many of God's poor in large cities, and do not +generally attract any great degree of notice from the careless (and too +often unfeeling) children of prosperity;--but there was something in the +appearance of the pale, sad girl, as, in her scant attire she shivered +in the biting wind, not often met with in the humble disciples of +poverty--a certain subdued, gentle air, partaking of much unconscious +grace, that whispered of better days gone by. + +At length the clock in the steeple of the "Old South" pronounced that +the dinner hour had arrived--and despite the intense cold, the street +soon became alive with people hurrying to and fro; for what weather can +induce a hungry man to neglect that important era in the events of the +day--his _dinner_? This perfumed exquisite hurried by to fulfil an +appointment and dine at Parker's; the more sober and economical citizen +hastened on his way to "feed" at some establishment of less pretensions +and more moderate prices; while the mass of the diners-out repaired to +appease their hunger at the numerous cheap refectories that abound in +the neighborhood. But the poor, forlorn little fruit girl stood +unnoticed by the passing throng, which like the curtain of a river +hurried by, leaving her upon its margin, a neglected, drooping flower. + +"Ah," she murmured--"why will they not buy my fruit? I have not taken a +single penny to-day, and how can I return home to poor grandfather and +my little brother, without food? Good people, could you but see them, +your hearts would be softened--." And the tears rolled down her cheeks. + +While thus soliloquizing, she had not noticed the approach of a little +old man, in a faded, threadbare suit, and with a care-worn, wrinkled +countenance. He stopped short when he saw that she was weeping, and in +an abrupt, yet not unkind manner, inquired-- + +"My child, why do you weep?" + +The girl looked up through her tears at the stranger, and in a few +artless words related her simple story. She was an orphan, and with her +little brother, lived with her grandfather. They were very poor, and +were wholly dependent upon a small pittance which the grandfather (who +was blind) daily earned by basket making, together with the very small +profits which she realized by the sale of fruit in the streets. Her +grandfather was very ill, and unable to work, and the poor family had +not tasted food that day. + +"Poor thing!" exclaimed the little old man when she had concluded her +affecting narrative. He straightaway began fumbling in his pockets, and +it seemed with no very satisfactory result, for he muttered--"The devil! +I have no money--not a copper; bah! I can give you nothing. But hold! +where do you live, my child?" + +The girl stated her place of residence, which was in an obscure but +respectable section of the city. The little old man produced a greasy +memorandum book, and a stump of a pencil, with which he noted down the +direction; then, uttering a grunt of satisfaction, but without saying a +single word, he resumed his walk, and was soon lost in the crowd. + +Evening came, and with it a furious snow-storm. Madly the wind careered +through the streets--now fiercely dashing the snow into the faces of +such unfortunate travellers as chanced to be abroad in that wild +weather--now shaking the roofs of crazy old houses--and now tearing away +in the distance with a howl of triumph at its power. The storm fiend was +abroad--the elements were at war, and yet in the midst of that furious +tumult, the poor fruit girl was toiling on her way towards her humble +home. She reached it at last. It was a poor and lowly place, the abode +of humble but decent poverty; yet the angel of peace had spread her +wings there, and contentment had sat with them at their frugal board. +True, it was but a garret; yet that little family, with hearts united by +holy love, felt that to them it was a _home_. And then its little window +commanded a distant view of a shining river, and green, pleasant fields +beyond; and all day long, in fine weather, the cheerful sunshine looked +in upon them, casting a gleam of gladness upon their hearts. It had been +a happy home to the blind basket-maker and his grandchildren; but alas! +sickness had laid its heavy hand upon the aged man, and want and +wretchedness had become their portion. + +The girl entered with a sad heart, for she brought no relief to the +hungering and sorrowing inmates of that lowly dwelling. Without saying a +word she seated herself at the bed-side of her grandfather, and taking +his hand in hers, bedewed it with her tears. The old man turned towards +her, and said-- + +"Thou art weeping, Fanny--what distresses thee? Tears are for the aged +and the sorrowing--not for the young. Thou hast not brought us +food?--well, well; the will of Heaven be done! I shall soon be in the +grave, and then thou and Charley--" + +"No, no, grandfather, pray don't say so," cried the poor girl, sobbing +as if her heart would break--"what should we do without you? Heaven may +spare you many happy years. I can work for you, and--" + +"So can I, too," rejoined her brother Charley, a lad eight or nine years +of age--"and only to-day I got a promise from Mr. Scott the tailor, that +I might, when a little older, run of errands for him, and my wages will +be a dollar and a half a week--only think how much money I shall earn!" + +"Thou art a brave little man," said the grandfather--"but, my children, +let us put our trust in God, and if it is His will that my earthly +pilgrimage should end, be it so! Thank Heaven, I owe nothing, and can +die at peace with all the world." + +It had long been Fanny's custom to occupy an hour or so every evening, +in reading to her grandfather. But that evening she did not, as usual, +draw up the little table, and open the pages of some well-thumbed, +ancient volume, to read, for perhaps the twentieth time, of the valorous +deeds of some famed knight of the olden time, or mayhap, of the +triumphant death of some famed martyr for religion's sake. For alas! the +frugal but wholesome meal which had always preceded the reading of those +ancient chronicles, was now wanting; and the little family sat +listening to the raging of the pitiless storm without and counting the +weary moments as they passed. + +The bell in a neighboring steeple had just told the hour of nine, when, +as the echo of that last stroke died away in the distance, a heavy step +was heard ascending the stairs that led to their humble apartment. As +the sound approached nearer, Fanny heard a voice occasionally giving +utterance to expressions of extreme irritation and impatience, +accompanied by certain sounds indicating that the person, whoever it +might be, often stumbled upon the dark, narrow and somewhat dilapidated +stair-case. "Blood and bomb-shells!" exclaimed a voice--"I shall never +reach the top, and my shins are broken. The devil! there I go again. +Corporal Grimsby, thou art an ass, and these stairs are the devil's +trap!" And here the luckless unknown paused a moment to breathe, rub his +shins, and refresh himself with an emphatic imprecation upon all dark +and broken stair-cases in general, but upon _that_ one in particular. At +this moment, Fanny made her appearance at the landing with a light, and +was astonished to behold her new acquaintance of that afternoon, the +little old man who had inquired her residence. A most rueful expression +sat upon his visage, and he carried upon one arm a huge basket. The +friendly light enabled him soon to reach the end of his journey; he +entered the little room without ceremony, and depositing his burden upon +the table, exclaimed-- + +"Hark'ee, child, I am an old soldier, am not apt to grumble at trifles, +[_illegible word_] and blunderbusses! I never before got into such a +snarl.--Mounting the ramparts of the enemy was mere child's play to it!" +Here he began to take out the contents of the basket, meanwhile keeping +up a running commentary, during which his countenance wore an expression +of the most intense ill-humor, in strange contrast with the evident +benevolence of his character and intentions. He found fault with +everything which he had brought, although, in truth, the articles were +all of excellent quality. + +"Here," said he, with a growl of dissatisfaction--"is a pair of +chickens--starved, skinny imps, for which I paid double their value to +that knave of a poultry merchant--bah! And here are some French rolls, +that I'll be sworn are as hard as the French cannon balls that were +thrown at Austerlitz. These vegetables are well enough, and this pastry +hath a savory smell, but pistols and cutlasses! this wine _looks_ as +sour as General Grouty's face on a grand parade. Let me draw the cork +and taste--no, by the nose of Napoleon! it is excellent--fit for the +great Frederick himself. Here, child, haste and spread a cloth, for I am +hungrier than a Cossack. Powder and shot! we shall have a supper fit for +a Field Marshal!" + +By this time the eccentric but kind old man had placed upon the table +all the materials of an excellent and substantial repast. This done, he +turned to the grandfather of Fanny, who had listened to his speech with +much astonishment, and exclaimed-- + +"Cheer thee up, old friend, cheer thee up, and pick a bone with us; +here, wash the cobwebs from thy throat by a hearty draught from this +flask. I am an old soldier, and love all men; I stand on no ceremony; so +fall to, fall to!" + +Saying this, he seated himself at the table, and having seen that all +were duly supplied with a liberal portion of the edibles, commenced the +attack with [_illegible word_] truly surprising. Nor were the others at +all backward in emulating so good an example. The grandfather, whose +illness had mainly been produced by a lack of those little luxuries so +essential to the debilities and infirmities of advanced age, after +partaking sparingly of what was set before him, felt himself much +bettered and refreshed thereby; and Fanny, who had dried her tears, and +satisfied the cravings of hunger, smiled her gratitude upon the kind +provider. Little Charley had already become much attached to "good +Corporal Grimsby," who had given him such a nice supper--while the +latter gentleman, having finished his meal, drew forth an antiquated +pipe, having a Turk's head for the bowl and a coiled serpent for the +stem, which having lighted, he proceeded to smoke with much gravity and +thoughtfulness. Not a word did he utter, but smoked away in silence, +until the clock struck ten; then pocketing his pipe, and depositing the +now empty flask and dishes in the basket, he announced his intention of +departing. The grandfather was cut short in a grateful acknowledgment of +the stranger's kindness, by the abrupt exit of that singular personage, +who bolted down stairs with a precipitancy that was truly alarming, +scarce waiting for Fanny to light him down. + +This singular visit was of course the subject of much surprise and +conjecture in the little family of the blind basket-maker; but when +Fanny related how the stranger had accosted her in the street, and +inquired her residence, they concluded that he was some eccentric but +benevolent person, who had taken that method of contributing to the +relief of their wants. + +And who was this queer little old man, so shabby and threadbare--so +"full of strange oaths,"--so odd in his manner, so kind in his +heart--calling himself Corporal Grimsby--who had come forward at that +opportune moment to supply a starving family with food? Time will show. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +_Innocence in the Grip of Lust._ + + +The day which succeeded the stormy night described in the last chapter, +was an unusually fine one. The sun shone clear and bright, and many +people were abroad to enjoy the fine bracing air, and indemnify +themselves for having been kept within doors on the preceding day. The +streets were covered with an ample garment of snow, and the merry music +of the sleigh-bells was heard in every direction. + +At an early hour, Fanny Aubrey (for that was the name of our little +heroine,) issued from her dwelling, and taking the sunny side of the +streets, resumed her accustomed perambulations, with her basket on her +arm. Fanny was small for her age, but exceedingly pretty; her eyes were +of a dark blue--her hair a rich auburn--her features radiant with the +inexpressible charm of youth and innocence. I have said that her air was +superior to her condition; in truth, every motion of hers had in it a +certain winning grace, and her step was light as a fawn's, although her +figure was not without a certain degree of plumpness, which gave ample +promise of a speedy voluptuous development. Though plumpness in the +female figure is considered to be incompatible with perfect grace, I +agree with those who regard it as decidedly preferable to an excessive +thinness, though the latter be accompanied with the lightness of a +zephyr, and the grace of a sylph. + +Dress is sometimes acknowledged to be a sign of character--and the dress +of Fanny Aubrey certainly indicated the native refinement of her +mind--for though poor in material and faded by long use, it was well put +on and scrupulously neat--indeed, there was something almost coquettish +in the style of her bonnet and the arrangement of her scanty shawl--too +scanty, alas! to shield her adequately from the inclemency of the +weather. + +As she passed along the street, her beauty and prepossessing appearance +attracted the attention of many gay loiterers, who regard her with +various feelings of admiration, pity and surprise that one so lovely +should pursue so humble an occupation; nor were there wanting many +well-dressed libertines, young and old, who gazed with eyes of lustful +desire upon the fair young creature, evidently so unprotected and so +poor. + +Reader, pardon us if for one brief moment we pause to contemplate the +black and hideous character of THE SEDUCER. Should the teeming hosts of +hell's dominions meet in grand convention, amid the mysterious darkness +and lurid flames of their eternal abode--should that infernal conclave +of murderers, robbers, monsters of iniquity, perpetrators of damning +crimes; possessors of black hearts and polluted souls on earth, whose +mighty sins had sunk them in that burning pit--should all those lost +spirits select from among their number, _one fiend_, the worst of them +all, to represent them _all_ on earth--unite within his being _all_ the +crimes of which they had collectively been guilty--to show mankind how +vast and stupendous have been _all_ the sins perpetrated since the +creation of the globe--_that fiend_ could not cast a blacker shadow upon +human nature than doth the seducer of female innocence. Oh! if there be +one wretch living who deserves to be cast forth from the society of his +fellow men--if there be one who deserves to be trod on as a venomous +insect, and crushed as the vilest reptile that crawls--it is he who +calmly and deliberately sets himself about the hellish task of +accomplishing the ruin of a weak, confiding woman--and then, having +sipped the sweets and inhaled the fragrance of the flower, tramples it +beneath his feet. Will not the thunderbolts of Omnipotent wrath shatter +the perjured soul of such a villain? + +But to resume. Fanny Aubrey pursued her walk, and was so fortunate as to +escape the insults (except such as were conveyed in glances,) of the +many libertines who are ever ready to take advantage of a female in a +situation like hers. As she was passing a magnificent mansion in a +quarter of the city mainly occupied by the residences of the +aristocracy, a beautiful young lady alighted from a splendid sleigh, and +observing the little fruit girl, beckoned her to approach. Fanny +modestly complied, and the young lady, with one of the sweetest smiles +imaginable selected an orange from her basket, and taking out a purse, +presented her with a bright gold coin. + +"I have no change, Miss," said Fanny, in some confusion. + +"Keep the money, my poor girl," rejoined the young lady, with a look of +deep compassion, as a tear of pity dimmed her bright eyes--"I am sure +you need it; you are much too pretty for such an employment. If you will +try and pass this way to-morrow at about this time, you may see me +again." + +Amid Fanny's heartfelt thanks, the young lady entered the mansion, and +the door was closed. + +Poor Fanny! she resumed her journey with a light heart. She never before +had possessed so much money. Five dollars! the sum seemed inexhaustible, +and she began to devise a thousand plans to expend it to advantage--and +the fact that she herself was not included in any of those plans, was a +beautiful illustration of the unselfishness of her character. Not for a +moment did she dream of appropriating it to the purchase of a good warm +shawl or dress for herself, although, poor girl! she so much needed +both. She would buy a nice comfortable rocking-chair for her +grandfather; or a thick great-coat for little Charley--she couldn't make +up her mind which, she loved them both so much--yet when she thought of +the poor, sick, blind old man, a holy pity triumphed over sisterly +affection, and she resolved upon the rocking-chair. Then she determined +to hasten homewards to communicate her good fortune to her friends; and +on her way she could not help thinking of the beautiful young lady who +had given her the money, of her sweet smile, and the kind words she had +spoken; and wondered if she should really see her again the next day. +These thoughts, and the hope of seeing her benefactress again, made her +feel very happy; and she was hastening towards her home with a glad +heart, when her footsteps were arrested by a crowd of those dissolute +young females, who pervade every section of the city, and are +universally known as "apple girls." + +These girls are usually from ten to fifteen years of age, and are +proverbial for their vicious propensities and dishonesty. Under pretence +of selling their fruit, they are accustomed to penetrate into the +business portions of the city particularly; and in doing this they have +two objects in view. In the first place, if on entering an office or +place of business, they find nobody in, an opportunity is afforded them +for plunder; and it is needless to say they are ever ready to steal and +carry off whatever they can lay their hands on. Secondly, these girls +have been brought up in vice from their infancy; they are, for the most +part, neither more nor less than common prostitutes, and will freely +yield their persons to whoever will pay for the same.--Should the +merchant, or lawyer, or man of business, into whose office one of these +"apple girls" may chance to intrude, solicit her favors (and there are +many miscreants, _respectable_ ones, too, who do this, as we shall +show,) and offer her a small pecuniary reward, he has only to lock his +door and draw his curtains, to accomplish his object without the +slightest difficulty. Thus, their ostensible employment of selling fruit +is nothing but a cloak for their real trade of prostitution and +thieving. The profanity and obscenity of their conversation alone, is a +sufficient evidence of their true character. + +The girls whom we have mentioned as having encountered Fanny on her +return home, were a squalid and dirty set, though several of them were +not destitute of good looks, as far as form and features were +concerned. They surrounded her with many a fierce oath and ribald jest, +and it was easy to see that they were jealous of her superior +cleanliness of person and respectability of character. + +"Ha, ha!" cried one, a dirty-faced wench of thirteen, clutching Fanny +fiercely by the arm, while the poor girl stood afraid and trembling in +the midst of that elfish crew--"ha, ha! here is my fine lady, with her +smooth face and clean gown, who disdains to keep company with us, and do +as we do! Let us tear off her clothes, and roll her in the mire!" + +They were proceeding to act upon this suggestion, when Fanny, bewildered +and speechless with terror, dropped her gold coin, which she held in her +hand, upon the ground. It was instantly snatched up by one of the gang, +who was immediately attacked by the others, and a fierce struggle +ensued, for the possession of the coin, the young wretches tearing, +scratching and biting each other like so many wild cats. During this +conflict, Fanny made off as fast as she could run, but was followed and +overtaken by one of the gang, a large girl of fifteen, who was known +among her companions by the pleasing title of "Sow Nance." She was a +thief and prostitute of the most desperate and abandoned character, +hideously ugly in person, and of a disposition the most ferocious and +deceitful.--Laying her brawny hand upon Fanny's shoulder, she said, in a +hoarse and croaking voice-- + +"See here, Miss What's-yer-name, I wants to speak to you, if you please. +You needn't be afraid of me, for I won't hurt you. Them thieving hussies +has got your money, and you must make up your loss the best way you can. +Look at my basket--you see it's empty, don't yer? I've sold all my fruit +already, and if you'll go with me, I'll show you a nice gentleman who +will buy all the fruit in your little basket, and pay you well, too. +It's not far--will you go with me?" + +The prospect of effecting a speedy sale of her stock in trade, was too +tempting to be resisted by poor Fanny, especially in view of the severe +loss she had just sustained, in being robbed of the money which the kind +young lady had given her. She therefore gladly consented to accompany +Sow Nance to the nice gentleman who would pay her so well for the +contents of her basket. + +Poor, innocent, unsuspecting Fanny! she little thought that the +abandoned creature at her side was leading her into a snare, imminently +dangerous to her peace of mind and future happiness! "I will save up +money enough to buy grandfather a rocking-chair, after all," thought +she, as she gaily trudged onward, while ever and anon Sow Nance would +glare savagely at her from the corners of her snake-like eyes. It is one +of the worst qualities peculiar to corrupt human nature, the hatred with +which the wicked and abandoned regard the innocent and pure. Fanny had +never in the slightest degree injured the wretch who was plotting her +ruin;--and Sow Nance had no other reason for hating her, than because +she herself was a guilty and polluted being, while Fanny she knew to be +without stain or blemish. + +In about a quarter of an hour they reached a handsome brick house in +South street. + +"This is the place," said Sow Nance, as she rang the door bell; the +summons was immediately answered by an old negro woman, who, exchanging +a significant look with Nance, admitted them, and ushered them into a +large parlor. The apartment was handsomely furnished, the walls adorned +with many pictures, and the floor covered with a very rich carpet. + +"Sit down, young ladies, and I will call Mr. Tickels down," said the old +negro woman, as she left the room; in a few moments, a gentleman +entered, and regarded Fanny with a gaze so piercing, that the poor girl +was covered with confusion. + +The gentleman was, to all appearances, full sixty years of age; he was a +large, portly man, with very gray hair and a very red face: he was +attired in a dressing-gown and slippers, and wore a magnificent diamond +pin in his shirt frill. + +This man was one of those wealthy beasts whose lusts run riot on the +innocence of young females--whose crimes outnumbered the gray hairs upon +his head, and whose riches were devoted to no other purpose than the +procurement of victims for his appetite, and the gratification of his +abominable passions. + +A vague, strange fear stole over Fanny, while this gentleman thus viewed +her so closely--a fear which she could not define, yet which rendered +her excessively uneasy. Apparently the survey was satisfactory to the +gentleman--for he smiled, and in doing so displayed two rows of teeth +not unlike the fangs of a wolf. Then he beckoned Sow Nance to follow him +from the room, and held a whispered conversation with her in the +passage. + +"Who is she, Nance?" asked the gentleman. + +"Not _one of us_," was the reply, "she sells fruit, and is poor, but her +folks are respectable;--you must pay me well for bringing her here, for +she's handsome." + +"True; but are you sure she has never--" + +"_Sure!_" replied Nance, almost fiercely--"I'll take my oath on it; +hasn't she always kept away from us, and ain't all the girls hating her +like h----l, 'cause she's virtuous? Don't you suppose _I_ know?" + +"Good," said the gentleman; and taking a gold coin from his pocket, he +gave it to Nance, who, stooping down, secreted it in her stocking; then +she noiselessly opened the front door and left the house, singing in a +hoarse voice, as she sped on her way towards Ann street, (where she +lived,) these barbarous words:-- + + "The lamb to the wolf is sold, sold, sold; + No more she'll return to her fold, fold, fold-- + And Sow Nance will dare another to snare, + And the wolf shall have her for gold, gold, gold!" + +The gentleman (I use the word _ironically_, reader,) re-entered the +parlor, advanced to where Fanny was seated, and laying his heavy hand +upon the young girl's shoulder, glued his polluted lips to her pure +cheek. She sprang from his profaning grasp with a cry of terror, and +fled towards the door--it was _locked_! The gentleman laughed, and +said-- + +"No, no, my pretty bird, you cannot escape from your cage so easily; and +why should you wish to? Your cage shall have golden wires, and you shall +be fed on delicacies, my little flutterer--so smooth the feathers of +your bright wings, my dear, and sing your sweetest notes!" + +Fanny burst into tears, and fell on her knees before the old +libertine.--Young and innocent as she was, a dark suspicion of his +purpose came like a shadow over her soul, and she cried in piteous +accents-- + +"Pray, good sir, let me go home to my poor grandfather and my little +brother--they will be expecting me, and will feel worried at my absence. +Surely, sir, you will not have the heart to harm me--I am but a poor +fruit girl, without father or mother. Pray let me go, sir." + +That appeal, made touching by the youth and innocence of the speaker, +and by her profound distress, might have melted a heart of iron--but it +moved not the stony heart of the old villain, and he looked upon her +with his cold, hard eyes, and his disgusting smile, as he said-- + +"Your tears make you doubly interesting, my sweet child. I am afraid +that your poor grandfather and your little brother, as you call them, +will be obliged to wait a long while for your return, let them worry +ever so much at your absence. You say truly that I have not the heart to +harm you, a poor fruit girl,--no, I will make a lady of you; and as you +have, you say, neither father nor mother, I will supply their place, my +pretty dear, and be your _lover_ into the bargain. Those coarse garments +shall be changed for silks and satins,--that shining hair shall be made +radiant with gems,--jewels shall sparkle on that fair neck, and on those +taper fingers,--you shall ride in a carriage, and have servants to wait +on you,--and you shall sleep on a downy bed, and live in a grand house, +like this. Say, will not all these fine things be better than selling +fruit in the cold streets?" + +But the sobbing girl implored him to let her go home. The gentleman +ground his teeth with rage. + +"Well, well," said he, after a brief pause, and speaking in an assumed +tone of kindness, "you _shall_ go home, since you wish it." He rang a +bell, and the old negro woman appeared, to whom he whispered for a few +moments, and then left the room. + +"Come, Miss," said the old wench, addressing Fanny, with a grin that was +anything but encouraging or expressive of a friendly feeling--"come with +me up stairs, and wash the tears from your pretty face; then you shall +go home--ha, ha, ha!" + +It was a demon's laugh, full of malice and hatred; yet Fanny smiled +through her tears, for she saw not the old wretch's malignity, and only +thought of her escape from the danger which had menaced her, and +anticipated the happiness she should feel when once more in safety +beneath her own humble roof, in the society of all she held dear on +earth. Joyfully did she follow the old wench up stairs and into an +apartment still more handsomely furnished than the one below; but what +was her astonishment and affright, when her sable conductress gave her a +violent push which threw her violently to the floor, and then quickly +left the room and locked the door! A presentiment that she was +imprisoned, and for the worst of purposes, flashed through her mind, and +she made the apartment resound with her shrieks. But, alas! no help was +near--no friendly hand was there to burst open the door of her prison, +and rescue her from a house, within whose walls she was threatened with +the worst fate that can befall a helpless maiden--the loss of her honor. +Her loud shrieks penetrated not beyond the precincts of that massive +building--her calls for help were answered only by the taunting laugh of +the black hag outside, who loaded her with alternate abuse, threats, and +curses. At last, exhausted and despairing, poor Fanny threw herself upon +the carpet, and prayed--oh, how earnestly!--that no harm might happen to +her, which could call the blush of shame to her cheek, or make her poor +grandfather think of her as a lost, polluted thing. + +Somewhat relieved by this, (and who shall say that a holy whisper +breathed not into her pure heart the assurance that she should pass +unscathed through the fiery furnace?) she arose with a calmer spirit, +and began to survey the apartment in which she was confined. It was a +large room, very elegantly furnished, containing a piano, and a +profusion of paintings. On examining one of these, Fanny turned away +with a burning cheek--for it was one of those immodest productions of +the French school, which show how art and talent can be perverted to the +basest uses. She looked at no more of the pictures, but went to a window +and looked out. The view from thence was not extensive, but merely +included a garden of moderate size, surrounded by a high wall; the +prospect was not a pleasant one, for instead of blooming flowers, the +appropriate divinities of such a place, nothing was to be seen but a +smooth surface of snow, relieved here and there by gaunt trees, whose +leafless branches waved mournfully in the breeze, seeming to sing a +requiem for the departed summer. + +Fanny turned sadly away from this gloomy prospect, and seating herself +upon a luxurious sofa, abandoned herself to the melancholy reflections +engendered by her situation. Soon the fortitude which she had summoned +to her aid, deserted her, and as the increasing darkness of the room +betokened the approach of night, a thousand fears chilled her heart. She +was alone in that strange house--no friends were near--the treatment she +had received from the gentleman and his negro menial, indicated that +neither of them would hesitate to do her mischief, if they were so +inclined--what if they should murder her--or, dreadful thought! first +outrage, and then despatch her! While employed in such terrible +meditations as these, the darkness increased; grim shadows hovered +around, and dim but terrific shapes seemed to glide towards the +trembling girl. She groped her way towards the window, and looked +out--there was no moon, and not a star glimmered in the firmament. Soon +the darkness grew so intense, that had she held her hand close to her +eyes, she could not have seen it. + +Every moment augmented her fears; and sinking down in one corner, she +pressed her hands to her aching eyes, as if to shut out some hideous +spectacle. + +Not long had she been thus, when a mortal terror, to which all her other +fears were as nothing, seized her; she shivered with horror, and cold +perspiration started from every pore of her skin--for her sense of +hearing, painfully acute, detected the presence of a _moving object_ in +the room--she heard the rustle of garments--a footstep--the sound of +breathing; she strained her eyes through the intense darkness, but could +distinguish nothing. The moving object approaching her, nearer and +nearer--it seemed to be groping in search of her--and her blood froze +with horror when at last a cold hand touched her cheek, and she beheld a +pair of eyes glaring at her through the gloom. A low, mocking laugh--a +whispered curse--and the object glided away; then Fanny lost all +consciousness. + +When she recovered from the swoon into which she had fallen, daylight +was shining through the windows. Hours passed away, and no one came to +invade the girl's solitude. At about noon, the door was unlocked, and +the old negro woman appeared, bearing a plate of provisions and a basket +full of clothing. Placing the food before Fanny, the hag bade her eat, a +request readily complied with, as she had fasted since the preceding +day. While she was eating, the old negress regarded her with a hideous +grin, and eyes expressing all the malignity of a serpent; and at the +conclusion of the repast, asked her-- + +"Well, Miss, how did you pass the night?" + +Fanny related the fearful visitation she had experienced, and implored +to be released from her confinement; the black woman laughed +disdainfully. + +"No, no, Miss," said she, "my master will never let you go until of your +own free will, you become his own little lady, and take him for a lover. +Listen to me, girl: I am going to speak for your own good. My master is +very fond of young ladies such as you, and goes to every expense to get +them into the house; but he never likes to _force_ them to his wishes, +his delight being to have them _willing_ to receive him as a lover--do +you understand? But those silly girls who are _not_ willing, he shuts up +in this room, which is haunted by a fearful spectre, who every night +visits the obstinate girl, and sometimes punishes her dreadfully, until +she consents to my master's wishes." + +Fanny shuddered--and the old black woman continued, in a gentler tone-- + +"Now won't you, to avoid this fearful spectre, consent to become my +master's little lady? I am sure you will, my dear. See--I have brought +you some fine clothes to wear, so that you may be fit to receive Mr. +Tickels this afternoon, as he intends to visit you. Now, don't fail to +be very good and kind to him, for he loves you very much, and will make +a fine lady of you. Come, let us take off those old clothes, and put on +this beautiful silk dress that has been bought on purpose for you." + +We have so far depicted Fanny as a very timid, gentle girl; but she was +not destitute of a becoming spirit.--When, therefore, she heard that old +wretch so calmly and deliberately talk of her surrendering herself to +dishonor and shame, the flush of indignation mantled her cheek; she +arose, and boldly confronting her tormentor, said, with spirit and +determination-- + +"I _will not_ wear your fine clothes, nor become the slave of your +master's will! He is a villain for keeping me here--and you are a +wretch, a wicked wretch, for trying to tempt me to do wrong. I am not +afraid of the spectre you speak of, for God will protect me, and keep me +from harm. You may kill me, if you like, but I will not--_will not_ be +guilty of the wickedness you wish me to commit; and if ever I get free +from this bad place, you and your master shall be made to suffer for +treating me so. Remember this, you nasty old black devil--remember +this!" + +The negress quailed before the young girl, whose singular beauty was +enhanced ten-fold by the glow of indignation on her cheek and the +sparkle of anger in her eye. Then, without saying a word, she left the +room, locking the door after her. + +Half an hour elapsed, and the wench again made her appearance; in her +hand she carried a short, stout piece of rope. With the fury of a +tigress, and a countenance (black as she was) livid with rage, she flew +at the young girl, tore every shred of clothing from her person, and +then beat her cruelly with the rope, until her fair skin was covered in +various places with black and blue marks. In vain poor Fanny implored +for mercy; the black savage continued to beat her until obliged to +desist by sheer exhaustion. Throwing herself breathless into a chair, +she said, with a fierce oath-- + +"So, Miss--I'm a nasty old black devil, am I? You impudent hussy, how +dare you use such language to me? But I'll learn you better. You shall +be more civil, and do as my master wishes, and obey me in everything, or +I'll not leave a whole bone in your skin. Now put on these new clothes +instantly, or I solemnly swear I'll not leave off beating you, until you +lie at my feet, a corpse!" + +Poor Fanny was obliged to obey--for, apart from the black woman's +threat, she had no alternative but to put on the costly garments which +had been procured for her, her own clothes being torn to pieces; and of +course she did not wish to remain in a state of nudity. She therefore +dressed herself--and in truth, the garments were well selected, and +fitted her to a charm. Even when attired in her old clothes, she had +looked exceedingly pretty; but now, dressed in an elegant costume which +displayed her fine shape and budding charms to the best advantage, she +was positively beautiful. Even the old black woman could not help +smiling with satisfaction at her improved appearance. + +"She is a choice tit-bit for my master's appetite," thought she, +chuckling to herself; and then she brought water, and made Fanny wash +the traces of tears from her face, and arrange her rich auburn hair +neatly and tastefully. This done, the negress departed, after telling +the young girl to prepare to receive Mr. Tickels in the course of the +afternoon. + +What must have been the reflections of that poor young creature, while +dreading the entrance of the hoary villain who sought her ruin? We can +but imagine them: doubtless she thought with agony of her poor +grandfather and little Charley, both of whom she knew would suffer all +the anguish of uncertainty and fear, with reference to her fate. Then, +perhaps, her mind reverted to the happiness she used to enjoy within the +hallowed precincts of her humble home--which, humble as it was, and +devoid of every luxury, and many comforts, was nevertheless endeared to +her by a thousand tender associations, and had been to her as an ark of +safety from the storms of life. Her thoughts next dwelt upon the kind +young lady, who had given her the gold coin, and whose sweet smile and +pitying words still lingered in her heart. And should she ever see those +dear relatives or that kind friend again? Or if she did, would she be +able to look them in the face as a pure and stainless girl, or would she +blush in their presence with a consciousness of degradation? But she was +interrupted in these painful meditations by the sound of the key turning +in the lock; and a moment afterwards Mr. Tickels entered the room, and +advanced towards her. On observing her improved appearance, a smile of +intense satisfaction overspread his bloated face and sensual +features--and his eyes rested admiringly upon her form, which, though +not ripened, was beginning to assume a voluptuous fullness that +betokened approaching womanhood. Taking her hand, he drew her to a sofa +and seated her by his side. How tumultuously her heart beat with +apprehension and fear!--and the old _gentleman's_ first words were by no +means calculated to allay her alarm. + +"My charming little girl," said he, raising her hand to his lips--"how +beautiful you look! A _fruit girl_!--by heavens, you are fit to be a +duchess! Such sweet blue eyes--such luxuriant hair--such pure Grecian +features--such a complexion, the rose blending with the lily--such a +snowy breast, expanding into the two "apples of love!" And that little +foot, peeping so coquettishly from beneath the skirts of your dress, +should ever be encased in a satin slipper, and press naught but rich and +downy carpets in the magnificent saloons of aristocratic wealth! Nay, +nay, my little trembler, be not afraid, but listen to me: I love you +more than words can express--you are the star of my life, and your +lustre shall light me on my way to more than celestial felicity. Hear me +still further: the world bows the knee to me because I am rich--thus do +I kneel to you, my angel, for you are beautiful. You shall dwell with me +in a mansion, to which, in point of splendor, this is nothing. I will +have a _boudoir_ prepared expressly for your use; it shall be lined with +pink satin, and in summer the windows will overlook a beautiful garden, +full of choice fruits and rare flowers; a sparkling fountain shall play +in its centre, and your ears will be ravished with the melody of birds. +You shall wander in that garden as much as you choose, and when you are +tired, you shall repose in a shady arbor, and dream of love and its +thousand blisses. In the winter season, like this, the opera, the +ballroom, the theatre, shall minister to your pleasure; and in those +places, none shall surpass you in splendor of dress or magnificence of +jewels. Say, _belissima_, will you give me your love in exchange for all +these things?" + +While uttering the above wild rhapsody, (which is given at length in +order to show the temptations with which the old libertine sought to +allure his intended victim,) he had kneeled at her feet, and, despite +her resistance, encircled her waist with his arm. + +And did that poor girl--the daughter of poverty--the child of +want--whose home was a garret, and who was familiar with the chills of +winter and the cravings of hunger,--did she, while listening to the +splendid promises of the rich man who knelt at her feet, for a moment +waver in her pride of virtue, or even dream of accepting his brilliant +offers? No! for even had she no other scruples, a host of holy memories +encircled her heart, as a shield of power against the tempter's +wiles,--the memory of home, of the two loved beings she had left there, +of former happiness in a more elevated sphere; and of a gentle mother, +whose beauty and virtues she had inherited, whose counsels she +remembered, and who was sleeping in the churchyard. + +Disengaging herself from the libertine's embrace, and thoroughly aroused +to a sense of her danger, and the necessity of making all the resistance +she was capable of, to preserve her chastity and honor, the young girl, +losing all sense of fear, poured forth a torrent of indignant eloquence +that for the time completely abashed and overcame the hoary and +lecherous villain. + +"No, sir--I will not, cannot love you; I hate and despise you, old +wretch that you are, seeking to tempt a poor child like me to her ruin. +Oh! you are rich, and have the manners of a gentleman before the +world,--and yet you are more base, mean and cowardly than the commonest +ruffian that ever stole a purse or cut a throat! Let me go hence, I +command you; you dare not refuse me, for I know there is a law to +protect _me_, as well as the richest and the highest, and I will go to +those who execute the law, and have you dragged to the bar of justice to +answer for this outrage. Do you hear, sir?--let me go from this accursed +place, or dread the power of the law and the vengeance of Almighty God!" + +The libertine quailed before the flashing eyes and proud scorn of his +intended victim; his discomfiture, however, lasted but for a moment. His +red face grew black with the passions of rage and lust combined; he +muttered a fierce curse, and springing forward, seized her in his +vice-like grasp, and forced her towards the sofa, exclaiming-- + +"Curses on you, little hell-bird, since neither persuasions nor promises +will make you mine, it shall be done by force. Nay, if you scream so, by +the powers of darkness I'll strangle you!" + +In all human probability he would have been as good as his word, for +Fanny continued to scream louder and louder; when suddenly Mr. Tickels +received a blow on the head that brought him to the ground, and a voice +cried out-- + +"Broad-swords and bomb-shells! I am just in time!" + +While the libertine lay sprawling upon the carpet, Fanny turned to thank +her deliverer; and what was her astonishment and joy when she beheld the +wrinkled, care-worn face, and odd, shabby garments of--Corporal Grimsby. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +_The Rescue._ + + +"By the nose of Napoleon!" cried the worthy Corporal, clasping Fanny in +his arms,--"this is fortunate. Attacked the enemy in the rear--drove him +from his position,--completely routed him, and left him wounded on the +field; and you, my dear child, are the spoils of war!" + +Mr. Tickels arose with difficulty from his prostrate position, rubbing +his forehead, which was decorated with a token of the Corporal's vigor, +in the shape of a huge bump not included in the science of phrenology. +Turning fiercely to the latter gentleman, and quivering with rage, he +demanded-- + +"Death and fury, sir! how dare you intrude into this room,--into this +house? Who are you, and what in the devil's name brings you here? Speak, +you villain, or--" + +"Hold!" cried the Corporal, his face crimsoning with anger, for he was a +choleric little old gentleman, was the Corporal, and as quick to become +enraged as to do a good action; "hold! No man shall call me villain with +impunity; I shot two rascally Dons at Madrid for the same word, and by +God, sir, if _you_ repeat it, I'll cane you within an inch of your +life!" + +Mr. Tickels was as great a coward as a scoundrel; and though he was a +much more powerful man than the Corporal, he deemed it prudent not to +enrage the fierce little old gentleman more than necessary. He therefore +adopted a milder tone, and asked,-- + +"Well, sir, what is your business here?" + +"To convey this poor child to her home and friends," replied the +Corporal, sternly. "It matters not how I ascertained her whereabouts; +'tis enough to know that I arrived here in time to rescue her from your +brutality. You shall pay dearly for this outrage, damn you!" added the +Corporal, again getting into a passion, and turning very red in the +face. "But come, my child, let us leave the den of this old hyena, and +go to your poor grandfather and little Charley." + +Mr. Tickels closed the door, and placed his back against it with a +determined air. + +"You are mistaken, sir," said he, calmly,--"if you suppose that you can +thus force yourself into my house, and into my private apartments, and +without explanation kidnap or carry off a young person whose presence +here is no affair of yours. Do you know me, sir? I am the Honorable +Timothy Tickels, ex-member of Congress, men are not in the habit of +questioning my motives or interfering with my actions. I am rich, and my +influence is unbounded, and, were I so disposed, I could have you +severely punished for the assault which you have committed on me. Your +dress and appearance indicate poverty, although your language evinces +that you have enjoyed more elevated fortunes; I am disposed to be not +only merciful, but generous. Come, sir--leave this young person with me, +unmolested; depart from this house quietly, and say nothing about what +you have seen, and here is a fifty dollar bill for you. When you need +more, come to me, and you shall have it." + +The Honorable Mr. Tickels drew from his well-filled wallet a bank-note +for the amount named, and handed it to the Corporal, who regarded it +with a curious smile, and twirled it in his fingers. His smile may have +been one of gratification at receiving the money--but it looked very +much like a sneer of contempt for the donor and his bribe. + +"Now is it not strange," quoth the Corporal, soliloquizing,--"that this +dirty little bit of paper--its intrinsic value not one cent, its +representative value fifty dollars,--is it not strange, I say, that this +flimsy trifle, that an instant's application to the sickly flame of a +penny candle would destroy, can procure food for the starving, clothing +for the naked, shelter for the homeless? Great is thy power, +money!--thou art the key to many of earth's pleasures,--the magic wand, +which can summon a host of delights to gild the existence of thy +votaries; thou cans't buy roses to strew life's rugged pathway--but thou +cans't not, O great deity at whose shrine all men kneel, thou cans't not +cleanse the polluted soul, still the troubled conscience, or dim the +pure surface of unsullied honor. Nor cans't thou purchase _me_, thou +sordid dross. Guns and grappling-irons!" abruptly added the Corporal, +abandoning his philosophical strain, and getting into a towering +passion,--"would you bribe me to desert my post as a guardian of +innocence, and turn traitor to every principle of honor in my +heart?--Bah!" and crumpling the bill in his hand, he threw it into the +face of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, much to that individual's amazement. + +"What do you mean, sir?" he demanded, "do you scorn my gift?" + +"Yes!" thundered the little Corporal, "you and your gift may go to the +devil together; and hark'ee, sir, perhaps 'tis well that you should know +who _I_ am, as you have so formally introduced yourself to me; I am--" + +The remainder of the sentence was whispered in the ear of his listener, +but the effect was magical. The Honorable Mr. Tickels started, and +rapidly surveyed the person and countenance of the Corporal; then he +reddened with confusion, and began to murmur a broken apology for his +conduct, in which he was interrupted rather abruptly. + +"Not a word, sir, not a word," said the little old gentleman, "all your +apologies cannot remove from my mind the impression created by your +treatment of this poor child; and, sir," (here the Corporal again lost +his temper) "you cannot destroy my conviction that you are the d----dest +scoundrel that ever went unhung! Consider yourself fortunate if you are +not held legally responsible for your forcible detention of the young +girl in your house, and for your attempted outrage on her person,--damn +you! Come, my child, this gentleman will no longer oppose our exit from +his mansion." + +The Corporal was right; the Honorable Mr. Tickels offered not the +slightest objection to their departure, but on the contrary ushered them +down stairs with great politeness, and held open the street door for +them to pass out. + +When Fanny found herself once more in the open street, out of the power +of her persecutor, and on the way to her home and friends, her gratitude +to her deliverer knew no bounds; she thanked the good Corporal a +thousand times, and spoke of the approaching meeting with her +grandfather and brother with rapture. Soon they reached their place of +destination; once more the young girl stood in the humble apartment +wherein all her affections were centered;--once more her aged +grandfather clasped her in his arms, and again did she receive the fond +kiss of fraternal love from the lips of her brother. + +As soon as they had left the residence of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, in +South street, the gentleman locked himself up in his study, threw +himself into a chair, and actually began tearing his hair with rage and +vexation. + +"Hell and furies!" cried he--"to be thus fooled and baffled at the very +moment when my object was about to be accomplished--to have that +luscious morsel snatched from my grasp, when I was just about to taste +its sweets. The thought is madness! And, in the name of wonder, how came +HE to know that she was here, and why does _he_ interest himself in her +at all? I dare not trifle with _him_! Were some poor, poverty-stricken +devil to constitute himself her champion, I might crush him at once; but +_he_ is above my reach. No matter; she shall yet be mine--I swear it, by +all the powers of hell! I care not whether by open violence, or secret +abduction, or subtle stratagem; I shall gain possession of her person, +and once in my power, not all the angels in heaven, or men on earth, or +fiends in hell, shall tear her from my grasp.--Ah, by Beelzebub, well +tho't of!--I know the mistress of a house of prostitution (of which +house I am the _owner_,) beneath whose den, as she has often told me, +there is a secret cellar, which she has had privately constructed, and +to which there is no access except through a panel in her chamber--which +panel and the method of opening it, are known only to her, and a few +persons in whom she can place implicit confidence.--This brothel-keeper +told me, too, that she had the cellar made as a safe depository for +young females who had been abducted from their homes,--a place of +security from the search of friends, and the police. In that +subterranean retreat, (which she informed me, is luxuriantly furnished, +although the light of day never penetrates there,) these stolen girls +are compelled to receive the visits of their lovers; and there, amid the +gloom and silence of that underground prison they are initiated in all +the mysteries of prostitution. By heaven 'tis the very place for my +little fruit girl; she shall be abducted and conveyed there--and once +safely lodged in these secret "Chambers of Love," HE who spoiled by +sport to-day, shall in vain search for her. Let him come, bringing with +him the myrmidons of the law; and let them search my house--then let +them, if they choose, go to the brothel, beneath the foundation of which +the girl is hidden, and search _that_ house, too,--ha, ha, ha! They will +search for her in vain. But _how_ to abduct her--there's the rub! Tush! +when did my ingenuity ever fail me, when appetite was to be fed or +revenge gratified? Courage, Timothy Tickels, courage! Thy star, though +dim at present, shall soon be in the ascendant!" + +Such were the reflections of the old libertine, as he sat in his study +after the departure of the Corporal and Fanny; and he was so delighted +at the thought of a safe asylum for the latter, that, with restored good +humor he applied himself to the discussion of a bottle of wine, and +then, stretching himself comfortably on a sofa, fell asleep and dreamed +of the subterranean "Chamber of Love," and the little fruit girl. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +_A night in Ann street._ + + +We proceed now to show how the Corporal discovered the fact that Fanny +Aubrey was confined in the mansion of the Honorable Mr. Tickels, in +South street. + +Great was the consternation and alarm of the blind basket-maker and +little Charley, as the day passed away and evening came on, without the +return of Fanny. They were agitated with a thousand fears for her +safety, for both their lives were bound up in hers, and they doted on +her with an affection rendered doubly ardent by their poverty and almost +complete isolation from the world. In the midst of their distress, +Corporal Grimsby entered, bringing, as on the evening before, a basket +of provisions. To him they communicated the intelligence that Fanny had +not returned; and the eccentric old man, without waiting to hear the +recital of their fears, threw the basket on the table, bolted +precipitately down stairs, and walked away towards Ann street with a +rapidity that betokened the existence of some fixed purpose in his mind. +Meanwhile, his reflections ran somewhat in the following strain, and +were half muttered aloud, as he trudged quickly onward, now nearly +upsetting a foot passenger and receiving a malediction on his +awkwardness, and then bruising his unlucky shins against lampposts and +other street fixtures. + +"By the nose of Napoleon! what can have become of the little minx? lost +or stolen?--most probably the latter, for in this infernal city a pretty +girl like her, so unprotected and so poor, can no more traverse the +streets with safety, than can a fine fat goose waddle into the den of a +wolf unharmed. Curses on these lampposts, I am always breaking my neck +against them--bah! Well, to consider: but why the devil do I interest +myself in this little girl at all? Is it because I am a lonely, solitary +old codger, with neither chick nor child to bless me with their love, +and whom I may love in return? Bah! no--that can't be; and yet, somehow, +there is a vacant corner in my old heart, and the image of that little +girl seems to fill it exactly. I am an old fool, and yet--damn you, sir, +what d'ye mean by running against me, eh!--and yet, it did me more good +to see that hungry family last night, eat the food that I had provided +for them, than it did when I, Gregory Grimsby, was promoted to the +elevated rank of Corporal. Now about this little girl--I'll bet my +three-cornered cock'd hat against a pinch of Scotch snuff that she has +been abducted--entrapped into the power of some scoundrel for the worst +of purposes. That's the most natural supposition that I can get at. Now +display thy logic, Corporal: thy supposed scoundrel must be rich, for +poor men can seldom afford such expensive luxuries as mistresses; being +rich implies that he is _respectable_--so the world says and +thinks--bah! Being respectable, he would not compromise his character by +engaging personally in such a low business as entrapping a girl; no--he +would employ an _agent_; and such an agent must necessarily be a very +low person, whether male or female--if a male, he is a ruffian--if a +female, she is a strumpet--and where do ruffians and strumpets, of the +_lower orders_ (for even in crime there is an aristocracy)[A] where do +they usually reside? why, in a congenial atmosphere--in the lowest +section of the city; and what is the lowest section of this city? why, +_Ann street_, to be sure. Truly, Corporal Grimsby, thou art an admirable +logician! So now I am on my way to Ann street, to explore its dens, in +the hope (a vain one, I fear) of finding the supposed agent who was +employed by the supposed rich scoundrel to abduct, kidnap, or entrap my +little Fanny. Should I be so fortunate as to find that agent, money will +readily induce him or her to divulge the place where the girl is hid; +for the principle of "honor among thieves" has, I believe, but an +imaginary existence." + +[A] The honest Corporal was right; the well-dressed, gentlemanly, +speculating, wholesale swindler would scorn to associate with the needy +wretch who protracts a miserable existence by small pilferings--and the +fashionable courtezan who promenades Washington street and "sees +company" at a splendidly furnished brothel, can perceive not the +slightest resemblance between her position in society and that of the +wretched troll who practises indiscriminate prostitution in some low +"crib" in Ann street. And yet philosophy and common sense both level all +moral distinction between the two conditions.--A noble murderer once +protested against being hung on the same gallows with a +chimney-sweep--there was aristocracy with a vengeance! We opine that the +lofty and arrogant pretensions of some of our "nabobs," who are often of +obscure and sometimes of ignominious birth, are scarcely less ridiculous +than the aristocratic notions of a gentlemanly rascal who robs _a la +mode_ and picks a pocket with gentility and grace! + +Leaving the Corporal to explore the intricate labyrinths of Ann street, +(in the hope of obtaining some clew to the fate of Fanny Aubry,) thou +wilt have the kindness, gentle reader, to accompany us into one of the +squalid dens of that great sewer of vice and crime. But first we pause +to read and admire the sign which decorates the exterior of a "crib" +opposite Keith's Alley, and which, with a peculiarity of orthography +truly amusing, notifies you that it is a "_Vittlin Sollor._" (This sign +remains there to this day.) Passing on, we cannot fail to be impressed +with the "mixed" nature of the society of the place; colored ladies and +gentlemen (by far the most decent portion of the population) are every +where to be seen, thronging the side-walks, indulging in boisterous +laughter; loafers of every description are lounging about, whose +tattered garments indicate the languishing condition of their wardrobes; +great, ruffianly fellows stare at you with eyes expressive of the +villainy that prompts to robbery and murder;--miserable men, ghastly +women, and dirty children obstruct the pathway, and annoy you with their +oaths and ribald jests. Let us descend this steep flight of steps, and +enter this cellar. Be not too fastidious in regard to the odor of the +place, for _eau de cologne_ and otto of rose are not exactly the +commodities disposed of here, the place being devoted to the sale of +that beverage classically termed "rot-gut," and eatables which, unlike +wine, are by no means improved in flavor by age. There is the "bar," and +the red-nosed gentleman behind it seems to be one of its best patrons. A +wooden bench extends around the apartment, and upon it are seated about +twenty persons of both sexes. A brief sketch of a few of the "ladies" of +this goodly company may prove interesting, from the fact that the names +are real, and belong to prostitutes who even now inhabit the regions of +Ann street. + +That handsome, finely-formed female, with dark eyes and hair in +ringlets, and who is also very neatly dressed, is "Kitty Cling-cling," +who has been termed the "belle of Ann street." That lady in a red dress, +with hair uncommonly short, (she having only recently dispensed with a +wig,) is Joannah Westman, of Fleet street, and Liverpool Jane from the +same _respectable_ neighborhood. This renowned "Lady" of the town was +(and is) distinguished by a huge scar on her left cheek, which seems to +be the exact impression of a gin bottle, probably thrown in some brawl +in Liverpool, her native place. Then there is Lize Whittaker, from +Lowell, who "ties up" at the corner of Fleet and Ann streets. Then we +notice two ladies who rejoice in the mellifluous names of "Bald-head" +and "Cockroach," and who are both worthy representatives from Keith's +Alley. These, with a small sprinkling of ebony lasses and their +attendant cavaliers, make up the very respectable assemblage. + +And now everybody brightens up, as a couple of colored gentlemen enter +the cellar, and seating themselves upon a raised platform termed by +courtesy "the orchestra," commence tuning a fiddle and base viol, +preparatory to a dance by "all the characters."--Away the musicians +glide into the harmonious measures of a gay quadrille--and to say the +truth, the music is excellent, for Picayune and Joe are very skillful +performers on their respective instruments; and are well qualified to +play for a much more select and fashionable auditory. And now the +voluptuous Kitty Cling-cling is led to the centre of the festive hall by +a sable mariner, and begins to foot it merrily to the dulcet strains; +while Bald-head and Cockroach find partners in two African geniuses, +whose dress and general appearance would most decidedly exclude them +from admission into a fancy ball at Brigham's. Away they go, through all +the intricate mazes of the giddy dance. But see--a crowd of well-dressed +but dissipated young men enter the cellar, their wild looks and +disordered attire plainly indicating that they are on a regular "time." +Those young men have been imbibing freely at some fashionable saloon in +Court or Hanover street, and have come to consummate the evening's "fun" +by having a dance with the fallen goddesses of Ann street. With a +facetious perversity, they select as partners the most hideous of the +negro women, and "mix in" the dance with a relish that could not be +surpassed if their partners were each a Venus, and the cellar a +magnificent hall of Terpsichore. The dance concluded, they throw down a +handful of silver upon the counter, and invite "all hands to take a +drink," but very rarely drink themselves in such a place, well knowing +the liquor to be unworthy the palate of men accustomed to the superior +beverages of the aristocratic establishments. At the completion of this +ceremony, they take their departure, to visit some other "crib," and +repeat the same performances. + +But let us (supposing ourselves to be invisible) pass from the dance +hall and enter the adjoining apartment, which is smaller. Seated around +a rough deal table are about thirty men and women, engaged in smoking +and drinking. The room is dimly lighted by a couple of tallow candles, +stuck in bottles; the walls are black with dust and smoke, and the +aforesaid table and a few benches constitute the entire furniture of the +room. The general frequenters of the cellar are not admitted to this +place, it being especially reserved for the use of those ladies and +gentlemen who gain their living on the principle of an equal division of +property--or in other words, _thieves_. In this room, secure from being +overheard by the uninitiated and vulgar crowd, they could "ply the +lush," and "blow a cloud," while they talked over their exploits and +planned new depredations. The room was called the "Pig Pen," and the +society who resorted there classed themselves under the expressive tide +of "Grabbers." Although not a regularly organized association, it had a +sort of leader or captain whose authority was generally recognized. This +gentleman was called "Jew Mike," from the fact of his belonging to the +Hebrew persuasion; he was a gigantic, swarthy ruffian, with a long, +black and most repulsive features, and was dressed in a style decidedly +"flash," his coat garnished with huge brass buttons, and his fingers +profusely adorned with jewelry of the same material. He had recently +graduated from the State Prison, where he had served a term of ten years +for manslaughter, as the jury termed it; although it was universally +regarded as one of the most cold-blooded and atrocious murders ever +committed. To sum up the character of this man in a few words, he was a +most desperate and blood-thirsty villain, capable of perpetrating the +most enormous crimes; and dark hints were sometimes thrown out by his +associates in reference to his former career; some said that he was an +escaped murderer from the South; others that he had been a pirate; while +all united in bearing unqualified testimony as to the villainy of his +character and the number and blackness of his crimes. He could not plead +_ignorance_ in extenuation of his manifold enormities, for he possessed +an education that would have qualified him to move in a respectable +sphere of society, had he been so disposed. Upon his right was seated no +less a personage that "Sow Nance," the hideous girl who had that day +entrapped poor Fanny Aubry into the power of Mr. Tickels; she was much +intoxicated, and by the maudlin fondness which she displayed for Jew +Mike, it was easy to surmise the nature of the relation existing between +her and him. Included in the company were several other "apple girls," +whose proficiency as thieves entitled them to the distinction of being +considered as competent "Grabbers;" each one of these wretched young +creatures had her lover, of "fancy man," who was generally some low, +petty thief--although, among the male portion of the assembly, there +were several expert and daring robbers, the most distinguished of whom +was Jew Mike himself, whose skill as a burglar had elevated him to the +highly honorable position of captain of the "Grabbers." + +The "lush" was freely handed round, and the company soon grew "half seas +over;" then came wildly exaggerated narratives of exploits in robbery, +thieving, and almost every species of crime, interspersed with smutty +anecdotes and obscene songs, in which the females of the company were +not a whit behind the males. At length Jew Mike himself was vociferously +called on for either a song or a story; and not being a vocalist, the +gentleman preferred entertaining his friends with the latter; so, +clearing his throat by an enormous draught of brandy, he began as +follows: + + + JEW MIKE'S STORY + + "You see, lads and lasses, a year or two before I came to this + accursed country to be _jugged for a ten spot_, for manslaughter, (it + was a clear murder, though, and a good piece of work, too,) I was a + nobleman's butler in the great city of London. Ah, _that_ was the + place for a man to get a living in! No decent "Grabber," would stoop + to petty stealing there; beautiful burglaries, yielding hundreds of + pounds in silver plate; elegant highway robberies, producing piles of + guineas and heaps of diamond watches,--that was the business followed + by lads of the cross at that time in England. Well, there's no use in + crying over spilt milk, any how; I was obliged to step out of England + when the country got too hot to hold me, and if I returned there, by + G----! my life wouldn't be worth a moment's purchase. And now to go on + with my story. I was a nobleman's butler, and glorious times I had of + it--little to do, plenty of pickings and stealings, free access to the + pantry and wine-cellar, and enjoying terms of easy intimacy with the + prettiest chambermaid in London. The only drawback upon my happiness + was Lord Hawley's _valet_, a Frenchman, named Lagrange, who had been + in his lordship's service many years, and was regarded as a remarkably + honest and faithful man,--and so he was; but those qualities which + rendered him valuable to his lordship, of course rendered him devilish + obnoxious to me,--for he suspected my real character, and was + continually playing the spy upon me, and informing my master of all my + little peccadilloes. For instance, his lordship would send for me in + his library, and say, sternly,--'Simpson, my valet Lagrange informs me + that you are improperly intimate with one of the female domestics; you + must stop it, or quit my service.' And perhaps the next day he would + again summon me before him, and, with that cursed valet grinning + maliciously at me from behind his chair, say to me,--'Simpson, I hear + that you make too free with my wine, and are frequently intoxicated; + stop it, or I shall dismiss you.' In short, Lagrange was the bane of + my existence, and I secretly swore to be terribly revenged upon him + for his tattling propensities. You'll soon see how well I kept my + oath. + + "My Lady Hawley was a very gay, dissipated and beautiful woman, and I + had long been aware that during my master's absence she was in the + habit of receiving the clandestine visits of a handsome young officer + of dragoons. To tell the truth, I used to admit him to the house, and + see that no one was in the way to observe him enter her ladyship's + chamber, for which services I received very liberal rewards from both + her ladyship, and Captain St. Clair. Lord Hawley doted upon his wife, + who was many years younger than himself; and often have I laughed in + my sleeve when I thought what a cuckold she made of him. But he + suspected nothing of the kind; I was the only person, besides the + parties, who knew of the intrigue; even Lagrange, artful spy as he + was, did not discover it. My master, who was addicted to gambling, was + absent until a late hour every night, at Crockford's; and thus her + ladyship had every opportunity to enjoy frequent interviews with her + lover. As I knew of her frailty, I had her completely in my power; and + often I was tempted to threaten her with exposure, unless she would + "come down" handsomely with a thousand pounds or so, and grant me _any + other favor_ that I might choose to demand, as the price of my + silence,--for, as I said before, she was a beautiful woman, and a + butler has feelings as ardent as those of a captain of dragoons. + + "Well, matters continued very quiet and agreeable, until late one + night, after I had gone to bed, I heard a low but hurried knock at the + door of my room. I arose, hastily threw on a few garments, and opened + the door, when to my astonishment in rushed Lady Hawley, in her + night-dress, and threw herself into a chair, breathless with + agitation. Almost instantly the thought flashed through my mind that + her intrigue had been discovered; cautiously closing the door, I + advanced towards her ladyship, and in a respectful manner inquired why + she had honored me with a visit so unexpected, and what might be the + cause of her evident agitation, at the same time assuring her of my + assistance, should she require it. She fixed her proud, beautiful eyes + upon my face, and said, in a voice trembling with emotion,-- + + "'Good heavens, Simpson, only think of it, my foolish affair with + Captain St. Clair is discovered!' + + "'Is it possible, your ladyship?' I cried, 'and may I ask who--' + + "'His lordship's valet, Lagrange, saw me, half an hour ago, conducting + the Captain to the private stair-case which leads to the garden,' + replied her ladyship, shuddering, and shading her face with her hands. + + "'And might not your ladyship purchase his silence?' I asked. She + replied,-- + + "'I have just come from his room; you know how obstinate he is,--how + entirely devoted to his lordship,--how blindly honest and faithful + he has ever been,--how singularly averse to receiving presents from + any source whatever, fearing it might have the appearance of bribery. + I went to his room, and offered him a hundred guineas if he would + solemnly swear never to reveal what he had seen. In a tone of cold + indifference he said, 'I must do my duty to his lordship, to whom I am + bound by the strongest ties of gratitude, even at the sacrifice of + your ladyship's honor.' I entreated him, almost on my knees, to give + the required promise; I offered to double, nay, treble the sum that I + had named, but no; he turned from me, almost with disdain, (the + low-born menial!) and requested me to retire, as I must be aware of + the impropriety of such a visit, at such an hour. Perceiving the + uselessness of attempting to bribe him to secrecy, I left him, cursing + him for his obstinacy, and came direct to you. Heavens!' added her + ladyship, drawing her robe over her partially denuded bosom, 'how + desperate the fear of exposure has made me, that in this indecent + attire I go at midnight to the chambers of male servants!--Simpson, + can you help me in this dreadful emergency? You have heretofore proved + faithful to me,--do not desert me now. _Lagrange must be + silenced!_--do you understand me? At any cost,--at any risk,--his + babbling tongue must be hushed, _by you_, for you are the only person + whom I can trust in the affair. Yes, he must never speak the word that + will proclaim my dishonor to the world!' + + "'_At any cost_, your ladyship?' rejoined I, fixing my eyes steadily + upon hers, for her despair rendered me bold, and I was not one to + suffer an opportunity to slip by unimproved. + + "'I understand you, fellow!' she replied, with a hysterical laugh and + a glance of scorn,--'and much as I despise you, I answer yes! at any + cost. But, gracious Heavens, what do I say? _you_, a menial, a + base-born servitor! But no matter; even _that_ is far preferable to + exposure. Good God! to think of being cast off by his lordship with + loathing and contempt, despised and hated by my relatives,--an eternal + blot upon my name,--forever excluded from the sphere of society of + which I am the star and centre,--no, that shall never, never be. + Silence Lagrange--silence him forever,--then ask of me any favor, and + it shall not be denied.' + + "I approached her ladyship; she was pale as marble, but how superbly + beautiful! Her glossy hair, all disordered, hung in rich masses upon + her uncovered shoulders; her seductive night-dress but imperfectly + concealed the glories of her divine form,--her heaving bosom, so + voluptuous and fair, was more than half disclosed to my gaze. With a + palpitating heart I laid my trembling hand upon one of her plump, + white shoulders. Never shall I forget the majestic rage and scorn of + her look, as she started to her feet, and stood before me in all the + pride of her imperial beauty. + + "'Fellow,' she said, with desperate calmness, 'you are bold; but + perhaps I ought to have expected this. I perceive that you are + disposed to take every advantage of my situation. Be it so, then; but + not until you have _earned the reward_, can you claim it. Remember + this. Fortunately, his lordship is out of town, and will not return + until the day after to-morrow; but oh! how unfortunate that his + accursed valet did not accompany him! Lagrange pretended to be ill, + and was left behind, and my lord was attended by another servant. No + matter,--you will have an opportunity to dispose of this French spy + ere the return of his master. I care not what method you take to + silence his tongue,--but be secret and sure; and when the work is + done, you shall have your reward--not before.' + + "Having thus spoken, her ladyship swept out of the room with the air + of a queen, leaving me to devise the best method of silencing Lagrange + forever. I could not mistake her ladyship's meaning; she wished me to + _murder_ the man. Now, the fact is, ladies and gentlemen, murder's a + devilish ticklish business, any how; not that I ever had any false + delicacy in relation to the wickedness of the thing--pshaw! nothing of + the kind,--you'll all believe me when I assure you that I'd as soon + cut a human throat, as wring the neck of a chicken, for that matter; + but then the consequences of a discovery are so ducedly unpleasant, + and although I am confident in my own mind that I am destined to + terminate my existence ornamented with a hempen cravat, I have never + had any desire to hasten that consummation. So I didn't altogether + relish the job which her ladyship had given me; but when I thought of + her surpassing beauty, my hesitation vanished like mists before the + rising sun, and I resolved to do it. + + "Several times the next day I tried to provoke Lagrange into a + quarrel, but the wily rascal, as if divining my intentions, only + shrugged his shoulders and smiled in the cold and sarcastic manner + peculiar to him. This enraged me greatly, and after applying the most + abusive epithets to him, I finally struck him. But all availed + nothing; unlike the majority of his countrymen, the fellow was cold + and passionless, even under insults and blows. I had provided myself + with a sharp butcher's knife, which I carried in my sleeve, ready to + plunge into his heart, had he offered to attack me in return; and thus + I hoped to make it appear that I had slain him in self-defence. But + his admirable coolness and self-possession defeated that scheme,--and + I saw that I would be obliged to slay him deliberately at the first + opportunity. + + "That opportunity was not long wanting. + + "During the afternoon he had occasion to visit the wine vault, of + which I alone had the key; I accompanied him thither, and while he was + engaged in selecting some malt liquor for the servants' table, I said + to him,-- + + "'Monsieur Lagrange, you are acquainted with a secret that intimately + concerns her ladyship; what use do you intend to make of this + knowledge?' + + "The Frenchman very coolly intimated that it was none of my business, + and continued his employment. His back was towards me; I approached + nearer to him, and said, in a low tone-- + + "'You infernal, backbiting, sneaking scoundrel, you have often + betrayed me to my master, and would now betray her ladyship. You shall + not live to do it--die like a dog, as you are!' + + "While thus addressing him, I had drawn forth my knife; and as I + uttered the last words, I plunged it with all my force into his left + side, up to the very handle. The blade passed directly through his + heart, and without a groan he fell dead at my feet. + + "No remorse--no sorrow for the bloody deed I had committed, found + entrance to my soul; on the contrary, I gazed at the corpse with + savage exultation. 'That babbling tongue is now forever hushed,' + thought I; and then, as a sudden strange thought struck me, I + added--'and that tongue shall be my passport to a bliss more exquisite + than the joys of Paradise.' With an untrembling hand I cut off the + dead man's tongue, secured it about me, and having hid the body behind + a row of wine casks, left the cellar, securely locked the door, and + then went about my usual avocations, resolving to dispose of the + corpse that night in some manner that should avert suspicion from me, + for I had every confidence in my own ingenuity. + + "Towards evening, I sought and obtained an interview with her + ladyship, in private. She advanced to meet me with a hurried step and + sparkling eyes. + + "'Simpson, _is it done_?' she asked, in a tone of extreme agitation, + and laying her delicate hand on my arm. + + "'It is, your ladyship,' was my reply, producing and holding before + her the bloody evidence of the deed--'and here is the tongue of + Lagrange,--the tongue that would have proclaimed your shame and + effected your ruin, had its owner lived; but he now lies a cold + corpse, and this once mischievous member is now as powerless as a + piece of carrion beneath a butcher's shamble.' + + "'And the body--how will you dispose of that?' she asked, shuddering, + and turning from the sickening spectacle with disgust. + + "'To-night it shall be sunk deep in the waters of the Thames,' I + replied; and then, in a more familiar manner than I had as yet + ventured to assume, I reminded her ladyship of the _reward_ she had + promised me, as soon as the job should be completed. Again she + shuddered;--and turned deadly pale; and with a bitter smile, which + seemed to me to be expressive of hatred and contempt combined, she + answered-- + + "'You are right, Simpson; you have obeyed my wishes, and merit your + reward,--but not now, not now! Come to my chamber at midnight; I shall + expect you,--you understand. Go now--leave me; remove all traces of + your crime. I shall take care to have a quantity of plate removed from + the house to-night, and destroyed, and when his lordship returns + to-morrow, he will imagine that Lagrange, despite his supposed + faithfulness and integrity, has absconded and stolen the plate,--that + will account to him for the valet's sudden disappearance. Leave me.' + + "'Remember, at midnight, your ladyship,' said I, and left her; but + when I had closed the door of the apartment, I imagined that I heard + her give utterance to a scornful laugh. However, I attributed it to + her gratification at the death of Lagrange, and descending to the wine + cellar, I busied myself in washing away the stains of blood from the + floor. How impatiently I longed for the arrival of midnight! the hour + that was to bring with it the reward of my crime! + + "During the evening, I paid a visit to a noted "_boozing ken_" in St. + Giles', which bore the very suitable appellation of the "Jolly + Thieves." Here I engaged two desperate fellows of my + acquaintance--(for I went on a _crack_, now and then, myself, just to + keep my hand in,)--to make away with the body of Lagrange; they were + to come to the rear of my master's house, an hour after midnight, + provided with a sack and some means of conveyance; and, for a liberal + reward, they promised to carry off the corpse, and, having attached a + heavy weight to it, sink it in the Thames,--although I felt assured + in my own mind, that, instead of giving it to the fishes, they would + make a more profitable disposition of it, by selling it to some + surgeon for dissection;--body-snatching being a part of their + profession, as well as burglary and murder. Having made this important + arrangement, and paid them a good round sum in advance, (for I was + well provided with money,) I returned to my master's house, which I + reached about eleven o'clock. + + "At length the welcome midnight hour arrived, and with a beating heart + I repaired to the chamber of her ladyship. It was a large apartment, + furnished with exquisite taste and elegance,--in fact, a perfect bower + of the graces; and, to my somewhat voluptuous mind, not the least + attractive feature of it, was a magnificent and luxurious _bed_, + mysteriously hidden beneath a profuse cloud of snowy drapery, heavily + laden with costly lace. I had already pictured to myself the delights + of an amorous dalliance within that bower of Venus, with one whose + glorious beauty could not have been surpassed by that of the ardent + goddess herself--but how grievously was I doomed to be disappointed, + at the very moment when I fancied my triumph certain! But I must not + anticipate my story. + + "In answer to my respectful, and I must own, somewhat timid, knock at + the chamber door, I heard the musical but subdued voice of her + ladyship bidding me to 'come in.' I entered, and having softly closed + the door, noiselessly turned the key in the lock, and advanced to + where she was seated by a table, upon which there stood wine, and + materials of a _recherche_ supper. Drawing a chair close to her + ladyship, I seated myself, and gazed at her long and ardently, while + she, apparently unconscious of my presence, seemed to be deeply + engaged in perusing a splendid volume of Byron's poems. + + "Surprised and not perfectly at ease, in consequence of her silence + and abstraction (for she had not even glanced at me,) I at length + ventured to observe-- + + "'Your ladyship sees that I am punctual; as of course I could not + neglect to keep so delightful an appointment.' + + "Still she answered nothing, nor even raised her eyes from the book! + During the silence of some minutes that ensued, I had an excellent + opportunity to feast my eyes upon the seraphic loveliness of her face, + and the admirable proportions of her queen-like form. She was dressed + with studied simplicity, and in a style half _neglige_, infinitely + more fascinating than the most elaborate full dress. A robe of snowy + whiteness, made so as to display her plump, soft arms, and fine, + sloping shoulders, and entirely without ornament, constituted her + attire; and a single white rose alone relieved the jet darkness of her + clustering hair. She was seated in a manner that enabled me to view + her profile to the best advantage; I was never more forcibly struck + with its purely classical and Grecian outlines; and I observed that a + soft expression of melancholy was blended with the usual _hauteur_ + that sat enthroned upon her angelic features. + + "As I gazed admiringly upon the beautiful woman, whom I could almost + imagine to be a being from a celestial world, I could not help saying + to myself-- + + "'After all, she is an adulteress and a murderess; and is now about to + sacrifice her person to me, the instrument of her murderous wishes. + Why, what a devil is here, in the form of a lovely woman, whose beauty + would seem to proclaim her a tenant of the skies, while the black + depravity of her heart fits her only for the companionship of the + fiends below! Why do I hesitate and tremble in her presence? She is in + my power--my _slave_! Yet, by heavens, what a superb creature! A + thousand passionate devils are dancing in her brilliant eyes--her lips + are moist with the honey of love--and her form seems to glow with + ardent but hidden fires! Come, let me delay no longer, but speak to + her in the language befitting a master to his slave!' + + "'Lady,' said I, in a tone familiar, yet not disrespectful--'why this + reserve and silence? You know for what purpose I come thus at midnight + to your chamber--it is by your own appointment, and to receive the + reward of a difficult and dangerous service which I have performed for + you. Nay, I see that you have anticipated my coming, by preparing this + delicate and acceptable feast for our entertainment. Is it not so, my + charmer? And you have dressed yourself in this bewitching style of + chaste simplicity, solely to please me--am I right? But come; though + you have not yet spoken or looked at me, sweet coquette that you are, + I read in your bright eyes the confirmation of my hopes. Let us first + banquet upon the delights of love, and then sip the ruby contents of + the sparkling wine-cup, which I'll swear are not one half so sweet as + the nectar of your lips, which now I taste.' + + "I clasped her in my arms as I spoke, and attempted to imprint a kiss + upon her lips; but she hurled me from her with disdain, and said, with + an air of lofty dignity-- + + "'Dog, how dare you thus intrude into the sanctity of my chamber? and + how dared you for a moment presume to think that I intended to keep + the promise which, in my eagerness to have Lagrange silenced, I gave + you? Know that, sooner than submit to your base and loathsome + embraces, I'd brave exposure and even death itself! If _money_ will + satisfy you, name your sum, and be it ever so great, it shall be paid + to you; but presume not to think that Lady Adelaide Hawley can ever so + far forget her birth and rank, as to debase herself with such as you.' + + "'_Money_, your ladyship, was not what I bargained for,' I boldly + replied; for the scorn and contempt with which she treated me, stung + me to the quick, and enraged me beyond all measure. 'If your ladyship + refuses to perform, honorably and fairly, your part of the contract, + you must take the consequences; you shall be proclaimed as an + adulteress, and as an accessory to the crime of murder.' + + "'Fool!' she cried--yet her countenance indicated the fear she really + felt, notwithstanding the boldness of her words--'fool! expose me at + your peril! You dare not, for your own neck would be stretched in + payment for your treachery, while your charges against me, low, + miserable menial that you are, would never be believed--never! Such + accusations against me, a peeress of the realm, and a lady whose + reputation has never been assailed, would but add to the general + belief in your own guilt, and the certainty of your fate; such charges + would be regarded as a paltry subterfuge, and no one would credit + them. Go, fellow--the bat cannot consort with the eagle, nor can such + as you aspire to even the most distant familiarity with persons of my + rank. Depart, instantly; and to-morrow you shall receive a pecuniary + reward that will amply compensate you for the disappointment you now + feel.' + + "With these words she turned away from me, waving her hand in token + that the conference was closed; but I was enraged and desperate, as + much by the scorn of her manner as by the disappointment I felt. A + hell of passion was burning in my heart; and I said to her, in a low, + deep tone-- + + "'Woman, you shall be mine, even if I am obliged to commit another + murder--I swear it! I hesitated not at perpetrating a deed of blood; + nor will I hesitate now to obtain, by violence and even bloodshed, the + reward you promised me for that deed! Lady, be wise; we are alone at + this silent hour--I am powerful and you are helpless. Consent, then, + or--' + + "She interrupted me with a scornful laugh, that rendered me almost + frantic with fury. Reason forsook me; I lost all self-control, and + rushed upon her with the ferocity of a madman, determined to strangle + her. + + "Ere I could lay my grasp upon her, I was seized with a force that + nearly stunned me. I arose with difficulty, and to my astonishment + beheld the handsome countenance and glittering uniform of her + ladyship's favored lover, Captain St. Clair! + + "'Villain,' said he, in his usual cold and haughty manner, (he was of + noble blood, and as proud as Lucifer,) 'you little imagined that I was + a witness of the entire scene in which you have played so praiseworthy + a part! Upon my honor, you are the most ambitious of butlers! Cooks + and chambermaids are not sufficiently delicate for your fastidious + taste, forsooth!--but you must aspire to ladies of noble birth! Faith, + I should not be surprised to hear of your attempting an intrigue with + her gracious Majesty, the Queen! Hark'ee, fellow, begone! and thank my + moderation that I do not punish you upon the spot, for your infernal + presumption! Yet I would scorn to tarnish the lustre of my good sword + with the blood of such a thing as thou!' + + "'Captain,' said I, boldly, (for I am no coward, ladies and gentlemen, + as you all know,) 'as you have seen fit to play the spy, it is fair to + presume that you are acquainted with the circumstances upon which my + claim to the favor of this lady is based. At her instigation, and + prompted by her promises of reward, I have murdered Lord Hawley's + valet, Lagrange, in order to prevent his revealing to his master, the + criminal intimacy existing between you and her ladyship. Now, Captain, + I submit it to you as a man of honor--having committed such a deed, + and exposed myself to such a fearful risk, am I not entitled to the + reward promised by her ladyship? without the hope of which reward, I + never would have bedewed my hands in the blood of my fellow servant. + And can I justly be blamed for claiming that reward, and even for + attempting to obtain it by force, since I have faithfully earned it?' + + "The Captain laughed, half in good nature, half in scorn, and said-- + + "'Faith, you are a well-spoken knave, and appeal to my honor as if you + were my equal; and I am half inclined to pardon your presumption on + account of your wit. Now listen, my good fellow;--her ladyship, as a + measure of policy, wished to have a certain person removed, who was + possessed of a dangerous secret; now you were the only available agent + she could employ to effect that removal. But you demanded a certain + favor, (which shall be nameless,) as the price of your services, and + would accept of no other remuneration. The danger was imminent; what + could her ladyship do? The man must be disposed of, even at the + sacrifice of truth; her ladyship gave the required promise (_intending + never to keep it_,) you performed the service, and very properly, I + own, come to receive your reward. Of course, you perceive the + impossibility of a compliance with your wishes. No intrigue can exist + between the patrician and the plebeian--you are low-born, she of the + noblest blood of the kingdom. Are you so blind, man, that you cannot + see--or are you so stupid that you cannot comprehend--the repugnance + which her ladyship must naturally feel at the very idea of an amorous + intimacy existing between a high-born lady and--good heavens!--a + _butler_? Here, my good fellow, is a purse, containing fifty + guineas--I will double the sum to-morrow. Now go; and remember that + you have everything to expect from our generosity, in a pecuniary + point of view; but a repetition of your demand for her ladyship's + favors, will most assuredly result to your lasting disadvantage.' + + "Seeing the folly of attempting to press my claim further, I sneaked + out of the room, with very much the air of a disconcerted cur with his + tail between his legs, to use a simile more expressive than elegant. + The moment I had entered my own chamber, the clock in a neighboring + steeple proclaimed the hour of two, and then for the first time I + remembered the appointment which I had made with my two particular + friends, from the "Jolly Thieves," in reference to the disposal of + Lagrange's body. The hour appointed for meeting them, was passed; and + suddenly a thought struck me--a strange thought--which had no sooner + flashed through my mind, than I resolved to act upon its suggestion. + 'Twas a glorious plan of revenge, and one which could only have + emanated from my fertile imagination. + + "'The corpse of the Frenchman shall become the instrument of my + vengeance,' thought I, chuckling with glee. 'I shall not need the + assistance of those two fellows now--and, if they are still lurking + about the house, I will reward them for their trouble and send them + away. Ah, lucky thought--lucky thought!' + + "I found my two friends in waiting for me; they grumbled much at my + want of punctuality, but their murmurings were hushed when I paid them + liberally, and dismissed them, saying that I had discovered a much + safer and more convenient method of disposing of the body, than the + plan originally proposed, and therefore should not require their + assistance.--They departed, rejoicing at their good fortune in being + freed from a difficult and dangerous task, and congratulating + themselves on having received as much money as they had been promised + for its performance. + + "Taking with me a dark lantern, I descended noiselessly into the wine + vault, and having secured the massive iron door, proceeded to execute + my plan of vengeance. Comrades, can you guess what that plan was? No, + I'll swear you cannot. But listen, and you shall hear. + + "Placing my light in a convenient position, I dragged the dead body of + Lagrange from its place of concealment; then I bent over it, and + examined the ghastly countenance. The features were pale and rigid, + the teeth firmly set, and the glassy eyes wide open and staring. The + awful expression of those dead orbs seemed, bold as I was, to freeze + my very soul as with the power of a basilisk. For a single moment I + repented the deed; but that feeling soon passed, and I rejoiced at it. + + "It occurred to me to search the pockets of my victim; I did so, and + found a small sum of money, and a sealed letter, addressed to Lord + Hawley. The valet had probably intended to despatch that letter to his + master that afternoon--which design was frustrated by his sudden death + by my hand. Eagerly I broke the seal, and read as follows:-- + + "'LONDON. + + "'My lord.--Should your lordship have possibly designed extending + your visit to Berkshire beyond the time originally allotted to the + same, I entreat your lordship to set aside every + consideration--every engagement, however pressing or important its + nature may be, and to return immediately to town. Something has + occurred, in the conduct of her ladyship, intimately affecting your + lordship's honor. To relieve your lordship from any painful + uncertainty that may be occasioned by this indefinite announcement, + you will pardon me for stating plainly, that I myself saw her + ladyship and Captain St. Clair, under circumstances that admitted of + but one opinion in reference to the nature of the intimacy existing + between them. Simpson, the butler, whom I am persuaded is in the + confidence of her ladyship and the Captain, this afternoon + questioned me in regard to my knowledge of the affair, and the use I + intended to make of that knowledge; and he, not deeming my replies + satisfactory, abused and struck me. My duty to your lordship + prevented any retaliation on my part; and that duty, (the offspring + of humble gratitude for your lordship's many acts of generous + kindness to me, both in this country and in France,) now impels me + to communicate these unpleasant facts--which I do, with sincere + sorrow for her ladyship's indiscretion, and every desire for the + preservation of your lordship's honor. + + "'From your lordship's humble servant, + "'LOUIS LAGRANGE.' + + "This letter, so characteristic of the polished, wily and educated + Frenchman, was written in the French language, with which I was well + acquainted, I therefore easily translated it. After a careful perusal, + I placed it in my pocket-book--for I was well aware that it might one + day prove a valuable auxiliary to me, should I feel disposed to inform + my master of his wife's infidelity, and his lordship then could not + doubt the truth of his own favorite and faithful servant, in whom he + had the most unbounded confidence. + + "'Oh, scornful Lady Hawley and sarcastic Captain St. Clair!' I could + not forbear exclaiming--'ye shall both be caught in a net of your own + making, when ye least expect it! My lady will be turned out of doors + as an adulteress; and my gentleman will perhaps be shot through the + head by the husband he has wronged! Patience, patience, good Simpson; + thou shalt yet riot in the very satiety of thy vengeance. But now to + put in operation my first method--an ingenious one it is, too--of + avenging my wrongs!' + + "Among the various wines with which the extensive cellar was + abundantly stocked, was a large cask containing a particular kind, of + a very rich and peculiar flavor; and of this wine I knew Lady Hawley, + who was a luxurious woman, very fastidious in her taste, to be + especially fond. Captain St. Clair, too, preferred it above all other + kinds; and at the midnight suppers which he so often enjoyed with her + ladyship, the ruby contents of this particular cask was most + frequently called into requisition, as I well know, for I had been + accustomed to carry it from the cellar to the door of the bed-chamber + wherein the amorous pair indulged in the joys both of Venus and of + Bacchus. The wine had been imported by his lordship, who was a _bon + vivant_, from Bordeaux and was particularly valued for its rich color, + solid body, and substantial yet delicate flavor, rivalling in these + qualities, perhaps, that classic beverage, the famed Greek wine. + + "'I will add to the exquisite flavor of this wine,' said I--'her + ladyship and her lover shall banquet on human blood; the corruption of + a putrifying corpse shall be mingled with the sparkling fluid that + nourishes their unholy passions.' + + "With but little difficulty, and less noise, (for I well understood + such matters,) I removed the head of the cask, which I found to be + about half full. How luxurious was the odor that arose from the dark + liquid, fragrant with spices! Taking a small vessel, I drank a + bumper--then another. My blood instantly became charged with a + thousand fires; my heart seemed to swell with mighty exultation; my + brain seemed to swim in a sea of delight. I laughed with mad glee to + think of the superb vengeance I was about to wreak on my enemies; then + I raised the corpse of Lagrange with Herculean strength, thrust it + into the cask, and pressed it into the smallest possible compass; but + found to my inexpressible chagrin, that it would be absolutely + impossible to re-adjust the head of the cask, unless the body was in + some manner made smaller. After a few moments' reflection, a happy + thought struck me. I hesitated not a moment, but drew a sharp clasp + knife from my pocket, deliberately severed the head from the body, and + thrust it into the cask. Then, without the least difficulty, I + replaced the top of the cask, and my work was accomplished. + + "I repaired to my chamber but slept not, as you may suppose; the + events of that day and night had been of a nature too singularly + exciting to admit of repose. Shortly after I had retired, I heard Lady + Hawley conduct her lover to the back stair-case; there was a sound of + kissing, and a whispered appointment made for another meeting, on a + night when his lordship would probably be absent. 'Yes, and at that + interview, my amorous pair,' thought I, 'shall you taste of the wine + which I have improved by an addition which you little suspect, but + with which you shall one day be made acquainted.' And then I laughed + till the tears rolled down my cheeks. + + "Lord Hawley returned at the expected time, and immediately inquired + for his valet, Lagrange. The gentleman was, of course, among the + missing; and I overheard her ladyship announcing to her husband that + the Frenchman had absconded, carrying off plate and jewelry to a + considerable amount. Lord Hawley was extremely shocked and grieved on + receiving this (false) intelligence; and I heard him mutter, as he + retired in great perturbation of mind to his study,--'What, can it be + possible?--Lagrange, whom I esteemed to be the most honest and + faithful fellow in the world--of whose fidelity I have had so many + evidences,--whom I have often benefitted,--can it be that _he_ has + deserted and robbed me? Then indeed do I believe all mankind to be + false as hell!' + + "A week passed, and nothing occurred in Hawley House worthy of + mention. At the expiration of that time, his lordship went on a short + journey, (connected with some political object,) which would occasion + him a fortnight's absence from home. Then was her ladyship and the + captain in clover! and then was afforded me an opportunity to set + before them the wine which I had enriched by my famous _addition_! + + "Not deeming it necessary to adopt the usual precautions, my lady + feasted, toyed and dallied with her handsome lover in her own private + apartments, fearing no detection, as she was certain that her husband + would not return before the specified time, and as I was the only + person aware of the captain's presence in the house; she feared not, + thinking that I dared not betray her, as she imagined that I was + completely in her power on account of the murder I had committed. + Pretty fool! she little thought of the plan I had formed for her + destruction, and that of her haughty and hated paramour. + + "I waited on them at table in my humblest and most respectful manner; + and I could perceive that they inwardly congratulated themselves on + having, as they thought, completely subdued me, and bribed me to + eternal silence with regard to their amours. + + "At their very first banquet, (for the splendor of their repasts + merited that high-sounding title,) I was requested to bring from the + cellar a decanter of their _favorite_ wine. You may be sure I did not + mistake the cask, comrades. I drew from the cask which contained the + corpse of Lagrange, a quantity of the wine, and holding it to the + light, observed with intense satisfaction that it had assumed a darker + tinge--it looked just like blood. For a moment I was tempted to + _taste_ it; but damn me! bad and blood-thirsty as I was, I could not + do _that_. The corpse had been soaking in the wine a full week; I was + convinced that the liquid was pretty thoroughly impregnated with the + flavor of my scientific improvement; and even my stomach revolted at + the idea of drinking wine tainted and reeking with the dead flesh and + blood of the man I had murdered. + + "I placed the wine on the table before my lady and the Captain; and I + am free to confess that I trembled somewhat, in view of the + possibility of their detecting, at the first taste, the trick which I + had played them. Very nervous was I, when the Captain slowly poured + out a wine glass full, and raised it to his lips; but how delighted + was I, when he drained every drop of it with evident satisfaction, + smacked his lips, and said to the lady-- + + "'By my faith, Adelaide, 'tis a drink for the gods! How that wine + improves by age! Never before has it tasted so rich, so fruity, so + delicious! Observe what a firm body it has--what deep, rich color--a + fitting hue for a soldier's beverage, for 'tis red as blood. Allow me + to fill your ladyship's glass, that you may judge of its improved and + wonderful merits.' + + "Her ladyship drank, and pronounced it excellent. I was in silent + extacies. 'Drink the blood and essence of the murdered dead, ye fools, + and call it sweet as honey to your taste!' I mentally said--'ere many + days your souls shall be made sick with the knowledge of _what_ ye + have drank!' + + "The guilty pair were not in the slightest degree reserved in my + presence; on the contrary they jested, they talked, they indulged in + familiarities before my face, in a manner that astonished me not a + little. Comrades, none of you have seen much of fashionable life, I + take it; for although you all belong to the very best society in Ann + street, you can't reasonably be supposed to have much of an idea of + society as 'tis seen in the mansion of an English nobleman. Therefore, + if you don't think my yarn already too tedious, (it's as true as + gospel, every word of it, upon the unsullied honor of a gentleman!) + and if you'd like to know something of the capers of rich and + fashionable people in high life, I'll tell you, in as few words as + possible, some of the sayings and doings of my lady Hawley and her + handsome lover, Captain St. Clair, as witnessed by me, at the time of + which I have been speaking, in London." + +Jew Mike paused to take breath and "wet his whistle;" while all his +listeners eagerly requested him to "go on" with his yarn. During the +progress of the narrative, an old, comical looking man, not over well +dressed, had entered the room, unnoticed; and seating himself in one +corner, he pulled a pipe from his pocket, lighted it, and began to +smoke, at the same time taking a keen and intelligent survey of the +motley assembly. Jew Mike, having quenched his thirst, resumed his +story. [The reader will be good enough to observe, that while we give +the substance of this worthy gentleman's narrative, we pretend not to +give his precise words. It is highly probable that he adapted his +language to the humble capacities of his low and illiterate auditors; +and we have taken the liberty to clothe his ideas in words better suited +to the more intelligent and refined understandings of our readers.] + + "Well, ladies and gentlemen," said Jew Mike--"as I was saying, Lady + Hawley and Captain St. Clair got so bad that they never minded my + presence a bit, but talked and acted before me with as much freedom as + if I were both deaf and blind. My lady would dress herself in the + Captain's uniform, which fitted her to a charm, for she was a large, + magnificent woman, while he was of no great stature for a man, + although exceedingly well-made and handsome. Not was that all: the + Captain would attire himself in her splendid garments, and, but for + his moustache and imperial, might have passed for a very handsome + woman. And, to carry out the idea still further, my lady would pretend + to take very wild and improper liberties with her lover, which he + would affect to resent with all the indignation proper to his assumed + sex. Then they would roll and tumble upon the soft carpet until they + were quite spent and breathless; after which the Captain would run + into the chamber, and conceal himself beneath, behind, or _in_ the + bed; she would follow in pursuit, close the chamber door, and--I would + apply my eye to the key-hole; but as I am a polite man, and as there + are ladies present, (ahem!) you'll excuse me for not entering into + particulars. + + "So much for their actions, now for their words. I was attending them + at supper one night, and to say the truth they were both of them + highly elevated in consequence of having too profusely imbibed their + favorite wine, seasoned with the _essence of Lagrange,_ the name which + I had privately given it. The Captain was very slightly attired, and + my lady had on nothing but a very _intimate_ garment, which revealed + rather more than it concealed--for they had just before been playing + the very interesting game of "hide and seek," and had not yet resumed + all their appropriate garments. I had formerly regarded lady Hawley as + the very _beau ideal_ of all that was dignified, haughty and majestic; + but that night she looked lewd and sensual, in an eminent degree, and + appeared utterly reckless of all decency. She exposed her person in a + manner that astonished me, and seemed to abandon herself without + reserve, to all the promptings of her voluptuous nature. Her + appearance, conversation and actions were not without their influence + on me, you may be sure; and if ever I envied mortal man, it was that + young officer, who could revel at will in the arms of the beautiful + wanton at his side. + + "The Captain, reclining his head upon her fair bosom, said-- + + "'And so Adelaide, in a few days your odious husband will return, and + terminate these rapturous blisses. Why in the devil's name don't the + accursed old man die of apoplexy, or break his neck, or get shot in a + duel, or do something to relieve us of his hated interference with our + stolen joys?' + + "'Ah, St. Clair,' answered the lady, with a glance of passion--'would + that the old man were dead! Since I have tasted the sweets of your + society--since I first listened to the music of your voice, and since + first this heart beat tumultuously against yours, my whole nature is + changed--my blood is turned to fire; my religion is my love for you; + my deity is your image, and my heaven--is in your arms. Oh,' she + suddenly exclaimed, as the rich blood mantled on her face and + neck--'how terrible it is for a young and passionate woman to be + linked in marriage to an old, impotent, cold, passionless being, who + claims the name of _man_, but is not entitled to it! And then if she + solaces herself with a lover--as she must, or die--she is continually + agitated with fears of her husband's jealousy, and the dread of + discovery. Like the thirsty traveller in a barren waste, her soul + yearns for an ocean of delights--and pants and longs in vain. + Husband--would that there was no such word, no such relation as it + implies--'tis slavery, 'tis madness, to be chained for life to but one + source of love, when a thousand streams would not satiate or overflow. + Yet the world--the world--disgraces and condemns such as I am, if + discovered; it points to my withered husband, and says--'there is your + only _lawful_ love.' Heavens! the very thought of him sickens and + disgusts me; _he_ a lover! He is no more to be compared to thee, my + St. Clair, than is the withered leaf of autumn to the ripe peach or + juicy pomegranate!' + + "'By all the gods of war,' exclaimed the Captain, fired with + admiration at her beauty and the fervor of her passion for him, and + straining her to his breast in a perfect phrenzy of transport--'thy + husband shall be no longer a stumbling-block between us, angel of my + soul; I will insult him--he will challenge me--we will fight--I am the + best shot in Europe, and he will be shot through the heart, if the + cold dotard have one. Yet stay--damn it, why not have him disposed of + after the manner of the valet? Ha, ha! a good thought! Simpson, what + say you? Will you do it for a couple of hundred guineas, and without + laying claim to the favors of her ladyship?' + + "The last sentence was uttered with a very palpable sneer; it enraged + me, for by it I was reminded of the manner in which I had been + swindled out of the reward promised for my other murder. Besides, the + man's cool villainy, and the woman's shameless lechery, disgusted me, + bad as I was; for they belonged to that class which professes all the + gentility, refinement and virtue in the world; and to hear the one + glorying in adultery, and the other deliberately proposing murder, + afforded such a damnable instance of the sublime hypocrisy peculiar to + the "upper ten" of society, that I became desperately angry, and + answered the Captain in a manner that astonished him.--You will + remember, comrades, that as great a villain as I am, I am no + hypocrite, and was never accused of being one. And yet hypocrisy + prevails in every department of life. Look," continued Jew Mike, + getting into a philosophical strain, and stroking his enormous beard + with an air of profound complacency--"Look at that venerable looking + old gentleman, who every Sabbath stands in his pulpit to declaim + against wickedness and fleshy lusts. Mark his libidinous eye, as he + follows that painted strumpet to her filthy den. There's hypocrisy. + Then turn your eyes toward a sister city, and mark that grey-headed, + sanctimonious editor, who every week solemnly prates of honesty, + sobriety, and their kindred virtues. 'What an excellent man he is,' + exclaim the whole tribe of fat, tea-drinking old women in mob-caps, + raising their pious eyes and snuffy noses to heaven.--Ha, ha, ha! Why, + ladies and gentlemen, that editor is so cursedly dishonest and so + im--_mensely_ mean, that his hair wouldn't stay black, but turned to a + dirty white before its time--so mean, his food won't digest easy--his + shirt won't dry when washed--his clothes won't fit him--the cholera + won't have him--musquitoes won't bite him--and if, after his lean + carcass is huddled under the turf, his cunning little soul should + attempt to crawl through the key-hole of hell's gate, the devil, whose + lacky he has ever been, would kick him with as much disgust as this + _fraction_ once displayed in kicking a poor wretch whom he had + beggared, starved and ruined! + + "But I see, comrades, that you begin to grow impatient at this + moralizing--and well you may, for 'tis always distasteful to look at + such reptiles as we have been contemplating. Well, to take up the + thread of my yarn, which I shall bring to a close as speedily as + possible, for 'tis getting late.--When the Captain proposed that I + should murder Lord Hawley, his and her ladyship's hypocrisy enraged me + to such an extent, that I boldly looked him in the face, and said to + him-- + + "'Say, who is the greater villain, you or I? You, who prate of your + birth, rank and position in life, and propose a murder, or I, making + no pretensions whatever, I that have committed a murder at the + instigation of one of your class, in the hope of reward? Look you, + Captain; neither you nor your noble strumpet at your side shall bribe + me to commit further crime. Wretches that you both are, false in honor + and in truth, know that I am already fearfully revenged upon you--and + your exposure is at hand. Another murder, indeed!--_have you not both + drank blood enough?_' + + "This last sentence I uttered with such significance that the Captain + started and turned pale. 'What mean you, scoundrel?' he demanded. + + "'Follow me, both of you, to the wine cellar!' I exclaimed in answer, + fully determined to reveal the awful truth to them at once. Astonished + and subdued by the impressiveness of my manner and the singularity of + my words, they obeyed. Having seized a light from the table, I led + the way to the cellar, and advanced to the cask wherein rotted the + remains of the murdered Lagrange. + + "The scene must have been a striking one, comrades. There was the vast + vault, dimly lighted by a single wax taper; around were many black and + mouldering casks containing the juice of the grape, some of which was + of a great age. Before one of those casks, much larger than the + others, stood I, brandishing aloft the implement with which I was + about to break open that strange tomb, and disclose its awful secret. + Beside me, dressed in the slight garments I have already described, + their pale countenances expressive of mingled curiosity and fear, + stood Lady Hawley and Captain St. Clair, whom I thus addressed-- + + "'This cask, may it please your ladyship and the Captain, contains the + wine which you both are so extremely fond of. You have observed, with + some surprise, that its flavor has of late much improved. I shall now, + with your permission, show you the cause of that improvement, for + which--ha, ha, ha!--you are solely indebted to me. The opening of this + cask will disclose a mystery that you have never dreamed of. Look!' + + "They both strained forward in eager expectation. A few blows sufficed + to remove the head of the cask. Horror! a sickening stench arose, and + there became visible the headless trunk of a human being. That portion + of the body which was not immersed in the wine, was putrid. 'Look + here!' cried I, in mad triumph, plunging my arm into the cask, and + drawing forth the ghastly head of Lagrange. I held aloft the horrid + trophy of my vengeance; there were the dull, staring eyes, the + distorted features, and drops of wine oozed from between the set + teeth. With a long, loud shriek, her ladyship fell to the ground + insensible; muttering fierce curses on me, the Captain turned to raise + her, and profiting by the opportunity, I escaped from the cellar and + fled from the house. Making the best of my way to the 'Jolly Thieves,' + in St. Giles, I sought safety and concealment there, where I had ample + leisure to mature my future plans. + + "In a day or two I saw it announced in one of the newspapers that a + cask had been found floating in the river Thames, which on opening was + found to contain the body and head of a man, and a quantity of wine. + The circumstance gave rise to the supposition that the body had been + procured by some surgeon for dissection, and for some reason had been + abandoned and thrown overboard. The cask and its contents had, of + course, been thrown into the river through the agency of the Captain; + and the affair gave rise to neither excitement nor investigation. + + "Meanwhile, Lord Hawley had returned to town. No sooner was I apprised + of the fact, than I sent him the following blunt and somewhat rude + epistle--for I felt too keen a thirst for vengeance on my enemies to + admit of my being very choice or respectful in my language, even to a + nobleman:-- + + "'My lord,--you are a cuckold. Do you doubt it? I can prove it, + beyond the shadow of a doubt. Captain Eugene St. Clair is your + lady's lover--she is his mistress. For a long time past, she has, + during your absence, received him into her chamber. You are laughed + at by the pretty pair, as a withered, impotent old dotard. You know + the handwriting of your late valet, Lagrange. Accompanying this is a + letter written by him, to you; before he had an opportunity of + sending it to you, he was _made away with_, through the + instrumentality of your amiable wife, who had every reason to + suppose that he would betray her. The tale trumped up by the noble + harlot about the Frenchman's having stolen your property and fled, + is a lie. My lord, I think you have reason to be grateful to me for + exposing the guilty parties; if so, any pecuniary reward which you + may see fit to send me, by one of your servants, (I am at the _Jolly + Thieves_, in St. Giles,) will be gratefully accepted by + + MICHAEL SIMPSON.' + + "I thus freely disclosed my place of concealment to his lordship, + because I apprehended no danger to myself, knowing that the nobleman + was a man of honor, who would not injure the person who had rendered + him such an important service as to put him on the track to avenge his + wrongs. And I also anticipated receiving a liberal reward for my + information; nor was I disappointed,--for that very evening a servant + in the Hawley livery called at the _Jolly Thieves_, and presented me + with a small package, which on opening I found to contain bank notes + to the amount of five hundred pounds, and the following note, which + though in his lordship's handwriting, bore neither address nor + signature:-- + + "'Here is the reward of your information. Accept, also, my thanks. + The proof you have furnished of the truth of your statement, admits + of no doubt. I know how to punish the w**e and her blackguard + paramour. You had better leave the country, for I can surmise what + agency _you_ had in the affair of Lagrange's disappearance; but as + you were the tool of others, I stoop not to molest you. Should the + event, however, gain notoriety, _the law_ of course, will not prove + equally considerate.' + + "I was overjoyed! Five hundred pounds, and the certainty of having + ruined my enemies! That night I gave a sumptuous supper to all the + frequenters of the _Jolly Thieves_; and a jolly time we had of it, + I'll assure you, comrades. The most respectable men in London were + present at the feast; there were nine cracksmen, five highwaymen, + twelve pickpockets, two murderers, three gentlemen who had escaped + from transportation, and a smart sprinkling of small workmen, in the + way of _fogle hunters_, (handkerchief thieves,) and _body snatchers_, + (grave robbers). Full forty of us sat down to a smoking supper of + stewed tripe and onions,--ah, how my mouth waters to think of it now! + And then the _lush_!--gallons of ale, rivers of porter, and oceans of + grog! Every gentleman present volunteered a song; and when it came to + be my turn, I gave the following, which, (being something of a poet,) + I had myself composed, expressly for the occasion, to the air of the + _Brave Old Oak_:-- + + + SONG OF THE JOLLY THIEF. + + "A song to the thief, the jolly, jolly thief, + Who has plied his trade so long;-- + May he ne'er come down to the judge's frown, + Or the cells of Newgate strong. + 'Tis a noble trade, where a living's made + By an art so bold and free; + May he never be snug in a cold, stone jug, + Or swing from a two-trunk'd tree! + + CHORUS + Then here's to the thief, the jolly thief + Who plies his trade so bold-- + May he never see a turnkey's key, + Or sleep in a prison cold! + + "This song was received with the most uproarious applause by the + jovial crew; and we separated at a late hour, after giving three + groans for the new police. + + "A few days passed away. I never neglected each morning to carefully + peruse all the newspapers; and just as I was beginning to despair of + ever seeing any announcement calculated to assure me that my enemies + were overthrown, I had the intense satisfaction of reading the + following paragraph in the _Times_:-- + + "'AN AFFAIR OF HONOR. Yesterday morning, his lordship Viscount Hawley + and the Honorable Captain Eugene St. Clair had a hostile meeting in + the suburbs of London. Circumstances of a delicate nature, of which we + are not at liberty to speak at present, are reported to have led to + the difficulty between the noble gentlemen. At the first fire Captain + St. Clair fell, and upon examination it was found that he had been + shot through the heart. He died instantly. His lordship was uninjured, + and immediately departed for the Continent unaccompanied by her + ladyship.' + + "I danced with delight when I read this paragraph. 'My vengeance is + already half accomplished,' thought I. But what had become of Lady + Hawley? The newspapers, from day to day and from week to week, were + silent with respect to her fate. At length I began to fear that her + ladyship, after all, was destined to escape uninjured by my endeavors + to effect her ruin. Was I right? You shall see. + + "Nearly two years passed away, during which time, with the aid of my + five hundred pounds, I had set up a first-rate public house in a + populous and respectable neighborhood, and was making money. I have + little doubt but that the sign of '_The Red Cask_' is still remembered + in that vicinity--for that was the name which, actuated by a strange + whim, I had given to my tavern; and the same was illustrated by a huge + swinging sign in front, on which was painted the representation of a + large cask overflowing with blood--which, I need scarcely tell you, + was a sly and humorous allusion to the affair of Lagrange's + murder.--Well, one cold, stormy winter's night, when the wind was + howling like ten thousand devils around the house, I was seated in my + comfortable tap-room, making myself extremely happy over a reeking + jarum of hot rum punch. I was alone, for the hour was late, and all my + guests had departed; when suddenly, during a pause in the clatter of + the elements, I heard a low, timid knock at my outer door, which faced + on the street.--Supposing it to be either some thirsty policeman, or a + belated traveller anxious to escape from the fury of the storm, I + arose and unbarred the door; as I opened it, a fierce gust of wind + rushed in, so piercing cold, that it seemed to chill me to the very + marrow of my bones; and at the same moment I beheld a human form + crouching down under the narrow archway over the door, as if vainly + endeavoring to shield herself from the fury of the tempest. I knew it + was a woman, for I caught a glimpse at an old bonnet and tattered + shawl. She shivered with the cold, which even made my teeth chatter, + stout and rugged as I was. 'What do you want?' I demanded roughly--for + I was impatient at having been thus unseasonably interrupted while + paying my devotions to the mug of hot rum punch, in front of a rousing + fire. As she made no immediate reply, I was about to bid her begone + and shut the door, when she said, in a faint, yet earnest tone--'Oh, + sir, for God's sake, as you hope for mercy yourself hereafter, let me + come in for a moment--only a moment--that I may warm my benumbed and + freezing limbs!' I paused a moment; I am not naturally hard-hearted, + unless there is something to be gained by it; and besides, I felt a + kind of curiosity to see what sort of a creature it was who wandered + the streets that awful night, destitute and houseless; so I bade her + come in, and with difficulty she followed me into the tap-room; + placing a seat for her near the fire, I resumed my own, and while + leisurely sipping my punch, a good opportunity was afforded me to + examine her narrowly. She was probably about twenty years of age, but + much suffering had made her look older. Though her features were worn + and wasted, and though her cheeks were hollow by the pinchings of + want, she was beautiful; her eyes were large, lustrous and eminently + expressive, and two or three stray curls of luxuriant hair peeped from + beneath her old, weather stained bonnet. Her form was tall, and + graceful in its outlines; but what particularly struck me was the + singular whiteness and delicacy of her hands, which plainly indicated + that she had never been accustomed to labor of any kind. Her dress was + wretched in the extreme, and was scarce sufficient to cover her + nakedness, much less shield her from the inclemency of the + weather,--nay, my inquisitive researches soon convinced me that the + miserable gown she wore was, excepting an old shawl, her _only + garment_--no under clothing, not even stockings,--and her feet (I + noticed that they were small and symmetrical,) were only separated + from the cold sidewalk by thin and worn-out shoes.--Yet, + notwithstanding all her poverty and wretchedness, there was about her + a look of subdued pride, which, though in strange contrast with her + garb, well became her general air, and regular handsome features. + Everything about her, excepting her dress, convinced me that she had + fallen from better days, and, somehow, that look of pride struck me as + being strangely familiar; yet I racked my brain in vain to recall from + the dreamy past some image that I could identify with the female + before me, who sat in front of my blazing fire and warmed her chilled + limbs with every appearance of the most intense satisfaction. + + "Her superior air commanded my involuntary respect. 'Madam,' said I, + 'are you hungry?' She eagerly answered in the affirmative; I placed + provisions before her, and she ate with an appetite almost ravenous. I + then gave her some mulled wine, which seemed to revive her greatly; + and she returned me her thanks in a manner so lady-like and refined (a + manner, however, which insensibly partook of a peculiar and indirect + kind of _hauteur_, as remarkable in her tone as in the expression of + her features,) that I was more than ever satisfied that she had + descended to her present wretched situation, certainly from a + respectable, if not from a very superior, order of society. + + "'You have benefitted me greatly, sir, and I thank you,' said she, + inclining her head towards me with an air almost condescending. 'I + assure you, you have not bestowed your _assistance_ (she didn't say + _charity_, observe!) upon a habitual mendicant or common person. I am + by birth a lady; you will pardon me for declining to state the causes + of my present condition. Again I thank you.' + + "The devil, comrades! here was a starving, freezing beggar woman whom + I had picked out of the street, and warmed and fed, playing the + condescending, reserved lady, forsooth! and abashing and humbling me + by her d----d lofty, proud looks! Ha, ha, ha! and yet I liked it, + mightily; the joke was too good; and so I continued to 'madam' her, + until at last I actually detected her on the very point of calling me + 'fellow;' but fortunately for her, she checked herself in time to + escape being turned into the street forthwith. + + "And yet the superiority of her air and the haughtiness of her manner + had for me an indescribable charm, no less than her beauty; and I + resolved, if possible, to make her my mistress, for I doubted not that + when she should become nourished and strengthened by proper food and + rest, she would make a very desirable companion for a man of my + amorous temperament. However, I did not broach the subject at that + time, but contented myself with seeing that she was comfortably + provided for that night, under the charge of one of the females of the + house, to whom I gave money with which to provide the strange lady + with proper and respectable clothing in the morning. The next day I + had occasion to go away at an early hour, and did not return until + late in the afternoon, and on entering my little parlor, I was + surprised at beholding a lady, handsomely dressed, who advanced + towards me with an air of dignified politeness. Her rich hair was most + tastefully arranged; her neat dress closely fitted a slender but + elegant shape, and I was struck with the dazzling fairness and purity + of her complexion, and the patrician cast of her features. A second + glance told me it was the female whom I had relieved the previous + night; and I became aware of the fact that the strange lady was no + other than Lady Adelaide Hawley! + + "She did not recognize me, for I was much changed, in consequence of + having removed the huge beard which I had worn, while in her husband's + service. You may imagine my triumph at finding the proud lady an + inmate of my house and a dependent on my bounty, under circumstances + so humiliating to her and so gratifying to me; and you may well + believe that I lost no time in giving her to understand the nature of + the reward I expected in return for my hospitality. Would you believe + it? She actually repulsed me with scorn, and began to talk of her + birth, and the superiority of her rank to mine! Her confounded pride + had now become altogether ridiculous; and somewhat enraged, I told her + who I was. She started, regarded me for a moment with a scrutinizing + look, and burst into tears, saying--'It is so, indeed! My punishment + is just; I am humbled and degraded before the very menial I despised. + Take, me, Simpson; do with me as you will; crime levels all ranks. Yet + stay; I am still feeble; delay the consummation of your triumph for + one week. During that period I shall regain the strength I have lost, + and the beauty that has faded; then shall I be a fitting partner for + your bed.' I consented; two or three days passed, and I was rejoiced + to perceive that she daily grew in strength and beauty, and was fast + regaining that voluptuousness of person which had formerly + distinguished her. She related to me, at my request, the particulars + of her downfall. She had been cast off by her husband and rejected by + her relations with scorn and curses, when the fact of her adultery + with St. Clair was discovered.--Entirely friendless and without + resources, she was compelled to place herself under the protection of + a gentleman of fashion and pleasure, who rioted on her luxuriant + charms for a brief season, until possession and excess produced + satiety, the sure forerunner of disgust--she was then thrown aside as + a worthless toy, to make room for some fresh favorite. Rendered + desperate by her situation, she became an _aristocratic courtezan_, + freely sacrificing her person to every nobleman and gentleman of rank + who chose to pay liberally for her favors. In this manner she + subsisted for a time in luxury--but at last, her patrons (as is always + the case) grew tired of her; she had become + + "Like a thrice-told tale, + Vexing the dull ears of a drowsy man," + + and was again thrown upon the world without resources. Her indomitable + pride still clung to her, through all her misfortunes; and though she + plainly saw that her amours with the aristocracy were at an end + forever, she disdained to seek meaner lovers among the humbler + classes. Every offer made to her by men of medium rank, was spurned by + the proud harlot with supreme contempt. 'I am a companion for + nobility--not for the grovelling masses,' she would reply, in answer + to all such offers; nor did the pinchings of want and hunger even for + a moment shake her resolution, or disarm her prejudices. She might, + had she been disposed, have still lived in comfort and even splendor, + by becoming an inmate of some fashionable brothel; but as in such an + establishment she would be required to bestow her favors + indiscriminately on men of all ranks, who could pay for the same, she + recoiled from the idea with disgust. Thus did the pride of this + singular woman triumph over her wants and poverty; when on the very + verge of starvation, with the means of relief within her grasp, the + thought--'I am of noble birth,' would sustain her, and enable her to + resist successfully the longings of hunger and the sufferings + incidental to a homeless life. No scrupulous delicacy prevented her + from accepting any assistance, pecuniary or otherwise, that might be + offered to her; she even did not hesitate to ask for charity, in tones + of _affected_ humility; but the all-pervading principle, PRIDE OF + BIRTH, implanted within her breast, imperiously restrained her from + bestowing the favors of her patrician person upon 'vulgar plebeians;' + and, in consequence, she had sunk lower and lower in want, destitution + and misery, until driven, on that terrible winter's night, to + supplicate for a slight and temporary relief at the door of one whom + she had formerly so much despised, but on whom she was now so + dependent. + + "It was a cold evening, and her ladyship and myself were seated before + a comfortable fire. An abundance of wholesome food, and every comfort + which it was in my power to procure for her, had improved her + appearance greatly. Her form had regained much of its natural + roundness, and her countenance had recovered all its original beauty. + She was gazing pensively into the fire; while I regarded _her_ with an + eye of admiration, and a heart full of amorous longings. At length I + broke the silence. 'To-morrow night, madam,' said I, 'the week for + which you stipulated, will have expired.' She sighed deeply, and + murmured, in an almost inaudible tone, 'It is so, indeed.' Noticing + the sigh which accompanied her words, a frown of displeasure gathered + on my brow; but it was almost instantly dispelled, in the delight I + felt at my approaching happiness. 'Yes,' I continued, 'to-morrow night + I shall be the happiest of men; but madam, why delay until to-morrow + night that felicity which may as well be enjoyed to-night? You can + never be more beautiful or more voluptuous than you are at this + moment.' During the utterance of these words, I had drawn my chair + close to hers, and encircled her enchanting waist with my arm; I felt + her heart throbbing wildly beneath my hand, which had invaded the + snowy regions of her swelling charms--and I took it to be the wild + throbbing of passion. We were alone--not a soul was stirring in the + house; propitious moment! How longingly I gazed upon her dewy lips, + which reminded me of the lines in Moore's _Anacreon_--which, I + suppose, is all Latin and Greek to you, comrades:-- + + "Her lips, so rich in blisses, + Sweet petitioners for kisses! + Pouting nest of bland persuasion, + Ripely suing Love's invasion." + + And they did not long sue in vain; for such vigorous salute as I gave + them would have put even Captain St. Clair to the blush. While thus + tasting the honey of the sweetest and most luscious pair of lips in + the three kingdoms, I fancied that I felt her trembling with delight + in my arms; but too soon did I become aware that she was only + shuddering with disgust; for by a vigorous effort she struggled from + my embrace, and, breathless and panting, said--'Not now, Simpson, not + now, I entreat, I implore you! To-morrow night, the week's exemption + which I craved, will be completed,--then--then--at this hour--you + may--you will find me in my chamber; _then_, so help me God! I will + offer no resistance; but now, not now!' I surveyed her ladyship with + some surprise; her eyes sparkled like diamonds, and her face, neck and + bosom were suffused with a ruddy, glowing hue. 'As you please, madam,' + I coldly rejoined, for I was provoked at her violent and unexpected + resistance--'as you please; but remember, I am no longer to be trifled + with. To-morrow night be it, then; and see that you do not repeat this + obstinacy of conduct, for I will then accomplish my object, even if I + have to resort to force and violence!' '_I will not then resist you_, + I swear it!' said she, with much solemnity of manner, and then + added--'one favor I will ask of you: permit me to remain all day + to-morrow in my chamber, and do not even attempt to see me, until + twelve o'clock to-morrow night, at which hour you will find me waiting + for your appearance.' I agreed to this request; and she bade me + good-night in a tone almost cheerful, as she left the room to seek her + chamber. + + "The next day and the next evening passed;--the midnight hour arrived. + I closed my house, and repaired to the chamber which had been + assigned to the use of my lady guest. Finding the door unlocked, I + softly entered the apartment; it was a spacious room, tolerably well + furnished, and the bed was shrouded by muslin curtains; a lighted + candle stood upon the table; glancing around I saw nobody. 'She is in + bed,' thought I, and every nerve in my body thrilled with delight at + the thought. I approached the bed, and drew aside the curtain. There + she lay--but how very still! 'She sleeps,' thought I, somewhat + surprised; and bending over in the dim light of the unsnuffed candle, + I kissed her lips--heavens! what made them so very cold--and why was + the hand which I had lasciviously laid upon her bosom, dampened with a + warm liquid? I rushed to the table, seized the candle, and returned to + the bed-side. There she lay--DEAD! The life-blood was welling from an + awful gash in her left breast; her right hand grasped a dagger--the + instrument of her death; the bed on which she lay was literally soaked + with her blood, and my hand was stained with it. Then I comprehended + her words--'_I will not then resist you!_' I staggered back, + horror-stricken; the shadow of remorse for the first time darkened my + soul; I would have wrested the dagger from her lifeless hand, and + plunged it into my own heart, but in the agonies of death she had + clutched it too firmly to admit of my easily tearing it from her + grasp. I turned from the bed, and again placed the candle upon the + table; I sat down by it, with the cold perspiration starting from + every pore. Ha! what is this? a letter, and addressed to me? I had not + observed it before. Eagerly I tore it open, and instantly recognized + the elegant handwriting of her ladyship--not a blot, not a misformed + letter marred the beautiful chirography of the missive; it was written + with the same grace and precision that had in former days + characterized her ladyship's notes of invitation to her splendid + parties. As near as I can remember, it read as follows:-- + + "'Death is preferable to the dishonor of your vile embraces. Were you + a man of birth, gladly would I accept the protection of your arms; but + Lady Adelaide Hawley can never become the mistress of a menial. I + welcome death, as it will preserve me from staining the purity of my + noble blood by cohabitation with such as _thou_ art. May heaven pity + and forgive me!' + + "After I had read this characteristic note, I reflected deeply upon + the tragic event--her suicide. Innocent as I was of her death, might I + not be arrested as her murderer?[B] Circumstances were strong against + me; how could I prove my innocence? Many men have been hung on + circumstantial evidence less strong. Though I had escaped detection on + a murder which I had actually committed, I now feared that I should + suffer for a deed of which I was not guilty. The gallows arose before + my excited fancy, in all its terrors; my throat seemed encircled by + the fatal rope.--I determined to fly the country; instantly acting + upon this impulse, I left the chamber, and hastily collected together + all my money (which was considerable) and valuables. Then I left the + house, and seeking a safe asylum in an obscure party of the city, + remained there until an opportunity was afforded me to take ship to + America. I arrived here--soon spent all my money--was hauled up for a + murder--was convicted of manslaughter only, and did the State service + for a period of ten years in the stone institution at Charlestown; + served out my time--and here I am. Now, comrades, you have heard my + story; that it has been a long one, and a dry one, I grant--at all + events, the narration of it has made _me_ confoundedly dry. Here's a + health to jolly thieves all the world over, and confusion to honesty, + the law, and the police!" + +[B] Acute and sagacious as Jew Mike was, it did not occur to him, in his +trepidation and alarm, that the note which he had just read, and which +was in Lady Hawley's own handwriting, would clearly exonerate him from +all suspicion of his having murdered her. But guilt is sometimes +singularly short-sighted, and Mike, as cunning a villain as he was, +threw aside or perhaps destroyed the only evidence he could have +possibly produced to substantiate his innocence. + +Jew Mike did honor to his own toast in a bumper of brandy; nor were the +others backward in following his example. Sow Nance, who had just awoke +from a sound sleep, swore it was the most capital story she had ever +heard in her life, which opinion she enforced by many oaths that we need +not repeat. 'Charcoal Bill' and 'Indian Marth' were loud in their +expressions of delight; and Jew Mike had the satisfaction of perceiving +that he had pleased his audience, and made himself the hero of the +night. A general conversation followed, which lasted until the Jew, as +chairman of the meeting and Captain of the _Grabbers_, called the +assembly to order, and announced that Sow Nance had the +floor;--whereupon silence was restored, and that lady gave utterance to +the following words, in a hoarse voice.--Her remarks were copiously +interspersed with oaths, which, out of respect for the reader's feelings +and our own credit, we omit:-- + + "Well, gals and fellers, being as how my Mike here has been a blowin' + off his gas, I might as well blow mine. You all know how I first came + to be se-duced, don't yer? It was a rich State street lawyer wot first + did it, when I was 'leven years old. Ha, ha, ha! a jolly old cock he + was, with a bald head and a face all over red pimples--he used to be + mighty fond of us girls, I tell yer. Maybe I didn't use to suck the + money out of him, by threatenin' to _blow_ on him--well, I did! Yer + all know how I had a young-'un, and how--ha, ha, ha!--the brat was + found, the next day after it was born, dead in the _Black Sea_; it + never died no nat'ral death that young-'un didn't, yer can bet yer + life; the old Cor'ner wasn't far out of the way when he said in his + werdict that the child had been strangled! The State street lawyer was + its father, I believe, tho' I can't say for certain, I had so many + partick'lar friends; for if I _ain't_ werry good-looking, I've got + winnin' ways. I came from a first-rate family, I did; my father was + hung for killing my mother--one of my brothers has also danced a horn + pipe in the air, and another is under sentence of death, off South, + for beating a woman's brains out with a fire shovel, and choking her + five children with a dishcloth. He's one of the true breed, he is. I + ain't no dishonor to my family, either; for besides that strangling + business, (mind, I didn't say _I_ did it!) I once pitched a drunken + sailor down stairs, which accidentally broke his neck, after I had + lightened his pockets of what small change he had about him.--To tell + the honest truth, I'm rather too ugly to make much money by doing + business myself; so I've gone into the business of picking up young, + good-looking gals, coaxing them off, and getting them into the houses + of my regular customers, who pay me well, at so much a head. My best + customer is the rich Mr. Tickels, who lives in South street; many's + the young gal I've carried to him, and many's the dollar I've earned + by it. Look here--do you see this five dollar gold piece? I earned it + this morning by coaxing a gal to go with me to Mr. Tickel's house; she + was a little beauty, I tell yer, and I'll bet she won't come out of + that house the same as she went in, no how. She was a fruit gal, but + she wasn't one of us; her name, I believe was Fanny--" + +"Blood and battering-rams!" + +This singular exclamation was made by the comical looking old man, who +had entered the "Pig Pen" unperceived, and had been seated in the corner +unnoticed by any of the company. He had arisen from his seat, and stood +in an attitude which betokened profound interest and great astonishment. +For a moment the whole gang, male and female, regarded him with surprise +and suspicion; then Jew Mike sprang forward, seized him by the throat, +shook him strongly, and in a rough, fierce voice, demanded:-- + +"Death and the devil, old scoundrel, how came you here? Who are +you?--are you a police spy--one of Marshal Threekey's gang? Speak, +d----n you, before I break every bone in your accursed old carcass!" + +It was a singular contrast, between the great, powerful ruffian, and the +little old man--nevertheless, the latter individual (who, the reader +need scarcely be told, was no other than our eccentric friend, the +Corporal,) did not tamely submit to such rough treatment; extricating +himself, with much agility, from the grasp of the Jew, he dealt that +worthy such a quick and stinging blow in the region of his left ear, +that it laid him sprawling on the floor, at the same moment exclaiming-- + +"Skulls and skeletons! do you take me for a child? Nay, come on again, +if you are so disposed, and by the nose of Napoleon! I'll beat you to a +jelly!" + +It is difficult to say what might have been the fate of the gallant +Corporal, had a second encounter taken place, for the Jew arose from the +floor with a howl of rage, his dark face livid with passion. But, +fortunately for our friend, at this crisis there stepped forward a big, +brawny, double-jointed Irishman, with a fist like a shoulder of mutton; +this gentleman gloried in the title of 'Cod-mouth Pat,' in humorous +allusion to the peculiar formation of his 'potato trap,' an aperture in +his head which might have been likened either to a cellar door or a coal +scuttle. + +"Och, be the powers, Misther Jew Mike," said Pat, placing himself +between the Corporal and his gigantic antagonist--"be asy, and lave the +owld gintlman alone; he's a brave little man intirely, and it's myself +that'll fight for him. Whoop! show me the man that 'od harm my friend, +and be the holy poker, and that's a good oath, I'll raise a lump on his +head as big as the hill of Howth, and that's no small one!" + +The good-hearted Irishman's interference saved the Corporal from a +severe beating, if not from being killed outright--for the Jew dared not +engage in a personal conflict with a man of Pat's resolution and +strength. Yet any ordinary observer could not have failed to notice the +look of deadly vengeance that gleamed in his eyes, indicating that he +would not soon forget or forgive the blow he had received. + +At that moment, a loud noise resembling the crash of decanters and +glasses, mingled with loud oaths and yells of defiance, which sounds +proceeded from the adjoining dance cellar, plainly indicated that one of +those "bloody rows" for which Ann street is famous, had commenced. Such +a scene was too much the element of Cod-mouth Pat for him to remain +tranquil during its progress; with an unearthly yell he grasped a short, +thick cudgel which he always carried, and leaving the "Pig Pen," plunged +into the thickest of the fight. Many a black eye and broken head +attested the vigor of his arm; but the glory of his achievements did not +screen him from being borne to the watchhouse, nor did his valor prevent +the magistrate in the morning from inflicting upon him a very decent +fine, which drew from him the indignant remark that--"'Tis a great +country, any how, where a man can't have a ginteel bit of a fight +without paying for it!" + +The Corporal's case again looked desperate, when Pat left the "Pig Pen," +for he was then without a protector from the vengeance of Jew Mike. But +the Jew did not appear inclined to assail the old man personally, though +his ferocious eyes still gleamed with rage. Standing apart, he held a +whispered conversation with Sow Nance, during which the Corporal could +occasionally overhear the words--'spy,' 'danger,' 'police,' 'murder,' +and the like. At last they seemed to arrive at some definite conclusion; +for the Jew came forward, and said-- + +"Old fellow, whoever you are, you have heard too much of our private +discourse, for our safety.--We must confine you, until such time as you +may succeed in convincing us that you meant no foul play in thus +intruding into our secret rendezvous." + +The Corporal began to speak, but the Jew fiercely commanded him to be +silent. Meanwhile, Sow Nance had procured a rope, and ere the old man +was aware of her intention, she had seized and pinioned his arms with +great dexterity. + +"Into the _Black Hole_ with him!" shouted the Jew. The poor Corporal was +hurried from the room, through a low, narrow door, along a dark, winding +passage, and soon found himself in a spacious cellar, crowded with +negroes, who were drinking "blue ruin" and smoking vile cigars. This +resort of the "colored society" was a place of the most degraded and +vicious kind, frequented by the lowest of the black population of Ann +street. At that period, respectable public houses for the exclusive +accommodation of the colored aristocracy, were very rare; and it is only +recently that the enterprise and public spirit of Mr. William E. Ambush +has established a _recherche_ and elegant Saloon in Belknap street, +bearing the poetical cognomen of "_The Gazelle_." We allude to this +latter place for the purpose of showing that however degraded may be the +colored denizens of Ann street, and however low their resorts, there are +nevertheless those of the same complexion who are elevated in their +notions of propriety, and strictly exclusive in their associations. + +"Hallo, here--where's Pete York?" demanded the Jew, looking around upon +the sable assembly with an air of authority. + +A small, very black and hideous looking negro stepped forward in answer +to the name, with a grin that would not have disgraced the very devil +himself. + +"Dat's me, master," said he. (It may be as well to remark here, that +this negro was soon afterwards sentenced to be hung for an atrocious +murder, in Ann street. His sentence was, however, commuted by the +Governor to imprisonment for life. He is now comfortably located in the +Charlestown State Prison.) + +"Well, then, you black scorpion, I wish you to take charge of this old +fellow, and let him not escape, as you value your life. Keep him here +safely for a day or two, and I'll reward you well for your trouble. +Sooner than let him escape, _kill him_--do you hear?" + +The negro _did_ hear, and perfectly comprehended, also. He replied not +in words, but in expressive pantomime. Drawing a knife from his belt, he +passed his finger approvingly along its glittering edge--then he drew it +lightly across his own throat, in the immediate vicinity of his +windpipe; by which actions he meant to intimate that should the old +gentleman, with whose guardianship he had the honor to be entrusted, +manifest the least inclination to "give him the slip," he, Mr. Peter +York, would, in the most scientific manner, merely cut his throat from +ear to ear, as a particular token of his warm personal regard. Jew Mike +appeared perfectly satisfied with the assurance thus eloquently +conveyed, and, accompanied by Sow Nance, left the cellar, leaving the +Corporal to the tender mercies of as desperate a band of villains and +cut-throats as ever prowled about in the dark alleys and underground +dens of Ann street. + +"Now, my good fellow," said the old gentleman, addressing the negro +whose prisoner he now was--"you had better instantly unbind me, and +suffer me to take my departure from this infernal trap. Give me my +liberty, and I will pay you ten times the sum that your Jew friend can +afford to give you for detaining me here. What say you?" + +"Oh, you shut up!" responded Pete York--"you s'pose I'm going to b'lieve +any such gas as dat? You look like paying more money than Jew Mike, and +not a decent coat on your back! Hush up your mouf, or you'll get this +knife a-twixt your ribs in less than no time." + +The black ruffian, in order to convince his prisoner that he meant what +he said, pressed the sharp point of his knife so closely to the +Corporal's breast, that it penetrated the skin. Mr. York, having thus +practically admonished his victim to preserve silence, (which the +Corporal thought it best to do, under the circumstances,) called to +another negro, who was indulging in deep potations at the bar, in +company with his "ladye love," a wench whose personal attractions +consisted of a knotty head, flat nose, and mouth of immoderate +dimensions--and that she _was_ attractive to her lover, was afterwards +manifested by the fact that in a fit of jealousy he murdered a rival in +her affections; for which amusement he was hung in the yard of the +Leverett street jail on the 25th day of May, 1849, in the presence of a +very jovial party, who were highly delighted with the exhibition. + +"Wash Goode," cried Mr. Peter York, addressing that gentleman with a +familiar abbreviation of his patriotic Christian name--"look yeah, a +moment, will you nigger?" + +Mr. Washington Goode crossed the cellar, and desired to know in what way +he could be serviceable to his particular friend and boon companion, Mr. +Peter York. The latter gentleman explained himself in a few words. + +"Jew Mike has put this old white man under my charge," said he, "for a +few days, and I don't know where the h----l to keep him. What shall I do +with the old son of a----?" + +"Why, put him in de coal-hole, to be sure," replied the other, with a +boisterous laugh at his own ingenious suggestion. + +Mr. York signified his approval of this plan, and dragging the poor +Corporal into the dark passage which he had traversed in going to the +cellar, he seized a large iron ring, opened a trap door, and violently +pushed his victim into the dark and yawning chasm. Then he shut down the +trap door, securely fastened it and departed. + +The unfortunate Corporal fell a distance of about eight feet, and landed +upon a soft, damp bed of earth, with but little personal injury. It will +be recollected that his arms had been pinioned by Sow Nance; but, by a +desperate effort, the old man succeeded in freeing himself from his +bonds. He then essayed to examine and explore the dismal pit into which +he had been thrown--which, in the intense darkness that prevailed, was a +task of no little danger. However, he cautiously began to grope about, +and soon became satisfied that the place was of considerable extent. + +It will readily be inferred that our friend Corporal Grimsby was a man +of dauntless courage; but, notwithstanding this, a thrill of terror +nearly paralysed his limbs, when, while exploring the dungeon into which +he had been thrown, his feet came in contact with an object, which, on +examination, he discovered to be a human skeleton. The dread of being +left to starve and perish in that dismal den, in such awful company, +well nigh overcame both his philosophy and courage; and seating himself +upon the damp earth, he abandoned himself to those feelings of +despondency naturally engendered by his situation. + +A man placed in such circumstances, in the midst of intense darkness, +can "take no note of time." An hour of horror will sometimes seem an +age, while a week of unalloyed pleasure will often glide by seemingly +with the same rapidity as a few fleeting moments. It may have been one +hour--it may have been ten--that the Corporal sat on the floor of his +dungeon; when suddenly he was startled by the noise of the trap-door +above his head being opened, and looking up, he beheld Sow Nance gazing +down upon him, holding in her hand a lantern. After regarding him +intently for a few moments, she thus addressed him:-- + +"Say, old chap, what'll yer give me if I help yer to 'scape from this +hole? Yer don't look as if yer had any money--but if yer have, pay me +well, and I'll get you out." + +"Lower down a ladder or a rope, and raise me from this infernal trap, +and you shall have this purse--see, 'tis full of gold!" replied the +Corporal, at the same time producing from his pocket a purse which was +evidently well lined with the "needful." + +Nance uttered an exclamation of surprise and pleasure, and then +disappeared; in a few minutes she returned and lowered a ladder into the +pit; the Corporal rapidly ascended, and soon stood at the side of his +deliverer, whom he could not avoid thanking warmly, as he gave her the +purse. Bidding him follow her, she conducted him through the dark +passage; they entered the "Pig Pen," which was empty--passed through the +dance cellar without attracting any attention, and to the intense joy of +the Corporal, he found himself standing in the open air, with the sun +shining brightly, and no one to hinder his departure from those corrupt +regions of sin and horror. + +He distinctly remembered that Sow Nance had boasted of having enticed a +young girl to the abode of Mr. Tickels in South street. Now this latter +individual was known to him as a libertine and a villain; and inwardly +praying that he might not be too late to rescue his fair young friend +(for he doubted not it was Fanny Aubrey,) from the power of such a +monster, in season to preserve her virtue undefiled, he made the best of +his way to South street. The reader knows how he rushed into the room +just as Tickels was preparing to consummate the outrage, and how he laid +the villain sprawling upon the floor, exclaiming-- + +"Broad-swords and bomb-shells! I am just in time!" + +We have now seen the manner in which Corporal Grimsby discovered the +whereabouts of Fanny Aubrey: and the mystery of his having arrived at a +moment so very opportune, is explained. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +_The Chevalier and the Duchess._ + + +A period of six months elapsed, and it was now the month of +June--voluptuous June, clad in the gorgeous livery of summer. A great +change had taken place in the circumstances of several of the most +prominent characters of our narrative. The grandfather of Fanny--the +blind old basket-maker--had been "gathered to his fathers," and was +sleeping in a humble but honorable grave. The excellent old Corporal, +having seen the remains of his aged friend consigned to its kindred +dust, had procured a comfortable and delightful asylum for the two +orphans in the family of a valued friend of his--an elderly gentleman +whom we shall call Mr. Goldworthy; he was a retired merchant, possessing +an ample fortune, and was a widower, having an only daughter, with whom +he resided in a splendid mansion in Howard street. Miss Alice +Goldworthy, (then in her eighteenth year,) was one of those rare +creatures who seldom bless this grovelling earth with their bright +presence. She was truly an admirable combination of excellent personal +and mental qualities, and possessed in an eminent degree that beautiful +art (so seldom attained) of making all who came within the sphere of her +genial influence, _perfectly happy_. But her most amiable characteristic +was her good heart, which prompted her to entirely overlook every +consideration of self, in her desire to benefit others. We have now, in +our mind's eye, the exquisite original from whom we imperfectly draw +this beautiful character; her pure soul looks gently forth from the +azure depths of her soft eyes; lovely in her smile, for it is the glad +sunshine of a happy heart--but has that heart ne'er known affliction or +grief? Ah, yes; the harsh world hath, in former times, bruised that +gentle sanctuary of all womanly virtue, by its rude contact; but an +o'er-ruling Providence would not suffer the blighting storms of life to +crush the sweet flower that bent resignedly to the blast--for the angels +in heaven are not more pure and holy than she. Peace be with her, now +and forever! and should her eyes e'er encounter these humble lines, she +will pardon their unknown author for having ventured to gild his pages +with her beautiful character--for he has gazed upon her as upon a star, +shipping with a serene and softened lustre from the blue vault of +heaven. + +Her domestic accomplishments were not inferior to her social virtues. In +the charming (because truthful) words of an unpretending but excellent +poet-- + + "She had read + Her father's well-filled library with profit, + And could talk charmingly; then she could sing + And play, too, passably, and dance with spirit; + Yet she was knowing in all needle-work, + And shone in dairy and kitchen, too + As in the parlor." + +When Fanny Aubrey was ushered into the presence of this amiable young +lady, she started with surprise and pleasure--for she instantly +recognized in her the kind young lady who had presented her with the +gold coin on the memorable day when she was entrapped by Sow Nance into +the house of Mr. Tickels. The recognition was mutual; Miss Alice +instantly remembered the pretty fruit girl whose appearance had so much +interested her; and warmly did she welcome both the young orphans, as +future inmates of her family. Fanny had never before lived in such a +grand house, surrounded by every appliance of luxurious wealth; yet the +unbounded kindness of Miss Alice and her worthy father soon placed her +perfectly at her ease. Excellent teachers were provided for her and her +brother Charles--and, under the fostering care of their generous +patrons, they promised to become ornaments to the elevated sphere of +society in which they were probably destined to move. + +Time passed on, and nothing occurred to interrupt the smooth current of +Fanny's existence, until it was deemed advisable to engage a person +properly qualified to give her instructions on that indispensable +fixture to a fashionable parlor--the piano-forte. A teacher of some +reputed talent was employed for this purpose; he was a Mr. Price, of +Charlestown--and has since rendered himself somewhat famous for his +amours in the above city with a married lady whom we shall call Mrs. +Stout; he had for some time been giving her lessons on the piano--but +the husband suspected that he was in the habit of imparting to her +secrets more profound than those of music; he accordingly placed himself +in a position to observe the operations of the parties--and soon +detected them under circumstances of a very unequivocal character. +Rushing in, he severely castigated the gay Lothario, who, laboring under +the great disadvantage of having his costume seriously disarranged, +could only implore for mercy, while he assumed the abject posture so +faithfully depicted by a talented artist, in the engraving which +accompanies this chapter. Long previous to this humorous event, Mr. +Price was, as we have stated, engaged to instruct the pretty Fanny +Aubrey in the science and mystery of the noble instrument of which he +was a well-known professor; but he soon began to indulge in such +alarming familiarities with his fair pupil, that she acquainted her +friends with his conduct, and the consequence was that Mr. Price +received a very dishonorable dismissal from the house. Nature has been +very miserly of her favors to this amorous music teacher: his +countenance resembles that of an unwashed charcoal merchant, while his +manners are utterly devoid of anything like gentlemanly refinement.--We +are no great critic of the art of piano teaching; but we opine that it +is rather unnecessary, in the first stages of the instruction, to clasp +a lady's waist, or even to bring one's mouth in too close proximity to +her rosy lips. It leads a sensitive female, or a fastidious gentleman to +suspect the existence of a strong desire to enjoy a more familiar +intimacy with a feminine pupil, and is apt to result in the teacher's +ignominious ejection from the house and family which he attempts to +dishonor. + +With the exception of Mr. Price's insults, (from which she easily +escaped by appealing to her kind patrons for protection,) Fanny's life +passed on happily and quietly for some time; until one evening, on +entering the parlor, she was startled by seeing no less a person than +the Hon. Timothy Tickels, of South street, in familiar and friendly +conversation with Mr. Goldworthy and Miss Alice. Mr. Tickels himself +started and turned pale on beholding the maid whom he had attempted to +dishonor under circumstances of such peculiar atrocity; however, he +quickly recovered himself, and bowed low as Mr. Goldworthy presented her +to him, saying-- + +"Mr. Tickels, this is Miss Aubrey, the young lady whom I spoke to you +about, as having recently come to reside with me. Fanny, this is an old +and much esteemed friend of mine, who has expressed a great desire to +see you, and whom, I am sure, you will love and respect for his piety +and moral excellence!" + +Fanny coldly returned the salutations of the lecherous old hypocrite, +whom she had such a good reason to hate and despise; it was evident to +her that he had imposed on her worthy patrons, who really believed him +to be a man of unblemished moral and religious character. During the +evening, other company came in, and Tickels, having placed himself at +Fanny's side, whispered in her ear-- + +"My dear young lady, I see you recognize me; I also knew you instantly; +for God's sake do not expose me! I am sincerely sorry for the wrong I +meditated against you--I have since repented in sackcloth and ashes. +Promise me, I entreat you, that you will not whisper a word in regard to +that infamous affair to Miss Alice or her father--or, indeed, to any one +else; promise me, angel that you are--will you not?" + +Fanny reflected a few moments, during which she asked herself--"What is +the right course for me to pursue in this matter? It will be very wrong +for me to ruin this man by exposing him, if he has sincerely repented. +The Bible tells us to forgive our enemies--ought I not to forgive him? +Yes, I will; my heart and conscience tell me it will be right to do so. +Mr. Tickels," she added, aloud--"I forgive you for having tried to +injure me, and, if you have truly repented, I will never say anything +about the affair which you wish to have kept secret." + +How artlessly and ingenuously she pronounced those words of forgiveness, +to a man who had tried to inflict upon her the greatest injury that can +befall woman--a man who, even at that moment, in the black hypocrisy of +his heart, gloated upon her youthful charms as the wolf doth feast his +savage eyes upon the innocent lamb! Yes, and even at that moment, too, +his polluted soul was hatching an infernal plan to get her again in his +power, in a place where no aid was ever likely to wrest her from his +grasp--a place established for purposes of lust and outrage, to which he +had alluded, (in his soliloquy after the rescue of Fanny by the +Corporal,) as the "Chambers of Love." + +"Ah, my young paragon of virtue," said the old hypocrite to himself--"it +is all very well for you to prate of forgiveness; but I'll have you in +the 'Chambers' in less than a month--then see if you can again escape +me! In that luxurious underground retreat, from whose mysterious recess +no cry can reach the ears of prying mortals above--there, amid the +sumptuousness of an Oriental palace, will I riot on those charms of +thine, which now I dare but gaze upon! I'll make thee a slave to every +extravagant caprice of my passion; I'll become a god of pleasure, and +thou, my beautiful blonde, shall be my ministering angel; for me shalt +thou fill the glittering wine-cup with the sparkling gem of the grape; +for me shalt thou sing at the banquet, and preside as Venus at the rosy +couch of love." + +Such were the thoughts that passed through the mind of the disgusting +old voluptuary, while his lying tongue gave utterance to words like the +following:-- + +"A thousand thanks, my kind young lady, for that promise! Ah, if you +only knew how beautiful you are, you would not so much blame me for my +folly--my wickedness. But I'll say no more, as such language seems to +pain you. I have, by long fasting and sincere prayer, succeeded in +cleansing my heart from every impure desire--I can now view you with the +holy feelings--the passionless regard, of a father for his daughter. My +dear child, forget not your promise to refrain from exposing an erring +fellow mortal; and may Heaven bless you!" + +Poor, unsuspecting Fanny!--could she have seen the black heart of the +smooth villain who addressed her with such pious humility, how well she +might have exclaimed, with Byron-- + + "Thy love is lust, thy friendship all cheat, + Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit." + +Mr. Tickels continued to visit the Goldworthys frequently; and they, far +from suspecting his real character, always received him with the +familiarity of an old friend. They noticed that Fanny treated him with +marked coolness and reserve; this they thought but little of, however, +merely regarding it as an excess of diffidence. + +It is now necessary that we introduce a new character on the stage. This +was a gentleman who bore the rather aristocratic title of the "Chevalier +Duvall," and was supposed to be a foreigner of distinguished birth; and +if noble lineage ever indicated itself by splendid personal or mental +gifts, then was the Chevalier entitled to the fullest belief when he +declared himself to have descended from one of the noblest families of +France--for a man of more superb and commanding beauty never won the +heart of a fair lady. We confess ourselves rather opposed to the +prevailing tastes of authors, who make all their heroes and heroines +perfect paragons of personal beauty--but, in the present instance, we +are dealing, not with an imaginary creation, but with an actual +character. The Chevalier, then, was a man of a thousand; elegant in his +carriage, superbly graceful in every movement, possessing a form of +perfect symmetry, and a countenance faultlessly handsome, no wonder that +he captivated the hearts of many lovely damsels, and made no unfavorable +impression upon the mind of the fair Alice Goldworthy, whom he had +casually met in polished society, and whose admiration he had enlisted, +as much by the charms of inimitable wit as by the graces of his +matchless person. What wonder that the gentle girl, all unskilled as she +was in the ways of the world, should receive his frequent visits with +pleasure; and when her kind father intimated to her that her lover was a +man possessing no visible resources, and was besides very unwilling to +allude to his former history, which was involved in much obscurity, what +wonder that she made herself his champion, and assured her father that +he (the Chevalier) was everything that the most fastidious could desire. +And the good old man, never very inquisitive or meddlesome in what he +considered the affairs of others, and satisfied that his daughter's +views of her lover must be correct, forbore to pain her further by any +insinuations derogatory to the Chevalier's character, and made no +objections to his oft-repeated visits. + +Delicious was that dream of love to the pure-hearted maiden! Her lover +was to her the _beau ideal_ of manhood; so delicate in his attentions, +so uniformly respectful in his behavior. What if mystery _did_ exist in +reference to his history and resources?--when did Love ever stop to make +inquiries relative to descent or dollars? As long as she believed Duvall +to be an honorable and good man, she would have deserted her luxurious +home and shared poverty and exile with him, if necessary. Ah, how often +does Love, in the best and purest natures, triumph over filial affection +and every consideration of worldly or pecuniary advantage. + +"My Alice," said Duvall, as they were seated in Mr. Goldworthy's +luxurious parlor, at that most delightful period of the +day--twilight--bewitching season, when day softly melts into the embrace +of night!--"_My_ Alice, there is much connected with my name and +fortunes that must be to you a profound mystery; but, believe me, my +name is untainted with dishonor, and my fortunes are free from disgrace. +A solemn vow prevents me from explaining myself further, until the +blissful moment when I can call you wife; then, idol of my soul, shall +you know all. Behold this right hand; it has never committed an action +that could make this cheek blush with shame. And now, fairest among +women, when shall I claim this soft hand as my own lawful prize?" + +The day was named, and the happy Alice was for the first time clasped to +the bosom of her lover. + + * * * * * + +At the hour of noon, on the next day, a gentleman might have been +standing on the steps of the Tremont House, gazing with an eye of +abstraction upon the passing throng. The age of this gentleman might +have been a matter of dubious inquiry; he was not young, you'd swear at +the first glance, and yet, after you had gazed two minutes into his +superb countenance, you would be as ready to swear that he was not over +thirty, or thirty-five at most. In truth, he was one of those singular +persons whose external appearance defies you to form any opinion as to +their age, with any hope of coming within twenty years of the truth. Not +a single gray hair could be seen among the glossy curls that fell over +his noble forehead--not a wrinkle disfigured the smooth surface of his +dark, beautiful skin--and yet there was _something_ that we cannot +define or describe, in the expression of his eyes, which now flashed +with all the fire of youth, and then grew almost dim as with the shadows +of advancing age--a something that indicated to any acute observer that +the elegant stranger had passed the prime of manhood. + +He was dressed with tasteful simplicity. A splendid black suit set off +his fine form to advantage; yet his attire was utterly devoid of +ornament. Many were the bright eyes that glanced admiringly at his +handsome person; yet he seemed unconscious of the admiration he excited, +and gazed upon the passing crowd with all the calm complacency of a +philosopher. + +This gentleman was the Chevalier Duvall. Not long had he been standing +upon the steps of the Tremont House, when he was accosted by an elderly +gentleman of a portly appearance, whom he cordially greeted with every +token of familiar friendship. + +The portly old gentleman was the Honorable Timothy Tickels; he and the +Chevalier had long been intimate friends, having frequently met at the +house of Mr. Goldworthy. After the usual compliments, Mr. Tickels +remarked to his friend-- + +"By the way, my dear Chevalier, you remember that you long since +promised to introduce me to a sister of yours, whose charms you highly +extolled. I am anxious to see if she really merits your somewhat +extravagant praise. I have a few hours of leisure to-day, and if you +will present me to her, I shall be delighted." + +"Certainly, my good sir, certainly," rejoined the Chevalier--"the +distance is but trifling, and if you will do me the honor to accompany +me, to my humble abode, you shall be made acquainted with the most +beautiful woman in Boston. My sister is called the _Duchess_, and as +mystery is the peculiar characteristic of myself and family, you will +have the kindness to address her by that title." + +Mr. Tickels expressed his thanks; and the two gentlemen proceeded to +Somerset street, wherein stood the residence of the Chevalier. It was a +house of modest exterior, very plain but respectable in appearance; yet +the interior was furnished very handsomely. On entering the house, +Duvall directed a servant to inform the Duchess that he had brought a +gentleman to be introduced to her; and in about a quarter of an hour the +lady sent word that she was prepared to receive her brother and his +friend in her _boudoir_. Accordingly, the gentlemen ascended to that +apartment; and on entering, Mr. Tickels stood for a few moments rooted +to the floor with astonishment. + +It was a small chamber, but furnished with every indication of the most +exquisite taste. Fresh flowers, smiling from beautiful vases, scented +the air with their delicious perfume; classic statuary adorned every +corner, and gorgeous drapery at the windows excluded the glare of day, +producing a kind of soft twilight. Voluptuous paintings, with frames +superbly carved and gilded, ornamented the walls; and the footsteps fell +noiseless on the rich and yielding Turkish carpet. A splendid harp and +piano evinced the musical taste of the tenant of that elegant retreat. + +But it was not the fragrance of flowers, or the beauties of sculpture, +or the divine skill of the painter, that enthralled the senses of Mr. +Tickels, and caused him to pause as if spell-bound in the centre of the +room. No--his gaze was riveted upon a female form that reclined upon a +sofa; and now we are almost inclined to throw down our pen in despair, +for we are conscious of our inability to describe such a glorious +perfection of womanly beauty as met the enraptured gaze of a man, whose +sensual nature amply qualified him to appreciate such charms as she +possessed. + +She was not what the world calls a _young_ woman; yet thirty +years--thirty summers--had not dim'd the lustre of her beauty. Truly, +she was the VENUS OF BOSTON! A brow, expansive and intellectual--hair of +silken texture, that fell in massive luxuriance from beneath a jewelled +head-dress which resembled the coronet of a duchess--cheeks that glowed +with the rosy hue of health and a thousand fiery passions--eyes that +sparkled with that peculiar expression so often seen in women of an +ardent, impetuous nature, now languishing, melting with tender desires, +now darting forth arrows of hate and rage--these were the +characteristics of the Duchess! There she lay, the very personification +of voluptuousness--large in stature, full in form, and exquisitely +beautiful in feature! Her limbs (once the model of a renowned sculptor +at Athens,) would have crazed Canova, and made Powers break his "Greek +Slave" into a thousand fragments; and those limbs--how visible they were +beneath the light, transparent gauze which but partially covered them! +Her leg, with its exquisite ankle and swelling calf,--faultless in +symmetry,--was terminated by a tiny foot which coquettishly played with +a satin slipper on the carpet,--a slipper that would have driven +Cinderella to the commission of suicide. Her ample waist had never been +compressed by the wearing of corsets, or any other barbarous tyranny of +fashion; yet it was graceful, and did not in the least degree approach +an unseemly obesity; and how magnificently did it expand into a glorious +bust, whereon two "hillocks of snow" projected their rose-tinted peaks, +in sportive rivalry--revealed, with bewildering distinctness, by the +absence of any concealing drapery! When she smiled, her lips, like "wet +coral," parted, and displayed teeth of dazzling whiteness, and when she +laughed, she did so _musically_. Her hand would have put Lord Byron in +extacies, and her taper fingers glittered with costly gems. Such was the +glorious creature who entranced the senses of the Honorable Timothy +Tickels on entering her luxurious _boudoir_. + +She greeted her brother the Chevalier with a smile, and his friend with +a graceful inclination of her head; but she did not arise, for which she +apologized by stating that she was afflicted with a slight lameness +caused by a recent fall. Then she glided into a discourse so witty, so +fascinating, that Mr. Tickels was charmed beyond expression. + +"I must really chide you, Chevalier," said she, turning to her +brother--"for not having afforded me the gratification of an earlier +introduction to your friend; for I now have the honor of making his +acquaintance under extremely unfavorable circumstances;--almost an +invalid, and arrayed in this slovenly _dishabille_. My dear Mr. +Tickels," she added, "you must not look at me, for I am really ashamed +of having been caught in this deplorable plight." + +Admirable stroke of art!--to apologize to an accomplished libertine, for +liberally displaying to his amorous gaze charms that would have moved a +marble statue! + +"Magnificent Duchess," quoth Mr. Tickels, drawing nearer to her, and +eagerly surveying the exposed charms of her splendid person--"offer no +apology for feasting my eyes on beauty such as yours. I am no fulsome +flatterer when I declare to you, that you are the queen and star of all +the beautiful women it has ever been my lot to behold! You are not +offended at my familiarity?" + +The Duchess only said "fie!" and pouted for a moment, so as to display +her ripe lips to advantage; and then her face became radiant with a +smile that made Mr. Tickels' susceptible heart beat against his ribs +like the hammer on a blacksmith's anvil. + +The Chevalier rose. "You must excuse me, both of you," said he, as he +took up his hat--"I have got an engagement which will oblige me to +deprive myself of the pleasure of your agreeable company for the +present. So _au revoir_--make yourself perfectly at home, my dear Mr. +Tickels; and it will be your own fault if you do not ripen the intimacy +which has this day commenced between yourself and the Duchess." + +The Chevalier departed, and Mr. Tickels was alone with the magnificent +Duchess. + +The old libertine spoke truly when he declared that he had never before +seen such a beautiful woman. Accustomed as he was to the society of +ladies, in whose company he always assumed a degree of familiarity that +was almost offensive, he was nevertheless so awed and intoxicated by the +divine loveliness of the Duchess, that, when he found himself alone with +her, he completely lost his usual self-possession, and could only +declare his admiration by his glances--not by words. For a few minutes +she coquettishly toyed with her fan--then she carelessly passed her +jewelled hand over her queenly brow to remove the clustering hair; and +finally, with an arch glance, she complimented Mr. Tickels on his +taciturnity, and laughingly enquired if he was always thus silent in the +society of ladies? + +"Madam," replied Mr. Tickels--"I am struck dumb by your unsurpassable +beauty. Forgive me, but my tongue is mute in the presence of such a +divinity." + +"Fie, sir! I must scold you if you flatter me," responded the Duchess, +as her cheeks were suffused with a charming blush--"and yet I find it +very hard to be angry with you, for your compliments are clothed in +language so elegant, that they are far from being odious. Here is my +hand, in token of my forgiveness." + +She gave him her hand--a hand so white, so soft, so exquisitely +delicate, that its touch thrilled through the entire frame of Mr. +Tickels. Involuntarily he raised it to his lips, and knelt down before +her;--then suddenly recollecting himself, he arose, murmuring a confused +apology for his rudeness. Her brilliant eyes were turned upon his, with +a soft expression, like that of languishing desire; and partly rising +from the sofa, she made room for Mr. Tickels to seat himself at her +side. This action she accompanied by a gesture of invitation; and +eagerly did the old gentleman sink down upon the soft and yielding sofa. +At first he sat at a respectful distance from her; but gradually he +edged closer and closer, until their persons touched. Still she +manifested not the slightest displeasure; and at last, maddened by his +close proximity to such matchless charms--for lust very often triumphs +over prudence--he ventured to steal his arm around her voluptuous waist. +To his inexpressible delight, she did not repulse him; and then how +wildly palpitated his heart, as he gazed down into those swelling +regions of snow, within whose mysterious depths a score of little Cupids +might have nested! Bolder and bolder grew the excited old voluptuary, as +he found that she did not resist his amorous advances; her fragrant +breath fanned his cheek, and the glances of her lustrous eyes dazzled +his senses. Her ripe lips were provokingly near to his--why not taste +their nectar? He pressed her closer to him, and she turned her charming +face full towards him, and seemed, with an arch smile, to challenge him +to bear off the prize. One little inch alone intervened between her rosy +mouth and his own _watering_ one; in a moment 'twas done! He had stolen +a kiss, and received in return a playful tap with her fan. Who, that has +once ravished a kiss from the divine lips of a lovely woman, does not +feel inclined to repeat the offence? Again and again he kissed her; and +finally, almost beside himself with rapture, he glued his hot lips to +her neck, her shoulders, her bosom. Then Mr. Tickels became sensible +that he had gone too far--for she disengaged herself from his embrace, +and said, with an air of offended dignity-- + +"You seem to forget yourself, sir; my foolish complacency to the friend +of my brother has, I fear, led me to permit liberties, which have +engendered in your breast desires injurious to my honor. I confess that +I was, for a moment, overcome by certain feelings which I possess, in +common with all others of the human family; nay, I will even admit that +I am of a nature peculiarly ardent and susceptible; and your refined +gallantry, and my close contact with your really very agreeable person, +aroused my passions, and caused me to forget my prudence until your +liberties became so intimate that I feared for the safety of my honor. I +must not forget my position as a lady of character and birth; and I +trust that you will remember your pretensions to the title of a +gentleman." + +"Forgive me, beautiful Duchess," cried Tickels, in tones the most +abject--"on my bended knees I implore your pardon. What man, possessing +heart and soul, could view such heavenly charms as thine, without being +betrayed into an indiscretion? But forgive me, and I will ask no greater +favor than to be allowed to kiss that beauteous hand." + +"I am not angry with you," said the Duchess, giving him her hand, which +he raised reverently to his lips, "for I can fully appreciate the +feelings which prompted your conduct; therefore, I willingly +forgive,--and now that we are good friends again, you may come and sit +by my side, provided you will promise to be very good, and neither kiss +me or clasp my waist with your arm. So, sir, that is very well--but why +do you gaze so intently at my pretty shoulders and--but, good heavens! +until this moment I was unconscious of my almost naked condition; if you +will persist in looking at me, I must positively cover myself with a +shawl." + +"Charming Duchess, that would be worse sacrilege than to cover a costly +jewel with tow-cloth," rejoined Tickels; and the lady smiled at his +gallantry, as she remarked-- + +"Nevertheless, naughty man, you must not take advantage of my negligent +and slight attire to devour my person with your eyes. Besides, I am too +_em bon point_ for either grace or beauty, and am naturally anxious to +conceal that defect." + +"Defect!" exclaimed Tickels,--"if there is one single defect in your +glorious person, then is Venus herself a pattern of ugliness. The +voluptuous fullness of your form is your most delightful attribute." + +A silence of some minutes ensued, during which the old libertine +continued his longing gaze, while the lady took up and fondly caressed a +beautiful little lap-dog, whose snowy fleece was prettily set off by a +silver collar, musical with bells. How Tickels envied the little animal, +when its mistress placed it in her bosom, and bestowed upon it every +epithet of tender endearment! + +"Poor Fido!" at length said the lady, with a soft sigh,--"thou art the +sole companion of my solitude. You would scarcely believe, Mr. Tickels, +how devotedly I am attached to this little creature, and how much he +loves me in return. He will only take his food from my hand, and I feed +him on the most delicate custards. Every morning I wash him carefully in +rose water, and he is my constant bed-fellow at night. ('Lucky dog!' +sighed Tickels.) I have only his society to dispel the _ennui_ of my +solitude;--but, now I think of it, I have other sources of amusement: +for there are my books, my music, my flowers. By the way, are you fond +of music? Yes, I know you are; for you are a gentleman of too much +elegant refinement of mind, not to love the divine harmony of sweet +sounds. And now I shall put your gallantry to the test by requesting you +to bring my harp hither; and to reward you for your trouble, you shall +hear a song." + +The instrument was placed before her, and she sang, with exquisite +feeling and pathos, the beautiful song commencing with-- + + "'Twere vain to tell thee all I feel, + Or say for thee I sigh." + +Tickels, to do him justice, was a true connoisseur in music; and warmly +did he express his gratification at the performance, particularly as the +Duchess accompanied the words by glances expressive of every tender +emotion. + +"Heigho! what can have become of the Chevalier? Devoted as he is to the +erratic pursuits of a man of fashion, he is seldom at home, and +consequently I see but little of him." Thus spoke the Duchess, after a +long pause which had begun to be embarrassing. + +"Do you long for his return?" asked Tickels--"will not my society +compensate for his absence?" + +"Oh, yes!" laughingly replied the lady--"you are gallant and agreeable; +whereas my brother is often moody and abstracted. Besides, you know, a +_brother_ cannot of course be such a pleasant companion to a lady, +as--as--I had almost said a _lover_. In truth, I am willing to confess +that you are a dear, delightful old gentleman, and I am half in love +with you already. Nay, don't squeeze my hand so, or I shall repent +having made the declaration." + +"You are a sweet creature," rejoined Tickels--"and very cruel for having +afforded me a glimpse of heaven, and then shut out the prospect from my +longing gaze. But tell me, how is it that you and your brother are so +completely isolated in society? Certainly you must have relatives and +many friends; yet you complain of solitude. If my question is not +impertinent, will you tell me?--for a woman of your extraordinary beauty +and accomplishments never finds it difficult to surround herself with a +circle of admirers, and loneliness is an evil with which she never need +be afflicted. To say merely that I feel interested in you, would fail to +express the degree of admiration with which I regard you; and it would +afford me an unspeakable pleasure to hear the history of your life, from +those rosy lips." + +"Alas!" exclaimed the Duchess, as a tear dim'd for a moment the lustre +of her fine eyes--"my story is but a short and sad one. Such as it is, +however, you shall have it. I was born beneath the fair skies of sunny +France; my parents were noble and rich--my father, the Duke D'Alvear, +could even boast of royal blood in his veins, while my mother was +closely allied to several of the most aristocratic families in the +kingdom. Reared in the lap of luxury, my childhood passed like a +pleasant dream, with nothing to disturb its quiet, until I had reached +my fifteenth year, at which period I lost both my parents by a +catastrophe so sudden, so dreadful, that when you hear its particulars, +you will not blame me for weeping as I do now." Here the lady's voice +was broken by many sobs--but she soon recovered her composure, and +continued her narrative. + +"My mother was beautiful but frail--which was in her case peculiarly +unfortunate, for my father was the most jealous of men. He had reason to +suppose that a handsome young Count was too intimate with her; keeping +his suspicions profoundly secret, he made preparations for a long +journey, and having announced his intention of remaining abroad several +months, he departed from Paris. That very night, at midnight, he +abruptly returned, proceeded directly to my mother's chamber, and found +the Count St. Cyr in her arms. The guilty pair were taken too much by +surprise to attempt resistance or escape, and both were slain on the +spot by my father, who had provided himself with weapons for that +purpose. The Duke then went to his own chamber--the report of a pistol +was heard soon afterwards, and the unfortunate man was found dead, with +his brains scattered over the carpet. Thus in one fatal night were my +only brother and myself made orphans--nor was this our only misfortune, +for the notary who had the charge of our joint patrimony, absconded, and +left us penniless. Why need I dwell on the painful details of our +poverty and its attendant miseries? Suffice it to say that I resisted a +hundred offers from men of rank and wealth, who would have maintained me +in luxury had I consented to part with the priceless gem of my virtue. +Yes--I resisted each tempting proposal, for poverty itself was sweeter +to me than dishonor. We came to America, and finally to Boston; the +Chevalier, by giving private lessons in the sword exercise, supports us +both in a style of quiet comfort--but I charge you, sir, never let that +fact be known, for the gossiping world must never learn that the son of +France's proudest noble has so degenerated as to _labor_ for his +support. Of course, with our modest means, we can mix but little in the +gay and fashionable world--as for myself, I prefer to remain at home, +and see but few persons except my brother and such of his intimate +friends as he occasionally brings home with him. My retired habits have +preserved me from the matrimonial speculations of gentlemen, of which I +am very glad, for I do not think I shall ever marry; and the seclusion +of my life has also saved me from the dishonorable proposals of amorous +gentlemen, who are ever ready to insult a good-looking woman provided +she is poor, and they are wealthy. Unfortunately for me, I have a +constant craving for male society; and when thrown into the company of +an agreeable man, be he young or old, passions which have never been +gratified will assert their supremacy in my breast, and I often tremble +lest, in a moment of delirium, I surrender my person unresisting to the +arms of a too fascinating seducer. This weakness of my ardent nature has +already several times nearly brought me to ruin; and when your arms just +now encircled me, and your lips were pressed to mine, the dizzy delight +which I experienced would, in a few moments, have made me your victim, +had I not, by a powerful effort, overcome that intoxication of my senses +which was fast subduing me; I escaped from your arms, and thank heaven! +my honor is preserved. Now, sir, I have frankly told you all; you +certainly will not censure me for my misfortunes--and I trust you will +not blame me for those propensities of nature to which we are all +subject, and which are so peculiarly strong in me as to render their +subjection an act of heroic self-denial." + +Thus ended the narrative of the Duchess; and it may well be imagined +that her words inflamed the passions of her listener more than ever. To +have that splendid creature sit by his side, and candidly confess to him +that the ardor of her soul yearned for enjoyments which cold prudence +would not permit her to indulge in,--what could have been more provoking +to his already excited feelings? Mr. Tickels gazed earnestly at her for +a few minutes, and his mind was decided; he resolved, if possible, to +_reason_ her into a compliance with his wishes. + +"Madam," said he, assuming a tone of profound respect--"you are an +educated and accomplished lady; your mind is of the most elevated and +superior order. You can reflect, and reason, and view things precisely +as they are, without any exaggeration. Look abroad upon the world, and +you will see all mankind engaged exactly alike--each man and woman is +pursuing that course which he or she deems best calculated to promote +his or her happiness; and happiness is the essence of _pleasure_. Your +miser hoards gold--that is _his_ source of pleasure; your vain woman +seeks pomp, and display, and adorns her person with many jewels--from +all of which she derives _her_ pleasure; and as the child is pleased +with its rattle, so is the musty antiquarian with his antique +models--so is the traveller with his journeyings and explorations--so is +the soldier with glory--and so is the lady of warm impulses with her +secret amours. All seek to extract pleasure from the pursuit of some +darling object most congenial with their passions, their tastes, their +preferences. Why, then, should any one seek to set aside the order of +things universal--the routine of nature? As consistently might we +disturb the harmonious operation of some complex machinery, as to act in +opposition to the great fundamental law of human nature--viz: _that +every created being, endowed with a ruling passion, should seek its +legitimate gratification_. By legitimate gratification, I mean, that +indulgence which interferes not with the enjoyments or interests of +others. The miser should not accumulate his gold at the expense of +another; the libertine should not revel in beauty's arms, by force; the +lady must make a willing sacrifice--thus nobody is injured--and thus the +pleasure is _legitimate_; though bigoted churchmen and canting +hypocrites may declaim on the sin of carnal indulgences unsanctioned by +the priest and his empty ceremonies. Fools! NATURE, and her laws, and +her promptings, and her desires, spurn the trammels of form and custom, +and reign triumphant over the hollow mummery of the parson and his pious +foolery. + +"Now, dear madam," continued the artful logician, (whose words belied +his own sentiments, and his own belief,) "supposing that you admit all +these premises; what do we next arrive at? Let me be plain, since you +have been so candid with me. You have admitted that the prevailing and +all-absorbing passion of your nature is--an intense desire to enjoy that +delicious communion which had its origin in the garden of Eden. Why +deprive yourself of the gratification you long for? Why do you hunger +for the fruit which is within your reach? Why disregard the promptings +of nature? Why obstinately turn aside from a bliss which is the rightful +inheritance of every man and woman on the face of the earth? And, +lastly, why are you so cruel to me, whom you have been pleased to +pronounce agreeable? Answer me, charming Duchess, and answer me as your +own generous heart and good sense shall dictate." + +The Duchess was silent for a short time, and appeared to reflect +profoundly; then she said, in a tone and manner singularly earnest-- + +"Listen to me, my friend--for that you are such, I am very sure. I do +not deprive myself of the pleasures of which you speak, in consequence +of any scruples, moral or religious. I have no respect for the +institution of matrimony, or its obligations; I laugh at the doctrines +of those who speak of the crime of an indulgence in Love's pleasures, +without the sanction of the church. I agree with you that we all have +derived from nature the _right_ to feed our diversified passions +according to their several cravings; but while we are authorized, by the +very laws of our being, to seek those delights of sense for which we +yearn, a perverted and ridiculous PUBLIC OPINION prohibits such +indulgences, unless under certain restrictions, and accompanied by +certain forms. Now, though this public opinion undoubtedly _is_ +ridiculous and perverted, it must nevertheless be respected, +particularly by a lady; otherwise the world, (which is public opinion,) +calls her a harlot--points at her the finger of scorn--excludes her from +all decent society, and she is forever disgraced and ruined. I must +preserve my reputation and position as a lady, no matter at what cost, +or what sacrifice; ardently as I long for the delights of love, I shall +never, to enjoy them, surrender my personal freedom by marriage, or my +character by yielding to the solicitations of a lover,--unless, in the +latter case, I should unfortunately, while in the intoxication of +excited passion, grant the favors which he asks; which I pray heaven may +never happen to me! It is all very well, sir," continued the Duchess, +assuming a tone of arch vivacity--"it is all very well for you _men_ to +be in such continual readiness to indulge in the joys of Venus, whenever +opportunity presents itself; for this odious public opinion is very +lenient with you, gay deceivers that you are, and kindly pardons and +even smiles at your amorous frailties; but we poor women, good heavens! +must not swerve six inches from the straight path of rectitude marked +out for us, under pain of eternal condemnation and disgrace; and thus we +are either driven into matrimony, or are obliged to deprive ourselves of +a bliss (to use your own language) which is the rightful inheritance of +every man and woman on the face of the earth. Well," added the Duchess, +in a tone of mock melancholy which was irresistibly charming,--"poor _I_ +must submit to the stern decree, as well as the rest of those +unfortunate mortals called women;--unfortunate because they _are_ women, +and because they are even more ardent in their passions than those who +have the happiness to be men. Let me congratulate you, sir, on your +felicity in belonging to a sex which possesses the exclusive privilege +of unrestricted amative enjoyment; and I am sure you will not refuse to +sympathize with me on my misfortune, in having been born one of those +wretched beings who are doomed to be forever shut out from a Paradise +for which they long,--a Paradise whose bright portals are guarded by the +savage monster, Public Opinion, which ruthlessly denies the admission +within its flowery precincts, of every poor daughter of Eve." + +Mr. Tickels had listened with breathless attention to the words of the +Duchess; he plainly saw that she was not to be subdued by _argument_. +"Her only vulnerable point lies though the avenue of the passions," +thought he--"for according to her own confession, she was intoxicated +with rapture when encircled by my arms, and when receiving my ardent +kisses; and only escaped the entire surrender of her person to me, by a +powerful effort. My course, then, is plain--I must delicately and +gradually venture on familiarities which are best calculated to arouse +her sensibilities, without incurring her suspicions as to my ultimate +object. I must--I shall succeed; for, by heaven! if I should fail to +make this exquisite creature mine, I'll eat my own heart with vexatious +disappointment!" + +"My dear madam," said he, taking the unresisting hand of the Duchess in +both of his, and gently pawing it in a manner that would have been +disgusting to a spectator--"what can I say, after your candid avowal? +Simply, that you are the most ingenuous, the most delightful creature in +the world. I love you to distraction; and yet I will not urge you to +depart from the course which you seem determined to pursue, though by +adhering to that course you deprive me, as well as yourself, of the most +exquisite delights this world can afford. Nevertheless, let us be +friends, if we cannot be lovers. See, my hair is gray; I am old enough +to be your father; will you not confer upon me a daughter's love? Ah, +that bewitching smile is a token of assent. Thanks, sweet one; now, you +know, a father should be the recipient of all his daughter's little joys +and sorrows--he should be made acquainted with all her pretty plans and +all her naughty wishes; is it not so, my charming daughter?[C] Again +your soft smile answers, yes. And when the daughter thus bestows her +confidence upon her father, she leans her head upon his bosom, and his +protecting arm embraces her lovely waist--thus, as I now do yours. He +places his venerated hand in her fair breast--thus--and feels the +pulsations of her pure heart; ah! methinks this little heart of thine, +sweet one, beats more violently than comports with its proper freedom +from fond and gentle longings; thy father must reprove thee, thou +delightful offender--yet he forgives thee with this loving kiss--nay, +start not, for 'tis a father's privilege. How dewy are thy lips, my +daughter, and thy breath is fragrant with the odor of a thousand +flowers--'tis thy father tells thee so! Pretty flutterer, why dost thou +tremble? I will not harm thee. Ah, is it so?--dost thou tremble with the +bliss of being held in a father's arms, and pressed to his heart? Why +doth this bosom heave--why do thine eyes sparkle as if with fire, and +thy cheeks glow with the rosy hue of a ripe peach? What meaneth that +longing, languishing, earnest, voluptuous look? Doth my daughter yearn +after the soft joys of Venus?--Confess it, and I'll forgive thee; for +thou art a passionate darling, and such desires as now swell within my +breast become thee well, for they are nature's promptings, and enhance +thy beauty. Ah, ha! that blush, glowing like a cloud at sunset, assures +me that I am not mistaken. Yes, hide thy radiant face in my bosom, and +let me gather thee closer to my heart--my life--my treasure! Let me no +longer play the father; let me be thy lover--thy all--thy own +Timothy--thy chosen Tickels! Ah, my bird, have I caught thee at +last?--thou art mine--mine--mine--" + +Every circumstance of position and the lady's compliance seemed about to +confer upon Mr. Tickels the boon which he so eagerly desired, when at +that critical moment the Duchess uttered a piercing scream, and pointed +frantically upward to a large mirror that hung directly over the sofa +upon which they were partially reclining; the old libertine glanced +hurriedly up at the mirror, and to his horror he saw there reflected the +figure of the Chevalier Duvall, standing in the centre of the room. He +had entered abruptly and noiselessly, and was contemplating the scene +before him with every appearance of astonishment and rage. + +[C] As an apology for the insertion of this silly, sickening rhapsody of +the old libertine, the author begs to state that he introduced it, (as +well as other speeches of a like character,) for the purpose of +painting, in strong colors, the disgusting lechery of a man, whose +primal passions had degraded him to the level of a brute. He would also +assure the reader that the character of old Tickels is drawn from a +living original, whose real name sounds very much like the curious +cognomen that has been assigned him. It will readily be observed that +during the entire scene between him and the Duchess, the latter makes +him her complete tool--encouraging him to take the very liberties which +she affects to resent, and even while declaring her firm intention of +remaining virtuous, using language most calculated to inspire him with +the thought of being able to enjoy her charms in the end. Her object in +all this will be shown towards the conclusion of the chapter. It has +been the author's design to portray, in the character of the Duchess, an +accomplished, artful, fascinating and totally depraved woman, possessing +the beauty of an angel, and the heart of a devil--precisely such a one +as could not fail to enslave and victimize such a sensual old wretch as +Mr. Tickels; how far this design has been successful, the intelligent +and discerning reader is left to judge. In the Chevalier Duvall will be +recognized one of those splendid villains, whose superb rascality is +cloaked beneath the mantle of a fine person, elegant address, and the +assumption of every quality likely to interest and please the credulous +people whom he _honors_ with his patronising friendship. + +The Duchess hid her face in her hands, and sobbed violently, as if +overcome with shame and affright; while old Tickels, pale and trembling +with fear, (for he was a most detestable coward,) fell upon his knees, +and gazed upon the Chevalier with an expression of countenance that +plainly indicated the terror which froze his blood, and rendered him +speechless--for the position in which he and the Duchess had been +detected, would, he well knew, admit of no explanation--no equivocation. + +"God of heaven!" said Duvall, in a voice whose calmness rendered it +doubly impressive and terrible--"am I the sport of some delusion--some +conjuror's trick? Do I dream--or do these eyes actually behold that +which appalls my soul? Speak, Duchess--for sister I will not call +you--and you, white-faced craven--what is the meaning of this scene?" + +But neither the Duchess nor Mr. Tickels could utter one word in reply. + +"Damnation!" exclaimed the Chevalier, drawing a pistol from his pocket, +and cocking it--"answer me, one of you, and that quickly, or there will +be blood spilled here!" + +This brought Mr. Tickels to his senses; he arose from his knees and +stammered forth-- + +"My dear sir--don't shoot, for God's sake--put up that pistol, and I'll +explain all. I--that is--you know, my dear Chevalier--as a man of the +world--beautiful woman--strong temptation--" + +"Hold, sir!" cried the Chevalier--"say no more, in that strain, or you +die upon the instant. Duchess, tell me the meaning of all this." + +The lady raised her tearful eyes imploringly to the stern face of her +brother, and said, in a voice rendered indistinct by her sobs-- + +"Oh, brother! pardon your erring sister, who, in a moment of weakness, +forgot her proud and unsullied name! You know the fire and passion of my +nature; and you know the resolution with which I have heretofore +struggled against it. I am inexperienced--unused to the ways of the +world--unaccustomed to the artifices of wicked men. Debarred as I am +from male society, what wonder that, in the company of a male, I should +be overcome by the weakness of a woman's nature? Forgive me, Chevalier, +I implore you--indeed, my honor is preserved; your timely intervention +prevented the consummation of my ruin." + +"Sister," rejoined Duvall, gazing at her with a softened aspect--"I _do_ +forgive you, your honor being still undefiled; I know the power of your +passions, notwithstanding your many excellent qualities; and I can +scarcely wonder at your momentary weakness, when an accomplished villain +tempts you to ruin. Hereafter, dear sister, govern those unruly passions +with a rod of iron; remember the grandeur of our ancestral house and +name, and let that remembrance be your safeguard.--As for you, sir," +continued the Chevalier, turning savagely towards Mr. Tickels, while +his magnificent features grew dark with terrible rage--"as for you, sir, +you have betrayed my confidence and abused my hospitality; I introduced +you into this house, supposing you to be a man of honor and a friend. +You have attempted the seduction of my sister; you have basely tried to +take advantage of the weakness of an inexperienced and unsuspecting +woman; but more than all this, sir--and my blood boils with fury at the +thought!--you would have tarnished the unstained name and honor of a +kingly race! Look you, sir, these wrongs demand instant reparation--one +or both of us must die. Here are two pistols; take your choice; place +yourself at the distance of six paces from me, and let impartial Fate +decide the issue!" + +"But, my dear sir," cried the old villain, almost beside himself with +terror--"I can't--I don't want to be killed--my God, sir, I never fired +a pistol in all my life. Can't we settle this matter in some other way? +Will not _money_--" + +"Money!" exclaimed me Chevalier, scornfully--"fool, can money heal a +wounded honor, or wipe away the odium of your insults? Choose your +weapon, sir!" + +"Mercy--mercy!" cried the dastard, falling on his knees before his stern +antagonist--"I am rich, let me depart in safety, and I'll give you a +cheque for a hundred--" + +The Chevalier cocked a pistol. + +"Five hundred--," groaned Tickels. + +The pistol was raised, and pointed at his head. + +"A thousand dollars!" yelled the victim, his face streaming with a cold +perspiration, his hair bristling, and his teeth chattering with fright. + +The Chevalier paused, and said, after a few moments' reflection-- + +"After all, to make such men as you disgorge a portion of their wealth, +is a punishment as severe as any that I can inflict upon you. You are a +coward and dare not fight; I wish not to murder you in cold blood. I +will content myself with exposing your infamous conduct to the +world--publishing your rascality in every newspaper, and you will be +kicked like a dog from all decent society; this will I do, unless you +immediately fill me out a cheque for the sum of five thousand dollars." + +"Five thousand devils!" growled Tickels, gaining courage as he believed +his life to be in no imminent danger--"what! five thousand dollars for +only having kissed and toyed a little with a pretty woman, without +having reaped any substantial benefit? No, no, my friend--you can't come +it; you are, to use a vulgar phrase, cutting it rather fat; I'm not so +precious green as you think. I don't mind giving you a couple of +hundred, or so, for what fun I've had, but five thousand--whew! rather a +high price for the amusement, considering what a remarkably +free-and-easy lady your sister is!" + +"No more of this!" thundered the Chevalier, in a tone that made Mr. +Tickels leap two feet into the air--"instantly give me a cheque for the +sum that I demand, or by my royal grandfather's beard, (an oath I dare +not break,) I'll blow your head into fragments!--Look at that clock; it +now lacks one minute of the hour; that minute I give you to decide; if, +at the expiration of that period, you do not consent to do as I request, +you die!" + +The muzzle of the pistol was placed in very close proximity to the +victim's head; there was no alternative--life was exceedingly sweet to +Mr. Tickels, although the wickedness of half a century rested heavily on +his soul; in a few seconds more, unless he consented to give up a +portion of his basely acquired wealth, he had every reason to fear that +soul would be ushered into a dark and unfathomable eternity. No wonder, +then, that he tremulously said-- + +"Put up your weapon; I will do as you require." + +Writing materials were soon brought, and in a few minutes the Chevalier +was the possessor of a cheque on a State street bank, bearing the +substantial autograph of Timothy Tickels. + +"Now, sir," said Duvall, depositing the valuable document in his +pocket-book--"you are at liberty to depart. I am confident that you +will, for your own sake, keep this affair a profound secret; and so far +as myself and much-injured sister are concerned, you may rest assured +that nothing shall ever be said calculated to compromise your +reputation. I cannot avoid expressing my regret that a man of your +advanced age, and high standing in society, should descend so low as to +manifest such base and grovelling sensuality--such unprincipled +libertinism--especially towards a lady who has heretofore regarded you +as a friend. Go, sir, and seek some other victim, if you will--but +confine your amours to your own class, and do not again aspire to the +favors of a lady in whose veins flows the noblest blood of France!" + +Mr. Tickels took his leave of the indignant brother and his much-injured +sister, with a very ill grace; and bent his steps towards his own house, +grinding his teeth with impotent rage. The loss of his money, and the +mortifying disappointment he had experienced, rendered him furious, and +he muttered as he strode thro' the streets with hasty and irregular +steps-- + +"Eternal curse on my ill fortune! Five thousand dollars gone at one fell +swoop--but hah! the money's nothing, when I think of my being cheated +out of the enjoyment of such celestial charms as those possessed by that +splendid enchantress!--At the very critical moment--when she lay panting +and unresisting in my arms--with all her glorious beauties spread out +before me, like the delicious materials of a dainty feast--just as the +cup of joy was raised to my eager lips, and I was about to quaff its +bewildering contents, to be balked by the unexpected entrance of that +accused Chevalier. Confusion!--I shall go mad with vexation. **** Well, +'tis of no use to grumble about what can't be helped; let me rather turn +my attention to future joys, concerning which there can be no +disappointment. My plans are all arranged; in a few days my pretty Fanny +Aubrey will be an inmate of the luxurious "Chambers of Love." Ha, ha! +_that_ thought almost reconciles me to the loss of the Duchess--though, +egad! _she_ is a luscious piece, all fire, all sentiment, all +enthusiasm! But oh! five thousand dollars, five thousand dollars! *** But +let me see: where is the infernal trap of that scoundrel, _Jew Mike_, +whom Sow Nance recommended as a fellow well qualified to abduct my +pretty Fanny, and convey her to the "Chambers?" Ah, good; his address is +in my memorandum book: _'Inquire for the Pig Pen, No.--Ann street, any +night after midnight._' Ugh! I don't like this venturing among +cut-throats and thieves, at such untimely hours; but nothing risk, +nothing have; and anything for love!" + +The reader's attention is now summoned to the scene which transpired +between the Chevalier and the Duchess, immediately after the departure +of Mr. Tickels from the house. + +The Duchess, who had been sitting upon the sofa, bathed in tears and +sobbing as if her heart would break, jumped up, bounded across the +carpet in a series of graceful pirouettes, and then, throwing herself +upon the floor, indulged in a peal of silvery laughter that made the +room fairly echo, exclaiming-- + +"What a d----d old fool that man is! Oh, I shall die--I shall positively +suffocate with mirth!" + +The Chevalier, throwing aside every appearance of indignation and +dignity, placed himself in that humorous and rather vulgar position, +sometimes adopted by jocose youths, who wish to intimate to their +friends the fact that any individual has been most egregiously "sucked +in." Fearing that the uninitiated may not readily comprehend this +pantomimic witticism, we may as well state, for their enlightenment, +that it is accomplished by applying the thumb to the tip of the nose, +and executing a series of gyrations with the open hand; the whole affair +being a very playful and ingenious invention, much practised by +newsboys, cabmen, second-hand clothes dealers, and sporting gentlemen. + +"A cool five thousand!" shouted the Chevalier, abandoning this comic +picture, and "squaring off" at his reflection in the mirror, in the most +approved style of the pugilistic art--as if he were about to give +himself a "punch in the head," for being such a funny, clever dog; +"bravo! I'll go and get the cheque cashed at once; and then hurrah for a +brilliant season of glorious dissipation! But, my Duchess, how the devil +did you mange to get the old fool so infatuated--so crazy with passion? +for I stood over ten minutes looking at both of you through the +key-hole, before I entered the room, and I never before saw a man act so +extravagantly ludicrous; it was only with extreme difficulty that I +could keep myself from laughing outright. And you, witch that you are, +looked as if you were panting and dying with amorous desires. By my +soul, 'twas admirably done!" + +The Duchess smiled with gratification at the praise; and arising from +the carpet, on which she had been literally _rolling_ in the excess of +her mirth, threw herself upon the sofa in an attitude of voluptuous +abandonment; and while complacently viewing her matchless leg, she +said-- + +"For your especial entertainment, my Chevalier, I will relate all that +transpired between me and the old goat, after your departure. At first, +he assailed me with a profusion of silly, sickening compliments on my +beauty; I blushed, (you know how well I _can_ blush, when I try,) and +assured him that his praises were divine--so eloquent, so elegantly +conveyed--and yet I thought them intolerably stupid. Then I gave him my +hand to kiss; and its contact with his lips made him as amorous as I +could possibly desire. He knelt at my feet; then arose, apologizing for +his rudeness. I threw all my powers of fascination into my looks, and +permitted him to take a seat by my side, on the sofa. At first, he sat +apart from me; but at last, gaining courage, he moved close to me, and +gently placed his arm around my waist; of course, I did not repulse him. +With secret joy I observed the eagerness with which he regarded such +parts of my person as were exposed--and I took good care to reveal it +liberally; how the odious old wretch gloated upon this bust, which you, +my Chevalier, pronounce so charming! At last, he kissed me--ugh! how +horribly the old creature's breath smelt! But I pretended to be more +pleased than angry; and from my lips his nauseous mouth wandered to my +neck, my shoulders, my bosom. I fairly shuddered as he besmeared me with +his disgusting kisses; and thinking that he had gone far enough, for +that time, I burst from his embrace, and reproached him (but not too +severely,) for his rude behavior--taking good care, however, to fan his +passions into a still fiercer flame, by telling him that my reason for +particularly dreading such familiarities, was, that they had a tendency +to excite my own desires to a degree that was dangerous to my honor. As +I foresaw, this artful assurance was received by him with ill-concealed +delight. He begged my pardon; it is needless to say, I forgave him, and +suffered him to resume his seat at my side, on condition that he would +take no further liberties, knowing very well that he could not long keep +his promise. Then came more compliments; I sang and played for him, and +he was beyond measure delighted. After a short conversation on the +secluded manner in which I lived, and the loneliness which I felt, I +confessed to him that I was half in love with him; while at the same +time I thought him the most disgusting old brute in existence. In return +for my pleasing lie, he pressed my hand fervently, and requested me to +relate to him the story of my life, from "my own rosy lips," as he said. +My Chevalier, you know what splendid powers of imagination, and what a +rich, prolific fancy I possess; and well I may--for am I not a leading +contributor to a fashionable ladies' magazine, besides being the +authoress of "Confessions of a Voluptuous Young Lady of High Rank," and +also the editress of the last edition of the "Memoirs of Miss Frances +Hill?" Well, I entertained my aged admirer with a pretty little +impromptu "romance," "got up expressly for the occasion," as the +playbills have it; and he religiously believed every word of it--though, +of course, it contained not one single word of truth in it. I told him +that _my brother_ and myself--ha, ha!--were the children of some Duke +Thingumby, (whose name I have forgotten already,) who was one of the +greatest nobles in France; yes, faith--our venerable papa had royal +blood in his veins, while our mamma, bless her dear soul, was 'closely +allied to several of the most aristocratic families in the kingdom.' +Then I trumped up a cock-and-bull story about papa killing mamma in a +fit of jealousy, having caught her in a naughty fix with the young Count +Somebody-or-other, whom he also slew, and then, to wind up the fun, went +to his own chamber and shot himself--great booby as he was! Next, the +notary who had charge of our princely fortune, "stepped out," as they +say, and left us, poor orphans, without the price of a penny roll. I was +intensely virtuous, of course, resisted a hundred tempting offers to +become the kept mistress of men of wealth and rank--we came to America, +and settled in Boston, where you now obtain for us a comfortable +subsistence by privately teaching the use of the small sword. Ah, my +Chevalier, wasn't that brought in well? Then I went on to lament that +my passions were so fiery that I could not enjoy the society of an +agreeable man without danger to my honor; and concluded my story by +hinting to Mr. Tickels that my virtue had never been in such peril, as +when his arms had embraced me--for, said I, my senses were fast becoming +intoxicated; and in a few moments more I should have been your victim, +had I not, by a powerful effort, escaped from the sweet delirium which +was stealing over my soul. Thus you will see, Chevalier, that my story +and its accompanying remarks were both judicious and appropriate; my +victim manifested the most intense interest during the recital, and I +could plainly perceive the exciting effect which the concluding words of +my narrative had upon him. + + "My story being done, + He gave me for my pains a world of sighs." + +"After the completion of my delightful little romance," continued the +Duchess, "the venerable goat attempted to subdue me by the force of +_argument_; and, to do him justice, I must say that his philosophy, if +not very rational, was at least very profound. He went over the entire +field of moral subtleties, and proved himself an excellent sophist. He +argued that as nature had given me passions, I was justified in +gratifying them, despite the opinions of the world and the prohibitions +of decent society. Much more he said that I have forgotten; but the +drift of his remarks was, that as I had admitted him to be the most +charming and agreeable person in the world, I could not do a better +thing than to throw myself into his arms, and enjoy with him, as he +said, 'the rightful inheritance of every man and every woman on the +face of the earth.'" + +"In reply to his specious reasoning, I assured him that I couldn't think +of complying with his wishes, as I should thereby lose my reputation and +position in society, as a lady--which was, I added, the only +consideration that restrained me from testing those joys which he had so +eloquently depicted; for as to any scruples, moral or religious, I had +none whatever. Then I congratulated him on his happiness in belonging to +a sex having the privilege of amative delights, with almost perfect +impunity; and deplored my own hard fate--'for', said I, 'am I not a +woman, and are not women sternly prohibited from tasting the joys of +love unsanctioned by the empty forms of matrimony, under pain of having +their names and characters forever blasted and disgraced?' + +"Well, my Chevalier, the old wretch, seeing that he was not likely to +accomplish his object by argument, adopted a new plan. Instantly, he +dropped the lover, and became the fond and doting father, in which +sacred capacity he proceeded to take liberties to which his former +familiarities were as nothing. He began by reminding me of his gray hair +and advanced age; then he asked permission to regard me as a daughter, +to which I made no objection, as I wished to see how far he would +operate during the personation of that character--though I shrewdly +suspected that his actions would be anything but fatherly. Therefore, +when he again clasped my waist, and made me lean against him, I did not +repulse him, for his conduct was in furtherance of _our_ plans; and I +also permitted him, (though with extreme disgust on my part,) to toy +with my breasts, and kiss me again and again, all of which he did under +cover of his holy privileges as a father! The moment had then arrived +for _me_ to play _my_ part; and though the old rascal's conduct and +person were loathsome to me in the extreme, I affected all the languor, +flutter, and ardor of passionate longings; which he perceived with the +most extravagant demonstrations of delight--" + +"I know all the rest," interrupted the Chevalier, almost suffocated with +laughter, in which the merry Duchess joined him--"I applied my eye to +the key-hole just at that moment, and saw the old goat, as you properly +term him, hugging you with the ferocity of a bear; I heard him say--'Let +me no longer play the father; let me be thy lover--thy all--thy own +Timothy--thy chosen Tickels!' Ha, ha, ha! was anything so richly +ludicrous. And, by Jove, how admirably you acted, my Duchess! You +appeared absolutely dying with rapture--your eyes seemed to express a +thousand soft wishes--your face glowed as if with the heat of +languishing desire; how wildly you seemed to abandon your person to his +lascivious embraces! and yet I know the disgust which you must have felt +towards him, at that very moment; for he was anything but a comely +object, with his gray hair disordered, his bloated countenance red as +fire, and his dress indecently disarranged. At that moment I noiselessly +stole into the room; and just at the very instant when the old fool +thought himself sure of his prey, you screamed, and pointed to my +reflection in the mirror. The result was precisely as I expected; too +cowardly to fight, afraid of his life, and anxious to preserve his +reputation, he preferred giving me the handsome sum of five thousand +dollars--which money we very much needed, and which will last us a long +time, provided we exercise a reasonable degree of economy. That last +five hundred, which we extracted from the parson, lasted us but little +over a month; let us be more discreet hereafter, my Duchess--we may live +splendidly, but not extravagantly; for old age will come on us +by-and-by, and your beauty will fade--then what is to become of us, +unless we have a snug competency in reserve? And really, my dear, you +must curtail your personal expenditures; you recollect but a week ago +you gave two hundred dollars for that diamond coronet you have on--and +you are constantly purchasing costly dresses and superb shawls. Do you +not observe the plainness of my attire? Believe me, an elegant +simplicity of dress is far more attractive to men of taste, than gaudy +apparel can possibly be." + +"Have you done sermonizing?" cried the Duchess, good-humoredly--"really, +you would make an admirable parson; and a far better one, I am sure, +than the reverend gentleman whom we wheedled out of the five hundred +dollars. But go at once and get the cheque cashed; you shall give me +exactly one half, and we both shall have the privilege of expending our +several portions as we choose." + +"Agreed," said the Chevalier,--"but I have a little business to transact +in my _workshop_, before I go to the bank. What are you laughing at?" + +"Oh," answered the Duchess--"I cannot help thinking of that amusing old +goat, Mr. Tickels. The recollection of that man will certainly kill me! +The idea of your passing me off as your sister was so rich; he little +suspected that for years we have been tender lovers and co-partners in +the business of fleecing amorous gentlemen out of their money. And then +to represent myself as the daughter of a French nobleman!--Why, my +father gained a very pretty living by going around the streets with a +hand-organ, on which he played with exquisite skill, and was accompanied +in his perambulations by a darling little monkey named Jacko--poor +Jacko! he came to his death by being choked with a roasted potato. My +mother, rest her soul! was an excellent washerwoman, but her unfortunate +fondness for strong drink resulted in her being provided with bed and +board in the alms house, in which excellent institution she died, having +first conferred upon the world the benefit of bringing me into +existence; therefore, instead of having first seen the light within the +marble walls of a French palace, I drew my first breath in the sick ward +of a pauper's home. At ten years of age I was a _ballet girl_ at the +theatre; at fourteen, my Chevalier, it was my good fortune to meet you; +you initiated me, not only into the mysteries of love, but into the art +of making money with far greater facility than as a _figurante_ in the +opera. You christened me 'Duchess,'--took the title of 'Chevalier,' and +together we have led a life of profit, of pleasure, and of charming +variety." + +"And I," rejoined the Chevalier, "can boast of a parentage as +distinguished as your own. My father was an English thief and +pickpocket; he took pains to teach me the science of his profession, and +I will venture to affirm that I can remove a gentleman's watch or +pocket-book as gracefully as could my venerated sire himself, whose +career was rather abruptly terminated one fine morning in consequence of +a temporary valet having tied his neckcloth too tightly: he was hung in +front of Newgate jail, for a highway robbery, in which he acquired but +little glory and less profit,--for he only shot an old woman's poodle +dog, and stole a leather purse full of halfpence. My mother was a very +pretty waiting woman at an ordinary tavern; one night she abruptly +stepped out and sailed for America, carrying with her my unfinished +self, and the silver spoons. I saw you--admired you--made you my +mistress, and partner in business, the profitable nature of which is +proved by our being now possessed of the very pretty sum of five +thousand dollars, the result of three hours' operation." + +"You have yet one grand stroke of art to accomplish, which will place us +both on the very pinnacle of fortune," said the Duchess. "I allude, of +course, to your approaching marriage with Miss Alice Goldworthy." + +The Chevalier's brow darkened, and his handsome features assumed an +expression of uneasiness. + +"That," said he, "is the only business in which I ever faltered. Poor +young lady! she is so good, so pure, so confidingly affectionate, that +my heart sinks within me when I think of the ruin which her marriage +with me will bring upon her. When I gaze into her lovely countenance, +and hear the tones of her gentle voice, remorse for the wrong that I +contemplate towards her, strikes me to the soul, and I feel that I am a +wretch indeed." + +"Pooh!" exclaimed the Duchess, her lips curling with disdain--"you grow +very sentimental indeed! Perhaps you really _love_ this girl?" + +"No, Duchess, no--but I pity her; a devil cannot love an angel. There +was a time when my soul was unstained with guilt or crime--then might I +have aspired to the bliss of loving such a divine creature as Alice; but +now--villain as I am there can be no sympathy between my heart and +hers. Well, well--the die is cast; I will wed her, for I covet the +splendid fortune which she will inherit on the death of her father. You +know that the wedding day will soon arrive; but how I dread its +approach! for I fear that ere I can embrace my bride within the sacred +nuptial couch, she will discover that which I can never remove or +entirely conceal--that _fatal mark_, the brand of crime, which I carry +upon my person. She loves me; but her love would be changed to hate, +were she to see that horrid emblem of guilt." + +"You must conceal it from her view," rejoined the Duchess, +shuddering--"or it will spoil all. The marriage would be annulled by the +discovery of that detestable mark." + +"Let us trust to fortune," said the Chevalier.--"I must leave you now, +and shut myself up for an hour or so in my _workshop_. Afterwards, I +shall go and convert the cheque into substantial cash." + +Duvall left the room, and ascended to the highest story in the building. +Here he entered a small apartment, which contained many curious and +remarkable things. A small printing press stood in one corner; in +another was a pile of paper, and other materials; tools of almost every +description lay scattered about, among which were the necessary +implements for robbery and burglary. An experienced police officer would +have instantly pronounced the place a secret den for the printing of +counterfeit bank-notes--and so it was. The gallant Chevalier was the +most expert and dangerous counterfeiter in the country. + +Seating himself at a trunk, on which stood writing materials, he drew +forth the cheque which Mr. Tickels had given him. Having examined it +long and narrowly, he took a pen and paper, and wrote an exact copy of +it; this he did so admirably, that Mr. Tickels himself would have been +puzzled to point out the original and genuine cheque which he had +written. + +"This will do," said the Chevalier, communing with himself--"to-day I +will draw five thousand dollars; and within a week I will _send_ and +draw five thousand more; and it shall be done so adroitly, that I will +never be suspected. Hurrah! Chevalier Duvall, thy star is on the +ascendant!" + +That afternoon the gentleman presented the cheque at the bank; it was +promptly paid, and he returned to the Duchess, with whom he celebrated +the brilliant success of the operation, by a magnificent supper. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +_The Stolen Package.--The Midnight Outrage.--The Marriage, and Awful +Discovery._ + + +A very merry party were assembled in the elegant parlor of Mr. +Goldworthy's superb mansion in Howard street about two weeks after the +events described in the last chapter. There was Fanny Aubrey herself, +looking prettier than ever, with her splendid hair tastefully braided, +her graceful, _petite_ form set off to advantage by an elegant dress, +and her lovely countenance radiant with the hues of health and +happiness. Then there was her friend and benefactress, Miss Alice, +looking very beautiful, her face constantly changing from smiles to +blushes--for the next day was to witness her marriage with the Chevalier +Duvall. At her side was seated her lover and affianced husband, his +dark, handsome features lighted up with an expression of proud triumph, +almost amounting to scorn. Then there was Corporal Grimsby, very shabby, +very sarcastic, and very droll; near him sat the Honorable Timothy +Tickels, wearing upon his sensual countenance a look of uneasiness, and +occasionally betraying a degree of nervous agitation that indicated a +mind ill at ease. At intervals he would glance suspiciously and +stealthily at the Chevalier--for that was their first meeting since his +scandalous adventure with the Duchess, and he was not without a fear +that he might be exposed, in the presence of that very respectable +company, in which case his reputation would be forever ruined; but his +fears were groundless--the Chevalier had not the remotest idea of +exposing him, having his own reasons for keeping the affair profoundly +secret; and he saluted and conversed with Mr. Tickels with as much +composure and politeness as though nothing had ever happened to disturb +the harmony of their friendship. Mr. Goldworthy himself was present, and +also a nephew of his--a handsome youth of nineteen, named Clarence +Argyle; he was studying the profession of medicine at a Southern +University, and was on a visit at his uncle's house. It was evident, by +the assiduity of his attentions to Fanny Aubrey, that the mental and +personal charms of the fair maid were not without their effect upon him; +and it was equally evident by the pleased smile with which she listened +to his entertaining conversation--addressed to _her_ ear alone--that the +agreeable young stranger had impressed her mind by no means unfavorably. +Fanny's brother, Charles, completed the party. + +It will be necessary to explain here, that the old Corporal had never +exposed the rascally conduct of Mr. Tickels towards Fanny, in +consequence of the young lady's having earnestly entreated him not to do +so. He had never before met the old libertine at the house of Mr. +Goldworthy; and (until informed of the fact by Fanny,) was ignorant that +he (Tickels) was in the habit of visiting there, as a friend of the +family. He treated him with coldness and reserve; but otherwise gave no +indication of the contempt which he felt for the unprincipled old +wretch. + +As Mr. Goldworthy surveyed, with a smiling aspect, the sociable group +which surrounded him, little did he suspect that the man who on the +morrow was to become his son-in-law--who was to lead to the altar his +only child, that pure and gentle girl--little, we say, did he suspect +that the Chevalier Duvall was in reality a branded villain of the +blackest dye--a man whose soul was stained by the commission of almost +every crime on the dark catalogue of guilt. And as little did he think +that his warm political and personal friend, the Honorable Timothy +Tickels--the man of ample wealth, of unbounded influence, of exalted +reputation--was at heart an abandoned and licentious scoundrel, who had +basely tried to accomplish the ruin of a poor orphan girl, and was even +at that very moment gloating over an infernal plan which he had formed, +for getting her completely in his power, where no human aid was likely +to reach her. + +"To-morrow, my Alice," whispered the Chevalier in the ear of the +blushing object of his villainous designs--"to-morrow, thou are mine! +Oh, the devotion of a life-time shall atone to you for the sacrifice you +make, in wedding an unknown stranger, whose birth and fortunes are +shrouded in a veil of mystery." + +"Thy birth and fortunes are nothing to me," responded Alice, softly, as +a tear of happiness trembled in her eyes--"so long as thy heart is +faithful and true." + +What wonder that the Chevalier's false heart grew cold in his breast, at +the simple words of the confiding, gentle, unsuspecting creature whom he +designed to ruin? But still he hesitated not; "her father's gold is the +glittering prize which I shall gain by this marriage," thought he; and +the vile, sordid thought stimulated him on, despite the remonstrances of +his better nature. + +"When I return to the University, we will write to each other often, +will we not?" said Clarence Argyle to Fanny, in a tone that could not be +overheard by the others of the party; and the fair girl yielded a +blushing consent to the proposal, so congenial to her own inclination. +The whisper and the blush were both observed by old Tickels, who said to +himself-- + +"Humph! 'tis easy to see that those two unfledged Cupids are already +over head and ears in love with each other. Have a care, Master +Argyle--thy pretty mistress may be lost to thee to-morrow; go back to +thy books and thy studies--for she is not for thee. Ah, the devil! I +like not the look which that impertinent old fellow, who calls himself +Corporal Grimsby, fastens upon me--it seems as if he read the secret +thoughts of my soul! He has once already snatched from my grasp my +destined prey; let him beware how he interferes a second time, for Jew +Mike is in my employ, and his knife is sharp and his aim sure!" + +"That d----d scoundrel, Tickels, meditates mischief, I am convinced," +thought the Corporal, whose keen and penetrating gaze had been for some +time riveted upon the old libertine--"and I feel convinced that my +pretty Fanny is the object of his secret machinations. Beware, old Judas +Iscariot!--you'll not get off so easy the next time I catch you at your +tricks." + +"And so, my dear Mr. Tickels, you are again a candidate for Congress," +remarked Mr. Goldworthy, during a pause in the conversation. + +"I again have that distinguished honor," was the pompous reply. "My +party stands in great need of my services and influence in the House at +the present crisis." + +"No doubt," dryly observed the Corporal--"I would suggest that your +first public act be the introduction of a bill for the punishment of +seduction, and the protection of poor orphan girls." + +Mr. Tickels writhed beneath the sarcasm, and turned deadly pale, +although he and his tormentor were the only persons present who +comprehended the secret meaning of the words--for Fanny was too much +engrossed in conversation with Argyle, to heed the remark. + +"And, my good sir," rejoined the Chevalier, who was resolved to improve +so good an opportunity to wound the old reprobate to the quick, +(although he was ignorant of the application of the Corporal's +words,)--"do not, I beseech you, neglect to insert a clause in your +bill, providing also for the punishment of those respectable old +wretches who bring ruin and disgrace upon families, by the seduction of +wives--of daughters--or of _sisters_! I confess myself interested in the +passage of such an act, in consequence of a wealthy old scoundrel having +once dared to insult grievously a near female relative of mine. The name +of this old wretch--" + +Tickels cast an imploring look at the Chevalier, and the latter was +silent--but upon his lips remained an expression of withering scorn; for +villain as he himself was, he detested the other for his consummate +hypocrisy. The vicious frequently hate others for possessing the same +evil qualities that characterise themselves. The character of the +Chevalier was doubtless hypocritical in its nature; but _his_ hypocrisy +was, in our opinion, far less contemptible than that of Tickels; the +former was a hypocrite for pecuniary gain; the latter, for the +gratification of the basest and most grovelling propensities that can +disgrace humanity. + +"Gentlemen--gentlemen!" cried Mr. Goldworthy, amazed at the turn which +the conversation had taken, and comprehending neither of the +allusions--"I beg you to remember that there are ladies present." + +"Blood and bayonets!" exclaimed the Corporal--"you are right: I forgot +the ladies, my worthy host, and crave your pardon and theirs, for my +indiscreet (though I must say, _devilish appropriate_) remarks!" + +The Chevalier also apologized, though with less circumlocution than the +worthy Corporal; and nothing further occurred to disturb either the +harmony of the company, or the equanimity of Mr. Tickels, until Mr. +Goldworthy, with a countenance full of astonishment and alarm, announced +to his guests that he had, during the evening, lost from his pocket a +package of bank-notes and valuable papers, amounting to some thousands +of dollars, which he had procured for investment the following day in an +extensive mercantile speculation--for although retired from active +business, he still frequently ventured large sums in operations which +were generally successful. + +For half an hour previous to making his fearful discovery, he had been +in private and earnest conversation with the Chevalier, concerning some +arrangements relative to the approaching marriage. + +"It is indeed astonishing--what can have become of it?" cried the old +gentleman, searching every pocket in vain for the missing package. "I am +certain that 'twas safely in my possession scarce one hour ago," +continued he; and summoning a couple of servants, he commanded a +diligent search to be made in every part of the room--but still in vain; +no package was to be found. + +Everybody present, with but one exception, expressed their concern and +astonishment; that exception was Fanny Aubrey; she was much agitated, +and pale as death. + +It was suggested by the Chevalier and several others, that he must have +dropped the package in the street, as it could not be found in the +house. In reply to this, Mr. Goldworthy said-- + +"No, no, my friend--I will swear that I lost it in this very room, +within an hour. Plague on it! what particularly vexes me, is, that it +comprised all my present available capital--and to have it disappear in +such a d----d unaccountable, mysterious manner! Why, curse it," cried +the old gentleman, getting more and more angry--"if I didn't know the +thing to be impossible, I should suspect that there was an accomplished +pickpocket in the room!" + +"So should I," dryly observed the Corporal; and so said the Hon. Mr. +Tickels, also. + +The Chevalier arose, and said, with calm dignity-- + +"Gentlemen, I conceive that an insinuation has been made, derogatory to +our honor. Mr. Goldworthy, your words indirectly imply a suspicion; I +must request you, sir, to explain your words, and to state distinctly +whether or no you suppose that any person present has robbed you. I also +suggest that all here be carefully searched." + +"Good heavens, my dear Chevalier!" cried Mr. Goldworthy, much +excited--"can you think for a moment that I suspect you or these +gentlemen, of an act so base and contemptible? Pardon my hasty words; +vexation at my great loss (a serious one, I assure you,) for a moment +overcame my temper. Let the package go to the devil, sooner than its +loss should occasion the least uneasiness to any of us. Come, my dear +friends, let's say no more about it." + +Harmony was once more restored; but still Fanny Aubrey looked so pale +and agitated, that Miss Alice, crossing over to where she sat, anxiously +inquired if she were unwell? The poor girl essayed to reply, but could +not; it was evident to her friend, that she was struggling with feelings +of the most painful nature. She pressed Alice's hand, burst into tears, +and abruptly left the room. + +"The poor girl is either very unwell, or very much troubled about +something," whispered Alice to her cousin Clarence--"I will go and +comfort her;" and having made her excuses to the company, she left the +room, and followed Fanny to her chamber. + +Her departure was the signal for the guests to take their leave of their +worthy host. Mr. Goldworthy warmly pressed the Chevalier's hand at +parting, and said to him-- + +"To-morrow, my dear sir, you will be my son-in-law. Be kind to my Alice, +she is a good girl, and worthy of you. God bless you both! I did intend +to advance you a sum of money, sufficient to enable you to begin +housekeeping in handsome style; but the loss of that large sum of money +to-night will, I fear, place it out of my power to assist you much, at +present. However, I shall endeavor to raise a respectable sum for you, +in the course of a few days. Meantime, you and Alice must be my guests; +and I am not sure but that I shall insist upon your continually residing +beneath my roof--for I am a lonely old man, and so accustomed to the +kind attentions and sweet society of my only daughter, that to part with +her would deprive me of half my earthly joys. Farewell--may you and her +be happy together!" + +Tears stood in the eyes of the good old man, as he uttered these words; +and again the conscience of the Chevalier upbraided him for his +contemplated villainy--but still he paused not nor faltered in carrying +out his diabolical schemes. + +Meanwhile, the following scene occurred in Fanny's chamber, to which +Alice had repaired for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of the +young girl's agitation and tears. + +"What is the matter, my dear sister? For such I will call you," said +Alice, clasping her arms around the weeping girl, who had thrown herself +upon the bed without undressing. + +"Oh, my friend, my benefactress!" cried Fanny--"how can I help feeling +so distressed, when I know that your happiness is about to be destroyed +forever?" + +"My happiness destroyed!" cried Alice, surprised and alarmed--"what mean +you! Do you allude to my marriage to-morrow with the Chevalier Duvall? +Yes, I see you do. Silly girl, that marriage will render me the happiest +of women; what reason have you for supposing otherwise? The Chevalier +loves me, and I sincerely reciprocate his affection; so dry your tears, +for you know you are to be bridesmaid, and smiles better become you than +tears." + +These words were spoken in the kindest and gentlest tone; but Fanny +exclaimed-- + +"Miss Alice, you are cruelly deceived in that man." + +"Deceived!" cried the young lady--"what mystery is hidden in your words? +Oh, if you love me, Fanny--and you have often told me that you +did--instantly explain the meaning of your dreadful declaration." + +"Listen to me, Miss Alice," said Fanny, with a calmness that strangely +contrasted with her previous agitation--"and I will tell you plainly +what I have seen, and what I think. To you I owe everything: the +comforts of a home, the kindness of a friend, and the benefits of a +superior education, now enjoyed by my brother and myself--two poor +orphans, who, but for your benevolence, would be dependent upon the +world's cold charity. My gratitude I can never express; my heart alone +can feel it--but oh! believe me, I would gladly lay down my life to +promote your happiness. How, then, can I see future years of misery +awaiting you, without tears of anguish--without feeling an intense +anxiety to preserve you from a fate ten times worse than death?" + +"Do not interrupt me, I pray you," continued Fanny, seeing that Alice +was about to speak--"To-morrow you are engaged to be married to the man +calling himself the Chevalier Duvall. When I first saw him, I was struck +with his beauty and accomplishments--his brilliant wit, and graceful +manners; and when, in sisterly confidence, you informed me that he was +your affianced husband, you know how warmly I congratulated you on +having won the affections of a man who, as I then believed, was in every +way calculated to make you happy. + +"Alice, I tell you that man is a villain!" cried Fanny, with startling +emphasis--"I saw him pick your father's pocket of the money that was +lost; yes, I alone saw him do it; _that_ was the cause of my agitation +and tears. Do not marry him, for he is a robber and a scoundrel!" + +"Say no more, Miss Aubrey," said Alice, rising with an air of cold +dignity, which plainly indicated her entire disbelief of the statement +she had just heard--"Say no more: you have mistaken your position, when +you seek to prejudice me against a gentleman whom I am so soon to call +my husband. Nay, not a word more--I will not listen to you. The +Chevalier Duvall is the very soul of honor; and to accuse _him_--how can +I say it?--of the crime of _theft_, is so preposterous that it would be +ludicrous under any other circumstances. Fanny, I can scarcely believe +that you have been actuated by _jealousy_ in telling this dreadful +story; I will try to think that your eyes deceived you, and that you +really _thought_ that you saw the Chevalier do as you have said. But oh! +how mistaken you are, unhappy girl! when you impute such a crime to one +of the noblest and best of men." + +"But, Miss Alice," cried Fanny, almost angrily--for she was certain of +the truth of her statement--"I tell you that I am not mistaken; I saw--" + +"Silence, I entreat--I command you!" cried the young lady, now +thoroughly indignant at the disgraceful accusation which had been +brought against her lover--"speak not another word to me on this odious +subject, or you forfeit my friendship forever. Good night; learn in +future to be more discreet." + +So saying, Alice left the unhappy young girl to her bitter tears. Soon +wearied nature asserted her rights, and she sobbed herself to sleep. But +her slumbers were disturbed by hideous dreams: in fancy she again saw +the magnificent Chevalier dexterously abstract the package of money from +Mr. Goldworthy's pocket--then she thought that the brilliant stranger +stood over her, and surveyed her with an expression of fearful menace. +The scene again changed; she was alone, in a vast and splendid +apartment, reclining upon a sumptuous couch; delicious music, from +invisible minstrels, soothed her soul into a sort of dreamy and +voluptuous trance; an unearthly happiness filled her heart--her senses +were intoxicated with delight. Suddenly, in the dim distance, she saw a +Hideous Object, and the blood went tingling through her veins with +terror; it had the form of a gigantic reptile; slowly it crawled towards +the couch on which she lay; dim grew the light from the sparkling +chandeliers--heavy grew the air with noxious odors; the Hideous Object +crouched beneath the bed; she heard its deep breathing--its heavy sighs; +then it reared its awful form above her, and then approached its ghastly +head to hers; she felt its foul breath upon her cheek--its green +dragon-like eyes penetrated her soul, and made her brain dizzy--it +fanned her by the flapping of its mighty wings. It breathed into her ear +vile whispers, tempting her to crime. It placed its huge vulture's claw +upon her heart, as if to tear it from her breast. She awoke. + +Gracious heavens! there--there--at her bed-side, stood a human form, its +countenance dark and threatening--the savage features almost totally +concealed by masses of black and shaggy hair. A rough, hard hand rested +upon her breast, and a pair of fierce, cruel eyes struck terror to her +soul. + +She uttered one piercing scream, and fainted. The report of a pistol was +heard; then hasty footsteps descended the stair-case; the hall was +rapidly traversed--the street door was opened and shut with a loud +noise--and all was still. + +In a few minutes the affrightened inmates of the mansion, half dressed, +were hastening to the scene of the late tumult; Mr. Goldworthy and his +daughter Alice were among them. What was the astonishment and dismay of +the startled group, on discovering that Fanny Aubrey was nowhere to be +found, while at her chamber door, wounded and bleeding, lay the +insensible form of Clarence Argyle! + +They raised the young gentleman, and placed him upon the bed; a +physician, who fortunately resided next door, and was almost instantly +upon the spot, pronounced the wound severe, but not dangerous. He had +been shot in the breast; the ball was with some difficulty extracted, +and the patient rendered as comfortable as possible. + +But where was the clue to all this fearful mystery? What had become of +Fanny Aubrey? Who had dared to enter that house at midnight, and after +nearly murdering one of the inmates, carry off a young lady? What was +the _object_ of the perpetrator of the outrage? These were the questions +uttered by everybody present; but no one could answer them. + +Both Mr. Goldworthy and Alice watched over the sufferer during that +night. Towards morning, he revived sufficiently to tell them all he knew +of the dreadful occurrence which had taken place. His chamber adjoined +that of Fanny; he had been aroused from his slumbers by her piercing +scream; instantly leaping from his bed, he rushed into the young lady's +apartment, and saw a tall, black-visaged ruffian standing over her +apparently insensible form, in the act of dragging her from the couch. +The villain turned suddenly, drew a pistol upon the young gentleman, and +fired. Clarence fell, severely wounded, and remained unconscious of +everything, until he found himself stretched upon a bed of pain, with +his uncle and cousin watching him with affectionate solicitude. + +On learning that poor Fanny had disappeared--undoubtedly carried off by +the ruffian whom he had seen in her chamber--the grief and rage of +Clarence knew no bounds. Regardless of his wound and sufferings, he +would have arisen from his bed and gone in pursuit of the ravisher, had +he not been restrained by his more considerate relatives, who +represented to him the folly and danger of his undertaking such a +hopeless task, in his precarious state of health. Overcome by their +united persuasions, as well as by a consciousness of his own bodily +weakness, he contented himself with his uncle's assurance that every +effort would immediately be made to discover the whereabouts of poor +Fanny, and restore her to her friends. + +Early the next morning, Corporal Grimsby, as being the friend and +guardian of the missing girl, was apprised of the fact of her abduction. +It is needless for us to repeat all the singular oaths with which the +eccentric, good old man expressed his honest indignation, when he +received the alarming intelligence; suffice it to say, he swore by the +nose of Napoleon, and by his own whiskers, (an oath which he used only +on very solemn occasions,) never to rest until he had discovered Fanny, +his darling _protege_, and severely punished her rascally kidnapper. + +A dark suspicion crossed his mind that the villain Tickels was at the +bottom of the business; acting upon the first impulse of the moment, he +instantly proceeded to the residence of the old libertine, forced his +way into his presence, and boldly accused him of the deed. Mr. Tickels +was perfectly on his guard, for he had expected such a visit; with cool +politeness he assured the Corporal that until that moment he knew +nothing of the matter; he was sorry that his _friend_ should suspect him +of any participation in such a piece of rascality; he had long since +cleansed and purified himself of the wicked and silly passion which he +at one time felt for Miss Aubrey; he sincerely hoped that nothing +unpleasant would befall her; he'd do all in his power to seek her out; +and concluded by coolly inviting the Corporal to breakfast with him. + +"Breakfast with the devil!" cried the old man, indignantly--"sooner +would I sit down to table in social companionship with--with _Jew Mike_ +himself!" and as he uttered these words, he gazed keenly into the +other's countenance. Tickels started, and turned deadly pale; the +Corporal, with a sarcastic smile, bowed with mock politeness, and +withdrew. + +"Swords and carving-knives! I thought so," he muttered, after he had +left the house--"a masterly stroke, that; a masterly stroke! This +villain Jew Mike is the _cher amie_ of Sow Nance, as she is called; and +Nance is in the confidence of Tickels; what wonder that the dirty slut +recommended her _pal_ and paramour to the old libertine, as a fit agent +to abduct my poor Fanny--and what wonder that he was employed to +accomplish that object? But first, I'll hasten to Mr. Goldworthy's +house, and question the young man who was wounded; if his description of +the villain corresponds with the appearance of Jew Mike, then there can +be no further doubt on the subject, and I shall know what course to +pursue. Egad! how old Tickels changed color when I mentioned Jew Mike! +His confusion alone indicated his guilt. 'Sdeath; I have no time to +lose; may heaven preserve and guard that poor, persecuted orphan girl!" + +On reaching Mr. Goldworthy's house, he requested to be conducted +immediately to Clarence's chamber. In answer to his inquiries, the young +man stated that the villain who had wounded him was a tall, powerfully +built person, his face almost entirely concealed by a profusion of black +hair. The Corporal rubbed his hands with glee. + +"Jew Mike, by the bones of the great Mogul!" he exclaimed--"and now that +I am on the right scent, I shall soon ferret out the ravenous wolves +that have carried my poor lamb to their infernal den. Ah, Corporal +Grimsby, thou art a cunning dog!" So saying, he departed on his +benevolent errand of endeavoring to rescue Fanny Aubrey from the power +of her enemies. + + * * * * * + +That evening, from every window of Mr. Goldworthy's princely mansion in +Howard street, shone brilliant lights. It was the eve appointed for the +marriage of Alice and the Chevalier Duvall. + +In consequence of the melancholy and startling events which took place +in the house on the preceding night--the severe wounding of Clarence, +and the abduction of Fanny--it had been suggested by both Alice and her +father, that it would be proper to defer the performance of the ceremony +for a short time, or until the fate of the missing girl could be +ascertained; the Chevalier, however, strongly opposed this proposition, +and assuming the authority of an accepted suitor, delicately but firmly +insisted that the marriage should take place that evening, as had been +previously arranged "for," said he, "to defer the consummation of our +happiness will not assist in the recovery of Miss Aubrey. When I become +your husband, my Alice, I can with far more propriety aid in seeking the +lost one, for were we to remain unmarried, my interest in the poor young +lady might be imputed to improper or even dishonorable motives." + +This reasoning had the desired effect; it was decided that the marriage +ceremony should not be postponed. + +Alice had not communicated to the Chevalier the story which Fanny had +told her, concerning the affair of the lost package of money--for as she +utterly disbelieved the tale, (imputing it to the effects of an excited +imagination,) she had no desire to wound the feelings of her lover by +acquainting him with the absurd charge (as she thought) which had been +brought against him. How blind is love to the imperfections, the faults, +and even the crimes of the object of its adoration! We believe it is +Shakespeare who says: + + "Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind, + And therefore is wing'd Cupid painted blind." + +The folding doors which separated the two spacious parlors in Mr. +Goldworthy's house were thrown open, forming a vast hall, brilliantly +illuminated by superb chandeliers, and decorated with every appliance of +modern elegance and taste. About a dozen relatives and friends of the +family had assembled to witness the ceremony; among them were several of +the wealthiest members of the Boston aristocracy. There was the +gray-headed millionaire, who has made his name famous by the +magnificence of his donations to public institutions which are already +wealthy enough; but then such liberal gifts are heralded in the +newspapers, and his name is blazoned forth as the great philanthropist; +and--it really is so troublesome to give to the suffering poor; besides, +the world seldom hears of deeds of unostentatious charity. Now, we are +one of those plain people who like to look at things in the light of +common reason, without regard to high-sounding titles, or lofty +associations; and it is our unpretending opinion that the God of charity +and mercy looks down with much greater approbation upon the act of +feeding a starving family, or comfortably clothing a few of His naked +little ones, than upon the bestowal of twenty or thirty thousand dollars +on this or that University, for the purpose of endowing a Professor of +Humbugonomy, that he may initiate a class of learned blockheads into the +mysteries of star-gazing, patient-killing, legal fleecing, or cheating +the devil by turning parson. + +Besides the gray-headed millionaire, to whom we have thus particularly +alluded, there was the young lady who boasts of being heiress to +hundreds of thousands of dollars; consequently, of course, she is +unanimously voted to be "charming--divine--perfection!" Her beauty is +pronounced angelic; her accomplishments are the theme of universal +admiration. "Oh, she is an unsurpassable creature!" exclaim the whole +tribe of contemptible, sycophantic, brainless calves in broadcloth, who +are ever ready to fall down and worship the golden emblem of themselves. +And yet she is pug-nosed, freckle-faced, and red-headed; insolent to her +equals, coarsely familiar with her inferiors; her vulgarity is without +wit, her affectation is devoid of elegance or grace; ignorant and +stupid, the meanest kitchen wench would suffer by a comparison with +her. In striking contrast with this ludicrous specimen of degraded +aristocracy, there were several young ladies present who were really +lovely and accomplished women. These were the personal friends of Alice; +they had come to witness her nuptials with the magnificent Chevalier. + +Precisely as the clock struck eight, Duvall entered the apartment, and +saluted the company with that exquisite and gentlemanly grace for which +he was distinguished. With difficulty could the assembled guests refrain +from expressing their admiration aloud; for his appearance was +singularly grand and imposing. In his dress, not the slightest approach +to foppery could be detected; all was faultless elegance. In his dark +eyes and on his proud features an observer could read the lofty triumph +which he felt; for was not he, an unknown and perhaps penniless +adventurer, about to wed the beautiful and accomplished daughter of one +of Boston's "merchant princes"? + +Soon the clergyman arrived, and Alice was summoned to take her part in +the solemn ceremony which was about to be performed. She was dressed in +simple white, her only ornaments consisting of a few natural flowers +among the rich clusters of her shining hair. + +She was very beautiful; the flush of happiness suffused her cheeks--her +eyes sparkled with ineffable joy. Oh, terrible sacrifice! + +The ceremony proceeds; the solemn words are spoken. 'Tis all +over--friends crowd around with their congratulations--there are smiles, +and blushes, and tears; but a deep sense of happiness pervades every +heart. Alice is the wife of Duvall, by the sacred rites of the church, +in the sight of Heaven, and before men. The Chevalier pressed her madly +to his heart, while + + "Unto the ground she cast her modest eye, + And, ever and anon, with rosy red, + The bashful blush her snowy cheeks did dye." + +Then came music, and the merry dance--and finally, a repast, that +rivalled in luxury the banquet of an emperor. In the midst of the +supper, in obedience to the secret signal of one of her bridesmaids, +Alice stole away, and was conducted by a charming _coterie_ of her +female friends, to Hymen's sacred retreat, the nuptial chamber--which +nothing should induce us to invade, gentle reader, were it not necessary +to do so in order to develop a scene in our narrative, which cannot +possibly be omitted. + +It was an apartment of but moderate size; yet it was a gem of luxurious +comfort. Everything was in the most perfect taste; and it was evident by +a certain refined delicacy in all the arrangements, that the fair Alice +herself had superintended the preparations. Happy the man who should +bestow the first chaste kiss of wedded love, upon the pure lips of a +lovely bride, within that soft bower of voluptuousness! + +She is disrobed; from her virgin limbs are removed the snowy garments; +she is coquettishly arrayed in the seductive costume of bewitching +night! She blushes, and is almost painfully embarrassed; for never +before have her glowing charms been contemplated thus, even by female +eyes. She finds herself at last reclining within the luxurious folds of +the magnificent nuptial couch; then her kind friends kiss her--bid her +a smiling good-night--and leave her to await the coming of her husband. +For the first time, her bosom heaves tumultuously with emotions which +she acknowledges to be delightful, though she cannot comprehend them. + +But where, meanwhile, is the happy bridegroom? He is at the head of the +splendid board, responding to the many toasts which are proposed in his +honor, and that of his lovely and expectant bride. Again and again he +fills the goblet, and quaffs the foaming champagne. He fascinates +everybody by his rare eloquence--his inimitable wit; Mr. Goldworthy +congratulates himself on his good fortune in having secured so +charming--so talented a son-in-law. The dark eyes of the Chevalier +sparkle almost fearfully; his superb countenance is flushed with wine +and passion. This rosy god of the grape has nearly conquered him; he is +more than half intoxicated. Losing his habitual caution, he launches +forth into the recital of the most brilliant and daring adventures in +intrigue, fraud and robbery, he relates these events with a gusto that +would seem to indicate his having taken a leading part in them himself. +The guests are startled, and view him with an admiration mixed with +fear. The Chevalier drinks deeper and deeper. Wilder and more exciting +grow his narratives; he tells strange tales of the Italian banditti--of +pirates upon the Spanish main--of dashing French pickpockets--of bold +English highwaymen--of desperate American burglars, and of expert +counterfeiters. Mr. Goldworthy, at last, begins to regard him with a +feeling akin to suspicion. "Who can this man be," he mentally asks +himself--"that talks so familiarly of every species of crime and +villainy? Is he a fitting husband for my pure and gentle daughter? Can +he have been a participant in those lawless adventures which he so +eloquently describes? I like not the dark frown upon his brow, nor the +fierce glances of his eyes. But tush! of what am I thinking? I must not +harbor unjust suspicions against the husband of my child; he is merely +somewhat excited by the generous wine, and probably derived his +knowledge of these matters from the romances of the day. 'Tis best that +he should drink no more at present; I will therefore hint to him that it +is high time for a loyal bridegroom to retire to the arms of his +expectant bride. He surely will not disregard so tempting a suggestion, +for my Alice is very like her mother, and egad! on _my_ wedding night, +twenty years ago, I needed no second hint to induce me to fly eagerly to +_her_ arms. Ah, I was young then, and old age plays sad havoc with us!" + +The worthy old gentleman whispered a few moments in the ear of the +Chevalier. The latter arose with a flushed cheek and a flashing eye. + +"Thanks for the hint, good father-in-law," he cried, draining another +goblet of wine--"I have paid my devoirs to Bacchus; now will I worship +at the shrine of Venus!" + +With rather an unsteady gait he left the apartment, and, under the +guidance of two lovely, blushing, tittering damsels, sought the nuptial +chamber. At the door of that sacred retreat, his fair guides left him. +He entered--and the black-hearted villain, stained with a thousand +crimes, stood in the presence of angel purity. + +And now, fain would we draw a curtain over what followed--but if we did +so, our task would be incomplete. We therefore pass over the delicate +details with as much rapidity as the nature of the case will admit. + +The Chevalier advanced to the couch, and viewed his bride; evading his +ardent gaze, she turned away, her maiden cheek glowing with blushes. +Upon the snowy pillow, in rich masses, lay her luxuriant hair; her +modestly veiled bosom, whose voluptuousness of outline no drapery could +entirely conceal, heaved tumultuously with gushing joy, and holy +happiness, and pure passion, and maidenly fear. Her small, exquisite +hand, on whose taper fore-finger glittered a magnificent diamond ring, +(her husband's gift,) rested upon the gorgeous counterpane, like a +snow-flake upon a cluster of roses. + +Still the Chevalier profanes not that pure form with his unhallowed +touch; perchance some unseen power, the guardian of spotless innocence, +restrains him. Placing himself before the splendid mirror, he begins to +remove his superb garments with a deliberation and a composure that +astonishes even himself. + +As each article of dress is successively thrown aside, the magnificent +symmetry of that man's unrivalled form becomes more and more apparent. +Though of a build unusually powerful, his limbs possess all the grace +and suppleness of the Apollo Belvedere. He is one of those rare +combinations of strength and beauty, so often represented by classic +statuary, yet so seldom seen in a living model. + +His task is at length completed; he is in the primeval costume of +nature. Complacently he surveys his reflection in the mirror; for he is +fully conscious of his great personal advantages, and, in the vanity of +his heart, he wishes to display them to the enraptured gaze of his +bride. And she--who will say that she does not stealthily contemplate +his symmetrical proportions with secret satisfaction--for what woman +could, under such peculiar circumstances, be indifferent to the physical +advantages possessed by the man of her choice? + +Alas! how suddenly did poor Alice's golden dream of happiness vanish +forever! + +For there--upon her husband's naked breast--in black characters of +damning distinctness--is _branded_ the ghastly, hideous +words--"CONVICTED FELON!!" + +Alice uttered one piercing scream, and fainted. + +The marriage guests below had not yet departed. They heard that awful +cry, which seemed to be the very concentration of all human anguish. Mr. +Goldworthy started to his feet, and his cheeks grew ashy pale. + +"My friends," said he, in a low tone--"there is something wrong with my +child. Remain here, and I will ascertain the cause of this strange +outcry." + +Having armed himself with a pistol, he repaired to his daughter's +chamber, which he entered without ceremony; for when does a father stand +on ceremony, when he believes the safety of his only child to be in +danger? There, in the centre of the room, confused and abashed, stood +the nude form of the Chevalier; and there, upon his breast, did Mr. +Goldworthy behold the accursed brand of crime which had horrified his +daughter, and elicited her piercing scream. + +"_Convicted felon!_" gasped the old gentleman, almost disbelieving the +evidence of his own senses. "Good God! am I dreaming, or do I actually +behold that awful badge of infamy branded upon the flesh of the husband +of my child! Almighty heaven, thy judgments are inscrutable, but this +blow is too much--too much!" + +He buried his face in his hands, and wept bitterly. The Chevalier, by a +powerful effort, recovered his accustomed assurance and presence of +mind. + +"Come, my good sir," said he--"don't get in such a bad way about a few +insignificant letters which are stamped upon me. I pledge you my honor +'twas merely done in jest, in a thoughtless moment. Pray retire, and +leave me to console my bride for her silly fright." + +"Liar and villain!" cried the old man--"would'st thou, with a red-hot +iron, brand such words as _those_ upon thee, in jest? Thou are a +convicted scoundrel--an impostor--a murderer, for aught I know. Thou +hast no claim upon my poor girl, who now lies there, insensible; the +marriage is null and void!" + +"Pooh--nonsense!" said the Chevalier, very coolly--"you make a devil of +a fuss about a very small matter. This brand is but the consequence of a +youthful folly--crime, if you will--of which I have long since repented, +I assure you. A ruffled shirt will always conceal it from the world's +prying gaze; your daughter and yourself are the only persons who will +ever know of its existence; why, then, should it interfere with our +matrimonial arrangements?" + +"Dare you parley with me, villain?" cried Mr. Goldworthy, growing more +and more indignant at the other's impudent assurance. "Hark'ee, sir," he +continued, "the mystery which has always surrounded you, has been +anything but favorable to your reputation, for _honest_ men are seldom +reluctant to disclose all that concerns their past career and present +pursuits. But your damnable effrontery, and the accursed fascination of +your manners, overcame all our suspicions relative to you; you were +regarded as an honorable man, and a gentleman. Unfortunately, my Alice +loved you, and in an evil moment I consented to your union. This +evening, at the wine table, when you discoursed so learnedly and +eloquently upon the exploits of daring villains, the thought struck me +that you must have derived your knowledge of them from personal +intimacy; but I instantly discarded the suspicion as unworthy of myself +and unjust to you. But now--now your guilt can no longer be questioned, +for its history is written there, upon your breast! Scoundrel, I might +hand you over to the iron grasp of the law, but I will not; resume your +garments, and leave this chamber--for your vile presence contaminates +the very atmosphere, and 'tis no place for you!" + +"No, you will not hand me over to the law, neither will you expose me," +said the Chevalier, his lip curling with proud disdain. "Listen to me, +old man: you are right--I _am_ a villain--nay, more; I glory in the +title. Am I not candid with you?--and yet you, yourself, will be as +anxious as I can be, to keep the world ignorant of the fact that I am a +villain,--for will the aristocratic Mr. Goldworthy consent that the +public shall know that his beautiful daughter Alice is married to a +branded criminal? Being perfectly safe, what need is there of +concealment on my part? Know, then, that I am an escaped convict from +Botany Bay, to which colony I was transported from England, for an +atrocious crime. This brand upon my breast was placed there as a +punishment for having attempted to murder one of my guards. I have been +a pirate, a robber, a highwayman, a burglar, and (but let me whisper +this word in your ear,) a _murderer_! Ha, ha, ha! how do you like your +son-in-law now?" + +"Monster, out of my sight!" cried the old man, shuddering. + +"Softly, softly," said the Chevalier, with imperturbable calmness--"you +have not heard all yet; of my skill as a pickpocket, you yourself have +had ample proof, for 'twas I who relieved you of the valuable package +last night; yet you dare not prosecute me--for am I not your son-in-law? +But curses on my own indiscretion, in allowing wine to overcome my +habitual prudence! For had I not been partially intoxicated, think you +this mark of guilt would have been so easily discovered? No, believe +me--" + +"Silence, villain!" thundered Mr. Goldworthy, no longer able to contain +his indignation at the cool effrontery of the Chevalier--"I have bandied +words with you too long already; you see this pistol?--you are unarmed; +I give you five minutes to dress yourself and leave the house; if you +are not gone at the end of that time, I swear by the living God to shoot +you through the head." + +These last words were pronounced with a calmness that left no doubt of +their sincerity on the mind of the Chevalier. Villain as he was, he was +brave even to desperation; yet he had no particular wish to be hurried +into eternity so unceremoniously. He therefore commenced dressing +himself, while Mr. Goldworthy stood with the pistol cocked and pointed +at his head with a deadly aim. + +Meanwhile, the unfortunate Alice recovered from her swoon. Starting up +in bed, she cast a hurried glance at her father and the discomfited +Chevalier. That glance was sufficient to reveal to her the true state of +affairs; and covering her face with her hands, she wept bitterly. + +Who can comprehend the depth and devotedness of woman's love? Could it +be possible that there still lingered in her crushed heart a single atom +of affection for that branded villain, who had so cruelly deceived her? +Philosophy may condemn her--human reason itself may scoff at her--but +from her pure heart could not utterly be obliterated the sincere and +holy love which she had conceived for that unworthy object. To her might +have been applied the beautiful words of the poet Campbell: + + "Let the eagle change his plume, + The leaf its hue, the flower its bloom, + But ties around that heart were spun + Which would not, could not be undone." + +Before the expiration of the prescribed five minutes, the Chevalier was +dressed, and ready to depart. Turning towards Alice, he regarded her +with a look which was eloquently expressive of grief, remorse and +sorrow. His breast heaved convulsively; he was evidently struggling with +the most powerful emotions. A single tear rolled down his cheek--he +hastily wiped it away--murmured, "Farewell, Alice, forever!"--and +reminded by an imperious gesture from her father that the scene could +continue no longer, he turned calmly and walked out of the room. Mr. +Goldworthy followed him to the street door, and saw him depart from the +house; then, with a deep-drawn sigh, he returned to his guests, who were +naturally eager to know the nature of the difficulty. In answer to their +inquiries, the old gentleman said-- + +"My dear friends, do not, I entreat you, press me for an explanation of +this most melancholy affair. Suffice it for me to say, the Chevalier +Duvall has proved himself to be utterly unworthy of my daughter. The +marriage which has taken place, though not legally void, is _morally_ +so. I beg of everyone present to respect my feelings as a father and as +a man, so far as to preserve a strict silence in reference to this +painful matter. The Chevalier Duvall has departed from the house, and +will never see my daughter more." + +The required promise was given, and the guests took their leave, +experiencing feelings of a far different nature from those which had +animated them at the commencement of the evening. They had come in the +happy anticipation of witnessing the consummation of a beloved friend's +felicity; they went away oppressed by a painful uncertainty as to the +nature of the difficulty which had arisen in reference to the husband, +and chilled by a fear that the earthly happiness of poor Alice was +destroyed forever. + +The Chevalier returned to the Duchess, to apprise her of the total ruin +of his matrimonial schemes, in consequence of the _fatal brand_ upon his +person having been discovered; and we return to Fanny Aubrey, who had +been conveyed by Jew Mike to the "_Chambers of Love_," in obedience to +the directions given him by the Hon. Timothy Tickels. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +_Showing the operations of Jew Mike and his coadjutors.--The necessity +of young ladies looking beneath their beds, before retiring to rest._ + + +We have seen in what manner Jew Mike escaped from the house of Mr. +Goldworthy, bearing off the insensible form of Fanny Aubrey; but as the +reader may be curious to learn how the ruffian gained entrance to the +house, and to the chamber of the young lady, we shall briefly explain. + +In the first place, it is perhaps understood that old Tickels applied to +Sow Nance for assistance in the business of abducting Fanny, and +conveying her to that den of iniquity called the "Chambers of +Love,"--which place will be hereafter described. Nance, on being applied +to, informed her employer that she had a "_love cull_," (paramour,) who +was exactly suited to the business, and who would, for a proper +compensation, engage to do the job. Tickels was delighted with the +proposal, and eagerly desired to have an early interview with her +accommodating lover. But there was a difficulty; Jew Mike had an +invincible repugnance to going abroad under any circumstances, inasmuch +as he had recently been engaged in a heavy burglary, and the pleasure of +his company was earnestly sought after by police officer Storkfeather +and other indefatigables. He was safely housed in the "Pig Pen," and +regarded it as decidedly unsafe to venture out, even to execute a piece +of work as profitable as the one which Mr. Tickels wished him to +perform. It was finally arranged that the latter gentleman would call on +Mike at the "Pen," on a certain evening. This was done; and the result +of that interview was, that Mike, for and in consideration of receiving +the sum of one hundred dollars, agreed to carry off Fanny Aubrey, and +deposit her safely in the "Chambers of Love." + +To obviate the possibility of Mike's being overhauled by his old friends +the police officers, it was arranged that a cab should be at his entire +disposal; the same vehicle would serve to convey the young lady with +secrecy and rapidity to the place destined for her imprisonment. Tickels +engaged to have Mike privately introduced into the house of Mr. +Goldworthy, and it was effected in this manner. + +On the night previous to the abduction, at about the hour of nine, a cab +was driven through Ann street, and halted in front of the dance cellar +which communicated with the "Pig Pen." The driver of this vehicle was a +sable individual, who has since attained some notoriety under the +cognomen of "Jonas." He is intimately acquainted with the location and +condition of every house of prostitution in Boston, and enjoys the +familiar acquaintance of many white courtezans of beauty and fashion, +not a few of whom (so 'tis said,) testify their appreciation of his +valuable services in bringing them profitable custom, by freely granting +him those delightful privileges which are usually extended to white +patrons only, who can pay well for the same. Jonas has lately become the +editor and proprietor of that valuable periodical known as the "Key to +the Chambers of Love," which is a _card_ containing a list of almost +every bower of pleasure in Boston, with the names of their keepers. It +is a document which is extensively patronized by the sporting bloods. +This fortunate darkey it was, then, who was employed in the delicate +matter, the progress of which we are now describing. + +He had no sooner halted his cab, as we have stated, than there +cautiously issued from the cellar an individual carefully concealed from +observation by a huge slouched hat and cloak. This, it is almost +needless to say, was Jew Mike himself. Having greeted Jonas with the +assurance of "all right," he quickly entered the cab, and the sable +driver started his horse towards Howard street at a slapping pace. + +In the neighborhood of the Athenaeum, the cab paused, and Mike got out. +He was instantly joined by the Hon. Mr. Tickels, who said to Jonas-- + +"Drive away, and be on this spot again, with your horse and cab, +precisely at twelve o'clock. Remain here until one; if by that time Mike +does not make his appearance, you will know that the job can't be done +to-night, and you need wait no longer. To-morrow night, be on this spot +again, at twelve, and remain until one--and don't fail to repeat this +every night until Mike appears with the young woman he is to carry off. +For every night that you come here, you shall be paid five dollars. Do +you understand?" + +"Yes, indeed, ole hoss," replied the delighted Jonas, displaying his +mouthful of dominoes--"dat five dollars ebery night will 'nable dis +colored person to shine at de balls of de colored society dis winter; +perhaps be de manager--yah, yah, yah!" When giving utterance to his +peculiar laugh, Jonas makes a noise as if he were undergoing the process +of being choked to death by a fat sausage. Having thus given vent to his +satisfaction, he mounted his cab and drove off. When he had departed, +Tickels drew Mike within the dark shadow of a building, and, in +whispered tones, thus addressed him:-- + +"I have, as you are aware, succeeded in bribing one of Goldworthy's +servants to admit you into the house, and conceal you until the +favorable moment arrives for you to bear off the prize. Whether you do +it to-night, or to-morrow night, or the next, you must be sure to do it +only between the hours of twelve and one, for only during that interval +of time will Jonas and his cab be in waiting for you. When the time for +action arrives, you must satisfy yourself that all is still in the +house--that all have retired. I have ascertained that Goldworthy and his +household almost invariably retire to rest at ten o'clock; therefore, it +is reasonable to suppose that they are all asleep by twelve. At that +hour, if you think the coast is clear, steal cautiously forth from your +place of concealment, and noiselessly enter the young lady's chamber; +this you will have no difficulty in doing, for I have taken the pains to +ascertain that she never takes the precaution to lock the door." + +"But," interrupted Jew Mike--"in that large mansion, containing so many +apartments, how shall I know for certainty which particular room the +young woman sleeps in?" + +"I have anticipated and provided for that difficulty," rejoined +Tickels--"although the servant whom I have bribed, could doubtless +direct you to the chamber. Here, on this sheet of paper, I have drawn a +diagram of the entire building; by studying it for a few minutes, you +will readily be enabled to find your way to any part of the house.--To +resume: you will enter the chamber, and assure yourself that the young +lady is sleeping; this is an important point, because, if she should +chance to be awake, and observe you, she would naturally scream with +affright, which would ruin everything. Well, having satisfied yourself, +beyond a doubt, that she is fast asleep, you will softly approach the +bed, and, in the twinkling of an eye, _bind and gag her!_ so that she +will be utterly incapable of voice or motion. Then take her in your +arms, steal noiselessly down stairs, and make your exit by the front +door, which will be left unlocked for that purpose. Having reached the +street, leap with your precious burden into the cab, and Jonas will +drive you with all speed to the 'Chambers.' Take off your shoes when in +the house, and your footsteps will be less liable to be heard. Now, +Mike, I have one request to make: I know the laxity of your principles +with respect to the virtue of honesty, and admire your system of +appropriation--but steal nothing, not even the merest trifle, in the +house. I will tell you why I require this of you; when the young lady is +missed, if property is also missed, they will naturally suppose that +both she and the valuables have been carried off by some marauder; for +they could never believe _her_ to be guilty of theft; and their +affection for her would prompt them to make every effort for her +recovery. If, on the contrary, no property disappears with her, they may +possibly think that she has voluntarily eloped, and will be apt to +trouble themselves very little about her, for her supposed ingratitude +will arouse their indignation. Do you not perceive and acknowledge the +force of my argument?" + +Jew Mike replied that he certainly did, and assured his worthy employer +that he would, for the first time in his life, refrain from stealing, +even where he had an excellent opportunity. + +"This heroic self-denial on your part is worthy of the highest +commendation," said Mr. Tickels. "I have but one more observation to +make, and then I will detain you no longer. If it should unfortunately +happen that you are detected in this business, for God's sake don't +bring my name in connection with it. Tell them that your design was to +rob the house; they will send you to jail, and no matter how many +charges may be brought against you, I have money and influence +sufficient to procure your liberation. Now, my good fellow, do you +consent to this?" + +Mike answered affirmatively; and the two proceeded towards Mr. +Goldworthy's house. Fortunately for their operations, there was no moon, +and the night was intensely dark; therefore, they were by no means +likely to be observed by any prying individual or inquisitive +Charley--besides, the gentlemen who belong to the latter class, prefer +rather to indulge in a comfortable doze on some door-step, than to go +prowling about, impertinently interfering with the business of +enterprising burglars and others, who "prefer darkness rather than +light." + +The Hon. Mr. Tickels and Jew Mike, having reached Mr. Goldworthy's +house, stationed themselves in front of the door, and after a short +pause, to assure themselves that all was right, the former worthy gave +utterance to three distinct coughs, which were, however, rendered in a +very low tone. The signal was answered almost immediately; the door was +softly opened, and a man made his appearance; this was the unfaithful +servant who had been bribed to admit a villain into his master's house. + +"Is everything all right, Cushing?" asked Tickels, in a whisper. + +"Yes, sir," replied the fellow, in the same tone--"there's no one +stirring in the house except myself, as Mr. Goldworthy and the ladies +have gone to the theatre, and have not yet returned; and as to the other +servants, they have all gone to bed." + +"That's well," remarked Tickels--"now, Mike, this man will conceal you +in some safe place. If the business can be done to-night, do it; if not, +defer it until a favorable opportunity presents itself. You know all the +arrangements; therefore I need not repeat them. Fulfil your contract, +and come to me for your reward. Good night." + +He departed. Cushing desired Jew Mike to follow him into the house; the +latter obeyed, and was conducted into a small room, which the servant +gave him to understand was his sleeping chamber. + +"Is this to be my place of concealment?" demanded Jew Mike, glancing +around with a growl of dissatisfaction--"damn it, you couldn't hide a +mouse here without its being discovered." + +"That's true enough," rejoined Cushing--"you can't hide here, that's +certain. I confess I am at a loss where to put you. There's no time to +be lost, for I expect my master and the ladies to return every instant. +Hell and furies, there's the carriage now! they have come!" + +It was true; a carriage stopped at the door, and they could hear the +voices and footsteps of people entering the house. + +"We are lost!" cried Cushing, pale with fear--"yet stay; there is but +one way of escaping immediate detection. Have you the courage to hide +in--in--" + +"Courage!" exclaimed Mike, in great rage--"show me a place of +concealment, and I'll stow myself in it, if it be hell itself! Our +enterprise must not fail by my being discovered here." + +"Quick, then--this way--follow me--softly, softly," whispered the +other, conducting Mike up a flight of stairs, and into a handsomely +furnished bed-chamber. + +"This," said Cushing--"is the room in which Miss Fanny Aubrey sleeps; +the young lady whom you are to carry off. It is the best place in the +world for you to conceal yourself in, for your victim will be almost +within your grasp. Quick--stow yourself _under the bed_, in the farthest +corner. She will not discover you, if you keep perfectly quiet, for you +will be screened from view by the thick curtains of the bed. If you +cannot do the job to-night, you must remain in your hiding-place all day +to-morrow--and indeed, you must not think of stirring forth, until the +moment arrives for you to carry off Miss Fanny. I will contrive to +supply you with food and drink. Hark!--by God, somebody is coming +up-stairs. I must be off--under the bed with you--quick, quick!" + +In a twinkling was Jew Mike snugly ensconced beneath the bed, while +Cushing hastily left the chamber, and repaired to his own room. + +Within the space of one minute afterwards, Fanny Aubrey entered her +chamber, accompanied by a maid-servant bearing a light. + +"You may set down the candle, Matilda, if you please, dear," said Fanny, +in her sweet, gentle voice--"and leave me, for I shall not need your +assistance to undress me." + +"Indeed, Miss, axing your pardon, I shall do no such thing," responded +Matilda, who was a buxom, good-humored, and rather good-looking young +woman; and with a kind of respectful familiarity, she began to perform +upon her young mistress the delicate and graceful duties of a _femme de +chambre_. "You are very silly, Matilda, thus to insist on waiting on +_me_; I, that am as poor as yourself, and was brought up as nothing but +a fruit girl." + +"Lor, Miss!" cried Matilda, holding up her hands with a sort of pious +horror--"how can you compare yourself with the likes of me? You were +born to be a lady, and I am so happy to be your servant--your own +ladies' maid! You will have a fine husband one of these days, Miss. Now, +if I might make so bold, there is that pretty young gentleman, Miss +Alice's cousin, Master Clarence--" + +"Hush, Matilda," interrupted Fanny, blushing deeply--"what has Master +Clarence to do with me? you are a silly creature. Make haste and undress +me, since you will do it, for I am so tired and sleepy!" + +Matilda did as she was desired, but being, like all other ladies' maids, +very talkative, kept up a 'running commentary' on the charms of her +young mistress, as ladies' maids are very apt to do. + +"What beautiful hair!" quoth the abigail, in an under tone, as if she +were merely holding a sociable chat with herself--"for all the world +like skeins of golden thread; and what a fair skin! just like a heap of +snow, or a newly washed sheet spread out to bleach. Patience alive! this +pretty arm beats Mrs. Swelby's wax-work all hollow; and these +beautiful--" + +"You vex me to death with your nonsense, Matilda," cried Fanny--"how +tiresome you are! Pray be silent." + +Thus rebuked, the ladies' maid continued her task in silence. When the +young lady was disrobed, and about to retire to bed, she was startled +by a sudden exclamation of Matilda's-- + +"Bless me, Miss! what noise was that? It sounded as if somebody was hid +somewhere in this very chamber." + +They both paused and listened; all was again still. Fanny, as well as +her maid had certainly heard a slight noise, which seemed to have been +produced by a slow and cautious movement, and sounded like the rustling +of a curtain. + +"Twas nothing but the noise of the night-breeze agitating the window +curtains," remarked Fanny, at length, with a smile. + +Ah! neither she, nor her maid, saw the two fearful eyes that were +glaring at them from among the intricate folds of the curtain, beneath +the bed!--Neither saw they the dark and hideous countenance of the +ruffian that lay concealed there. + +"Well, Miss," said Matilda, not over half re-assured by the words of her +mistress--"it may be nothing, as you say; but, for my part, I never go +to bed a single night in the year, without first _looking under the bed_ +to see that nobody is hid away there. And I advise you to do the same, +Miss; and I am sure you would, if you only knew what happened to my +cousin Bridget." + +"And what was that, pray?" asked Fanny, as she got into bed, and settled +herself comfortably, in order to listen to what happened to cousin +Bridget--all her fears in regard to the noise which she had heard, +having vanished. + +"Why, you see, miss," said Matilda, seating herself at the +bed-side,--"cousin Bridget was cook in a gentleman's family in this +city, and a very nice body she was, and is to this day. In the same +family there lived a young man as was a coachman, very good-looking, and +very attentive to Biddy, as we call her for shortness, miss. But, though +he was desperate in love with my cousin, she would give him no +encouragement, and the poor fellow pined away, and neglected his +wittles, and grew thin in flesh, until, from being called Fat Tom, he +got to be nicknamed the 'Natomy, which means a skeleton. It was in vain, +miss, that poor 'Natomy threatened to take to hard drinking, or pizen +himself with Prooshy acid, unless she took pity on him--not a smile, or +a kiss, or a hope could he get from cousin Biddy. Now, between +ourselves, I really think she had a sort of a sneaking notion after him; +you know, miss, that we women folks like to tease the men, by making +them think that we hate 'em, when all the time we are dead in love with +'em. Well, matters and things went on pretty much as I have said, for +some times; until something happened that made a great change in the +feelings of cousin Biddy towards Tom the coachman. Biddy slept in a nice +little bed-room in the attic--all by herself; and Tom slept in another +nice little bed-room in the attic--all by _himself_, too. Well, miss, +one night Biddy went to a fancy ball in Ann street, given in honor of +her brother's wife's second cousin, Mrs. MacFiggins, having been blessed +with three twins at a birth; she danced very late, and drank a great +deal of hot toddy, which made her so nervous that she had to go home in +a hackney-coach. She went to bed, but the toddy made her feel so very +uncomfortable, that she had to get up again, during the night; and she +happened, by accident, to reach her hand under the bed--and what do you +think, miss? her hand caught hold of something--she pulled it towards +her, out from under the bed--and oh, my gracious! what must have been +the feelings of the poor body, when she found that she had taken hold of +a man's--_nose!_ and, what was worse than all, that nose belonged to +Tom, the coachman! My poor cousin Biddy, on making this awful discovery, +gave a low scream, and fainted; and then--and then, miss--in about half +an hour, when she came to her senses, on finding that nobody, except +Tom, had heard her scream, she felt so kind of _put out_ about the whole +matter, that she agreed to marry Tom, if he would promise never to say +nothing about it. He agreed, and in a few weeks afterwards they were man +and wife. I heard this story, miss, from Biddy's own lips, and it's as +true as gospel. So that is the reason why I look under my bed every +night, to see if anybody is hid away there; because the very idea of +having a man _under_ a body's bed, is so awful! But bless me, miss--you +are fast asleep already, and I dare say you haven't heard half of my +story." + +Matilda was right; Fanny had fallen asleep at the most interesting point +of the foregoing narrative, and she was therefore in blissful ignorance +of the catastrophe by which cousin Biddy became the wife of Tom the +coachman. The ladies' maid, muttering her indignation at the very little +interest manifested in her story, by her young mistress, left the +chamber, and took herself off to bed, leaving the candle burning upon +the table. + +Half an hour passed; all throughout the house was profoundly still. The +deep and regular breathing of Fanny indicated that she slept soundly. A +small clock in the chamber proclaimed the hour of midnight. Scarce had +the tiny sounds died away in silence, when the hideous head of Jew Mike +cautiously emerged from beneath the bed. The ruffian noiselessly crept +forth from his place of concealment, and stood over the fair sleeper. +Having satisfied himself of the soundness of her slumbers, he drew from +his pocket the handkerchief and cord with which he intended to gag and +bind her. + +At that moment, Fanny stirred, and partially awoke; quick as lightning, +Jew Mike crouched down upon the carpet, and crawled beneath the bed. To +his inexpressible mortification and rage, the young lady arose from the +couch, advanced to the table, and having snuffed the candle, and thrown +a shawl over her shoulders, seated herself, and taking up a book, began +to read. The truth is, she felt herself rather restless and unwell, and +determined to while away an hour or so by perusing a few chapters in the +work of a favorite author. + +The clock struck one, and then Jew Mike knew that his villainous plans +could not be carried out that night. A few minutes afterwards, the negro +Jones, who had, since twelve o'clock, been waiting with his horse and +cab near Mr. Goldworthy's house in Howard street, drove off--the sable +genius muttering, as he urged his 'fast crab' onward-- + +"Five dollars for to-night, and five dollars more for to-morrow +night--dat I'm sure of, any how; gorry, dis nigger's in luck." + +After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes, Fanny Aubrey closed her +book, and again retired to bed. Again she slept; and for that night, she +was safe. Mike knew that the cab had departed, and was obliged to defer +the execution of his scheme until the next night, or even for a longer +period, if a favorable opportunity did not then occur. + +Poor Fanny! during the remainder of that night her slumbers were +attended by peaceful and pleasant dreams. What if she had known that +beneath her couch there lurked a desperate and bloody ruffian, +impatiently awaiting the hour when he could bear her off to a fate worse +than death! + +Slowly wore the night away; and at length the cheerful rays of the +morning sun, shining upon the beautiful countenance of the fair sleeper, +awoke her from her slumbers. She arose--gracefully as a young fawn did +she spring from the chaste embraces of her luxurious couch, and caroling +forth a gay air--the gushing gladness of her happy heart--she proceeded +to perform the duties of her toilet. Now, like a naiad at a fountain, +does she lave that charming face and those ductile limbs in the limpid +and rose-scented waters of a portable bath, sculptured in marble and +supported by four little Cupids with gilded wings; then, like the fabled +mermaid, does she arrange her shining hair in that style of beautiful +simplicity which is so becoming, and so seldom successfully +accomplished, even by women of undoubted taste. The amorous mirror +glowingly reflects her young and budding charms, as she coquettishly +admires the loveliness of her delicious little person, half-blushing at +the sight of her own voluptuous nudity. Little does she suspect that the +savage eyes of a concealed ruffian are gloating with lecherous delight +upon her exposed form! + +In happy unconsciousness of this hideous scrutiny, the young lady having +completed the preliminary arrangements of her toilet, proceeded to array +herself in a charming and delicate morning costume. Although it could +not be said that + + "Her snowy breast was bare to ready spoil + Of hungry eyes," + +yet these lines from _Thomson's Seasons_ might be applied to her, with +peculiar force:-- + + "Her polished limbs + Veil'd in a simple robe, their best attire, + Beyond the pomp of dress; for loveliness + Needs not the foreign aid of ornament, + But is, when unadorn'd, adorn'd the most." + +She was scarcely dressed, when the breakfast bell sounded its welcome +peal; and she hastened below to take her place at the hospitable family +table. + +During the whole of that day, Jew Mike did not venture to stir once from +his retreat. In the forenoon, a female domestic came and arranged the +bed, without discovering him; after a while, Fanny came into the +chamber, to dress for dinner, which being done, she withdrew without +suspecting the presence of the villainous Jew Mike, who again had an +opportunity of feasting his eyes on her denuded charms. Late in the +afternoon, much to the joy of the ruffian, who was half starved, Cushing +stole into the chamber, bringing with him some provisions and a bottle +of wine; those he hastily passed under the bed, and abruptly retired, +for he was apprehensive of being detected in the room, which would have +ruined all. + +Night came on. Mike was a witness of the scene which took place between +Alice Goldworthy and Fanny, wherein the latter charged the Chevalier +with having stolen the packet of money. The reader knows how Fanny was +afterwards awakened from her sleep by a horrid dream, and how she +discovered the form of a man bending over her--that man was, of course, +Jew Mike. It will be recollected that the young girl screamed and +fainted; that Clarence Argyle rushed into the chamber, and was instantly +shot down by Mike--and that the ruffian made his escape from the house, +bearing off the unfortunate girl in his arms. + +Jonas was waiting at a short distance from the house; Mike hastily +entered the cab with his burden, and the negro drove rapidly towards +Warren street, wherein was located the "Chambers of Love." + +The vehicle halted before a house of decent exterior; Jew Mike came out, +bearing the still insensible girl; the door of the house opened, and he +entered; then the door closed, and all was still. With a low chuckle of +satisfaction, Jonas whipped his horse into a gallop, and away he rattled +through the silent and deserted streets. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +_The Chambers of Love.--Conclusion._ + + +On entering the house in Warren street with his burden, Jew Mike passed +through a dark passage, and entered a large, well-lighted and +well-furnished room. Here he was received by a rather stout and +extremely good-looking female, the landlady of the house, who rejoiced +in the peculiar title of Madame Hearthstone. Notwithstanding the +lateness of the hour, several courtezans of the ordinary class were +lounging about, or indolently conversing with a few intimate male +friends, who were probably their private lovers, or _pimps_. + +"Well," said Madame Hearthstone, with a smile of satisfaction--"you have +caught the bird at last, I see; but she must not remain here, for when +she recovers from her swoon, she may take it into her head to scream, or +make a disturbance, which might be heard in the street. We will carry +her below to the _Chambers_, and there she may make as much noise as she +pleases--there's no possibility of her ever being overheard by people +above ground!" + +In obedience to her directions, Jew Mike again took the young girl in +his arms, and followed Madame out of the room, while she bore a light. +She led the way into a bed-chamber on the second floor, which apartment +was furnished with that luxury so invariably found in the bowers of +land-ladies of pleasure, who care but little for the comfort of their +_boarders_, so long as they themselves are "in clover."' + +The walls of Madame's chamber were beautifully adorned with fancy paper, +representing panels in gilded frames, decorated with wreaths of flowers. +The lady advanced towards one of these panels, and kneeling down upon +the floor, touched a secret spring; instantly a door, which had +previously been invisible, sprang open, revealing an aperture large +enough to admit a person standing upright. + +The reader must not be surprised that the landlady should thus expose to +Jew Mike the means of entering her private rendezvous; for Mike was +perfectly in her confidence, having often before been employed to convey +victims to that den, and being already well acquainted with the mystery +of the secret panel. + +They entered the aperture--the landlady bearing the light, and the +ruffian carrying the unconscious form of Fanny Aubrey. Having carefully +closed the panel behind them, they began to descend a long flight of +steps, so steep and narrow, that extreme care was necessary to enable +them to preserve their footing. + +Down, down they went, seemingly far into the bowels of the earth. At +length they arrived at the bottom, and a stout oaken door intercepted +their further progress. The landlady produced a key, and the door swung +back upon its massive hinges; they entered a vast apartment, fitted up +in a style of splendor almost equal to the fabled magnificence of a +fairy palace. + +The hall was of circular shape, surmounted by a dome, from which hung a +superb chandelier, which shed a brilliant light over the gilded +ornaments and voluptuous paintings that adorned the walls. In the centre +stood a table, laden with fruits and wines, around which were seated +half a dozen young females, all very beautiful, and several of them +nearly half naked. Two of these girls, who were more modestly dressed +than the others, seemed sad and dispirited; their four companions, +however, appeared vicious and reckless in the extreme. + +"Girls," said the landlady, addressing them--"I have brought you a new +sister; she has come to learn the delightful mysteries of Venus. Give +her all the instruction in your power, and learn her the arts and ways +of a finished courtezan." + +Jew Mike laid Fanny upon a sofa; the girls crowded around her, and +regarded her with looks of interest and joy. + +"She is very pretty," said one of them, a bold, wanton looking young +creature, of rare beauty, her seductive form wholly revealed beneath a +single light gauze garment, such as are worn by ballet girls--"I will +become her teacher; I will show her how to turn the brains of men crazy +with passion, and bring the proudest of them grovelling at her feet. +Oh,'tis delightful to humble the lords of creation, as they call +themselves, and make them whine for our favors like so many sick +spaniels!" + +"You are a girl of spirit, Julia," said the landlady, regarding her with +a look of admiration--"and will make a splendid courtezan." + +"But," cried Julia, with sparkling eyes and a heaving breast--"when +_shall_ I become a courtezan? How long must I remain here, pining for +the embraces of fifty men, and enduring the impotent caresses of but +one, and _he_, bah! a fellow of no more fire or animation, of _power_, +than a lump of ice!" + +"Have patience, my love," rejoined the landlady--"Mr. Lawyer may be a +poor lover, but he is a profitable patron; so long as he pays liberally +for your exclusive favors in these 'Chambers,' you must receive him, for +you will share the profits, when you 'turn out.' And now see what you +can do in the way of restoring this new comer, for her _owner_ will be +here soon, to see her. Carry her into the _Satin Chamber_, which is to +be her room, and when she revives, make her partake of some +refreshments." + +The landlady and Jew Mike left the hall; the massive door was relocked, +and ascended to the upper regions of the house, leaving Fanny Aubrey to +the care of the inmates of the luxurious Chambers below. + +The Satin Chamber was an apartment of moderate dimensions, which +adjoined the principal hall. It was completely lined throughout with +white satin, which produced an effect so voluptuous as to defy +description. Into this gorgeous bower of lust the girls carried Fanny, +and laid her down upon a soft and yielding couch. + +Restoratives were applied, and she was speedily brought to a state of +consciousness. Her wonder and astonishment may easily be imagined, when, +on starting up, she found herself in that strange place, surrounded by a +group of showily dressed females, some of them indecently nude. + +Without answering her eager inquiries, as to where she was, and how she +came there, they brought her wine and other refreshments, of which they +compelled her to partake. + +"You are in a place of safety, and among friends," said one of them, a +beautiful brunette of sixteen, whose glossy hair fell in rich masses +upon her naked shoulders and bosom.--This abandoned young creature was a +Jewess, named Rachel; her own wild, lascivious passions had been the +cause of her being brought to the 'Chambers,' rather than the arts of +the man who was at that time enjoying her delectable favors. + +"Yes, dear," chimed in the voluptuous Julia--"we are your sisters, and +it will be our task to teach you the delights of love, while you remain +among us.--But come, girls; let us leave our sister to repose; she is a +little Venus, and will dream of Cupid's pleasures, and when she awakes +from her soft slumbers, she may find herself in the arms of an impetuous +lover.--Happy girl! I envy her the bliss which she is soon to +experience, because it is to her, as yet, a bliss _untasted_." + +Each of the embryo Cyprians kissed the intended victim; some did it +almost passionately, as if their libidinous natures derived a +gratification even in kissing one of their own sex; some did it +laughingly, with whispered words of encouragement and congratulation; +but one of them, less hardened than the rest, dropped a tear of pity on +her cheek, and in a gentle, yet faltering voice, murmured--"Poor girl, I +am sorry for you!" They departed, and Fanny was left alone--alone with +her tears, her troubled thoughts, and a thousand fears; for she +remembered having seen the ruffian at her bed-side, and although she +recollected nothing of what had subsequently occurred, still she doubted +not that she had been carried to the place where she found herself, for +some terrible purpose. + +The six 'daughters of Venus' returned to the principal hall, and had +scarcely resumed their places at the table, when the door was opened, +and an old gentleman entered. He was a very tall, erect, slim personage, +dressed in blue broadcloth, his neck neatly enveloped in a white cravat, +garnished with a shirt collar of uncommon magnitude. Judging from +appearances, he might formerly have been an individual of rather comely +presence; but, strange to say, he was almost entirely destitute of a +_nose_--the place formerly occupied by that important feature, being now +supplied by a stump of flesh little larger than an ordinary pimple. This +deformity gave his face an aspect extremely ludicrous, if not positively +disgusting; and was the result of an indiscreet amour in former times, +which not only communicated the fiery brand of destruction to his nasal +organ, but also effectually disqualified him from any further direct +indulgence in the amorous gambols of Venus. Thus painfully afflicted, +'Tom Lawyer,' as he has always been familiarly called, was obliged to +content himself with such enjoyments as lay within the limited range of +his physical powers--enjoyments which, though rather unsatisfactory, +were nevertheless expensive; yet his immense wealth enabled him to +command them. To explain: he would maintain in luxury some beautiful +young female, with whom he would pass a portion of his leisure time in +harmless dalliance--therefore was he the _patron_ of the voluptuous +Julia, whom he kept strictly secluded in the 'Chambers,' fearing that +her unsatisfied passions would seek their 'legitimate gratification,' +were an opportunity afforded her to do so. + +As he entered, Julia affected the utmost delight at seeing him, and +rushing into his arms, almost devoured him with kisses; and then she +followed him into an adjoining chamber, her beautiful countenance +wearing an expression of ill-concealed disgust.--They entered--the door +was closed, and--we dare not describe what followed. + + * * * * * + +At an early hour, on the morning succeeding these events, Jew Mike +called on the Hon. Mr. Tickels, for the purpose of receiving the one +hundred dollars, which had been promised him as the reward of his +villainy in abducting Fanny Aubrey. + +On learning that the infamous project had been crowned with complete +success, the old libertine was overjoyed beyond measure; but when Mike +demanded the one hundred dollars, his face lengthened--for he was +avaricious as well as villainous, and his recent loss of five thousand +dollars, in favor of the Chevalier and the Duchess, made him exceedingly +loth to part with a cool hundred so easily.--Not exactly knowing the +sort of a man he had to deal with, he assumed a stern tone and aspect, +and said-- + +"One hundred dollars, for two nights' work! Do you take me for a fool? +Here, fellow, is twenty dollars for you, and I consider you are well +paid for your trouble." + +"But sir," remarked Mike--"you know you promised--" + +"Pooh!--promises are nothing; when a man wants to get possession of a +pretty girl, he'll promise anything; when she is once in his power, he +is not so liberal. Here, take your twenty dollars, and be off!" + +"And this is my reward and thanks for the risk I have run!" demanded Jew +Mike, bitterly. + +"I've no time to waste words with you," rejoined Tickels, haughtily--"I +know you; you're an old offender, and I could send you to prison, if I +chose, without paying you a cent.--Once more, take the money, or leave +it." + +"Then you would break your contract with me? Be it so--keep your money; +but, by God! I'll drink your heart's blood for this! My name is Jew +Mike, and I have said it. Farewell, till we meet again!" + +He rushed from the house, leaving Tickels divided by joy at having saved +a hundred dollars, and fear, in consequence of the ruffian's savage +threat. + +Five minutes after Mike's departure, Corporal Grimsby entered, announced +the abduction of Fanny Aubrey from the house of her friends, on the +preceding night, and boldly accused Tickels of having been the cause of +that outrage. The details of this interview are related in the sixth +chapter of this narrative; it is consequently unnecessary to repeat +them. + +Satisfied in his own mind that old Tickels was at the bottom of the +business, and that Jew Mike was the agent employed, the Corporal made +the best of his way to Ann street, resolved to find the Jew, and prevail +upon him, by bribes, to disclose the place where Fanny had been carried. +During the whole of that day, he searched in vain; Mike was nowhere to +be found;--towards evening, however, as the old gentleman was about to +abandon the search in despair, he was informed by 'Cod-mouth Pat,' whom +he had enlisted in his service, that Mike had just been seen to enter +the 'Pig Pen.' With some difficulty, our friend contrived to gain an +entrance to that 'crib,' where he had the satisfaction to find the +object of his anxious search brooding over a half pint of gin. The +ruffian instantly recognised in the Corporal, the person who had escaped +from the 'Coal Hole,' some time previously, but every hostile feeling +vanished, when the old man announced the object of his visit to be the +discovery of Fanny Aubrey, and the punishment of the villain Tickels. + +Without entering into details which might prove tedious, suffice it to +say that Jew Mike agreed to conduct the Corporal to the place where +Fanny was confined, on condition that the punishment of old Tickels +should be left entirely to him, (Mike). This was assented to, and the +pair instantly set out, in a cab, for the 'Chambers of Love,' in Warren +street--the Corporal, eager to rescue poor Fanny from the power of her +persecutors, and the Jew thirsting to revenge himself upon his employer, +for having refused to give him the stipulated reward. + + * * * * * + +That same evening, at about the hour of seven, the Hon. Timothy Tickels +issued from his residence in South street, and proceeded towards Warren +street, which having reached, he entered the mansion of Madame +Hearthstone. That lady, with a significant smile, conducted him to her +chamber, and opened the secret panel; they descended the steps, and Mr. +Tickels was ushered in the grand hall of the 'Chambers of Love.' The +landlady pointed to the door of the apartment to which Fanny Aubrey had +been conveyed; the old libertine opened the door, and entered. + +In a few moments a piercing scream is heard--then another; but alas! +those sounds could not be heard above, from the depths of that +voluptuous tomb. But hark!--there is a noise without--nearer and nearer +comes the tumult--the great door is burst open with a tremendous crash, +and Jew Mike rushes in, followed by Corporal Grimsby. "This way!" +shouts the Jew--"Forward!" responds the gallant Corporal. They reach the +door of the _Satin Chamber_--they open it. + +"Brick-bats and paving-stones! just in time again!" + +There, upon a satin couch, her dress disordered and torn, her face +flushed, her hair in wild disorder, her bosom naked and bleeding, lay +Fanny Aubrey, panting, writhing, fiercely struggling in the ruffian +grasp of the villain Tickels, who savagely turned and confronted the +intruders. In an instant, he was stunned by a powerful blow from the +gigantic fist of Jew Mike, and Fanny was folded in the arms of her +preserver, the brave old Corporal. + +They left that underground hell--the Corporal, bearing the now overjoyed +Fanny in his arms, and Jew Mike, half carrying, half dragging the +insensible form of old Tickels. They reached the chamber above, and +emerged from the secret panel; the affrightened inmates of the house +offered no resistance; they entered the cab which was in waiting, and +were driven to the residence of the Corporal, who, with his fair young +_protege_, alighted, and entered the house; then Jew Mike and his victim +were driven to Ann street, and the vehicle halted before the cellar +which led to the 'Pig Pen.' + +The night was very dark, and no one observed the Jew, as, issuing from +the cab, he descended into the cellar, bearing in his powerful arms the +unconscious form of Tickels. Fortunately for him, he passed through the +cellar and 'Pig Pen,' without exciting much notice, as the hour was too +early for the usual revellers of the place to assemble, and those who +saw him, merely supposed that he was carrying some drunken friend to a +place of safety from the police--a sight common enough in that region. +Mike needed no light to guide his footsteps, he traversed the dark +passage, he seized the iron ring, and drew up the trap door of the 'Coal +Hole,' from which the Corporal so providentially escaped. Then, with a +deep curse, he cast the old libertine into the dark abyss, closed the +entrance, and departed. + +When Tickels revived, and found himself in that loathsome place, he rent +the air with his cries and supplications; but no aid came to the +crime-polluted wretch, and in a few days he sank beneath the combined +effects of despair, starvation, and the foetid atmosphere, and miserably +perished. + + + + +CONCLUSION + + +The Conclusion of a Tale is like the end of a journey: the Author throws +aside his pen and foolscap as the tired traveller does the dusty +garments of the road, and stretching himself at ease, looks back upon +the various companions of his erratic ramblings. + +The curiosity of the reader is doubtless highly excited to know who +"Corporal Grimsby" is. Circumstances, we regret to say, will not permit +us to state definitely--but should a guess be made that the worthy old +Corporal, and a certain Capt. S----, commander of a Revenue Cutter, +were one and the same person, we will venture to say that the conjecture +would not be far removed from the actual truth. + +The "Chevalier Duvall" and the "Duchess" still continue in their +brilliant career of crime, in Boston. We regret that the limits of the +present work have not permitted us to record more fully their +extraordinary operations in voluptuous intrigue and stupendous fraud. + +Fanny Aubrey is again a happy inmate of the family of Mr. Goldworthy. +Poor Alice, although a shade has been cast over her pure life by the +dark villainy of the Chevalier, has been restored to a state of +comparative felicity by the constant kindness and sympathy of her +relatives and friends. + +"Jew Mike" has gone on a professional tour to the South and West. "Sow +Nance" has become the most abandoned prostitute in Ann street. + +Dear reader, thanking thee for the patience with which thou hast +accompanied us in our devious wanderings, and hoping that thou hast not +always found us to be a dull companion, we bid thee farewell. + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK VENUS IN BOSTON;*** + + +******* This file should be named 28267.txt or 28267.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/2/6/28267 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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