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diff --git a/917-h/917-h.htm b/917-h/917-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..afb7fbc --- /dev/null +++ b/917-h/917-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,32979 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Barnaby Rudge, by Charles Dickens + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Barnaby Rudge, by Charles Dickens + +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 www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Barnaby Rudge + +Author: Charles Dickens + +Release Date: April 27, 2006 [EBook #917] +Last Updated: September 25, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BARNABY RUDGE *** + + + + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + +<p> + <br /> + </p> +<hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + BARNABY RUDGE + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + A TALE OF THE RIOTS OF ‘EIGHTY <br /> <br /> by Charles Dickens + </h2> + + <p> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0010m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0010m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0010.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0011m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0011m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0011.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> +<blockquote> +<p>Etext Contributor’s Note: +</p> +<p>I’ve left in archaic forms such as ‘to-morrow’ or ‘to-day’ as they +occured in my copy. Also please be aware if spell-checking, that within +dialog many ‘mispelled’ words exist, i.e. ‘wery’ for ‘very’, as intended +by the author. +</p> +<p>D.L. +</p> +</blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> Chapter 1 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> Chapter 2 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> Chapter 3 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> Chapter 4 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> Chapter 5 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> Chapter 6 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> Chapter 7 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> Chapter 8 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> Chapter 9 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> Chapter 10 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> Chapter 11 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> Chapter 12 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> Chapter 13 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> Chapter 14 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> Chapter 15 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> Chapter 16 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> Chapter 17 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> Chapter 18 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> Chapter 19 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> Chapter 20 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> Chapter 21 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> Chapter 22 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> Chapter 23 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0024"> Chapter 24 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0025"> Chapter 25 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0026"> Chapter 26 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0027"> Chapter 27 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0028"> Chapter 28 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> Chapter 29 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> Chapter 30 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> Chapter 31 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0032"> Chapter 32 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0033"> Chapter 33 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0034"> Chapter 34 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0035"> Chapter 35 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0036"> Chapter 36 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0037"> Chapter 37 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0038"> Chapter 38 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0039"> Chapter 39 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0040"> Chapter 40 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0041"> Chapter 41 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0042"> Chapter 42 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0043"> Chapter 43 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0044"> Chapter 44 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0045"> Chapter 45 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0046"> Chapter 46 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0047"> Chapter 47 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0048"> Chapter 48 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0049"> Chapter 49 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0050"> Chapter 50 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0051"> Chapter 51 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0052"> Chapter 52 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0053"> Chapter 53 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0054"> Chapter 54 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0055"> Chapter 55 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0056"> Chapter 56 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0057"> Chapter 57 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0058"> Chapter 58 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0059"> Chapter 59 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0060"> Chapter 60 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0061"> Chapter 61 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0062"> Chapter 62 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0063"> Chapter 63 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0064"> Chapter 64 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0065"> Chapter 65 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0066"> Chapter 66 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0067"> Chapter 67 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0068"> Chapter 68 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0069"> Chapter 69 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0070"> Chapter 70 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0071"> Chapter 71 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0072"> Chapter 72 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0073"> Chapter 73 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0074"> Chapter 74 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0075"> Chapter 75 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0076"> Chapter 76 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0077"> Chapter 77 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0078"> Chapter 78 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0079"> Chapter 79 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0080"> Chapter 80 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0081"> Chapter 81 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0082"> Chapter the Last </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + The late Mr Waterton having, some time ago, expressed his opinion that + ravens are gradually becoming extinct in England, I offered the few + following words about my experience of these birds. + </p> + <p> + The raven in this story is a compound of two great originals, of whom I + was, at different times, the proud possessor. The first was in the bloom + of his youth, when he was discovered in a modest retirement in London, by + a friend of mine, and given to me. He had from the first, as Sir Hugh + Evans says of Anne Page, ‘good gifts’, which he improved by study and + attention in a most exemplary manner. He slept in a stable—generally + on horseback—and so terrified a Newfoundland dog by his + preternatural sagacity, that he has been known, by the mere superiority of + his genius, to walk off unmolested with the dog’s dinner, from before his + face. He was rapidly rising in acquirements and virtues, when, in an evil + hour, his stable was newly painted. He observed the workmen closely, saw + that they were careful of the paint, and immediately burned to possess it. + On their going to dinner, he ate up all they had left behind, consisting + of a pound or two of white lead; and this youthful indiscretion terminated + in death. + </p> + <p> + While I was yet inconsolable for his loss, another friend of mine in + Yorkshire discovered an older and more gifted raven at a village + public-house, which he prevailed upon the landlord to part with for a + consideration, and sent up to me. The first act of this Sage, was, to + administer to the effects of his predecessor, by disinterring all the + cheese and halfpence he had buried in the garden—a work of immense + labour and research, to which he devoted all the energies of his mind. + When he had achieved this task, he applied himself to the acquisition of + stable language, in which he soon became such an adept, that he would + perch outside my window and drive imaginary horses with great skill, all + day. Perhaps even I never saw him at his best, for his former master sent + his duty with him, ‘and if I wished the bird to come out very strong, + would I be so good as to show him a drunken man’—which I never did, + having (unfortunately) none but sober people at hand. + </p> + <p> + But I could hardly have respected him more, whatever the stimulating + influences of this sight might have been. He had not the least respect, I + am sorry to say, for me in return, or for anybody but the cook; to whom he + was attached—but only, I fear, as a Policeman might have been. Once, + I met him unexpectedly, about half-a-mile from my house, walking down the + middle of a public street, attended by a pretty large crowd, and + spontaneously exhibiting the whole of his accomplishments. His gravity + under those trying circumstances, I can never forget, nor the + extraordinary gallantry with which, refusing to be brought home, he + defended himself behind a pump, until overpowered by numbers. It may have + been that he was too bright a genius to live long, or it may have been + that he took some pernicious substance into his bill, and thence into his + maw—which is not improbable, seeing that he new-pointed the greater + part of the garden-wall by digging out the mortar, broke countless squares + of glass by scraping away the putty all round the frames, and tore up and + swallowed, in splinters, the greater part of a wooden staircase of six + steps and a landing—but after some three years he too was taken ill, + and died before the kitchen fire. He kept his eye to the last upon the + meat as it roasted, and suddenly turned over on his back with a sepulchral + cry of ‘Cuckoo!’ Since then I have been ravenless. + </p> + <p> + No account of the Gordon Riots having been to my knowledge introduced into + any Work of Fiction, and the subject presenting very extraordinary and + remarkable features, I was led to project this Tale. + </p> + <p> + It is unnecessary to say, that those shameful tumults, while they reflect + indelible disgrace upon the time in which they occurred, and all who had + act or part in them, teach a good lesson. That what we falsely call a + religious cry is easily raised by men who have no religion, and who in + their daily practice set at nought the commonest principles of right and + wrong; that it is begotten of intolerance and persecution; that it is + senseless, besotted, inveterate and unmerciful; all History teaches us. + But perhaps we do not know it in our hearts too well, to profit by even so + humble an example as the ‘No Popery’ riots of Seventeen Hundred and + Eighty. + </p> + <p> + However imperfectly those disturbances are set forth in the following + pages, they are impartially painted by one who has no sympathy with the + Romish Church, though he acknowledges, as most men do, some esteemed + friends among the followers of its creed. + </p> + <p> + In the description of the principal outrages, reference has been had to + the best authorities of that time, such as they are; the account given in + this Tale, of all the main features of the Riots, is substantially + correct. + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis’s allusions to the flourishing condition of his trade in those + days, have their foundation in Truth, and not in the Author’s fancy. Any + file of old Newspapers, or odd volume of the Annual Register, will prove + this with terrible ease. + </p> + <p> + Even the case of Mary Jones, dwelt upon with so much pleasure by the same + character, is no effort of invention. The facts were stated, exactly as + they are stated here, in the House of Commons. Whether they afforded as + much entertainment to the merry gentlemen assembled there, as some other + most affecting circumstances of a similar nature mentioned by Sir Samuel + Romilly, is not recorded. + </p> + <p> + That the case of Mary Jones may speak the more emphatically for itself, I + subjoin it, as related by SIR WILLIAM MEREDITH in a speech in Parliament, + ‘on Frequent Executions’, made in 1777. + </p> + <p> + ‘Under this act,’ the Shop-lifting Act, ‘one Mary Jones was executed, + whose case I shall just mention; it was at the time when press warrants + were issued, on the alarm about Falkland Islands. The woman’s husband was + pressed, their goods seized for some debts of his, and she, with two small + children, turned into the streets a-begging. It is a circumstance not to + be forgotten, that she was very young (under nineteen), and most + remarkably handsome. She went to a linen-draper’s shop, took some coarse + linen off the counter, and slipped it under her cloak; the shopman saw + her, and she laid it down: for this she was hanged. Her defence was (I + have the trial in my pocket), “that she had lived in credit, and wanted + for nothing, till a press-gang came and stole her husband from her; but + since then, she had no bed to lie on; nothing to give her children to eat; + and they were almost naked; and perhaps she might have done something + wrong, for she hardly knew what she did.” The parish officers testified + the truth of this story; but it seems, there had been a good deal of + shop-lifting about Ludgate; an example was thought necessary; and this + woman was hanged for the comfort and satisfaction of shopkeepers in + Ludgate Street. When brought to receive sentence, she behaved in such a + frantic manner, as proved her mind to be in a distracted and desponding + state; and the child was sucking at her breast when she set out for + Tyburn.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0017m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0017m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0017.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + Chapter 1 + </h2> +<div class="figleft" style="width:20%"> + <img src="images/9017m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="9017m " width="100%" /><br /> + <a href="images/9017.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </div> + <p> + the year 1775, there stood upon the borders of Epping Forest, at a + distance of about twelve miles from London—measuring from the + Standard in Cornhill, or rather from the spot on or near to which the + Standard used to be in days of yore—a house of public entertainment + called the Maypole; which fact was demonstrated to all such travellers as + could neither read nor write (and at that time a vast number both of + travellers and stay-at-homes were in this condition) by the emblem reared + on the roadside over against the house, which, if not of those goodly + proportions that Maypoles were wont to present in olden times, was a fair + young ash, thirty feet in height, and straight as any arrow that ever + English yeoman drew. + </p> + <p> + The Maypole—by which term from henceforth is meant the house, and + not its sign—the Maypole was an old building, with more gable ends + than a lazy man would care to count on a sunny day; huge zig-zag chimneys, + out of which it seemed as though even smoke could not choose but come in + more than naturally fantastic shapes, imparted to it in its tortuous + progress; and vast stables, gloomy, ruinous, and empty. The place was said + to have been built in the days of King Henry the Eighth; and there was a + legend, not only that Queen Elizabeth had slept there one night while upon + a hunting excursion, to wit, in a certain oak-panelled room with a deep + bay window, but that next morning, while standing on a mounting block + before the door with one foot in the stirrup, the virgin monarch had then + and there boxed and cuffed an unlucky page for some neglect of duty. The + matter-of-fact and doubtful folks, of whom there were a few among the + Maypole customers, as unluckily there always are in every little + community, were inclined to look upon this tradition as rather apocryphal; + but, whenever the landlord of that ancient hostelry appealed to the + mounting block itself as evidence, and triumphantly pointed out that there + it stood in the same place to that very day, the doubters never failed to + be put down by a large majority, and all true believers exulted as in a + victory. + </p> + <p> + Whether these, and many other stories of the like nature, were true or + untrue, the Maypole was really an old house, a very old house, perhaps as + old as it claimed to be, and perhaps older, which will sometimes happen + with houses of an uncertain, as with ladies of a certain, age. Its windows + were old diamond-pane lattices, its floors were sunken and uneven, its + ceilings blackened by the hand of time, and heavy with massive beams. Over + the doorway was an ancient porch, quaintly and grotesquely carved; and + here on summer evenings the more favoured customers smoked and drank—ay, + and sang many a good song too, sometimes—reposing on two + grim-looking high-backed settles, which, like the twin dragons of some + fairy tale, guarded the entrance to the mansion. + </p> + <p> + In the chimneys of the disused rooms, swallows had built their nests for + many a long year, and from earliest spring to latest autumn whole colonies + of sparrows chirped and twittered in the eaves. There were more pigeons + about the dreary stable-yard and out-buildings than anybody but the + landlord could reckon up. The wheeling and circling flights of runts, + fantails, tumblers, and pouters, were perhaps not quite consistent with + the grave and sober character of the building, but the monotonous cooing, + which never ceased to be raised by some among them all day long, suited it + exactly, and seemed to lull it to rest. With its overhanging stories, + drowsy little panes of glass, and front bulging out and projecting over + the pathway, the old house looked as if it were nodding in its sleep. + Indeed, it needed no very great stretch of fancy to detect in it other + resemblances to humanity. The bricks of which it was built had originally + been a deep dark red, but had grown yellow and discoloured like an old + man’s skin; the sturdy timbers had decayed like teeth; and here and there + the ivy, like a warm garment to comfort it in its age, wrapt its green + leaves closely round the time-worn walls. + </p> + <p> + It was a hale and hearty age though, still: and in the summer or autumn + evenings, when the glow of the setting sun fell upon the oak and chestnut + trees of the adjacent forest, the old house, partaking of its lustre, + seemed their fit companion, and to have many good years of life in him + yet. + </p> + <p> + The evening with which we have to do, was neither a summer nor an autumn + one, but the twilight of a day in March, when the wind howled dismally + among the bare branches of the trees, and rumbling in the wide chimneys + and driving the rain against the windows of the Maypole Inn, gave such of + its frequenters as chanced to be there at the moment an undeniable reason + for prolonging their stay, and caused the landlord to prophesy that the + night would certainly clear at eleven o’clock precisely,—which by a + remarkable coincidence was the hour at which he always closed his house. + </p> + <p> + The name of him upon whom the spirit of prophecy thus descended was John + Willet, a burly, large-headed man with a fat face, which betokened + profound obstinacy and slowness of apprehension, combined with a very + strong reliance upon his own merits. It was John Willet’s ordinary boast + in his more placid moods that if he were slow he was sure; which assertion + could, in one sense at least, be by no means gainsaid, seeing that he was + in everything unquestionably the reverse of fast, and withal one of the + most dogged and positive fellows in existence—always sure that what + he thought or said or did was right, and holding it as a thing quite + settled and ordained by the laws of nature and Providence, that anybody + who said or did or thought otherwise must be inevitably and of necessity + wrong. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet walked slowly up to the window, flattened his fat nose against + the cold glass, and shading his eyes that his sight might not be affected + by the ruddy glow of the fire, looked abroad. Then he walked slowly back + to his old seat in the chimney-corner, and, composing himself in it with a + slight shiver, such as a man might give way to and so acquire an + additional relish for the warm blaze, said, looking round upon his guests: + </p> + <p> + ‘It’ll clear at eleven o’clock. No sooner and no later. Not before and not + arterwards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you make out that?’ said a little man in the opposite corner. ‘The + moon is past the full, and she rises at nine.’ + </p> + <p> + John looked sedately and solemnly at his questioner until he had brought + his mind to bear upon the whole of his observation, and then made answer, + in a tone which seemed to imply that the moon was peculiarly his business + and nobody else’s: + </p> + <p> + ‘Never you mind about the moon. Don’t you trouble yourself about her. You + let the moon alone, and I’ll let you alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No offence I hope?’ said the little man. + </p> + <p> + Again John waited leisurely until the observation had thoroughly + penetrated to his brain, and then replying, ‘No offence as YET,’ applied a + light to his pipe and smoked in placid silence; now and then casting a + sidelong look at a man wrapped in a loose riding-coat with huge cuffs + ornamented with tarnished silver lace and large metal buttons, who sat + apart from the regular frequenters of the house, and wearing a hat flapped + over his face, which was still further shaded by the hand on which his + forehead rested, looked unsociable enough. + </p> + <p> + There was another guest, who sat, booted and spurred, at some distance + from the fire also, and whose thoughts—to judge from his folded arms + and knitted brows, and from the untasted liquor before him—were + occupied with other matters than the topics under discussion or the + persons who discussed them. This was a young man of about + eight-and-twenty, rather above the middle height, and though of somewhat + slight figure, gracefully and strongly made. He wore his own dark hair, + and was accoutred in a riding dress, which together with his large boots + (resembling in shape and fashion those worn by our Life Guardsmen at the + present day), showed indisputable traces of the bad condition of the + roads. But travel-stained though he was, he was well and even richly + attired, and without being overdressed looked a gallant gentleman. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0020m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0020m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0020.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Lying upon the table beside him, as he had carelessly thrown them down, + were a heavy riding-whip and a slouched hat, the latter worn no doubt as + being best suited to the inclemency of the weather. There, too, were a + pair of pistols in a holster-case, and a short riding-cloak. Little of his + face was visible, except the long dark lashes which concealed his downcast + eyes, but an air of careless ease and natural gracefulness of demeanour + pervaded the figure, and seemed to comprehend even those slight + accessories, which were all handsome, and in good keeping. + </p> + <p> + Towards this young gentleman the eyes of Mr Willet wandered but once, and + then as if in mute inquiry whether he had observed his silent neighbour. + It was plain that John and the young gentleman had often met before. + Finding that his look was not returned, or indeed observed by the person + to whom it was addressed, John gradually concentrated the whole power of + his eyes into one focus, and brought it to bear upon the man in the + flapped hat, at whom he came to stare in course of time with an intensity + so remarkable, that it affected his fireside cronies, who all, as with one + accord, took their pipes from their lips, and stared with open mouths at + the stranger likewise. + </p> + <p> + The sturdy landlord had a large pair of dull fish-like eyes, and the + little man who had hazarded the remark about the moon (and who was the + parish-clerk and bell-ringer of Chigwell, a village hard by) had little + round black shiny eyes like beads; moreover this little man wore at the + knees of his rusty black breeches, and on his rusty black coat, and all + down his long flapped waistcoat, little queer buttons like nothing except + his eyes; but so like them, that as they twinkled and glistened in the + light of the fire, which shone too in his bright shoe-buckles, he seemed + all eyes from head to foot, and to be gazing with every one of them at the + unknown customer. No wonder that a man should grow restless under such an + inspection as this, to say nothing of the eyes belonging to short Tom Cobb + the general chandler and post-office keeper, and long Phil Parkes the + ranger, both of whom, infected by the example of their companions, + regarded him of the flapped hat no less attentively. + </p> + <p> + The stranger became restless; perhaps from being exposed to this raking + fire of eyes, perhaps from the nature of his previous meditations—most + probably from the latter cause, for as he changed his position and looked + hastily round, he started to find himself the object of such keen regard, + and darted an angry and suspicious glance at the fireside group. It had + the effect of immediately diverting all eyes to the chimney, except those + of John Willet, who finding himself as it were, caught in the fact, and + not being (as has been already observed) of a very ready nature, remained + staring at his guest in a particularly awkward and disconcerted manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + Well. There was not much in well. It was not a long speech. ‘I thought you + gave an order,’ said the landlord, after a pause of two or three minutes + for consideration. + </p> + <p> + The stranger took off his hat, and disclosed the hard features of a man of + sixty or thereabouts, much weatherbeaten and worn by time, and the + naturally harsh expression of which was not improved by a dark + handkerchief which was bound tightly round his head, and, while it served + the purpose of a wig, shaded his forehead, and almost hid his eyebrows. If + it were intended to conceal or divert attention from a deep gash, now + healed into an ugly seam, which when it was first inflicted must have laid + bare his cheekbone, the object was but indifferently attained, for it + could scarcely fail to be noted at a glance. His complexion was of a + cadaverous hue, and he had a grizzly jagged beard of some three weeks’ + date. Such was the figure (very meanly and poorly clad) that now rose from + the seat, and stalking across the room sat down in a corner of the + chimney, which the politeness or fears of the little clerk very readily + assigned to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘A highwayman!’ whispered Tom Cobb to Parkes the ranger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you suppose highwaymen don’t dress handsomer than that?’ replied + Parkes. ‘It’s a better business than you think for, Tom, and highwaymen + don’t need or use to be shabby, take my word for it.’ + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile the subject of their speculations had done due honour to the + house by calling for some drink, which was promptly supplied by the + landlord’s son Joe, a broad-shouldered strapping young fellow of twenty, + whom it pleased his father still to consider a little boy, and to treat + accordingly. Stretching out his hands to warm them by the blazing fire, + the man turned his head towards the company, and after running his eye + sharply over them, said in a voice well suited to his appearance: + </p> + <p> + ‘What house is that which stands a mile or so from here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Public-house?’ said the landlord, with his usual deliberation. + </p> + <p> + ‘Public-house, father!’ exclaimed Joe, ‘where’s the public-house within a + mile or so of the Maypole? He means the great house—the Warren—naturally + and of course. The old red brick house, sir, that stands in its own + grounds—?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aye,’ said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + ‘And that fifteen or twenty years ago stood in a park five times as broad, + which with other and richer property has bit by bit changed hands and + dwindled away—more’s the pity!’ pursued the young man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Maybe,’ was the reply. ‘But my question related to the owner. What it has + been I don’t care to know, and what it is I can see for myself.’ + </p> + <p> + The heir-apparent to the Maypole pressed his finger on his lips, and + glancing at the young gentleman already noticed, who had changed his + attitude when the house was first mentioned, replied in a lower tone: + </p> + <p> + ‘The owner’s name is Haredale, Mr Geoffrey Haredale, and’—again he + glanced in the same direction as before—‘and a worthy gentleman too—hem!’ + </p> + <p> + Paying as little regard to this admonitory cough, as to the significant + gesture that had preceded it, the stranger pursued his questioning. + </p> + <p> + ‘I turned out of my way coming here, and took the footpath that crosses + the grounds. Who was the young lady that I saw entering a carriage? His + daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, how should I know, honest man?’ replied Joe, contriving in the + course of some arrangements about the hearth, to advance close to his + questioner and pluck him by the sleeve, ‘I didn’t see the young lady, you + know. Whew! There’s the wind again—AND rain—well it IS a + night!’ + </p> + <p> + Rough weather indeed!’ observed the strange man. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re used to it?’ said Joe, catching at anything which seemed to + promise a diversion of the subject. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pretty well,’ returned the other. ‘About the young lady—has Mr + Haredale a daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ said the young fellow fretfully, ‘he’s a single gentleman—he’s—be + quiet, can’t you, man? Don’t you see this talk is not relished yonder?’ + </p> + <p> + Regardless of this whispered remonstrance, and affecting not to hear it, + his tormentor provokingly continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘Single men have had daughters before now. Perhaps she may be his + daughter, though he is not married.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ said Joe, adding in an undertone as he approached him + again, ‘You’ll come in for it presently, I know you will!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean no harm’—returned the traveller boldly, ‘and have said none + that I know of. I ask a few questions—as any stranger may, and not + unnaturally—about the inmates of a remarkable house in a + neighbourhood which is new to me, and you are as aghast and disturbed as + if I were talking treason against King George. Perhaps you can tell me + why, sir, for (as I say) I am a stranger, and this is Greek to me?’ + </p> + <p> + The latter observation was addressed to the obvious cause of Joe Willet’s + discomposure, who had risen and was adjusting his riding-cloak preparatory + to sallying abroad. Briefly replying that he could give him no + information, the young man beckoned to Joe, and handing him a piece of + money in payment of his reckoning, hurried out attended by young Willet + himself, who taking up a candle followed to light him to the house-door. + </p> + <p> + While Joe was absent on this errand, the elder Willet and his three + companions continued to smoke with profound gravity, and in a deep + silence, each having his eyes fixed on a huge copper boiler that was + suspended over the fire. After some time John Willet slowly shook his + head, and thereupon his friends slowly shook theirs; but no man withdrew + his eyes from the boiler, or altered the solemn expression of his + countenance in the slightest degree. + </p> + <p> + At length Joe returned—very talkative and conciliatory, as though + with a strong presentiment that he was going to be found fault with. + </p> + <p> + ‘Such a thing as love is!’ he said, drawing a chair near the fire, and + looking round for sympathy. ‘He has set off to walk to London,—all + the way to London. His nag gone lame in riding out here this blessed + afternoon, and comfortably littered down in our stable at this minute; and + he giving up a good hot supper and our best bed, because Miss Haredale has + gone to a masquerade up in town, and he has set his heart upon seeing her! + I don’t think I could persuade myself to do that, beautiful as she is,—but + then I’m not in love (at least I don’t think I am) and that’s the whole + difference.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is in love then?’ said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + ‘Rather,’ replied Joe. ‘He’ll never be more in love, and may very easily + be less.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silence, sir!’ cried his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a chap you are, Joe!’ said Long Parkes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Such a inconsiderate lad!’ murmured Tom Cobb. + </p> + <p> + ‘Putting himself forward and wringing the very nose off his own father’s + face!’ exclaimed the parish-clerk, metaphorically. + </p> + <p> + ‘What HAVE I done?’ reasoned poor Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘Silence, sir!’ returned his father, ‘what do you mean by talking, when + you see people that are more than two or three times your age, sitting + still and silent and not dreaming of saying a word?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why that’s the proper time for me to talk, isn’t it?’ said Joe + rebelliously. + </p> + <p> + ‘The proper time, sir!’ retorted his father, ‘the proper time’s no time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah to be sure!’ muttered Parkes, nodding gravely to the other two who + nodded likewise, observing under their breaths that that was the point. + </p> + <p> + ‘The proper time’s no time, sir,’ repeated John Willet; ‘when I was your + age I never talked, I never wanted to talk. I listened and improved myself + that’s what I did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you’d find your father rather a tough customer in argeyment, Joe, if + anybody was to try and tackle him,’ said Parkes. + </p> + <p> + ‘For the matter o’ that, Phil!’ observed Mr Willet, blowing a long, thin, + spiral cloud of smoke out of the corner of his mouth, and staring at it + abstractedly as it floated away; ‘For the matter o’ that, Phil, argeyment + is a gift of Natur. If Natur has gifted a man with powers of argeyment, a + man has a right to make the best of ‘em, and has not a right to stand on + false delicacy, and deny that he is so gifted; for that is a turning of + his back on Natur, a flouting of her, a slighting of her precious caskets, + and a proving of one’s self to be a swine that isn’t worth her scattering + pearls before.’ + </p> + <p> + The landlord pausing here for a very long time, Mr Parkes naturally + concluded that he had brought his discourse to an end; and therefore, + turning to the young man with some austerity, exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear what your father says, Joe? You wouldn’t much like to tackle him + in argeyment, I’m thinking, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘IF,’ said John Willet, turning his eyes from the ceiling to the face of + his interrupter, and uttering the monosyllable in capitals, to apprise him + that he had put in his oar, as the vulgar say, with unbecoming and + irreverent haste; ‘IF, sir, Natur has fixed upon me the gift of argeyment, + why should I not own to it, and rather glory in the same? Yes, sir, I AM a + tough customer that way. You are right, sir. My toughness has been proved, + sir, in this room many and many a time, as I think you know; and if you + don’t know,’ added John, putting his pipe in his mouth again, ‘so much the + better, for I an’t proud and am not going to tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + A general murmur from his three cronies, and a general shaking of heads at + the copper boiler, assured John Willet that they had had good experience + of his powers and needed no further evidence to assure them of his + superiority. John smoked with a little more dignity and surveyed them in + silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s all very fine talking,’ muttered Joe, who had been fidgeting in his + chair with divers uneasy gestures. ‘But if you mean to tell me that I’m + never to open my lips—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silence, sir!’ roared his father. ‘No, you never are. When your opinion’s + wanted, you give it. When you’re spoke to, you speak. When your opinion’s + not wanted and you’re not spoke to, don’t you give an opinion and don’t + you speak. The world’s undergone a nice alteration since my time, + certainly. My belief is that there an’t any boys left—that there + isn’t such a thing as a boy—that there’s nothing now between a male + baby and a man—and that all the boys went out with his blessed + Majesty King George the Second.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a very true observation, always excepting the young princes,’ said + the parish-clerk, who, as the representative of church and state in that + company, held himself bound to the nicest loyalty. ‘If it’s godly and + righteous for boys, being of the ages of boys, to behave themselves like + boys, then the young princes must be boys and cannot be otherwise.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you ever hear tell of mermaids, sir?’ said Mr Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly I have,’ replied the clerk. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said Mr Willet. ‘According to the constitution of mermaids, + so much of a mermaid as is not a woman must be a fish. According to the + constitution of young princes, so much of a young prince (if anything) as + is not actually an angel, must be godly and righteous. Therefore if it’s + becoming and godly and righteous in the young princes (as it is at their + ages) that they should be boys, they are and must be boys, and cannot by + possibility be anything else.’ + </p> + <p> + This elucidation of a knotty point being received with such marks of + approval as to put John Willet into a good humour, he contented himself + with repeating to his son his command of silence, and addressing the + stranger, said: + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had asked your questions of a grown-up person—of me or any + of these gentlemen—you’d have had some satisfaction, and wouldn’t + have wasted breath. Miss Haredale is Mr Geoffrey Haredale’s niece.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is her father alive?’ said the man, carelessly. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ rejoined the landlord, ‘he is not alive, and he is not dead—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not dead!’ cried the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not dead in a common sort of way,’ said the landlord. + </p> + <p> + The cronies nodded to each other, and Mr Parkes remarked in an undertone, + shaking his head meanwhile as who should say, ‘let no man contradict me, + for I won’t believe him,’ that John Willet was in amazing force to-night, + and fit to tackle a Chief Justice. + </p> + <p> + The stranger suffered a short pause to elapse, and then asked abruptly, + ‘What do you mean?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘More than you think for, friend,’ returned John Willet. ‘Perhaps there’s + more meaning in them words than you suspect.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps there is,’ said the strange man, gruffly; ‘but what the devil do + you speak in such mysteries for? You tell me, first, that a man is not + alive, nor yet dead—then, that he’s not dead in a common sort of way—then, + that you mean a great deal more than I think for. To tell you the truth, + you may do that easily; for so far as I can make out, you mean nothing. + What DO you mean, I ask again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That,’ returned the landlord, a little brought down from his dignity by + the stranger’s surliness, ‘is a Maypole story, and has been any time these + four-and-twenty years. That story is Solomon Daisy’s story. It belongs to + the house; and nobody but Solomon Daisy has ever told it under this roof, + or ever shall—that’s more.’ + </p> + <p> + The man glanced at the parish-clerk, whose air of consciousness and + importance plainly betokened him to be the person referred to, and, + observing that he had taken his pipe from his lips, after a very long + whiff to keep it alight, and was evidently about to tell his story without + further solicitation, gathered his large coat about him, and shrinking + further back was almost lost in the gloom of the spacious chimney-corner, + except when the flame, struggling from under a great faggot, whose weight + almost crushed it for the time, shot upward with a strong and sudden + glare, and illumining his figure for a moment, seemed afterwards to cast + it into deeper obscurity than before. + </p> + <p> + By this flickering light, which made the old room, with its heavy timbers + and panelled walls, look as if it were built of polished ebony—the + wind roaring and howling without, now rattling the latch and creaking the + hinges of the stout oaken door, and now driving at the casement as though + it would beat it in—by this light, and under circumstances so + auspicious, Solomon Daisy began his tale: + </p> + <p> + ‘It was Mr Reuben Haredale, Mr Geoffrey’s elder brother—’ + </p> + <p> + Here he came to a dead stop, and made so long a pause that even John + Willet grew impatient and asked why he did not proceed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Cobb,’ said Solomon Daisy, dropping his voice and appealing to the + post-office keeper; ‘what day of the month is this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The nineteenth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of March,’ said the clerk, bending forward, ‘the nineteenth of March; + that’s very strange.’ + </p> + <p> + In a low voice they all acquiesced, and Solomon went on: + </p> + <p> + ‘It was Mr Reuben Haredale, Mr Geoffrey’s elder brother, that twenty-two + years ago was the owner of the Warren, which, as Joe has said—not + that you remember it, Joe, for a boy like you can’t do that, but because + you have often heard me say so—was then a much larger and better + place, and a much more valuable property than it is now. His lady was + lately dead, and he was left with one child—the Miss Haredale you + have been inquiring about—who was then scarcely a year old.’ + </p> + <p> + Although the speaker addressed himself to the man who had shown so much + curiosity about this same family, and made a pause here as if expecting + some exclamation of surprise or encouragement, the latter made no remark, + nor gave any indication that he heard or was interested in what was said. + Solomon therefore turned to his old companions, whose noses were brightly + illuminated by the deep red glow from the bowls of their pipes; assured, + by long experience, of their attention, and resolved to show his sense of + such indecent behaviour. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Haredale,’ said Solomon, turning his back upon the strange man, ‘left + this place when his lady died, feeling it lonely like, and went up to + London, where he stopped some months; but finding that place as lonely as + this—as I suppose and have always heard say—he suddenly came + back again with his little girl to the Warren, bringing with him besides, + that day, only two women servants, and his steward, and a gardener.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Daisy stopped to take a whiff at his pipe, which was going out, and + then proceeded—at first in a snuffling tone, occasioned by keen + enjoyment of the tobacco and strong pulling at the pipe, and afterwards + with increasing distinctness: + </p> + <p> + ‘—Bringing with him two women servants, and his steward, and a + gardener. The rest stopped behind up in London, and were to follow next + day. It happened that that night, an old gentleman who lived at Chigwell + Row, and had long been poorly, deceased, and an order came to me at half + after twelve o’clock at night to go and toll the passing-bell.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a movement in the little group of listeners, sufficiently + indicative of the strong repugnance any one of them would have felt to + have turned out at such a time upon such an errand. The clerk felt and + understood it, and pursued his theme accordingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘It WAS a dreary thing, especially as the grave-digger was laid up in his + bed, from long working in a damp soil and sitting down to take his dinner + on cold tombstones, and I was consequently under obligation to go alone, + for it was too late to hope to get any other companion. However, I wasn’t + unprepared for it; as the old gentleman had often made it a request that + the bell should be tolled as soon as possible after the breath was out of + his body, and he had been expected to go for some days. I put as good a + face upon it as I could, and muffling myself up (for it was mortal cold), + started out with a lighted lantern in one hand and the key of the church + in the other.’ + </p> + <p> + At this point of the narrative, the dress of the strange man rustled as if + he had turned himself to hear more distinctly. Slightly pointing over his + shoulder, Solomon elevated his eyebrows and nodded a silent inquiry to Joe + whether this was the case. Joe shaded his eyes with his hand and peered + into the corner, but could make out nothing, and so shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was just such a night as this; blowing a hurricane, raining heavily, + and very dark—I often think now, darker than I ever saw it before or + since; that may be my fancy, but the houses were all close shut and the + folks in doors, and perhaps there is only one other man who knows how dark + it really was. I got into the church, chained the door back so that it + should keep ajar—for, to tell the truth, I didn’t like to be shut in + there alone—and putting my lantern on the stone seat in the little + corner where the bell-rope is, sat down beside it to trim the candle. + </p> + <p> + ‘I sat down to trim the candle, and when I had done so I could not + persuade myself to get up again, and go about my work. I don’t know how it + was, but I thought of all the ghost stories I had ever heard, even those + that I had heard when I was a boy at school, and had forgotten long ago; + and they didn’t come into my mind one after another, but all crowding at + once, like. I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on + a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I + knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of + their own graves till morning. This made me think how many people I had + known, were buried between the church-door and the churchyard gate, and + what a dreadful thing it would be to have to pass among them and know them + again, so earthy and unlike themselves. I had known all the niches and + arches in the church from a child; still, I couldn’t persuade myself that + those were their natural shadows which I saw on the pavement, but felt + sure there were some ugly figures hiding among ‘em and peeping out. + Thinking on in this way, I began to think of the old gentleman who was + just dead, and I could have sworn, as I looked up the dark chancel, that I + saw him in his usual place, wrapping his shroud about him and shivering as + if he felt it cold. All this time I sat listening and listening, and + hardly dared to breathe. At length I started up and took the bell-rope in + my hands. At that minute there rang—not that bell, for I had hardly + touched the rope—but another! + </p> + <p> + ‘I heard the ringing of another bell, and a deep bell too, plainly. It was + only for an instant, and even then the wind carried the sound away, but I + heard it. I listened for a long time, but it rang no more. I had heard of + corpse candles, and at last I persuaded myself that this must be a corpse + bell tolling of itself at midnight for the dead. I tolled my bell—how, + or how long, I don’t know—and ran home to bed as fast as I could + touch the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was up early next morning after a restless night, and told the story to + my neighbours. Some were serious and some made light of it; I don’t think + anybody believed it real. But, that morning, Mr Reuben Haredale was found + murdered in his bedchamber; and in his hand was a piece of the cord + attached to an alarm-bell outside the roof, which hung in his room and had + been cut asunder, no doubt by the murderer, when he seized it. + </p> + <p> + ‘That was the bell I heard. + </p> + <p> + ‘A bureau was found opened, and a cash-box, which Mr Haredale had brought + down that day, and was supposed to contain a large sum of money, was gone. + The steward and gardener were both missing and both suspected for a long + time, but they were never found, though hunted far and wide. And far + enough they might have looked for poor Mr Rudge the steward, whose body—scarcely + to be recognised by his clothes and the watch and ring he wore—was + found, months afterwards, at the bottom of a piece of water in the + grounds, with a deep gash in the breast where he had been stabbed with a + knife. He was only partly dressed; and people all agreed that he had been + sitting up reading in his own room, where there were many traces of blood, + and was suddenly fallen upon and killed before his master. + </p> + <p> + Everybody now knew that the gardener must be the murderer, and though he + has never been heard of from that day to this, he will be, mark my words. + The crime was committed this day two-and-twenty years—on the + nineteenth of March, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-three. On the + nineteenth of March in some year—no matter when—I know it, I + am sure of it, for we have always, in some strange way or other, been + brought back to the subject on that day ever since—on the nineteenth + of March in some year, sooner or later, that man will be discovered.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 2 + </h2> + <p> + ‘A strange story!’ said the man who had been the cause of the narration.—‘Stranger + still if it comes about as you predict. Is that all?’ + </p> + <p> + A question so unexpected, nettled Solomon Daisy not a little. By dint of + relating the story very often, and ornamenting it (according to village + report) with a few flourishes suggested by the various hearers from time + to time, he had come by degrees to tell it with great effect; and ‘Is that + all?’ after the climax, was not what he was accustomed to. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ he repeated, ‘yes, that’s all, sir. And enough too, I + think.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think so too. My horse, young man! He is but a hack hired from a + roadside posting house, but he must carry me to London to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-night!’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-night,’ returned the other. ‘What do you stare at? This tavern would + seem to be a house of call for all the gaping idlers of the + neighbourhood!’ + </p> + <p> + At this remark, which evidently had reference to the scrutiny he had + undergone, as mentioned in the foregoing chapter, the eyes of John Willet + and his friends were diverted with marvellous rapidity to the copper + boiler again. Not so with Joe, who, being a mettlesome fellow, returned + the stranger’s angry glance with a steady look, and rejoined: + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not a very bold thing to wonder at your going on to-night. Surely + you have been asked such a harmless question in an inn before, and in + better weather than this. I thought you mightn’t know the way, as you seem + strange to this part.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The way—’ repeated the other, irritably. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. DO you know it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll—humph!—I’ll find it,’ replied the man, waving his hand + and turning on his heel. ‘Landlord, take the reckoning here.’ + </p> + <p> + John Willet did as he was desired; for on that point he was seldom slow, + except in the particulars of giving change, and testing the goodness of + any piece of coin that was proffered to him, by the application of his + teeth or his tongue, or some other test, or in doubtful cases, by a long + series of tests terminating in its rejection. The guest then wrapped his + garments about him so as to shelter himself as effectually as he could + from the rough weather, and without any word or sign of farewell betook + himself to the stableyard. Here Joe (who had left the room on the + conclusion of their short dialogue) was protecting himself and the horse + from the rain under the shelter of an old penthouse roof. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s pretty much of my opinion,’ said Joe, patting the horse upon the + neck. ‘I’ll wager that your stopping here to-night would please him better + than it would please me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He and I are of different opinions, as we have been more than once on our + way here,’ was the short reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘So I was thinking before you came out, for he has felt your spurs, poor + beast.’ + </p> + <p> + The stranger adjusted his coat-collar about his face, and made no answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll know me again, I see,’ he said, marking the young fellow’s earnest + gaze, when he had sprung into the saddle. + </p> + <p> + ‘The man’s worth knowing, master, who travels a road he don’t know, + mounted on a jaded horse, and leaves good quarters to do it on such a + night as this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have sharp eyes and a sharp tongue, I find.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Both I hope by nature, but the last grows rusty sometimes for want of + using.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Use the first less too, and keep their sharpness for your sweethearts, + boy,’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + So saying he shook his hand from the bridle, struck him roughly on the + head with the butt end of his whip, and galloped away; dashing through the + mud and darkness with a headlong speed, which few badly mounted horsemen + would have cared to venture, even had they been thoroughly acquainted with + the country; and which, to one who knew nothing of the way he rode, was + attended at every step with great hazard and danger. + </p> + <p> + The roads, even within twelve miles of London, were at that time ill + paved, seldom repaired, and very badly made. The way this rider traversed + had been ploughed up by the wheels of heavy waggons, and rendered rotten + by the frosts and thaws of the preceding winter, or possibly of many + winters. Great holes and gaps had been worn into the soil, which, being + now filled with water from the late rains, were not easily distinguishable + even by day; and a plunge into any one of them might have brought down a + surer-footed horse than the poor beast now urged forward to the utmost + extent of his powers. Sharp flints and stones rolled from under his hoofs + continually; the rider could scarcely see beyond the animal’s head, or + farther on either side than his own arm would have extended. At that time, + too, all the roads in the neighbourhood of the metropolis were infested by + footpads or highwaymen, and it was a night, of all others, in which any + evil-disposed person of this class might have pursued his unlawful calling + with little fear of detection. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0026m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0026m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0026.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Still, the traveller dashed forward at the same reckless pace, regardless + alike of the dirt and wet which flew about his head, the profound darkness + of the night, and the probability of encountering some desperate + characters abroad. At every turn and angle, even where a deviation from + the direct course might have been least expected, and could not possibly + be seen until he was close upon it, he guided the bridle with an unerring + hand, and kept the middle of the road. Thus he sped onward, raising + himself in the stirrups, leaning his body forward until it almost touched + the horse’s neck, and flourishing his heavy whip above his head with the + fervour of a madman. + </p> + <p> + There are times when, the elements being in unusual commotion, those who + are bent on daring enterprises, or agitated by great thoughts, whether of + good or evil, feel a mysterious sympathy with the tumult of nature, and + are roused into corresponding violence. In the midst of thunder, + lightning, and storm, many tremendous deeds have been committed; men, + self-possessed before, have given a sudden loose to passions they could no + longer control. The demons of wrath and despair have striven to emulate + those who ride the whirlwind and direct the storm; and man, lashed into + madness with the roaring winds and boiling waters, has become for the time + as wild and merciless as the elements themselves. + </p> + <p> + Whether the traveller was possessed by thoughts which the fury of the + night had heated and stimulated into a quicker current, or was merely + impelled by some strong motive to reach his journey’s end, on he swept + more like a hunted phantom than a man, nor checked his pace until, + arriving at some cross roads, one of which led by a longer route to the + place whence he had lately started, he bore down so suddenly upon a + vehicle which was coming towards him, that in the effort to avoid it he + well-nigh pulled his horse upon his haunches, and narrowly escaped being + thrown. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yoho!’ cried the voice of a man. ‘What’s that? Who goes there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A friend!’ replied the traveller. + </p> + <p> + ‘A friend!’ repeated the voice. ‘Who calls himself a friend and rides like + that, abusing Heaven’s gifts in the shape of horseflesh, and endangering, + not only his own neck (which might be no great matter) but the necks of + other people?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have a lantern there, I see,’ said the traveller dismounting, ‘lend + it me for a moment. You have wounded my horse, I think, with your shaft or + wheel.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wounded him!’ cried the other, ‘if I haven’t killed him, it’s no fault of + yours. What do you mean by galloping along the king’s highway like that, + eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me the light,’ returned the traveller, snatching it from his hand, + ‘and don’t ask idle questions of a man who is in no mood for talking.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had said you were in no mood for talking before, I should perhaps + have been in no mood for lighting,’ said the voice. ‘Hows’ever as it’s the + poor horse that’s damaged and not you, one of you is welcome to the light + at all events—but it’s not the crusty one.’ + </p> + <p> + The traveller returned no answer to this speech, but holding the light + near to his panting and reeking beast, examined him in limb and carcass. + Meanwhile, the other man sat very composedly in his vehicle, which was a + kind of chaise with a depository for a large bag of tools, and watched his + proceedings with a careful eye. + </p> + <p> + The looker-on was a round, red-faced, sturdy yeoman, with a double chin, + and a voice husky with good living, good sleeping, good humour, and good + health. He was past the prime of life, but Father Time is not always a + hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays + his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men + and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young + and in full vigour. With such people the grey head is but the impression + of the old fellow’s hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle + but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life. + </p> + <p> + The person whom the traveller had so abruptly encountered was of this + kind: bluff, hale, hearty, and in a green old age: at peace with himself, + and evidently disposed to be so with all the world. Although muffled up in + divers coats and handkerchiefs—one of which, passed over his crown, + and tied in a convenient crease of his double chin, secured his + three-cornered hat and bob-wig from blowing off his head—there was + no disguising his plump and comfortable figure; neither did certain dirty + finger-marks upon his face give it any other than an odd and comical + expression, through which its natural good humour shone with undiminished + lustre. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is not hurt,’ said the traveller at length, raising his head and the + lantern together. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have found that out at last, have you?’ rejoined the old man. ‘My + eyes have seen more light than yours, but I wouldn’t change with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mean! I could have told you he wasn’t hurt, five minutes ago. Give me the + light, friend; ride forward at a gentler pace; and good night.’ + </p> + <p> + In handing up the lantern, the man necessarily cast its rays full on the + speaker’s face. Their eyes met at the instant. He suddenly dropped it and + crushed it with his foot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you never see a locksmith before, that you start as if you had come + upon a ghost?’ cried the old man in the chaise, ‘or is this,’ he added + hastily, thrusting his hand into the tool basket and drawing out a hammer, + ‘a scheme for robbing me? I know these roads, friend. When I travel them, + I carry nothing but a few shillings, and not a crown’s worth of them. I + tell you plainly, to save us both trouble, that there’s nothing to be got + from me but a pretty stout arm considering my years, and this tool, which, + mayhap from long acquaintance with, I can use pretty briskly. You shall + not have it all your own way, I promise you, if you play at that game. + With these words he stood upon the defensive. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not what you take me for, Gabriel Varden,’ replied the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what and who are you?’ returned the locksmith. ‘You know my name, it + seems. Let me know yours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not gained the information from any confidence of yours, but from + the inscription on your cart which tells it to all the town,’ replied the + traveller. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have better eyes for that than you had for your horse, then,’ said + Varden, descending nimbly from his chaise; ‘who are you? Let me see your + face.’ + </p> + <p> + While the locksmith alighted, the traveller had regained his saddle, from + which he now confronted the old man, who, moving as the horse moved in + chafing under the tightened rein, kept close beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me see your face, I say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stand off!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No masquerading tricks,’ said the locksmith, ‘and tales at the club + to-morrow, how Gabriel Varden was frightened by a surly voice and a dark + night. Stand—let me see your face.’ + </p> + <p> + Finding that further resistance would only involve him in a personal + struggle with an antagonist by no means to be despised, the traveller + threw back his coat, and stooping down looked steadily at the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps two men more powerfully contrasted, never opposed each other face + to face. The ruddy features of the locksmith so set off and heightened the + excessive paleness of the man on horseback, that he looked like a + bloodless ghost, while the moisture, which hard riding had brought out + upon his skin, hung there in dark and heavy drops, like dews of agony and + death. The countenance of the old locksmith lighted up with the smile of + one expecting to detect in this unpromising stranger some latent roguery + of eye or lip, which should reveal a familiar person in that arch + disguise, and spoil his jest. The face of the other, sullen and fierce, + but shrinking too, was that of a man who stood at bay; while his firmly + closed jaws, his puckered mouth, and more than all a certain stealthy + motion of the hand within his breast, seemed to announce a desperate + purpose very foreign to acting, or child’s play. + </p> + <p> + Thus they regarded each other for some time, in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Humph!’ he said when he had scanned his features; ‘I don’t know you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t desire to?’—returned the other, muffling himself as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t,’ said Gabriel; ‘to be plain with you, friend, you don’t carry in + your countenance a letter of recommendation.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s not my wish,’ said the traveller. ‘My humour is to be avoided.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the locksmith bluntly, ‘I think you’ll have your humour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, at any cost,’ rejoined the traveller. ‘In proof of it, lay this + to heart—that you were never in such peril of your life as you have + been within these few moments; when you are within five minutes of + breathing your last, you will not be nearer death than you have been + to-night!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aye!’ said the sturdy locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aye! and a violent death.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From whose hand?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From mine,’ replied the traveller. + </p> + <p> + With that he put spurs to his horse, and rode away; at first plashing + heavily through the mire at a smart trot, but gradually increasing in + speed until the last sound of his horse’s hoofs died away upon the wind; + when he was again hurrying on at the same furious gallop, which had been + his pace when the locksmith first encountered him. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel Varden remained standing in the road with the broken lantern in + his hand, listening in stupefied silence until no sound reached his ear + but the moaning of the wind, and the fast-falling rain; when he struck + himself one or two smart blows in the breast by way of rousing himself, + and broke into an exclamation of surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘What in the name of wonder can this fellow be! a madman? a highwayman? a + cut-throat? If he had not scoured off so fast, we’d have seen who was in + most danger, he or I. I never nearer death than I have been to-night! I + hope I may be no nearer to it for a score of years to come—if so, + I’ll be content to be no farther from it. My stars!—a pretty brag + this to a stout man—pooh, pooh!’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel resumed his seat, and looked wistfully up the road by which the + traveller had come; murmuring in a half whisper: + </p> + <p> + ‘The Maypole—two miles to the Maypole. I came the other road from + the Warren after a long day’s work at locks and bells, on purpose that I + should not come by the Maypole and break my promise to Martha by looking + in—there’s resolution! It would be dangerous to go on to London + without a light; and it’s four miles, and a good half mile besides, to the + Halfway-House; and between this and that is the very place where one needs + a light most. Two miles to the Maypole! I told Martha I wouldn’t; I said I + wouldn’t, and I didn’t—there’s resolution!’ + </p> + <p> + Repeating these two last words very often, as if to compensate for the + little resolution he was going to show by piquing himself on the great + resolution he had shown, Gabriel Varden quietly turned back, determining + to get a light at the Maypole, and to take nothing but a light. + </p> + <p> + When he got to the Maypole, however, and Joe, responding to his well-known + hail, came running out to the horse’s head, leaving the door open behind + him, and disclosing a delicious perspective of warmth and brightness—when + the ruddy gleam of the fire, streaming through the old red curtains of the + common room, seemed to bring with it, as part of itself, a pleasant hum of + voices, and a fragrant odour of steaming grog and rare tobacco, all + steeped as it were in the cheerful glow—when the shadows, flitting + across the curtain, showed that those inside had risen from their snug + seats, and were making room in the snuggest corner (how well he knew that + corner!) for the honest locksmith, and a broad glare, suddenly streaming + up, bespoke the goodness of the crackling log from which a brilliant train + of sparks was doubtless at that moment whirling up the chimney in honour + of his coming—when, superadded to these enticements, there stole + upon him from the distant kitchen a gentle sound of frying, with a musical + clatter of plates and dishes, and a savoury smell that made even the + boisterous wind a perfume—Gabriel felt his firmness oozing rapidly + away. He tried to look stoically at the tavern, but his features would + relax into a look of fondness. He turned his head the other way, and the + cold black country seemed to frown him off, and drive him for a refuge + into its hospitable arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘The merciful man, Joe,’ said the locksmith, ‘is merciful to his beast. + I’ll get out for a little while.’ + </p> + <p> + And how natural it was to get out! And how unnatural it seemed for a sober + man to be plodding wearily along through miry roads, encountering the rude + buffets of the wind and pelting of the rain, when there was a clean floor + covered with crisp white sand, a well swept hearth, a blazing fire, a + table decorated with white cloth, bright pewter flagons, and other + tempting preparations for a well-cooked meal—when there were these + things, and company disposed to make the most of them, all ready to his + hand, and entreating him to enjoyment! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 3 + </h2> + <p> + Such were the locksmith’s thoughts when first seated in the snug corner, + and slowly recovering from a pleasant defect of vision—pleasant, + because occasioned by the wind blowing in his eyes—which made it a + matter of sound policy and duty to himself, that he should take refuge + from the weather, and tempted him, for the same reason, to aggravate a + slight cough, and declare he felt but poorly. Such were still his thoughts + more than a full hour afterwards, when, supper over, he still sat with + shining jovial face in the same warm nook, listening to the cricket-like + chirrup of little Solomon Daisy, and bearing no unimportant or slightly + respected part in the social gossip round the Maypole fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish he may be an honest man, that’s all,’ said Solomon, winding up a + variety of speculations relative to the stranger, concerning whom Gabriel + had compared notes with the company, and so raised a grave discussion; ‘I + wish he may be an honest man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So we all do, I suppose, don’t we?’ observed the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t,’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ cried Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘No. He struck me with his whip, the coward, when he was mounted and I + afoot, and I should be better pleased that he turned out what I think + him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what may that be, Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No good, Mr Varden. You may shake your head, father, but I say no good, + and will say no good, and I would say no good a hundred times over, if + that would bring him back to have the drubbing he deserves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold your tongue, sir,’ said John Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t, father. It’s all along of you that he ventured to do what he + did. Seeing me treated like a child, and put down like a fool, HE plucks + up a heart and has a fling at a fellow that he thinks—and may well + think too—hasn’t a grain of spirit. But he’s mistaken, as I’ll show + him, and as I’ll show all of you before long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does the boy know what he’s a saying of!’ cried the astonished John + Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ returned Joe, ‘I know what I say and mean, well—better + than you do when you hear me. I can bear with you, but I cannot bear the + contempt that your treating me in the way you do, brings upon me from + others every day. Look at other young men of my age. Have they no liberty, + no will, no right to speak? Are they obliged to sit mumchance, and to be + ordered about till they are the laughing-stock of young and old? I am a + bye-word all over Chigwell, and I say—and it’s fairer my saying so + now, than waiting till you are dead, and I have got your money—I + say, that before long I shall be driven to break such bounds, and that + when I do, it won’t be me that you’ll have to blame, but your own self, + and no other.’ + </p> + <p> + John Willet was so amazed by the exasperation and boldness of his hopeful + son, that he sat as one bewildered, staring in a ludicrous manner at the + boiler, and endeavouring, but quite ineffectually, to collect his tardy + thoughts, and invent an answer. The guests, scarcely less disturbed, were + equally at a loss; and at length, with a variety of muttered, + half-expressed condolences, and pieces of advice, rose to depart; being at + the same time slightly muddled with liquor. + </p> + <p> + The honest locksmith alone addressed a few words of coherent and sensible + advice to both parties, urging John Willet to remember that Joe was nearly + arrived at man’s estate, and should not be ruled with too tight a hand, + and exhorting Joe himself to bear with his father’s caprices, and rather + endeavour to turn them aside by temperate remonstrance than by ill-timed + rebellion. This advice was received as such advice usually is. On John + Willet it made almost as much impression as on the sign outside the door, + while Joe, who took it in the best part, avowed himself more obliged than + he could well express, but politely intimated his intention nevertheless + of taking his own course uninfluenced by anybody. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have always been a very good friend to me, Mr Varden,’ he said, as + they stood without, in the porch, and the locksmith was equipping himself + for his journey home; ‘I take it very kind of you to say all this, but the + time’s nearly come when the Maypole and I must part company.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Roving stones gather no moss, Joe,’ said Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor milestones much,’ replied Joe. ‘I’m little better than one here, and + see as much of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then, what would you do, Joe?’ pursued the locksmith, stroking his chin + reflectively. ‘What could you be? Where could you go, you see?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I must trust to chance, Mr Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A bad thing to trust to, Joe. I don’t like it. I always tell my girl when + we talk about a husband for her, never to trust to chance, but to make + sure beforehand that she has a good man and true, and then chance will + neither make her nor break her. What are you fidgeting about there, Joe? + Nothing gone in the harness, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No no,’ said Joe—finding, however, something very engrossing to do + in the way of strapping and buckling—‘Miss Dolly quite well?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hearty, thankye. She looks pretty enough to be well, and good too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She’s always both, sir’— + </p> + <p> + ‘So she is, thank God!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope,’ said Joe after some hesitation, ‘that you won’t tell this story + against me—this of my having been beat like the boy they’d make of + me—at all events, till I have met this man again and settled the + account. It’ll be a better story then.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why who should I tell it to?’ returned Gabriel. ‘They know it here, and + I’m not likely to come across anybody else who would care about it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s true enough,’ said the young fellow with a sigh. ‘I quite forgot + that. Yes, that’s true!’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he raised his face, which was very red,—no doubt from the + exertion of strapping and buckling as aforesaid,—and giving the + reins to the old man, who had by this time taken his seat, sighed again + and bade him good night. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night!’ cried Gabriel. ‘Now think better of what we have just been + speaking of; and don’t be rash, there’s a good fellow! I have an interest + in you, and wouldn’t have you cast yourself away. Good night!’ + </p> + <p> + Returning his cheery farewell with cordial goodwill, Joe Willet lingered + until the sound of wheels ceased to vibrate in his ears, and then, shaking + his head mournfully, re-entered the house. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel Varden went his way towards London, thinking of a great many + things, and most of all of flaming terms in which to relate his adventure, + and so account satisfactorily to Mrs Varden for visiting the Maypole, + despite certain solemn covenants between himself and that lady. Thinking + begets, not only thought, but drowsiness occasionally, and the more the + locksmith thought, the more sleepy he became. + </p> + <p> + A man may be very sober—or at least firmly set upon his legs on that + neutral ground which lies between the confines of perfect sobriety and + slight tipsiness—and yet feel a strong tendency to mingle up present + circumstances with others which have no manner of connection with them; to + confound all consideration of persons, things, times, and places; and to + jumble his disjointed thoughts together in a kind of mental kaleidoscope, + producing combinations as unexpected as they are transitory. This was + Gabriel Varden’s state, as, nodding in his dog sleep, and leaving his + horse to pursue a road with which he was well acquainted, he got over the + ground unconsciously, and drew nearer and nearer home. He had roused + himself once, when the horse stopped until the turnpike gate was opened, + and had cried a lusty ‘good night!’ to the toll-keeper; but then he awoke + out of a dream about picking a lock in the stomach of the Great Mogul, and + even when he did wake, mixed up the turnpike man with his mother-in-law + who had been dead twenty years. It is not surprising, therefore, that he + soon relapsed, and jogged heavily along, quite insensible to his progress. + </p> + <p> + And, now, he approached the great city, which lay outstretched before him + like a dark shadow on the ground, reddening the sluggish air with a deep + dull light, that told of labyrinths of public ways and shops, and swarms + of busy people. Approaching nearer and nearer yet, this halo began to + fade, and the causes which produced it slowly to develop themselves. Long + lines of poorly lighted streets might be faintly traced, with here and + there a lighter spot, where lamps were clustered round a square or market, + or round some great building; after a time these grew more distinct, and + the lamps themselves were visible; slight yellow specks, that seemed to be + rapidly snuffed out, one by one, as intervening obstacles hid them from + the sight. Then, sounds arose—the striking of church clocks, the + distant bark of dogs, the hum of traffic in the streets; then outlines + might be traced—tall steeples looming in the air, and piles of + unequal roofs oppressed by chimneys; then, the noise swelled into a louder + sound, and forms grew more distinct and numerous still, and London—visible + in the darkness by its own faint light, and not by that of Heaven—was + at hand. + </p> + <p> + The locksmith, however, all unconscious of its near vicinity, still jogged + on, half sleeping and half waking, when a loud cry at no great distance + ahead, roused him with a start. + </p> + <p> + For a moment or two he looked about him like a man who had been + transported to some strange country in his sleep, but soon recognising + familiar objects, rubbed his eyes lazily and might have relapsed again, + but that the cry was repeated—not once or twice or thrice, but many + times, and each time, if possible, with increased vehemence. Thoroughly + aroused, Gabriel, who was a bold man and not easily daunted, made straight + to the spot, urging on his stout little horse as if for life or death. + </p> + <p> + The matter indeed looked sufficiently serious, for, coming to the place + whence the cries had proceeded, he descried the figure of a man extended + in an apparently lifeless state upon the pathway, and, hovering round him, + another person with a torch in his hand, which he waved in the air with a + wild impatience, redoubling meanwhile those cries for help which had + brought the locksmith to the spot. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s here to do?’ said the old man, alighting. ‘How’s this—what—Barnaby?’ + </p> + <p> + The bearer of the torch shook his long loose hair back from his eyes, and + thrusting his face eagerly into that of the locksmith, fixed upon him a + look which told his history at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘You know me, Barnaby?’ said Varden. + </p> + <p> + He nodded—not once or twice, but a score of times, and that with a + fantastic exaggeration which would have kept his head in motion for an + hour, but that the locksmith held up his finger, and fixing his eye + sternly upon him caused him to desist; then pointed to the body with an + inquiring look. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s blood upon him,’ said Barnaby with a shudder. ‘It makes me sick!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How came it there?’ demanded Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Steel, steel, steel!’ he replied fiercely, imitating with his hand the + thrust of a sword. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is he robbed?’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby caught him by the arm, and nodded ‘Yes;’ then pointed towards the + city. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said the old man, bending over the body and looking round as he + spoke into Barnaby’s pale face, strangely lighted up by something that was + NOT intellect. ‘The robber made off that way, did he? Well, well, never + mind that just now. Hold your torch this way—a little farther off—so. + Now stand quiet, while I try to see what harm is done.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words, he applied himself to a closer examination of the + prostrate form, while Barnaby, holding the torch as he had been directed, + looked on in silence, fascinated by interest or curiosity, but repelled + nevertheless by some strong and secret horror which convulsed him in every + nerve. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0031m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0031m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0031.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + As he stood, at that moment, half shrinking back and half bending forward, + both his face and figure were full in the strong glare of the link, and as + distinctly revealed as though it had been broad day. He was about + three-and-twenty years old, and though rather spare, of a fair height and + strong make. His hair, of which he had a great profusion, was red, and + hanging in disorder about his face and shoulders, gave to his restless + looks an expression quite unearthly—enhanced by the paleness of his + complexion, and the glassy lustre of his large protruding eyes. Startling + as his aspect was, the features were good, and there was something even + plaintive in his wan and haggard aspect. But, the absence of the soul is + far more terrible in a living man than in a dead one; and in this + unfortunate being its noblest powers were wanting. + </p> + <p> + His dress was of green, clumsily trimmed here and there—apparently + by his own hands—with gaudy lace; brightest where the cloth was most + worn and soiled, and poorest where it was at the best. A pair of tawdry + ruffles dangled at his wrists, while his throat was nearly bare. He had + ornamented his hat with a cluster of peacock’s feathers, but they were + limp and broken, and now trailed negligently down his back. Girt to his + side was the steel hilt of an old sword without blade or scabbard; and + some particoloured ends of ribands and poor glass toys completed the + ornamental portion of his attire. The fluttered and confused disposition + of all the motley scraps that formed his dress, bespoke, in a scarcely + less degree than his eager and unsettled manner, the disorder of his mind, + and by a grotesque contrast set off and heightened the more impressive + wildness of his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby,’ said the locksmith, after a hasty but careful inspection, ‘this + man is not dead, but he has a wound in his side, and is in a + fainting-fit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know him, I know him!’ cried Barnaby, clapping his hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Know him?’ repeated the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said Barnaby, laying his fingers upon his lips. ‘He went out + to-day a wooing. I wouldn’t for a light guinea that he should never go a + wooing again, for, if he did, some eyes would grow dim that are now as + bright as—see, when I talk of eyes, the stars come out! Whose eyes + are they? If they are angels’ eyes, why do they look down here and see + good men hurt, and only wink and sparkle all the night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now Heaven help this silly fellow,’ murmured the perplexed locksmith; + ‘can he know this gentleman? His mother’s house is not far off; I had + better see if she can tell me who he is. Barnaby, my man, help me to put + him in the chaise, and we’ll ride home together.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t touch him!’ cried the idiot falling back, and shuddering as with + a strong spasm; ‘he’s bloody!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s in his nature, I know,’ muttered the locksmith, ‘it’s cruel to ask + him, but I must have help. Barnaby—good Barnaby—dear Barnaby—if + you know this gentleman, for the sake of his life and everybody’s life + that loves him, help me to raise him and lay him down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Cover him then, wrap him close—don’t let me see it—smell it—hear + the word. Don’t speak the word—don’t!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, I’ll not. There, you see he’s covered now. Gently. Well done, + well done!’ + </p> + <p> + They placed him in the carriage with great ease, for Barnaby was strong + and active, but all the time they were so occupied he shivered from head + to foot, and evidently experienced an ecstasy of terror. + </p> + <p> + This accomplished, and the wounded man being covered with Varden’s own + greatcoat which he took off for the purpose, they proceeded onward at a + brisk pace: Barnaby gaily counting the stars upon his fingers, and Gabriel + inwardly congratulating himself upon having an adventure now, which would + silence Mrs Varden on the subject of the Maypole, for that night, or there + was no faith in woman. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 4 + </h2> + <p> + In the venerable suburb—it was a suburb once—of Clerkenwell, + towards that part of its confines which is nearest to the Charter House, + and in one of those cool, shady streets, of which a few, widely scattered + and dispersed, yet remain in such old parts of the metropolis,—each + tenement quietly vegetating like an ancient citizen who long ago retired + from business, and dozing on in its infirmity until in course of time it + tumbles down, and is replaced by some extravagant young heir, flaunting in + stucco and ornamental work, and all the vanities of modern days,—in + this quarter, and in a street of this description, the business of the + present chapter lies. + </p> + <p> + At the time of which it treats, though only six-and-sixty years ago, a + very large part of what is London now had no existence. Even in the brains + of the wildest speculators, there had sprung up no long rows of streets + connecting Highgate with Whitechapel, no assemblages of palaces in the + swampy levels, nor little cities in the open fields. Although this part of + town was then, as now, parcelled out in streets, and plentifully peopled, + it wore a different aspect. There were gardens to many of the houses, and + trees by the pavement side; with an air of freshness breathing up and + down, which in these days would be sought in vain. Fields were nigh at + hand, through which the New River took its winding course, and where there + was merry haymaking in the summer time. Nature was not so far removed, or + hard to get at, as in these days; and although there were busy trades in + Clerkenwell, and working jewellers by scores, it was a purer place, with + farm-houses nearer to it than many modern Londoners would readily believe, + and lovers’ walks at no great distance, which turned into squalid courts, + long before the lovers of this age were born, or, as the phrase goes, + thought of. + </p> + <p> + In one of these streets, the cleanest of them all, and on the shady side + of the way—for good housewives know that sunlight damages their + cherished furniture, and so choose the shade rather than its intrusive + glare—there stood the house with which we have to deal. It was a + modest building, not very straight, not large, not tall; not bold-faced, + with great staring windows, but a shy, blinking house, with a conical roof + going up into a peak over its garret window of four small panes of glass, + like a cocked hat on the head of an elderly gentleman with one eye. It was + not built of brick or lofty stone, but of wood and plaster; it was not + planned with a dull and wearisome regard to regularity, for no one window + matched the other, or seemed to have the slightest reference to anything + besides itself. + </p> + <p> + The shop—for it had a shop—was, with reference to the first + floor, where shops usually are; and there all resemblance between it and + any other shop stopped short and ceased. People who went in and out didn’t + go up a flight of steps to it, or walk easily in upon a level with the + street, but dived down three steep stairs, as into a cellar. Its floor was + paved with stone and brick, as that of any other cellar might be; and in + lieu of window framed and glazed it had a great black wooden flap or + shutter, nearly breast high from the ground, which turned back in the + day-time, admitting as much cold air as light, and very often more. Behind + this shop was a wainscoted parlour, looking first into a paved yard, and + beyond that again into a little terrace garden, raised some feet above it. + Any stranger would have supposed that this wainscoted parlour, saving for + the door of communication by which he had entered, was cut off and + detached from all the world; and indeed most strangers on their first + entrance were observed to grow extremely thoughtful, as weighing and + pondering in their minds whether the upper rooms were only approachable by + ladders from without; never suspecting that two of the most unassuming and + unlikely doors in existence, which the most ingenious mechanician on earth + must of necessity have supposed to be the doors of closets, opened out of + this room—each without the smallest preparation, or so much as a + quarter of an inch of passage—upon two dark winding flights of + stairs, the one upward, the other downward, which were the sole means of + communication between that chamber and the other portions of the house. + </p> + <p> + With all these oddities, there was not a neater, more scrupulously tidy, + or more punctiliously ordered house, in Clerkenwell, in London, in all + England. There were not cleaner windows, or whiter floors, or brighter + Stoves, or more highly shining articles of furniture in old mahogany; + there was not more rubbing, scrubbing, burnishing and polishing, in the + whole street put together. Nor was this excellence attained without some + cost and trouble and great expenditure of voice, as the neighbours were + frequently reminded when the good lady of the house overlooked and + assisted in its being put to rights on cleaning days—which were + usually from Monday morning till Saturday night, both days inclusive. + </p> + <p> + Leaning against the door-post of this, his dwelling, the locksmith stood + early on the morning after he had met with the wounded man, gazing + disconsolately at a great wooden emblem of a key, painted in vivid yellow + to resemble gold, which dangled from the house-front, and swung to and fro + with a mournful creaking noise, as if complaining that it had nothing to + unlock. Sometimes, he looked over his shoulder into the shop, which was so + dark and dingy with numerous tokens of his trade, and so blackened by the + smoke of a little forge, near which his ‘prentice was at work, that it + would have been difficult for one unused to such espials to have + distinguished anything but various tools of uncouth make and shape, great + bunches of rusty keys, fragments of iron, half-finished locks, and such + like things, which garnished the walls and hung in clusters from the + ceiling. + </p> + <p> + After a long and patient contemplation of the golden key, and many such + backward glances, Gabriel stepped into the road, and stole a look at the + upper windows. One of them chanced to be thrown open at the moment, and a + roguish face met his; a face lighted up by the loveliest pair of sparkling + eyes that ever locksmith looked upon; the face of a pretty, laughing, + girl; dimpled and fresh, and healthful—the very impersonation of + good-humour and blooming beauty. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ she whispered, bending forward and pointing archly to the window + underneath. ‘Mother is still asleep.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Still, my dear,’ returned the locksmith in the same tone. ‘You talk as if + she had been asleep all night, instead of little more than half an hour. + But I’m very thankful. Sleep’s a blessing—no doubt about it.’ The + last few words he muttered to himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘How cruel of you to keep us up so late this morning, and never tell us + where you were, or send us word!’ said the girl. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah Dolly, Dolly!’ returned the locksmith, shaking his head, and smiling, + ‘how cruel of you to run upstairs to bed! Come down to breakfast, madcap, + and come down lightly, or you’ll wake your mother. She must be tired, I am + sure—I am.’ + </p> + <p> + Keeping these latter words to himself, and returning his daughter’s nod, + he was passing into the workshop, with the smile she had awakened still + beaming on his face, when he just caught sight of his ‘prentice’s brown + paper cap ducking down to avoid observation, and shrinking from the window + back to its former place, which the wearer no sooner reached than he began + to hammer lustily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Listening again, Simon!’ said Gabriel to himself. ‘That’s bad. What in + the name of wonder does he expect the girl to say, that I always catch him + listening when SHE speaks, and never at any other time! A bad habit, Sim, + a sneaking, underhanded way. Ah! you may hammer, but you won’t beat that + out of me, if you work at it till your time’s up!’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, and shaking his head gravely, he re-entered the workshop, and + confronted the subject of these remarks. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s enough of that just now,’ said the locksmith. ‘You needn’t make + any more of that confounded clatter. Breakfast’s ready.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Sim, looking up with amazing politeness, and a peculiar little + bow cut short off at the neck, ‘I shall attend you immediately.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose,’ muttered Gabriel, ‘that’s out of the ‘Prentice’s Garland or + the ‘Prentice’s Delight, or the ‘Prentice’s Warbler, or the Prentice’s + Guide to the Gallows, or some such improving textbook. Now he’s going to + beautify himself—here’s a precious locksmith!’ + </p> + <p> + Quite unconscious that his master was looking on from the dark corner by + the parlour door, Sim threw off the paper cap, sprang from his seat, and + in two extraordinary steps, something between skating and minuet dancing, + bounded to a washing place at the other end of the shop, and there removed + from his face and hands all traces of his previous work—practising + the same step all the time with the utmost gravity. This done, he drew + from some concealed place a little scrap of looking-glass, and with its + assistance arranged his hair, and ascertained the exact state of a little + carbuncle on his nose. Having now completed his toilet, he placed the + fragment of mirror on a low bench, and looked over his shoulder at so much + of his legs as could be reflected in that small compass, with the greatest + possible complacency and satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Sim, as he was called in the locksmith’s family, or Mr Simon Tappertit, as + he called himself, and required all men to style him out of doors, on + holidays, and Sundays out,—was an old-fashioned, thin-faced, + sleek-haired, sharp-nosed, small-eyed little fellow, very little more than + five feet high, and thoroughly convinced in his own mind that he was above + the middle size; rather tall, in fact, than otherwise. Of his figure, + which was well enough formed, though somewhat of the leanest, he + entertained the highest admiration; and with his legs, which, in + knee-breeches, were perfect curiosities of littleness, he was enraptured + to a degree amounting to enthusiasm. He also had some majestic, shadowy + ideas, which had never been quite fathomed by his intimate friends, + concerning the power of his eye. Indeed he had been known to go so far as + to boast that he could utterly quell and subdue the haughtiest beauty by a + simple process, which he termed ‘eyeing her over;’ but it must be added, + that neither of this faculty, nor of the power he claimed to have, through + the same gift, of vanquishing and heaving down dumb animals, even in a + rabid state, had he ever furnished evidence which could be deemed quite + satisfactory and conclusive. + </p> + <p> + It may be inferred from these premises, that in the small body of Mr + Tappertit there was locked up an ambitious and aspiring soul. As certain + liquors, confined in casks too cramped in their dimensions, will ferment, + and fret, and chafe in their imprisonment, so the spiritual essence or + soul of Mr Tappertit would sometimes fume within that precious cask, his + body, until, with great foam and froth and splutter, it would force a + vent, and carry all before it. It was his custom to remark, in reference + to any one of these occasions, that his soul had got into his head; and in + this novel kind of intoxication many scrapes and mishaps befell him, which + he had frequently concealed with no small difficulty from his worthy + master. + </p> + <p> + Sim Tappertit, among the other fancies upon which his before-mentioned + soul was for ever feasting and regaling itself (and which fancies, like + the liver of Prometheus, grew as they were fed upon), had a mighty notion + of his order; and had been heard by the servant-maid openly expressing his + regret that the ‘prentices no longer carried clubs wherewith to mace the + citizens: that was his strong expression. He was likewise reported to have + said that in former times a stigma had been cast upon the body by the + execution of George Barnwell, to which they should not have basely + submitted, but should have demanded him of the legislature—temperately + at first; then by an appeal to arms, if necessary—to be dealt with + as they in their wisdom might think fit. These thoughts always led him to + consider what a glorious engine the ‘prentices might yet become if they + had but a master spirit at their head; and then he would darkly, and to + the terror of his hearers, hint at certain reckless fellows that he knew + of, and at a certain Lion Heart ready to become their captain, who, once + afoot, would make the Lord Mayor tremble on his throne. + </p> + <p> + In respect of dress and personal decoration, Sim Tappertit was no less of + an adventurous and enterprising character. He had been seen, beyond + dispute, to pull off ruffles of the finest quality at the corner of the + street on Sunday nights, and to put them carefully in his pocket before + returning home; and it was quite notorious that on all great holiday + occasions it was his habit to exchange his plain steel knee-buckles for a + pair of glittering paste, under cover of a friendly post, planted most + conveniently in that same spot. Add to this that he was in years just + twenty, in his looks much older, and in conceit at least two hundred; that + he had no objection to be jested with, touching his admiration of his + master’s daughter; and had even, when called upon at a certain obscure + tavern to pledge the lady whom he honoured with his love, toasted, with + many winks and leers, a fair creature whose Christian name, he said, began + with a D—;—and as much is known of Sim Tappertit, who has by + this time followed the locksmith in to breakfast, as is necessary to be + known in making his acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + It was a substantial meal; for, over and above the ordinary tea equipage, + the board creaked beneath the weight of a jolly round of beef, a ham of + the first magnitude, and sundry towers of buttered Yorkshire cake, piled + slice upon slice in most alluring order. There was also a goodly jug of + well-browned clay, fashioned into the form of an old gentleman, not by any + means unlike the locksmith, atop of whose bald head was a fine white froth + answering to his wig, indicative, beyond dispute, of sparkling home-brewed + ale. But, better far than fair home-brewed, or Yorkshire cake, or ham, or + beef, or anything to eat or drink that earth or air or water can supply, + there sat, presiding over all, the locksmith’s rosy daughter, before whose + dark eyes even beef grew insignificant, and malt became as nothing. + </p> + <p> + Fathers should never kiss their daughters when young men are by. It’s too + much. There are bounds to human endurance. So thought Sim Tappertit when + Gabriel drew those rosy lips to his—those lips within Sim’s reach + from day to day, and yet so far off. He had a respect for his master, but + he wished the Yorkshire cake might choke him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ said the locksmith’s daughter, when this salute was over, and + they took their seats at table, ‘what is this I hear about last night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All true, my dear; true as the Gospel, Doll.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Young Mr Chester robbed, and lying wounded in the road, when you came + up!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay—Mr Edward. And beside him, Barnaby, calling for help with all + his might. It was well it happened as it did; for the road’s a lonely one, + the hour was late, and, the night being cold, and poor Barnaby even less + sensible than usual from surprise and fright, the young gentleman might + have met his death in a very short time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dread to think of it!’ cried his daughter with a shudder. ‘How did you + know him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Know him!’ returned the locksmith. ‘I didn’t know him—how could I? + I had never seen him, often as I had heard and spoken of him. I took him + to Mrs Rudge’s; and she no sooner saw him than the truth came out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Emma, father—If this news should reach her, enlarged upon as + it is sure to be, she will go distracted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, lookye there again, how a man suffers for being good-natured,’ said + the locksmith. ‘Miss Emma was with her uncle at the masquerade at Carlisle + House, where she had gone, as the people at the Warren told me, sorely + against her will. What does your blockhead father when he and Mrs Rudge + have laid their heads together, but goes there when he ought to be abed, + makes interest with his friend the doorkeeper, slips him on a mask and + domino, and mixes with the masquers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And like himself to do so!’ cried the girl, putting her fair arm round + his neck, and giving him a most enthusiastic kiss. + </p> + <p> + ‘Like himself!’ repeated Gabriel, affecting to grumble, but evidently + delighted with the part he had taken, and with her praise. ‘Very like + himself—so your mother said. However, he mingled with the crowd, and + prettily worried and badgered he was, I warrant you, with people + squeaking, “Don’t you know me?” and “I’ve found you out,” and all that + kind of nonsense in his ears. He might have wandered on till now, but in a + little room there was a young lady who had taken off her mask, on account + of the place being very warm, and was sitting there alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that was she?’ said his daughter hastily. + </p> + <p> + ‘And that was she,’ replied the locksmith; ‘and I no sooner whispered to + her what the matter was—as softly, Doll, and with nearly as much art + as you could have used yourself—than she gives a kind of scream and + faints away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did you do—what happened next?’ asked his daughter. ‘Why, the + masks came flocking round, with a general noise and hubbub, and I thought + myself in luck to get clear off, that’s all,’ rejoined the locksmith. + ‘What happened when I reached home you may guess, if you didn’t hear it. + Ah! Well, it’s a poor heart that never rejoices.—Put Toby this way, + my dear.’ + </p> + <p> + This Toby was the brown jug of which previous mention has been made. + Applying his lips to the worthy old gentleman’s benevolent forehead, the + locksmith, who had all this time been ravaging among the eatables, kept + them there so long, at the same time raising the vessel slowly in the air, + that at length Toby stood on his head upon his nose, when he smacked his + lips, and set him on the table again with fond reluctance. + </p> + <p> + Although Sim Tappertit had taken no share in this conversation, no part of + it being addressed to him, he had not been wanting in such silent + manifestations of astonishment, as he deemed most compatible with the + favourable display of his eyes. Regarding the pause which now ensued, as a + particularly advantageous opportunity for doing great execution with them + upon the locksmith’s daughter (who he had no doubt was looking at him in + mute admiration), he began to screw and twist his face, and especially + those features, into such extraordinary, hideous, and unparalleled + contortions, that Gabriel, who happened to look towards him, was stricken + with amazement. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what the devil’s the matter with the lad?’ cried the locksmith. ‘Is + he choking?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who?’ demanded Sim, with some disdain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who? Why, you,’ returned his master. ‘What do you mean by making those + horrible faces over your breakfast?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Faces are matters of taste, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit, rather discomfited; + not the less so because he saw the locksmith’s daughter smiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sim,’ rejoined Gabriel, laughing heartily. ‘Don’t be a fool, for I’d + rather see you in your senses. These young fellows,’ he added, turning to + his daughter, ‘are always committing some folly or another. There was a + quarrel between Joe Willet and old John last night though I can’t say Joe + was much in fault either. He’ll be missing one of these mornings, and will + have gone away upon some wild-goose errand, seeking his fortune.—Why, + what’s the matter, Doll? YOU are making faces now. The girls are as bad as + the boys every bit!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s the tea,’ said Dolly, turning alternately very red and very white, + which is no doubt the effect of a slight scald—‘so very hot.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit looked immensely big at a quartern loaf on the table, and + breathed hard. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0037m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0037m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0037.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ returned the locksmith. ‘Put some more milk in it.—Yes, + I am sorry for Joe, because he is a likely young fellow, and gains upon + one every time one sees him. But he’ll start off, you’ll find. Indeed he + told me as much himself!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed!’ cried Dolly in a faint voice. ‘In-deed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is the tea tickling your throat still, my dear?’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + But, before his daughter could make him any answer, she was taken with a + troublesome cough, and it was such a very unpleasant cough, that, when she + left off, the tears were starting in her bright eyes. The good-natured + locksmith was still patting her on the back and applying such gentle + restoratives, when a message arrived from Mrs Varden, making known to all + whom it might concern, that she felt too much indisposed to rise after her + great agitation and anxiety of the previous night; and therefore desired + to be immediately accommodated with the little black teapot of strong + mixed tea, a couple of rounds of buttered toast, a middling-sized dish of + beef and ham cut thin, and the Protestant Manual in two volumes post + octavo. Like some other ladies who in remote ages flourished upon this + globe, Mrs Varden was most devout when most ill-tempered. Whenever she and + her husband were at unusual variance, then the Protestant Manual was in + high feather. + </p> + <p> + Knowing from experience what these requests portended, the triumvirate + broke up; Dolly, to see the orders executed with all despatch; Gabriel, to + some out-of-door work in his little chaise; and Sim, to his daily duty in + the workshop, to which retreat he carried the big look, although the loaf + remained behind. + </p> + <p> + Indeed the big look increased immensely, and when he had tied his apron + on, became quite gigantic. It was not until he had several times walked up + and down with folded arms, and the longest strides he could take, and had + kicked a great many small articles out of his way, that his lip began to + curl. At length, a gloomy derision came upon his features, and he smiled; + uttering meanwhile with supreme contempt the monosyllable ‘Joe!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0038m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0038m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0038.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘I eyed her over, while he talked about the fellow,’ he said, ‘and that + was of course the reason of her being confused. Joe!’ + </p> + <p> + He walked up and down again much quicker than before, and if possible with + longer strides; sometimes stopping to take a glance at his legs, and + sometimes to jerk out, and cast from him, another ‘Joe!’ In the course of + a quarter of an hour or so he again assumed the paper cap and tried to + work. No. It could not be done. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll do nothing to-day,’ said Mr Tappertit, dashing it down again, ‘but + grind. I’ll grind up all the tools. Grinding will suit my present humour + well. Joe!’ + </p> + <p> + Whirr-r-r-r. The grindstone was soon in motion; the sparks were flying off + in showers. This was the occupation for his heated spirit. + </p> + <p> + Whirr-r-r-r-r-r-r. + </p> + <p> + ‘Something will come of this!’ said Mr Tappertit, pausing as if in + triumph, and wiping his heated face upon his sleeve. ‘Something will come + of this. I hope it mayn’t be human gore!’ + </p> + <p> + Whirr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 5 + </h2> + <p> + As soon as the business of the day was over, the locksmith sallied forth, + alone, to visit the wounded gentleman and ascertain the progress of his + recovery. The house where he had left him was in a by-street in Southwark, + not far from London Bridge; and thither he hied with all speed, bent upon + returning with as little delay as might be, and getting to bed betimes. + </p> + <p> + The evening was boisterous—scarcely better than the previous night + had been. It was not easy for a stout man like Gabriel to keep his legs at + the street corners, or to make head against the high wind, which often + fairly got the better of him, and drove him back some paces, or, in + defiance of all his energy, forced him to take shelter in an arch or + doorway until the fury of the gust was spent. Occasionally a hat or wig, + or both, came spinning and trundling past him, like a mad thing; while the + more serious spectacle of falling tiles and slates, or of masses of brick + and mortar or fragments of stone-coping rattling upon the pavement near at + hand, and splitting into fragments, did not increase the pleasure of the + journey, or make the way less dreary. + </p> + <p> + ‘A trying night for a man like me to walk in!’ said the locksmith, as he + knocked softly at the widow’s door. ‘I’d rather be in old John’s + chimney-corner, faith!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s there?’ demanded a woman’s voice from within. Being answered, it + added a hasty word of welcome, and the door was quickly opened. + </p> + <p> + She was about forty—perhaps two or three years older—with a + cheerful aspect, and a face that had once been pretty. It bore traces of + affliction and care, but they were of an old date, and Time had smoothed + them. Any one who had bestowed but a casual glance on Barnaby might have + known that this was his mother, from the strong resemblance between them; + but where in his face there was wildness and vacancy, in hers there was + the patient composure of long effort and quiet resignation. + </p> + <p> + One thing about this face was very strange and startling. You could not + look upon it in its most cheerful mood without feeling that it had some + extraordinary capacity of expressing terror. It was not on the surface. It + was in no one feature that it lingered. You could not take the eyes or + mouth, or lines upon the cheek, and say, if this or that were otherwise, + it would not be so. Yet there it always lurked—something for ever + dimly seen, but ever there, and never absent for a moment. It was the + faintest, palest shadow of some look, to which an instant of intense and + most unutterable horror only could have given birth; but indistinct and + feeble as it was, it did suggest what that look must have been, and fixed + it in the mind as if it had had existence in a dream. + </p> + <p> + More faintly imaged, and wanting force and purpose, as it were, because of + his darkened intellect, there was this same stamp upon the son. Seen in a + picture, it must have had some legend with it, and would have haunted + those who looked upon the canvas. They who knew the Maypole story, and + could remember what the widow was, before her husband’s and his master’s + murder, understood it well. They recollected how the change had come, and + could call to mind that when her son was born, upon the very day the deed + was known, he bore upon his wrist what seemed a smear of blood but half + washed out. + </p> + <p> + ‘God save you, neighbour!’ said the locksmith, as he followed her, with + the air of an old friend, into a little parlour where a cheerful fire was + burning. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you,’ she answered smiling. ‘Your kind heart has brought you here + again. Nothing will keep you at home, I know of old, if there are friends + to serve or comfort, out of doors.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tut, tut,’ returned the locksmith, rubbing his hands and warming them. + ‘You women are such talkers. What of the patient, neighbour?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is sleeping now. He was very restless towards daylight, and for some + hours tossed and tumbled sadly. But the fever has left him, and the doctor + says he will soon mend. He must not be removed until to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has had visitors to-day—humph?’ said Gabriel, slyly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. Old Mr Chester has been here ever since we sent for him, and had not + been gone many minutes when you knocked.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No ladies?’ said Gabriel, elevating his eyebrows and looking + disappointed. + </p> + <p> + ‘A letter,’ replied the widow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come. That’s better than nothing!’ replied the locksmith. ‘Who was the + bearer?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby, of course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby’s a jewel!’ said Varden; ‘and comes and goes with ease where we + who think ourselves much wiser would make but a poor hand of it. He is not + out wandering, again, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank Heaven he is in his bed; having been up all night, as you know, and + on his feet all day. He was quite tired out. Ah, neighbour, if I could but + see him oftener so—if I could but tame down that terrible + restlessness—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In good time,’ said the locksmith, kindly, ‘in good time—don’t be + down-hearted. To my mind he grows wiser every day.’ + </p> + <p> + The widow shook her head. And yet, though she knew the locksmith sought to + cheer her, and spoke from no conviction of his own, she was glad to hear + even this praise of her poor benighted son. + </p> + <p> + ‘He will be a ‘cute man yet,’ resumed the locksmith. ‘Take care, when we + are growing old and foolish, Barnaby doesn’t put us to the blush, that’s + all. But our other friend,’ he added, looking under the table and about + the floor—‘sharpest and cunningest of all the sharp and cunning ones—where’s + he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In Barnaby’s room,’ rejoined the widow, with a faint smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! He’s a knowing blade!’ said Varden, shaking his head. ‘I should be + sorry to talk secrets before him. Oh! He’s a deep customer. I’ve no doubt + he can read, and write, and cast accounts if he chooses. What was that? + Him tapping at the door?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ returned the widow. ‘It was in the street, I think. Hark! Yes. There + again! ‘Tis some one knocking softly at the shutter. Who can it be!’ + </p> + <p> + They had been speaking in a low tone, for the invalid lay overhead, and + the walls and ceilings being thin and poorly built, the sound of their + voices might otherwise have disturbed his slumber. The party without, + whoever it was, could have stood close to the shutter without hearing + anything spoken; and, seeing the light through the chinks and finding all + so quiet, might have been persuaded that only one person was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some thief or ruffian maybe,’ said the locksmith. ‘Give me the light.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ she returned hastily. ‘Such visitors have never come to this + poor dwelling. Do you stay here. You’re within call, at the worst. I would + rather go myself—alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ said the locksmith, unwillingly relinquishing the candle he had + caught up from the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because—I don’t know why—because the wish is so strong upon + me,’ she rejoined. ‘There again—do not detain me, I beg of you!’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel looked at her, in great surprise to see one who was usually so + mild and quiet thus agitated, and with so little cause. She left the room + and closed the door behind her. She stood for a moment as if hesitating, + with her hand upon the lock. In this short interval the knocking came + again, and a voice close to the window—a voice the locksmith seemed + to recollect, and to have some disagreeable association with—whispered + ‘Make haste.’ + </p> + <p> + The words were uttered in that low distinct voice which finds its way so + readily to sleepers’ ears, and wakes them in a fright. For a moment it + startled even the locksmith; who involuntarily drew back from the window, + and listened. + </p> + <p> + The wind rumbling in the chimney made it difficult to hear what passed, + but he could tell that the door was opened, that there was the tread of a + man upon the creaking boards, and then a moment’s silence—broken by + a suppressed something which was not a shriek, or groan, or cry for help, + and yet might have been either or all three; and the words ‘My God!’ + uttered in a voice it chilled him to hear. + </p> + <p> + He rushed out upon the instant. There, at last, was that dreadful look—the + very one he seemed to know so well and yet had never seen before—upon + her face. There she stood, frozen to the ground, gazing with starting + eyes, and livid cheeks, and every feature fixed and ghastly, upon the man + he had encountered in the dark last night. His eyes met those of the + locksmith. It was but a flash, an instant, a breath upon a polished glass, + and he was gone. + </p> + <p> + The locksmith was upon him—had the skirts of his streaming garment + almost in his grasp—when his arms were tightly clutched, and the + widow flung herself upon the ground before him. + </p> + <p> + ‘The other way—the other way,’ she cried. ‘He went the other way. + Turn—turn!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The other way! I see him now,’ rejoined the locksmith, pointing—‘yonder—there—there + is his shadow passing by that light. What—who is this? Let me go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come back, come back!’ exclaimed the woman, clasping him; ‘Do not touch + him on your life. I charge you, come back. He carries other lives besides + his own. Come back!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What does this mean?’ cried the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter what it means, don’t ask, don’t speak, don’t think about it. He + is not to be followed, checked, or stopped. Come back!’ + </p> + <p> + The old man looked at her in wonder, as she writhed and clung about him; + and, borne down by her passion, suffered her to drag him into the house. + It was not until she had chained and double-locked the door, fastened + every bolt and bar with the heat and fury of a maniac, and drawn him back + into the room, that she turned upon him, once again, that stony look of + horror, and, sinking down into a chair, covered her face, and shuddered, + as though the hand of death were on her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0041m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0041m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0041.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + Chapter 6 + </h2> + <p> + Beyond all measure astonished by the strange occurrences which had passed + with so much violence and rapidity, the locksmith gazed upon the + shuddering figure in the chair like one half stupefied, and would have + gazed much longer, had not his tongue been loosened by compassion and + humanity. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are ill,’ said Gabriel. ‘Let me call some neighbour in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not for the world,’ she rejoined, motioning to him with her trembling + hand, and holding her face averted. ‘It is enough that you have been by, + to see this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, more than enough—or less,’ said Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Be it so,’ she returned. ‘As you like. Ask me no questions, I entreat + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Neighbour,’ said the locksmith, after a pause. ‘Is this fair, or + reasonable, or just to yourself? Is it like you, who have known me so long + and sought my advice in all matters—like you, who from a girl have + had a strong mind and a staunch heart?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have need of them,’ she replied. ‘I am growing old, both in years and + care. Perhaps that, and too much trial, have made them weaker than they + used to be. Do not speak to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How can I see what I have seen, and hold my peace!’ returned the + locksmith. ‘Who was that man, and why has his coming made this change in + you?’ + </p> + <p> + She was silent, but held to the chair as though to save herself from + falling on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘I take the licence of an old acquaintance, Mary,’ said the locksmith, + ‘who has ever had a warm regard for you, and maybe has tried to prove it + when he could. Who is this ill-favoured man, and what has he to do with + you? Who is this ghost, that is only seen in the black nights and bad + weather? How does he know, and why does he haunt this house, whispering + through chinks and crevices, as if there was that between him and you, + which neither durst so much as speak aloud of? Who is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do well to say he haunts this house,’ returned the widow, faintly. + ‘His shadow has been upon it and me, in light and darkness, at noonday and + midnight. And now, at last, he has come in the body!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But he wouldn’t have gone in the body,’ returned the locksmith with some + irritation, ‘if you had left my arms and legs at liberty. What riddle is + this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is one,’ she answered, rising as she spoke, ‘that must remain for ever + as it is. I dare not say more than that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dare not!’ repeated the wondering locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not press me,’ she replied. ‘I am sick and faint, and every faculty of + life seems dead within me.—No!—Do not touch me, either.’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel, who had stepped forward to render her assistance, fell back as + she made this hasty exclamation, and regarded her in silent wonder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go my way alone,’ she said in a low voice, ‘and let the hands of + no honest man touch mine to-night.’ When she had tottered to the door, she + turned, and added with a stronger effort, ‘This is a secret, which, of + necessity, I trust to you. You are a true man. As you have ever been good + and kind to me,—keep it. If any noise was heard above, make some + excuse—say anything but what you really saw, and never let a word or + look between us, recall this circumstance. I trust to you. Mind, I trust + to you. How much I trust, you never can conceive.’ + </p> + <p> + Casting her eyes upon him for an instant, she withdrew, and left him there + alone. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel, not knowing what to think, stood staring at the door with a + countenance full of surprise and dismay. The more he pondered on what had + passed, the less able he was to give it any favourable interpretation. To + find this widow woman, whose life for so many years had been supposed to + be one of solitude and retirement, and who, in her quiet suffering + character, had gained the good opinion and respect of all who knew her—to + find her linked mysteriously with an ill-omened man, alarmed at his + appearance, and yet favouring his escape, was a discovery that pained as + much as startled him. Her reliance on his secrecy, and his tacit + acquiescence, increased his distress of mind. If he had spoken boldly, + persisted in questioning her, detained her when she rose to leave the + room, made any kind of protest, instead of silently compromising himself, + as he felt he had done, he would have been more at ease. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did I let her say it was a secret, and she trusted it to me!’ said + Gabriel, putting his wig on one side to scratch his head with greater + ease, and looking ruefully at the fire. ‘I have no more readiness than old + John himself. Why didn’t I say firmly, “You have no right to such secrets, + and I demand of you to tell me what this means,” instead of standing + gaping at her, like an old moon-calf as I am! But there’s my weakness. I + can be obstinate enough with men if need be, but women may twist me round + their fingers at their pleasure.’ + </p> + <p> + He took his wig off outright as he made this reflection, and, warming his + handkerchief at the fire began to rub and polish his bald head with it, + until it glistened again. + </p> + <p> + ‘And yet,’ said the locksmith, softening under this soothing process, and + stopping to smile, ‘it MAY be nothing. Any drunken brawler trying to make + his way into the house, would have alarmed a quiet soul like her. But + then’—and here was the vexation—‘how came it to be that man; + how comes he to have this influence over her; how came she to favour his + getting away from me; and, more than all, how came she not to say it was a + sudden fright, and nothing more? It’s a sad thing to have, in one minute, + reason to mistrust a person I have known so long, and an old sweetheart + into the bargain; but what else can I do, with all this upon my mind!—Is + that Barnaby outside there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ he cried, looking in and nodding. ‘Sure enough it’s Barnaby—how + did you guess?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By your shadow,’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oho!’ cried Barnaby, glancing over his shoulder, ‘He’s a merry fellow, + that shadow, and keeps close to me, though I AM silly. We have such + pranks, such walks, such runs, such gambols on the grass! Sometimes he’ll + be half as tall as a church steeple, and sometimes no bigger than a dwarf. + Now, he goes on before, and now behind, and anon he’ll be stealing on, on + this side, or on that, stopping whenever I stop, and thinking I can’t see + him, though I have my eye on him sharp enough. Oh! he’s a merry fellow. + Tell me—is he silly too? I think he is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why?’ asked Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because he never tires of mocking me, but does it all day long.—Why + don’t you come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Upstairs. He wants you. Stay—where’s HIS shadow? Come. You’re a + wise man; tell me that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Beside him, Barnaby; beside him, I suppose,’ returned the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ he replied, shaking his head. ‘Guess again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gone out a walking, maybe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has changed shadows with a woman,’ the idiot whispered in his ear, and + then fell back with a look of triumph. ‘Her shadow’s always with him, and + his with her. That’s sport I think, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby,’ said the locksmith, with a grave look; ‘come hither, lad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know what you want to say. I know!’ he replied, keeping away from him. + ‘But I’m cunning, I’m silent. I only say so much to you—are you + ready?’ As he spoke, he caught up the light, and waved it with a wild + laugh above his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Softly—gently,’ said the locksmith, exerting all his influence to + keep him calm and quiet. ‘I thought you had been asleep.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I HAVE been asleep,’ he rejoined, with widely-opened eyes. ‘There have + been great faces coming and going—close to my face, and then a mile + away—low places to creep through, whether I would or no—high + churches to fall down from—strange creatures crowded up together + neck and heels, to sit upon the bed—that’s sleep, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dreams, Barnaby, dreams,’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dreams!’ he echoed softly, drawing closer to him. ‘Those are not dreams.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are,’ replied the locksmith, ‘if they are not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dreamed,’ said Barnaby, passing his arm through Varden’s, and peering + close into his face as he answered in a whisper, ‘I dreamed just now that + something—it was in the shape of a man—followed me—came + softly after me—wouldn’t let me be—but was always hiding and + crouching, like a cat in dark corners, waiting till I should pass; when it + crept out and came softly after me.—Did you ever see me run?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Many a time, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You never saw me run as I did in this dream. Still it came creeping on to + worry me. Nearer, nearer, nearer—I ran faster—leaped—sprung + out of bed, and to the window—and there, in the street below—but + he is waiting for us. Are you coming?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What in the street below, Barnaby?’ said Varden, imagining that he traced + some connection between this vision and what had actually occurred. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby looked into his face, muttered incoherently, waved the light above + his head again, laughed, and drawing the locksmith’s arm more tightly + through his own, led him up the stairs in silence. + </p> + <p> + They entered a homely bedchamber, garnished in a scanty way with chairs, + whose spindle-shanks bespoke their age, and other furniture of very little + worth; but clean and neatly kept. Reclining in an easy-chair before the + fire, pale and weak from waste of blood, was Edward Chester, the young + gentleman who had been the first to quit the Maypole on the previous + night, and who, extending his hand to the locksmith, welcomed him as his + preserver and friend. + </p> + <p> + ‘Say no more, sir, say no more,’ said Gabriel. ‘I hope I would have done + at least as much for any man in such a strait, and most of all for you, + sir. A certain young lady,’ he added, with some hesitation, ‘has done us + many a kind turn, and we naturally feel—I hope I give you no offence + in saying this, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + The young man smiled and shook his head; at the same time moving in his + chair as if in pain. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s no great matter,’ he said, in answer to the locksmith’s sympathising + look, ‘a mere uneasiness arising at least as much from being cooped up + here, as from the slight wound I have, or from the loss of blood. Be + seated, Mr Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I may make so bold, Mr Edward, as to lean upon your chair,’ returned + the locksmith, accommodating his action to his speech, and bending over + him, ‘I’ll stand here for the convenience of speaking low. Barnaby is not + in his quietest humour to-night, and at such times talking never does him + good.’ + </p> + <p> + They both glanced at the subject of this remark, who had taken a seat on + the other side of the fire, and, smiling vacantly, was making puzzles on + his fingers with a skein of string. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray, tell me, sir,’ said Varden, dropping his voice still lower, + ‘exactly what happened last night. I have my reason for inquiring. You + left the Maypole, alone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And walked homeward alone, until I had nearly reached the place where you + found me, when I heard the gallop of a horse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Behind you?’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed, yes—behind me. It was a single rider, who soon overtook me, + and checking his horse, inquired the way to London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were on the alert, sir, knowing how many highwaymen there are, + scouring the roads in all directions?’ said Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was, but I had only a stick, having imprudently left my pistols in + their holster-case with the landlord’s son. I directed him as he desired. + Before the words had passed my lips, he rode upon me furiously, as if bent + on trampling me down beneath his horse’s hoofs. In starting aside, I + slipped and fell. You found me with this stab and an ugly bruise or two, + and without my purse—in which he found little enough for his pains. + And now, Mr Varden,’ he added, shaking the locksmith by the hand, ‘saving + the extent of my gratitude to you, you know as much as I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Except,’ said Gabriel, bending down yet more, and looking cautiously + towards their silent neighhour, ‘except in respect of the robber himself. + What like was he, sir? Speak low, if you please. Barnaby means no harm, + but I have watched him oftener than you, and I know, little as you would + think it, that he’s listening now.’ + </p> + <p> + It required a strong confidence in the locksmith’s veracity to lead any + one to this belief, for every sense and faculty that Barnaby possessed, + seemed to be fixed upon his game, to the exclusion of all other things. + Something in the young man’s face expressed this opinion, for Gabriel + repeated what he had just said, more earnestly than before, and with + another glance towards Barnaby, again asked what like the man was. + </p> + <p> + ‘The night was so dark,’ said Edward, ‘the attack so sudden, and he so + wrapped and muffled up, that I can hardly say. It seems that—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t mention his name, sir,’ returned the locksmith, following his look + towards Barnaby; ‘I know HE saw him. I want to know what YOU saw.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All I remember is,’ said Edward, ‘that as he checked his horse his hat + was blown off. He caught it, and replaced it on his head, which I observed + was bound with a dark handkerchief. A stranger entered the Maypole while I + was there, whom I had not seen—for I had sat apart for reasons of my + own—and when I rose to leave the room and glanced round, he was in + the shadow of the chimney and hidden from my sight. But, if he and the + robber were two different persons, their voices were strangely and most + remarkably alike; for directly the man addressed me in the road, I + recognised his speech again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is as I feared. The very man was here to-night,’ thought the + locksmith, changing colour. ‘What dark history is this!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa!’ cried a hoarse voice in his ear. ‘Halloa, halloa, halloa! Bow + wow wow. What’s the matter here! Hal-loa!’ + </p> + <p> + The speaker—who made the locksmith start as if he had been some + supernatural agent—was a large raven, who had perched upon the top + of the easy-chair, unseen by him and Edward, and listened with a polite + attention and a most extraordinary appearance of comprehending every word, + to all they had said up to this point; turning his head from one to the + other, as if his office were to judge between them, and it were of the + very last importance that he should not lose a word. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look at him!’ said Varden, divided between admiration of the bird and a + kind of fear of him. ‘Was there ever such a knowing imp as that! Oh he’s a + dreadful fellow!’ + </p> + <p> + The raven, with his head very much on one side, and his bright eye shining + like a diamond, preserved a thoughtful silence for a few seconds, and then + replied in a voice so hoarse and distant, that it seemed to come through + his thick feathers rather than out of his mouth. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa, halloa, halloa! What’s the matter here! Keep up your spirits. + Never say die. Bow wow wow. I’m a devil, I’m a devil, I’m a devil. + Hurrah!’—And then, as if exulting in his infernal character, he + began to whistle. + </p> + <p> + ‘I more than half believe he speaks the truth. Upon my word I do,’ said + Varden. ‘Do you see how he looks at me, as if he knew what I was saying?’ + </p> + <p> + To which the bird, balancing himself on tiptoe, as it were, and moving his + body up and down in a sort of grave dance, rejoined, ‘I’m a devil, I’m a + devil, I’m a devil,’ and flapped his wings against his sides as if he were + bursting with laughter. Barnaby clapped his hands, and fairly rolled upon + the ground in an ecstasy of delight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Strange companions, sir,’ said the locksmith, shaking his head, and + looking from one to the other. ‘The bird has all the wit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Strange indeed!’ said Edward, holding out his forefinger to the raven, + who, in acknowledgment of the attention, made a dive at it immediately + with his iron bill. ‘Is he old?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A mere boy, sir,’ replied the locksmith. ‘A hundred and twenty, or + thereabouts. Call him down, Barnaby, my man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Call him!’ echoed Barnaby, sitting upright upon the floor, and staring + vacantly at Gabriel, as he thrust his hair back from his face. ‘But who + can make him come! He calls me, and makes me go where he will. He goes on + before, and I follow. He’s the master, and I’m the man. Is that the truth, + Grip?’ + </p> + <p> + The raven gave a short, comfortable, confidential kind of croak;—a + most expressive croak, which seemed to say, ‘You needn’t let these fellows + into our secrets. We understand each other. It’s all right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I make HIM come?’ cried Barnaby, pointing to the bird. ‘Him, who never + goes to sleep, or so much as winks!—Why, any time of night, you may + see his eyes in my dark room, shining like two sparks. And every night, + and all night too, he’s broad awake, talking to himself, thinking what he + shall do to-morrow, where we shall go, and what he shall steal, and hide, + and bury. I make HIM come! Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + On second thoughts, the bird appeared disposed to come of himself. After a + short survey of the ground, and a few sidelong looks at the ceiling and at + everybody present in turn, he fluttered to the floor, and went to Barnaby—not + in a hop, or walk, or run, but in a pace like that of a very particular + gentleman with exceedingly tight boots on, trying to walk fast over loose + pebbles. Then, stepping into his extended hand, and condescending to be + held out at arm’s length, he gave vent to a succession of sounds, not + unlike the drawing of some eight or ten dozen of long corks, and again + asserted his brimstone birth and parentage with great distinctness. + </p> + <p> + The locksmith shook his head—perhaps in some doubt of the creature’s + being really nothing but a bird—perhaps in pity for Barnaby, who by + this time had him in his arms, and was rolling about, with him, on the + ground. As he raised his eyes from the poor fellow he encountered those of + his mother, who had entered the room, and was looking on in silence. + </p> + <p> + She was quite white in the face, even to her lips, but had wholly subdued + her emotion, and wore her usual quiet look. Varden fancied as he glanced + at her that she shrunk from his eye; and that she busied herself about the + wounded gentleman to avoid him the better. + </p> + <p> + It was time he went to bed, she said. He was to be removed to his own home + on the morrow, and he had already exceeded his time for sitting up, by a + full hour. Acting on this hint, the locksmith prepared to take his leave. + </p> + <p> + ‘By the bye,’ said Edward, as he shook him by the hand, and looked from + him to Mrs Rudge and back again, ‘what noise was that below? I heard your + voice in the midst of it, and should have inquired before, but our other + conversation drove it from my memory. What was it?’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith looked towards her, and bit his lip. She leant against the + chair, and bent her eyes upon the ground. Barnaby too—he was + listening. + </p> + <p> + —‘Some mad or drunken fellow, sir,’ Varden at length made answer, + looking steadily at the widow as he spoke. ‘He mistook the house, and + tried to force an entrance.’ + </p> + <p> + She breathed more freely, but stood quite motionless. As the locksmith + said ‘Good night,’ and Barnaby caught up the candle to light him down the + stairs, she took it from him, and charged him—with more haste and + earnestness than so slight an occasion appeared to warrant—not to + stir. The raven followed them to satisfy himself that all was right below, + and when they reached the street-door, stood on the bottom stair drawing + corks out of number. + </p> + <p> + With a trembling hand she unfastened the chain and bolts, and turned the + key. As she had her hand upon the latch, the locksmith said in a low + voice, + </p> + <p> + ‘I have told a lie to-night, for your sake, Mary, and for the sake of + bygone times and old acquaintance, when I would scorn to do so for my own. + I hope I may have done no harm, or led to none. I can’t help the + suspicions you have forced upon me, and I am loth, I tell you plainly, to + leave Mr Edward here. Take care he comes to no hurt. I doubt the safety of + this roof, and am glad he leaves it so soon. Now, let me go.’ + </p> + <p> + For a moment she hid her face in her hands and wept; but resisting the + strong impulse which evidently moved her to reply, opened the door—no + wider than was sufficient for the passage of his body—and motioned + him away. As the locksmith stood upon the step, it was chained and locked + behind him, and the raven, in furtherance of these precautions, barked + like a lusty house-dog. + </p> + <p> + ‘In league with that ill-looking figure that might have fallen from a + gibbet—he listening and hiding here—Barnaby first upon the + spot last night—can she who has always borne so fair a name be + guilty of such crimes in secret!’ said the locksmith, musing. ‘Heaven + forgive me if I am wrong, and send me just thoughts; but she is poor, the + temptation may be great, and we daily hear of things as strange.—Ay, + bark away, my friend. If there’s any wickedness going on, that raven’s in + it, I’ll be sworn.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 7 + </h2> + <p> + Mrs Varden was a lady of what is commonly called an uncertain temper—a + phrase which being interpreted signifies a temper tolerably certain to + make everybody more or less uncomfortable. Thus it generally happened, + that when other people were merry, Mrs Varden was dull; and that when + other people were dull, Mrs Varden was disposed to be amazingly cheerful. + Indeed the worthy housewife was of such a capricious nature, that she not + only attained a higher pitch of genius than Macbeth, in respect of her + ability to be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral in an + instant, but would sometimes ring the changes backwards and forwards on + all possible moods and flights in one short quarter of an hour; + performing, as it were, a kind of triple bob major on the peal of + instruments in the female belfry, with a skilfulness and rapidity of + execution that astonished all who heard her. + </p> + <p> + It had been observed in this good lady (who did not want for personal + attractions, being plump and buxom to look at, though like her fair + daughter, somewhat short in stature) that this uncertainty of disposition + strengthened and increased with her temporal prosperity; and divers wise + men and matrons, on friendly terms with the locksmith and his family, even + went so far as to assert, that a tumble down some half-dozen rounds in the + world’s ladder—such as the breaking of the bank in which her husband + kept his money, or some little fall of that kind—would be the making + of her, and could hardly fail to render her one of the most agreeable + companions in existence. Whether they were right or wrong in this + conjecture, certain it is that minds, like bodies, will often fall into a + pimpled ill-conditioned state from mere excess of comfort, and like them, + are often successfully cured by remedies in themselves very nauseous and + unpalatable. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden’s chief aider and abettor, and at the same time her principal + victim and object of wrath, was her single domestic servant, one Miss + Miggs; or as she was called, in conformity with those prejudices of + society which lop and top from poor hand-maidens all such genteel + excrescences—Miggs. This Miggs was a tall young lady, very much + addicted to pattens in private life; slender and shrewish, of a rather + uncomfortable figure, and though not absolutely ill-looking, of a sharp + and acid visage. As a general principle and abstract proposition, Miggs + held the male sex to be utterly contemptible and unworthy of notice; to be + fickle, false, base, sottish, inclined to perjury, and wholly undeserving. + When particularly exasperated against them (which, scandal said, was when + Sim Tappertit slighted her most) she was accustomed to wish with great + emphasis that the whole race of women could but die off, in order that the + men might be brought to know the real value of the blessings by which they + set so little store; nay, her feeling for her order ran so high, that she + sometimes declared, if she could only have good security for a fair, round + number—say ten thousand—of young virgins following her + example, she would, to spite mankind, hang, drown, stab, or poison + herself, with a joy past all expression. + </p> + <p> + It was the voice of Miggs that greeted the locksmith, when he knocked at + his own house, with a shrill cry of ‘Who’s there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Me, girl, me,’ returned Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + What, already, sir!’ said Miggs, opening the door with a look of surprise. + ‘We were just getting on our nightcaps to sit up,—me and mistress. + Oh, she has been SO bad!’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs said this with an air of uncommon candour and concern; but the + parlour-door was standing open, and as Gabriel very well knew for whose + ears it was designed, he regarded her with anything but an approving look + as he passed in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Master’s come home, mim,’ cried Miggs, running before him into the + parlour. ‘You was wrong, mim, and I was right. I thought he wouldn’t keep + us up so late, two nights running, mim. Master’s always considerate so + far. I’m so glad, mim, on your account. I’m a little’—here Miggs + simpered—‘a little sleepy myself; I’ll own it now, mim, though I + said I wasn’t when you asked me. It ain’t of no consequence, mim, of + course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better,’ said the locksmith, who most devoutly wished that + Barnaby’s raven was at Miggs’s ankles, ‘you had better get to bed at once + then.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thanking you kindly, sir,’ returned Miggs, ‘I couldn’t take my rest in + peace, nor fix my thoughts upon my prayers, otherways than that I knew + mistress was comfortable in her bed this night; by rights she ought to + have been there, hours ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re talkative, mistress,’ said Varden, pulling off his greatcoat, and + looking at her askew. + </p> + <p> + ‘Taking the hint, sir,’ cried Miggs, with a flushed face, ‘and thanking + you for it most kindly, I will make bold to say, that if I give offence by + having consideration for my mistress, I do not ask your pardon, but am + content to get myself into trouble and to be in suffering.’ + </p> + <p> + Here Mrs Varden, who, with her countenance shrouded in a large nightcap, + had been all this time intent upon the Protestant Manual, looked round, + and acknowledged Miggs’s championship by commanding her to hold her + tongue. + </p> + <p> + Every little bone in Miggs’s throat and neck developed itself with a + spitefulness quite alarming, as she replied, ‘Yes, mim, I will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you find yourself now, my dear?’ said the locksmith, taking a + chair near his wife (who had resumed her book), and rubbing his knees hard + as he made the inquiry. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re very anxious to know, an’t you?’ returned Mrs Varden, with her + eyes upon the print. ‘You, that have not been near me all day, and + wouldn’t have been if I was dying!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Martha—’ said Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden turned over to the next page; then went back again to the + bottom line over leaf to be quite sure of the last words; and then went on + reading with an appearance of the deepest interest and study. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Martha,’ said the locksmith, ‘how can you say such things, when + you know you don’t mean them? If you were dying! Why, if there was + anything serious the matter with you, Martha, shouldn’t I be in constant + attendance upon you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes!’ cried Mrs Varden, bursting into tears, ‘yes, you would. I don’t + doubt it, Varden. Certainly you would. That’s as much as to tell me that + you would be hovering round me like a vulture, waiting till the breath was + out of my body, that you might go and marry somebody else.’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs groaned in sympathy—a little short groan, checked in its + birth, and changed into a cough. It seemed to say, ‘I can’t help it. It’s + wrung from me by the dreadful brutality of that monster master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you’ll break my heart one of these days,’ added Mrs Varden, with more + resignation, ‘and then we shall both be happy. My only desire is to see + Dolly comfortably settled, and when she is, you may settle ME as soon as + you like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ cried Miggs—and coughed again. + </p> + <p> + Poor Gabriel twisted his wig about in silence for a long time, and then + said mildly, ‘Has Dolly gone to bed?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your master speaks to you,’ said Mrs Varden, looking sternly over her + shoulder at Miss Miggs in waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, my dear, I spoke to you,’ suggested the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you hear me, Miggs?’ cried the obdurate lady, stamping her foot upon + the ground. ‘YOU are beginning to despise me now, are you? But this is + example!’ + </p> + <p> + At this cruel rebuke, Miggs, whose tears were always ready, for large or + small parties, on the shortest notice and the most reasonable terms, fell + a crying violently; holding both her hands tight upon her heart meanwhile, + as if nothing less would prevent its splitting into small fragments. Mrs + Varden, who likewise possessed that faculty in high perfection, wept too, + against Miggs; and with such effect that Miggs gave in after a time, and, + except for an occasional sob, which seemed to threaten some remote + intention of breaking out again, left her mistress in possession of the + field. Her superiority being thoroughly asserted, that lady soon desisted + likewise, and fell into a quiet melancholy. + </p> + <p> + The relief was so great, and the fatiguing occurrences of last night so + completely overpowered the locksmith, that he nodded in his chair, and + would doubtless have slept there all night, but for the voice of Mrs + Varden, which, after a pause of some five minutes, awoke him with a start. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I am ever,’ said Mrs V.—not scolding, but in a sort of + monotonous remonstrance—‘in spirits, if I am ever cheerful, if I am + ever more than usually disposed to be talkative and comfortable, this is + the way I am treated.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Such spirits as you was in too, mim, but half an hour ago!’ cried Miggs. + ‘I never see such company!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because,’ said Mrs Varden, ‘because I never interfere or interrupt; + because I never question where anybody comes or goes; because my whole + mind and soul is bent on saving where I can save, and labouring in this + house;—therefore, they try me as they do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Martha,’ urged the locksmith, endeavouring to look as wakeful as + possible, ‘what is it you complain of? I really came home with every wish + and desire to be happy. I did, indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do I complain of!’ retorted his wife. ‘Is it a chilling thing to + have one’s husband sulking and falling asleep directly he comes home—to + have him freezing all one’s warm-heartedness, and throwing cold water over + the fireside? Is it natural, when I know he went out upon a matter in + which I am as much interested as anybody can be, that I should wish to + know all that has happened, or that he should tell me without my begging + and praying him to do it? Is that natural, or is it not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am very sorry, Martha,’ said the good-natured locksmith. ‘I was really + afraid you were not disposed to talk pleasantly; I’ll tell you everything; + I shall only be too glad, my dear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, Varden,’ returned his wife, rising with dignity. ‘I dare say—thank + you! I’m not a child to be corrected one minute and petted the next—I’m + a little too old for that, Varden. Miggs, carry the light.—YOU can + be cheerful, Miggs, at least.’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs, who, to this moment, had been in the very depths of compassionate + despondency, passed instantly into the liveliest state conceivable, and + tossing her head as she glanced towards the locksmith, bore off her + mistress and the light together. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, who would think,’ thought Varden, shrugging his shoulders and + drawing his chair nearer to the fire, ‘that that woman could ever be + pleasant and agreeable? And yet she can be. Well, well, all of us have our + faults. I’ll not be hard upon hers. We have been man and wife too long for + that.’ + </p> + <p> + He dozed again—not the less pleasantly, perhaps, for his hearty + temper. While his eyes were closed, the door leading to the upper stairs + was partially opened; and a head appeared, which, at sight of him, hastily + drew back again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish,’ murmured Gabriel, waking at the noise, and looking round the + room, ‘I wish somebody would marry Miggs. But that’s impossible! I wonder + whether there’s any madman alive, who would marry Miggs!’ + </p> + <p> + This was such a vast speculation that he fell into a doze again, and slept + until the fire was quite burnt out. At last he roused himself; and having + double-locked the street-door according to custom, and put the key in his + pocket, went off to bed. + </p> + <p> + He had not left the room in darkness many minutes, when the head again + appeared, and Sim Tappertit entered, bearing in his hand a little lamp. + </p> + <p> + ‘What the devil business has he to stop up so late!’ muttered Sim, passing + into the workshop, and setting it down upon the forge. ‘Here’s half the + night gone already. There’s only one good that has ever come to me, out of + this cursed old rusty mechanical trade, and that’s this piece of + ironmongery, upon my soul!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he drew from the right hand, or rather right leg pocket of + his smalls, a clumsy large-sized key, which he inserted cautiously in the + lock his master had secured, and softly opened the door. That done, he + replaced his piece of secret workmanship in his pocket; and leaving the + lamp burning, and closing the door carefully and without noise, stole out + into the street—as little suspected by the locksmith in his sound + deep sleep, as by Barnaby himself in his phantom-haunted dreams. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0048m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0048m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0048.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0049m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0049m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0049.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + Chapter 8 + </h2> + <p> + Clear of the locksmith’s house, Sim Tappertit laid aside his cautious + manner, and assuming in its stead that of a ruffling, swaggering, roving + blade, who would rather kill a man than otherwise, and eat him too if + needful, made the best of his way along the darkened streets. + </p> + <p> + Half pausing for an instant now and then to smite his pocket and assure + himself of the safety of his master key, he hurried on to Barbican, and + turning into one of the narrowest of the narrow streets which diverged + from that centre, slackened his pace and wiped his heated brow, as if the + termination of his walk were near at hand. + </p> + <p> + It was not a very choice spot for midnight expeditions, being in truth one + of more than questionable character, and of an appearance by no means + inviting. From the main street he had entered, itself little better than + an alley, a low-browed doorway led into a blind court, or yard, profoundly + dark, unpaved, and reeking with stagnant odours. Into this ill-favoured + pit, the locksmith’s vagrant ‘prentice groped his way; and stopping at a + house from whose defaced and rotten front the rude effigy of a bottle + swung to and fro like some gibbeted malefactor, struck thrice upon an iron + grating with his foot. After listening in vain for some response to his + signal, Mr Tappertit became impatient, and struck the grating thrice + again. + </p> + <p> + A further delay ensued, but it was not of long duration. The ground seemed + to open at his feet, and a ragged head appeared. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that the captain?’ said a voice as ragged as the head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ replied Mr Tappertit haughtily, descending as he spoke, ‘who should + it be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s so late, we gave you up,’ returned the voice, as its owner stopped + to shut and fasten the grating. ‘You’re late, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lead on,’ said Mr Tappertit, with a gloomy majesty, ‘and make remarks + when I require you. Forward!’ + </p> + <p> + This latter word of command was perhaps somewhat theatrical and + unnecessary, inasmuch as the descent was by a very narrow, steep, and + slippery flight of steps, and any rashness or departure from the beaten + track must have ended in a yawning water-butt. But Mr Tappertit being, + like some other great commanders, favourable to strong effects, and + personal display, cried ‘Forward!’ again, in the hoarsest voice he could + assume; and led the way, with folded arms and knitted brows, to the cellar + down below, where there was a small copper fixed in one corner, a chair or + two, a form and table, a glimmering fire, and a truckle-bed, covered with + a ragged patchwork rug. + </p> + <p> + ‘Welcome, noble captain!’ cried a lanky figure, rising as from a nap. + </p> + <p> + The captain nodded. Then, throwing off his outer coat, he stood composed + in all his dignity, and eyed his follower over. + </p> + <p> + ‘What news to-night?’ he asked, when he had looked into his very soul. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing particular,’ replied the other, stretching himself—and he + was so long already that it was quite alarming to see him do it—‘how + come you to be so late?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter,’ was all the captain deigned to say in answer. ‘Is the room + prepared?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is,’ replied the follower. + </p> + <p> + ‘The comrade—is he here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. And a sprinkling of the others—you hear ‘em?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Playing skittles!’ said the captain moodily. ‘Light-hearted revellers!’ + </p> + <p> + There was no doubt respecting the particular amusement in which these + heedless spirits were indulging, for even in the close and stifling + atmosphere of the vault, the noise sounded like distant thunder. It + certainly appeared, at first sight, a singular spot to choose, for that or + any other purpose of relaxation, if the other cellars answered to the one + in which this brief colloquy took place; for the floors were of sodden + earth, the walls and roof of damp bare brick tapestried with the tracks of + snails and slugs; the air was sickening, tainted, and offensive. It + seemed, from one strong flavour which was uppermost among the various + odours of the place, that it had, at no very distant period, been used as + a storehouse for cheeses; a circumstance which, while it accounted for the + greasy moisture that hung about it, was agreeably suggestive of rats. It + was naturally damp besides, and little trees of fungus sprung from every + mouldering corner. + </p> + <p> + The proprietor of this charming retreat, and owner of the ragged head + before mentioned—for he wore an old tie-wig as bare and frowzy as a + stunted hearth-broom—had by this time joined them; and stood a + little apart, rubbing his hands, wagging his hoary bristled chin, and + smiling in silence. His eyes were closed; but had they been wide open, it + would have been easy to tell, from the attentive expression of the face he + turned towards them—pale and unwholesome as might be expected in one + of his underground existence—and from a certain anxious raising and + quivering of the lids, that he was blind. + </p> + <p> + ‘Even Stagg hath been asleep,’ said the long comrade, nodding towards this + person. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sound, captain, sound!’ cried the blind man; ‘what does my noble captain + drink—is it brandy, rum, usquebaugh? Is it soaked gunpowder, or + blazing oil? Give it a name, heart of oak, and we’d get it for you, if it + was wine from a bishop’s cellar, or melted gold from King George’s mint.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See,’ said Mr Tappertit haughtily, ‘that it’s something strong, and comes + quick; and so long as you take care of that, you may bring it from the + devil’s cellar, if you like.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Boldly said, noble captain!’ rejoined the blind man. ‘Spoken like the + ‘Prentices’ Glory. Ha, ha! From the devil’s cellar! A brave joke! The + captain joketh. Ha, ha, ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what, my fine feller,’ said Mr Tappertit, eyeing the host + over as he walked to a closet, and took out a bottle and glass as + carelessly as if he had been in full possession of his sight, ‘if you make + that row, you’ll find that the captain’s very far from joking, and so I + tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s got his eyes on me!’ cried Stagg, stopping short on his way back, + and affecting to screen his face with the bottle. ‘I feel ‘em though I + can’t see ‘em. Take ‘em off, noble captain. Remove ‘em, for they pierce + like gimlets.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit smiled grimly at his comrade; and twisting out one more look—a + kind of ocular screw—under the influence of which the blind man + feigned to undergo great anguish and torture, bade him, in a softened + tone, approach, and hold his peace. + </p> + <p> + ‘I obey you, captain,’ cried Stagg, drawing close to him and filling out a + bumper without spilling a drop, by reason that he held his little finger + at the brim of the glass, and stopped at the instant the liquor touched + it, ‘drink, noble governor. Death to all masters, life to all ‘prentices, + and love to all fair damsels. Drink, brave general, and warm your gallant + heart!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit condescended to take the glass from his outstretched hand. + Stagg then dropped on one knee, and gently smoothed the calves of his + legs, with an air of humble admiration. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I had but eyes!’ he cried, ‘to behold my captain’s symmetrical + proportions! That I had but eyes, to look upon these twin invaders of + domestic peace!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Get out!’ said Mr Tappertit, glancing downward at his favourite limbs. + ‘Go along, will you, Stagg!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When I touch my own afterwards,’ cried the host, smiting them + reproachfully, ‘I hate ‘em. Comparatively speaking, they’ve no more shape + than wooden legs, beside these models of my noble captain’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yours!’ exclaimed Mr Tappertit. ‘No, I should think not. Don’t talk about + those precious old toothpicks in the same breath with mine; that’s rather + too much. Here. Take the glass. Benjamin. Lead on. To business!’ + </p> + <p> + With these words, he folded his arms again; and frowning with a sullen + majesty, passed with his companion through a little door at the upper end + of the cellar, and disappeared; leaving Stagg to his private meditations. + </p> + <p> + The vault they entered, strewn with sawdust and dimly lighted, was between + the outer one from which they had just come, and that in which the + skittle-players were diverting themselves; as was manifested by the + increased noise and clamour of tongues, which was suddenly stopped, + however, and replaced by a dead silence, at a signal from the long + comrade. Then, this young gentleman, going to a little cupboard, returned + with a thigh-bone, which in former times must have been part and parcel of + some individual at least as long as himself, and placed the same in the + hands of Mr Tappertit; who, receiving it as a sceptre and staff of + authority, cocked his three-cornered hat fiercely on the top of his head, + and mounted a large table, whereon a chair of state, cheerfully ornamented + with a couple of skulls, was placed ready for his reception. + </p> + <p> + He had no sooner assumed this position, than another young gentleman + appeared, bearing in his arms a huge clasped book, who made him a profound + obeisance, and delivering it to the long comrade, advanced to the table, + and turning his back upon it, stood there Atlas-wise. Then, the long + comrade got upon the table too; and seating himself in a lower chair than + Mr Tappertit’s, with much state and ceremony, placed the large book on the + shoulders of their mute companion as deliberately as if he had been a + wooden desk, and prepared to make entries therein with a pen of + corresponding size. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0053m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0053m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0053.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + When the long comrade had made these preparations, he looked towards Mr + Tappertit; and Mr Tappertit, flourishing the bone, knocked nine times + therewith upon one of the skulls. At the ninth stroke, a third young + gentleman emerged from the door leading to the skittle ground, and bowing + low, awaited his commands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Prentice!’ said the mighty captain, ‘who waits without?’ + </p> + <p> + The ‘prentice made answer that a stranger was in attendance, who claimed + admission into that secret society of ‘Prentice Knights, and a free + participation in their rights, privileges, and immunities. Thereupon Mr + Tappertit flourished the bone again, and giving the other skull a + prodigious rap on the nose, exclaimed ‘Admit him!’ At these dread words + the ‘prentice bowed once more, and so withdrew as he had come. + </p> + <p> + There soon appeared at the same door, two other ‘prentices, having between + them a third, whose eyes were bandaged, and who was attired in a bag-wig, + and a broad-skirted coat, trimmed with tarnished lace; and who was girded + with a sword, in compliance with the laws of the Institution regulating + the introduction of candidates, which required them to assume this courtly + dress, and kept it constantly in lavender, for their convenience. One of + the conductors of this novice held a rusty blunderbuss pointed towards his + ear, and the other a very ancient sabre, with which he carved imaginary + offenders as he came along in a sanguinary and anatomical manner. + </p> + <p> + As this silent group advanced, Mr Tappertit fixed his hat upon his head. + The novice then laid his hand upon his breast and bent before him. When he + had humbled himself sufficiently, the captain ordered the bandage to be + removed, and proceeded to eye him over. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha!’ said the captain, thoughtfully, when he had concluded this ordeal. + ‘Proceed.’ + </p> + <p> + The long comrade read aloud as follows:—‘Mark Gilbert. Age, + nineteen. Bound to Thomas Curzon, hosier, Golden Fleece, Aldgate. Loves + Curzon’s daughter. Cannot say that Curzon’s daughter loves him. Should + think it probable. Curzon pulled his ears last Tuesday week.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How!’ cried the captain, starting. + </p> + <p> + ‘For looking at his daughter, please you,’ said the novice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Write Curzon down, Denounced,’ said the captain. ‘Put a black cross + against the name of Curzon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So please you,’ said the novice, ‘that’s not the worst—he calls his + ‘prentice idle dog, and stops his beer unless he works to his liking. He + gives Dutch cheese, too, eating Cheshire, sir, himself; and Sundays out, + are only once a month.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This,’ said Mr Tappert gravely, ‘is a flagrant case. Put two black + crosses to the name of Curzon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If the society,’ said the novice, who was an ill-looking, one-sided, + shambling lad, with sunken eyes set close together in his head—‘if + the society would burn his house down—for he’s not insured—or + beat him as he comes home from his club at night, or help me to carry off + his daughter, and marry her at the Fleet, whether she gave consent or no—’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit waved his grizzly truncheon as an admonition to him not to + interrupt, and ordered three black crosses to the name of Curzon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which means,’ he said in gracious explanation, ‘vengeance, complete and + terrible. ‘Prentice, do you love the Constitution?’ + </p> + <p> + To which the novice (being to that end instructed by his attendant + sponsors) replied ‘I do!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Church, the State, and everything established—but the masters?’ + quoth the captain. + </p> + <p> + Again the novice said ‘I do.’ + </p> + <p> + Having said it, he listened meekly to the captain, who in an address + prepared for such occasions, told him how that under that same + Constitution (which was kept in a strong box somewhere, but where exactly + he could not find out, or he would have endeavoured to procure a copy of + it), the ‘prentices had, in times gone by, had frequent holidays of right, + broken people’s heads by scores, defied their masters, nay, even achieved + some glorious murders in the streets, which privileges had gradually been + wrested from them, and in all which noble aspirations they were now + restrained; how the degrading checks imposed upon them were unquestionably + attributable to the innovating spirit of the times, and how they united + therefore to resist all change, except such change as would restore those + good old English customs, by which they would stand or fall. After + illustrating the wisdom of going backward, by reference to that sagacious + fish, the crab, and the not unfrequent practice of the mule and donkey, he + described their general objects; which were briefly vengeance on their + Tyrant Masters (of whose grievous and insupportable oppression no + ‘prentice could entertain a moment’s doubt) and the restoration, as + aforesaid, of their ancient rights and holidays; for neither of which + objects were they now quite ripe, being barely twenty strong, but which + they pledged themselves to pursue with fire and sword when needful. Then + he described the oath which every member of that small remnant of a noble + body took, and which was of a dreadful and impressive kind; binding him, + at the bidding of his chief, to resist and obstruct the Lord Mayor, + sword-bearer, and chaplain; to despise the authority of the sheriffs; and + to hold the court of aldermen as nought; but not on any account, in case + the fulness of time should bring a general rising of ‘prentices, to damage + or in any way disfigure Temple Bar, which was strictly constitutional and + always to be approached with reverence. Having gone over these several + heads with great eloquence and force, and having further informed the + novice that this society had its origin in his own teeming brain, + stimulated by a swelling sense of wrong and outrage, Mr Tappertit demanded + whether he had strength of heart to take the mighty pledge required, or + whether he would withdraw while retreat was yet in his power. + </p> + <p> + To this the novice made rejoinder, that he would take the vow, though it + should choke him; and it was accordingly administered with many impressive + circumstances, among which the lighting up of the two skulls with a + candle-end inside of each, and a great many flourishes with the bone, were + chiefly conspicuous; not to mention a variety of grave exercises with the + blunderbuss and sabre, and some dismal groaning by unseen ‘prentices + without. All these dark and direful ceremonies being at length completed, + the table was put aside, the chair of state removed, the sceptre locked up + in its usual cupboard, the doors of communication between the three + cellars thrown freely open, and the ‘Prentice Knights resigned themselves + to merriment. + </p> + <p> + But Mr Tappertit, who had a soul above the vulgar herd, and who, on + account of his greatness, could only afford to be merry now and then, + threw himself on a bench with the air of a man who was faint with dignity. + He looked with an indifferent eye, alike on skittles, cards, and dice, + thinking only of the locksmith’s daughter, and the base degenerate days on + which he had fallen. + </p> + <p> + ‘My noble captain neither games, nor sings, nor dances,’ said his host, + taking a seat beside him. ‘Drink, gallant general!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit drained the proffered goblet to the dregs; then thrust his + hands into his pockets, and with a lowering visage walked among the + skittles, while his followers (such is the influence of superior genius) + restrained the ardent ball, and held his little shins in dumb respect. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I had been born a corsair or a pirate, a brigand, genteel highwayman + or patriot—and they’re the same thing,’ thought Mr Tappertit, musing + among the nine-pins, ‘I should have been all right. But to drag out a + ignoble existence unbeknown to mankind in general—patience! I will + be famous yet. A voice within me keeps on whispering Greatness. I shall + burst out one of these days, and when I do, what power can keep me down? I + feel my soul getting into my head at the idea. More drink there!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The novice,’ pursued Mr Tappertit, not exactly in a voice of thunder, for + his tones, to say the truth were rather cracked and shrill—but very + impressively, notwithstanding—‘where is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, noble captain!’ cried Stagg. ‘One stands beside me who I feel is a + stranger.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you,’ said Mr Tappertit, letting his gaze fall on the party + indicated, who was indeed the new knight, by this time restored to his own + apparel; ‘Have you the impression of your street-door key in wax?’ + </p> + <p> + The long comrade anticipated the reply, by producing it from the shelf on + which it had been deposited. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good,’ said Mr Tappertit, scrutinising it attentively, while a breathless + silence reigned around; for he had constructed secret door-keys for the + whole society, and perhaps owed something of his influence to that mean + and trivial circumstance—on such slight accidents do even men of + mind depend!—‘This is easily made. Come hither, friend.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he beckoned the new knight apart, and putting the pattern in + his pocket, motioned to him to walk by his side. + </p> + <p> + ‘And so,’ he said, when they had taken a few turns up and down, you—you + love your master’s daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do,’ said the ‘prentice. ‘Honour bright. No chaff, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you,’ rejoined Mr Tappertit, catching him by the wrist, and giving + him a look which would have been expressive of the most deadly + malevolence, but for an accidental hiccup that rather interfered with it; + ‘have you a—a rival?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not as I know on,’ replied the ‘prentice. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had now—’ said Mr Tappertit—‘what would you—eh?—’ + </p> + <p> + The ‘prentice looked fierce and clenched his fists. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is enough,’ cried Mr Tappertit hastily, ‘we understand each other. We + are observed. I thank you.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, he cast him off again; and calling the long comrade aside after + taking a few hasty turns by himself, bade him immediately write and post + against the wall, a notice, proscribing one Joseph Willet (commonly known + as Joe) of Chigwell; forbidding all ‘Prentice Knights to succour, comfort, + or hold communion with him; and requiring them, on pain of + excommunication, to molest, hurt, wrong, annoy, and pick quarrels with the + said Joseph, whensoever and wheresoever they, or any of them, should + happen to encounter him. + </p> + <p> + Having relieved his mind by this energetic proceeding, he condescended to + approach the festive board, and warming by degrees, at length deigned to + preside, and even to enchant the company with a song. After this, he rose + to such a pitch as to consent to regale the society with a hornpipe, which + he actually performed to the music of a fiddle (played by an ingenious + member) with such surpassing agility and brilliancy of execution, that the + spectators could not be sufficiently enthusiastic in their admiration; and + their host protested, with tears in his eyes, that he had never truly felt + his blindness until that moment. + </p> + <p> + But the host withdrawing—probably to weep in secret—soon + returned with the information that it wanted little more than an hour of + day, and that all the cocks in Barbican had already begun to crow, as if + their lives depended on it. At this intelligence, the ‘Prentice Knights + arose in haste, and marshalling into a line, filed off one by one and + dispersed with all speed to their several homes, leaving their leader to + pass the grating last. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, noble captain,’ whispered the blind man as he held it open + for his passage out; ‘Farewell, brave general. Bye, bye, illustrious + commander. Good luck go with you for a—conceited, bragging, + empty-headed, duck-legged idiot.’ + </p> + <p> + With which parting words, coolly added as he listened to his receding + footsteps and locked the grate upon himself, he descended the steps, and + lighting the fire below the little copper, prepared, without any + assistance, for his daily occupation; which was to retail at the area-head + above pennyworths of broth and soup, and savoury puddings, compounded of + such scraps as were to be bought in the heap for the least money at Fleet + Market in the evening time; and for the sale of which he had need to have + depended chiefly on his private connection, for the court had no + thoroughfare, and was not that kind of place in which many people were + likely to take the air, or to frequent as an agreeable promenade. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 9 + </h2> + <p> + Chronicler’s are privileged to enter where they list, to come and go + through keyholes, to ride upon the wind, to overcome, in their soarings up + and down, all obstacles of distance, time, and place. Thrice blessed be + this last consideration, since it enables us to follow the disdainful + Miggs even into the sanctity of her chamber, and to hold her in sweet + companionship through the dreary watches of the night! + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, having undone her mistress, as she phrased it (which means, + assisted to undress her), and having seen her comfortably to bed in the + back room on the first floor, withdrew to her own apartment, in the attic + story. Notwithstanding her declaration in the locksmith’s presence, she + was in no mood for sleep; so, putting her light upon the table and + withdrawing the little window curtain, she gazed out pensively at the wild + night sky. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps she wondered what star was destined for her habitation when she + had run her little course below; perhaps speculated which of those + glimmering spheres might be the natal orb of Mr Tappertit; perhaps + marvelled how they could gaze down on that perfidious creature, man, and + not sicken and turn green as chemists’ lamps; perhaps thought of nothing + in particular. Whatever she thought about, there she sat, until her + attention, alive to anything connected with the insinuating ‘prentice, was + attracted by a noise in the next room to her own—his room; the room + in which he slept, and dreamed—it might be, sometimes dreamed of + her. + </p> + <p> + That he was not dreaming now, unless he was taking a walk in his sleep, + was clear, for every now and then there came a shuffling noise, as though + he were engaged in polishing the whitewashed wall; then a gentle creaking + of his door; then the faintest indication of his stealthy footsteps on the + landing-place outside. Noting this latter circumstance, Miss Miggs turned + pale and shuddered, as mistrusting his intentions; and more than once + exclaimed, below her breath, ‘Oh! what a Providence it is, as I am bolted + in!’—which, owing doubtless to her alarm, was a confusion of ideas + on her part between a bolt and its use; for though there was one on the + door, it was not fastened. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs’s sense of hearing, however, having as sharp an edge as her + temper, and being of the same snappish and suspicious kind, very soon + informed her that the footsteps passed her door, and appeared to have some + object quite separate and disconnected from herself. At this discovery she + became more alarmed than ever, and was about to give utterance to those + cries of ‘Thieves!’ and ‘Murder!’ which she had hitherto restrained, when + it occurred to her to look softly out, and see that her fears had some + good palpable foundation. + </p> + <p> + Looking out accordingly, and stretching her neck over the handrail, she + descried, to her great amazement, Mr Tappertit completely dressed, + stealing downstairs, one step at a time, with his shoes in one hand and a + lamp in the other. Following him with her eyes, and going down a little + way herself to get the better of an intervening angle, she beheld him + thrust his head in at the parlour-door, draw it back again with great + swiftness, and immediately begin a retreat upstairs with all possible + expedition. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here’s mysteries!’ said the damsel, when she was safe in her own room + again, quite out of breath. ‘Oh, gracious, here’s mysteries!’ + </p> + <p> + The prospect of finding anybody out in anything, would have kept Miss + Miggs awake under the influence of henbane. Presently, she heard the step + again, as she would have done if it had been that of a feather endowed + with motion and walking down on tiptoe. Then gliding out as before, she + again beheld the retreating figure of the ‘prentice; again he looked + cautiously in at the parlour-door, but this time instead of retreating, he + passed in and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Miggs was back in her room, and had her head out of the window, before an + elderly gentleman could have winked and recovered from it. Out he came at + the street-door, shut it carefully behind him, tried it with his knee, and + swaggered off, putting something in his pocket as he went along. At this + spectacle Miggs cried ‘Gracious!’ again, and then ‘Goodness gracious!’ and + then ‘Goodness gracious me!’ and then, candle in hand, went downstairs as + he had done. Coming to the workshop, she saw the lamp burning on the + forge, and everything as Sim had left it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why I wish I may only have a walking funeral, and never be buried decent + with a mourning-coach and feathers, if the boy hasn’t been and made a key + for his own self!’ cried Miggs. ‘Oh the little villain!’ + </p> + <p> + This conclusion was not arrived at without consideration, and much peeping + and peering about; nor was it unassisted by the recollection that she had + on several occasions come upon the ‘prentice suddenly, and found him busy + at some mysterious occupation. Lest the fact of Miss Miggs calling him, on + whom she stooped to cast a favourable eye, a boy, should create surprise + in any breast, it may be observed that she invariably affected to regard + all male bipeds under thirty as mere chits and infants; which phenomenon + is not unusual in ladies of Miss Miggs’s temper, and is indeed generally + found to be the associate of such indomitable and savage virtue. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs deliberated within herself for some little time, looking hard + at the shop-door while she did so, as though her eyes and thoughts were + both upon it; and then, taking a sheet of paper from a drawer, twisted it + into a long thin spiral tube. Having filled this instrument with a + quantity of small coal-dust from the forge, she approached the door, and + dropping on one knee before it, dexterously blew into the keyhole as much + of these fine ashes as the lock would hold. When she had filled it to the + brim in a very workmanlike and skilful manner, she crept upstairs again, + and chuckled as she went. + </p> + <p> + ‘There!’ cried Miggs, rubbing her hands, ‘now let’s see whether you won’t + be glad to take some notice of me, mister. He, he, he! You’ll have eyes + for somebody besides Miss Dolly now, I think. A fat-faced puss she is, as + ever I come across!’ + </p> + <p> + As she uttered this criticism, she glanced approvingly at her small + mirror, as who should say, I thank my stars that can’t be said of me!—as + it certainly could not; for Miss Miggs’s style of beauty was of that kind + which Mr Tappertit himself had not inaptly termed, in private, ‘scraggy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t go to bed this night!’ said Miggs, wrapping herself in a shawl, + and drawing a couple of chairs near the window, flouncing down upon one, + and putting her feet upon the other, ‘till you come home, my lad. I + wouldn’t,’ said Miggs viciously, ‘no, not for five-and-forty pound!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0057m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0057m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0057.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + With that, and with an expression of face in which a great number of + opposite ingredients, such as mischief, cunning, malice, triumph, and + patient expectation, were all mixed up together in a kind of + physiognomical punch, Miss Miggs composed herself to wait and listen, like + some fair ogress who had set a trap and was watching for a nibble from a + plump young traveller. + </p> + <p> + She sat there, with perfect composure, all night. At length, just upon + break of day, there was a footstep in the street, and presently she could + hear Mr Tappertit stop at the door. Then she could make out that he tried + his key—that he was blowing into it—that he knocked it on the + nearest post to beat the dust out—that he took it under a lamp to + look at it—that he poked bits of stick into the lock to clear it—that + he peeped into the keyhole, first with one eye, and then with the other—that + he tried the key again—that he couldn’t turn it, and what was worse, + couldn’t get it out—that he bent it—that then it was much less + disposed to come out than before—that he gave it a mighty twist and + a great pull, and then it came out so suddenly that he staggered backwards—that + he kicked the door—that he shook it—finally, that he smote his + forehead, and sat down on the step in despair. + </p> + <p> + When this crisis had arrived, Miss Miggs, affecting to be exhausted with + terror, and to cling to the window-sill for support, put out her nightcap, + and demanded in a faint voice who was there. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit cried ‘Hush!’ and, backing to the road, exhorted her in + frenzied pantomime to secrecy and silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me one thing,’ said Miggs. ‘Is it thieves?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No—no—no!’ cried Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then,’ said Miggs, more faintly than before, ‘it’s fire. Where is it, + sir? It’s near this room, I know. I’ve a good conscience, sir, and would + much rather die than go down a ladder. All I wish is, respecting my love + to my married sister, Golden Lion Court, number twenty-sivin, second + bell-handle on the right-hand door-post.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miggs!’ cried Mr Tappertit, ‘don’t you know me? Sim, you know—Sim—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! what about him!’ cried Miggs, clasping her hands. ‘Is he in any + danger? Is he in the midst of flames and blazes! Oh gracious, gracious!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why I’m here, an’t I?’ rejoined Mr Tappertit, knocking himself on the + breast. ‘Don’t you see me? What a fool you are, Miggs!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There!’ cried Miggs, unmindful of this compliment. ‘Why—so it—Goodness, + what is the meaning of—If you please, mim, here’s—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no!’ cried Mr Tappertit, standing on tiptoe, as if by that means he, + in the street, were any nearer being able to stop the mouth of Miggs in + the garret. ‘Don’t!—I’ve been out without leave, and something or + another’s the matter with the lock. Come down, and undo the shop window, + that I may get in that way.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dursn’t do it, Simmun,’ cried Miggs—for that was her + pronunciation of his Christian name. ‘I dursn’t do it, indeed. You know as + well as anybody, how particular I am. And to come down in the dead of + night, when the house is wrapped in slumbers and weiled in obscurity.’ And + there she stopped and shivered, for her modesty caught cold at the very + thought. + </p> + <p> + ‘But Miggs,’ cried Mr Tappertit, getting under the lamp, that she might + see his eyes. ‘My darling Miggs—’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs screamed slightly. + </p> + <p> + ‘—That I love so much, and never can help thinking of,’ and it is + impossible to describe the use he made of his eyes when he said this—‘do—for + my sake, do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Simmun,’ cried Miggs, ‘this is worse than all. I know if I come down, + you’ll go, and—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what, my precious?’ said Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘And try,’ said Miggs, hysterically, ‘to kiss me, or some such + dreadfulness; I know you will!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I swear I won’t,’ said Mr Tappertit, with remarkable earnestness. ‘Upon + my soul I won’t. It’s getting broad day, and the watchman’s waking up. + Angelic Miggs! If you’ll only come and let me in, I promise you faithfully + and truly I won’t.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, whose gentle heart was touched, did not wait for the oath + (knowing how strong the temptation was, and fearing he might forswear + himself), but tripped lightly down the stairs, and with her own fair hands + drew back the rough fastenings of the workshop window. Having helped the + wayward ‘prentice in, she faintly articulated the words ‘Simmun is safe!’ + and yielding to her woman’s nature, immediately became insensible. + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew I should quench her,’ said Sim, rather embarrassed by this + circumstance. ‘Of course I was certain it would come to this, but there + was nothing else to be done—if I hadn’t eyed her over, she wouldn’t + have come down. Here. Keep up a minute, Miggs. What a slippery figure she + is! There’s no holding her, comfortably. Do keep up a minute, Miggs, will + you?’ + </p> + <p> + As Miggs, however, was deaf to all entreaties, Mr Tappertit leant her + against the wall as one might dispose of a walking-stick or umbrella, + until he had secured the window, when he took her in his arms again, and, + in short stages and with great difficulty—arising from her being + tall and his being short, and perhaps in some degree from that peculiar + physical conformation on which he had already remarked—carried her + upstairs, and planting her, in the same umbrella and walking-stick + fashion, just inside her own door, left her to her repose. + </p> + <p> + ‘He may be as cool as he likes,’ said Miss Miggs, recovering as soon as + she was left alone; ‘but I’m in his confidence and he can’t help himself, + nor couldn’t if he was twenty Simmunses!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 10 + </h2> + <p> + It was on one of those mornings, common in early spring, when the year, + fickle and changeable in its youth like all other created things, is + undecided whether to step backward into winter or forward into summer, and + in its uncertainty inclines now to the one and now to the other, and now + to both at once—wooing summer in the sunshine, and lingering still + with winter in the shade—it was, in short, on one of those mornings, + when it is hot and cold, wet and dry, bright and lowering, sad and + cheerful, withering and genial, in the compass of one short hour, that old + John Willet, who was dropping asleep over the copper boiler, was roused by + the sound of a horse’s feet, and glancing out at window, beheld a + traveller of goodly promise, checking his bridle at the Maypole door. + </p> + <p> + He was none of your flippant young fellows, who would call for a tankard + of mulled ale, and make themselves as much at home as if they had ordered + a hogshead of wine; none of your audacious young swaggerers, who would + even penetrate into the bar—that solemn sanctuary—and, smiting + old John upon the back, inquire if there was never a pretty girl in the + house, and where he hid his little chambermaids, with a hundred other + impertinences of that nature; none of your free-and-easy companions, who + would scrape their boots upon the firedogs in the common room, and be not + at all particular on the subject of spittoons; none of your unconscionable + blades, requiring impossible chops, and taking unheard-of pickles for + granted. He was a staid, grave, placid gentleman, something past the prime + of life, yet upright in his carriage, for all that, and slim as a + greyhound. He was well-mounted upon a sturdy chestnut cob, and had the + graceful seat of an experienced horseman; while his riding gear, though + free from such fopperies as were then in vogue, was handsome and well + chosen. He wore a riding-coat of a somewhat brighter green than might have + been expected to suit the taste of a gentleman of his years, with a short, + black velvet cape, and laced pocket-holes and cuffs, all of a jaunty + fashion; his linen, too, was of the finest kind, worked in a rich pattern + at the wrists and throat, and scrupulously white. Although he seemed, + judging from the mud he had picked up on the way, to have come from + London, his horse was as smooth and cool as his own iron-grey periwig and + pigtail. Neither man nor beast had turned a single hair; and saving for + his soiled skirts and spatter-dashes, this gentleman, with his blooming + face, white teeth, exactly-ordered dress, and perfect calmness, might have + come from making an elaborate and leisurely toilet, to sit for an + equestrian portrait at old John Willet’s gate. + </p> + <p> + It must not be supposed that John observed these several characteristics + by other than very slow degrees, or that he took in more than half a one + at a time, or that he even made up his mind upon that, without a great + deal of very serious consideration. Indeed, if he had been distracted in + the first instance by questionings and orders, it would have taken him at + the least a fortnight to have noted what is here set down; but it happened + that the gentleman, being struck with the old house, or with the plump + pigeons which were skimming and curtseying about it, or with the tall + maypole, on the top of which a weathercock, which had been out of order + for fifteen years, performed a perpetual walk to the music of its own + creaking, sat for some little time looking round in silence. Hence John, + standing with his hand upon the horse’s bridle, and his great eyes on the + rider, and with nothing passing to divert his thoughts, had really got + some of these little circumstances into his brain by the time he was + called upon to speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘A quaint place this,’ said the gentleman—and his voice was as rich + as his dress. ‘Are you the landlord?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At your service, sir,’ replied John Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can give my horse good stabling, can you, and me an early dinner (I + am not particular what, so that it be cleanly served), and a decent room + of which there seems to be no lack in this great mansion,’ said the + stranger, again running his eyes over the exterior. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can have, sir,’ returned John with a readiness quite surprising, + ‘anything you please.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s well I am easily satisfied,’ returned the other with a smile, ‘or + that might prove a hardy pledge, my friend.’ And saying so, he dismounted, + with the aid of the block before the door, in a twinkling. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa there! Hugh!’ roared John. ‘I ask your pardon, sir, for keeping + you standing in the porch; but my son has gone to town on business, and + the boy being, as I may say, of a kind of use to me, I’m rather put out + when he’s away. Hugh!—a dreadful idle vagrant fellow, sir, half a + gipsy, as I think—always sleeping in the sun in summer, and in the + straw in winter time, sir—Hugh! Dear Lord, to keep a gentleman a + waiting here through him!—Hugh! I wish that chap was dead, I do + indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Possibly he is,’ returned the other. ‘I should think if he were living, + he would have heard you by this time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In his fits of laziness, he sleeps so desperate hard,’ said the + distracted host, ‘that if you were to fire off cannon-balls into his ears, + it wouldn’t wake him, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + The guest made no remark upon this novel cure for drowsiness, and recipe + for making people lively, but, with his hands clasped behind him, stood in + the porch, very much amused to see old John, with the bridle in his hand, + wavering between a strong impulse to abandon the animal to his fate, and a + half disposition to lead him into the house, and shut him up in the + parlour, while he waited on his master. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pillory the fellow, here he is at last!’ cried John, in the very height + and zenith of his distress. ‘Did you hear me a calling, villain?’ + </p> + <p> + The figure he addressed made no answer, but putting his hand upon the + saddle, sprung into it at a bound, turned the horse’s head towards the + stable, and was gone in an instant. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brisk enough when he is awake,’ said the guest. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brisk enough, sir!’ replied John, looking at the place where the horse + had been, as if not yet understanding quite, what had become of him. ‘He + melts, I think. He goes like a drop of froth. You look at him, and there + he is. You look at him again, and—there he isn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + Having, in the absence of any more words, put this sudden climax to what + he had faintly intended should be a long explanation of the whole life and + character of his man, the oracular John Willet led the gentleman up his + wide dismantled staircase into the Maypole’s best apartment. + </p> + <p> + It was spacious enough in all conscience, occupying the whole depth of the + house, and having at either end a great bay window, as large as many + modern rooms; in which some few panes of stained glass, emblazoned with + fragments of armorial bearings, though cracked, and patched, and + shattered, yet remained; attesting, by their presence, that the former + owner had made the very light subservient to his state, and pressed the + sun itself into his list of flatterers; bidding it, when it shone into his + chamber, reflect the badges of his ancient family, and take new hues and + colours from their pride. + </p> + <p> + But those were old days, and now every little ray came and went as it + would; telling the plain, bare, searching truth. Although the best room of + the inn, it had the melancholy aspect of grandeur in decay, and was much + too vast for comfort. Rich rustling hangings, waving on the walls; and, + better far, the rustling of youth and beauty’s dress; the light of women’s + eyes, outshining the tapers and their own rich jewels; the sound of gentle + tongues, and music, and the tread of maiden feet, had once been there, and + filled it with delight. But they were gone, and with them all its + gladness. It was no longer a home; children were never born and bred + there; the fireside had become mercenary—a something to be bought + and sold—a very courtezan: let who would die, or sit beside, or + leave it, it was still the same—it missed nobody, cared for nobody, + had equal warmth and smiles for all. God help the man whose heart ever + changes with the world, as an old mansion when it becomes an inn! + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0061m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0061m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0061.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + No effort had been made to furnish this chilly waste, but before the broad + chimney a colony of chairs and tables had been planted on a square of + carpet, flanked by a ghostly screen, enriched with figures, grinning and + grotesque. After lighting with his own hands the faggots which were heaped + upon the hearth, old John withdrew to hold grave council with his cook, + touching the stranger’s entertainment; while the guest himself, seeing + small comfort in the yet unkindled wood, opened a lattice in the distant + window, and basked in a sickly gleam of cold March sun. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the window now and then, to rake the crackling logs together, or + pace the echoing room from end to end, he closed it when the fire was + quite burnt up, and having wheeled the easiest chair into the warmest + corner, summoned John Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said John. + </p> + <p> + He wanted pen, ink, and paper. There was an old standish on the + mantelshelf containing a dusty apology for all three. Having set this + before him, the landlord was retiring, when he motioned him to stay. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s a house not far from here,’ said the guest when he had written a + few lines, ‘which you call the Warren, I believe?’ + </p> + <p> + As this was said in the tone of one who knew the fact, and asked the + question as a thing of course, John contented himself with nodding his + head in the affirmative; at the same time taking one hand out of his + pockets to cough behind, and then putting it in again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I want this note’—said the guest, glancing on what he had written, + and folding it, ‘conveyed there without loss of time, and an answer + brought back here. Have you a messenger at hand?’ + </p> + <p> + John was thoughtful for a minute or thereabouts, and then said Yes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me see him,’ said the guest. + </p> + <p> + This was disconcerting; for Joe being out, and Hugh engaged in rubbing + down the chestnut cob, he designed sending on the errand, Barnaby, who had + just then arrived in one of his rambles, and who, so that he thought + himself employed on a grave and serious business, would go anywhere. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why the truth is,’ said John after a long pause, ‘that the person who’d + go quickest, is a sort of natural, as one may say, sir; and though quick + of foot, and as much to be trusted as the post itself, he’s not good at + talking, being touched and flighty, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t,’ said the guest, raising his eyes to John’s fat face, ‘you + don’t mean—what’s the fellow’s name—you don’t mean Barnaby?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, I do,’ returned the landlord, his features turning quite expressive + with surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘How comes he to be here?’ inquired the guest, leaning back in his chair; + speaking in the bland, even tone, from which he never varied; and with the + same soft, courteous, never-changing smile upon his face. ‘I saw him in + London last night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s, for ever, here one hour, and there the next,’ returned old John, + after the usual pause to get the question in his mind. ‘Sometimes he + walks, and sometimes runs. He’s known along the road by everybody, and + sometimes comes here in a cart or chaise, and sometimes riding double. He + comes and goes, through wind, rain, snow, and hail, and on the darkest + nights. Nothing hurts HIM.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He goes often to the Warren, does he not?’ said the guest carelessly. ‘I + seem to remember his mother telling me something to that effect yesterday. + But I was not attending to the good woman much.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re right, sir,’ John made answer, ‘he does. His father, sir, was + murdered in that house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I have heard,’ returned the guest, taking a gold toothpick from his + pocket with the same sweet smile. ‘A very disagreeable circumstance for + the family.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very,’ said John with a puzzled look, as if it occurred to him, dimly and + afar off, that this might by possibility be a cool way of treating the + subject. + </p> + <p> + ‘All the circumstances after a murder,’ said the guest soliloquising, + ‘must be dreadfully unpleasant—so much bustle and disturbance—no + repose—a constant dwelling upon one subject—and the running in + and out, and up and down stairs, intolerable. I wouldn’t have such a thing + happen to anybody I was nearly interested in, on any account. ‘Twould be + enough to wear one’s life out.—You were going to say, friend—’ + he added, turning to John again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Only that Mrs Rudge lives on a little pension from the family, and that + Barnaby’s as free of the house as any cat or dog about it,’ answered John. + ‘Shall he do your errand, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes,’ replied the guest. ‘Oh certainly. Let him do it by all means. + Please to bring him here that I may charge him to be quick. If he objects + to come you may tell him it’s Mr Chester. He will remember my name, I dare + say.’ + </p> + <p> + John was so very much astonished to find who his visitor was, that he + could express no astonishment at all, by looks or otherwise, but left the + room as if he were in the most placid and imperturbable of all possible + conditions. It has been reported that when he got downstairs, he looked + steadily at the boiler for ten minutes by the clock, and all that time + never once left off shaking his head; for which statement there would seem + to be some ground of truth and feasibility, inasmuch as that interval of + time did certainly elapse, before he returned with Barnaby to the guest’s + apartment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come hither, lad,’ said Mr Chester. ‘You know Mr Geoffrey Haredale?’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby laughed, and looked at the landlord as though he would say, ‘You + hear him?’ John, who was greatly shocked at this breach of decorum, + clapped his finger to his nose, and shook his head in mute remonstrance. + </p> + <p> + ‘He knows him, sir,’ said John, frowning aside at Barnaby, ‘as well as you + or I do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I haven’t the pleasure of much acquaintance with the gentleman,’ returned + his guest. ‘YOU may have. Limit the comparison to yourself, my friend.’ + </p> + <p> + Although this was said with the same easy affability, and the same smile, + John felt himself put down, and laying the indignity at Barnaby’s door, + determined to kick his raven, on the very first opportunity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give that,’ said the guest, who had by this time sealed the note, and who + beckoned his messenger towards him as he spoke, ‘into Mr Haredale’s own + hands. Wait for an answer, and bring it back to me here. If you should + find that Mr Haredale is engaged just now, tell him—can he remember + a message, landlord?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When he chooses, sir,’ replied John. ‘He won’t forget this one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How are you sure of that?’ + </p> + <p> + John merely pointed to him as he stood with his head bent forward, and his + earnest gaze fixed closely on his questioner’s face; and nodded sagely. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell him then, Barnaby, should he be engaged,’ said Mr Chester, ‘that I + shall be glad to wait his convenience here, and to see him (if he will + call) at any time this evening.—At the worst I can have a bed here, + Willet, I suppose?’ + </p> + <p> + Old John, immensely flattered by the personal notoriety implied in this + familiar form of address, answered, with something like a knowing look, ‘I + should believe you could, sir,’ and was turning over in his mind various + forms of eulogium, with the view of selecting one appropriate to the + qualities of his best bed, when his ideas were put to flight by Mr Chester + giving Barnaby the letter, and bidding him make all speed away. + </p> + <p> + ‘Speed!’ said Barnaby, folding the little packet in his breast, ‘Speed! If + you want to see hurry and mystery, come here. Here!’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he put his hand, very much to John Willet’s horror, on the + guest’s fine broadcloth sleeve, and led him stealthily to the back window. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look down there,’ he said softly; ‘do you mark how they whisper in each + other’s ears; then dance and leap, to make believe they are in sport? Do + you see how they stop for a moment, when they think there is no one + looking, and mutter among themselves again; and then how they roll and + gambol, delighted with the mischief they’ve been plotting? Look at ‘em + now. See how they whirl and plunge. And now they stop again, and whisper, + cautiously together—little thinking, mind, how often I have lain + upon the grass and watched them. I say what is it that they plot and + hatch? Do you know?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are only clothes,’ returned the guest, ‘such as we wear; hanging on + those lines to dry, and fluttering in the wind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Clothes!’ echoed Barnaby, looking close into his face, and falling + quickly back. ‘Ha ha! Why, how much better to be silly, than as wise as + you! You don’t see shadowy people there, like those that live in sleep—not + you. Nor eyes in the knotted panes of glass, nor swift ghosts when it + blows hard, nor do you hear voices in the air, nor see men stalking in the + sky—not you! I lead a merrier life than you, with all your + cleverness. You’re the dull men. We’re the bright ones. Ha! ha! I’ll not + change with you, clever as you are,—not I!’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he waved his hat above his head, and darted off. + </p> + <p> + ‘A strange creature, upon my word!’ said the guest, pulling out a handsome + box, and taking a pinch of snuff. + </p> + <p> + ‘He wants imagination,’ said Mr Willet, very slowly, and after a long + silence; ‘that’s what he wants. I’ve tried to instil it into him, many and + many’s the time; but’—John added this in confidence—‘he an’t + made for it; that’s the fact.’ + </p> + <p> + To record that Mr Chester smiled at John’s remark would be little to the + purpose, for he preserved the same conciliatory and pleasant look at all + times. He drew his chair nearer to the fire though, as a kind of hint that + he would prefer to be alone, and John, having no reasonable excuse for + remaining, left him to himself. + </p> + <p> + Very thoughtful old John Willet was, while the dinner was preparing; and + if his brain were ever less clear at one time than another, it is but + reasonable to suppose that he addled it in no slight degree by shaking his + head so much that day. That Mr Chester, between whom and Mr Haredale, it + was notorious to all the neighbourhood, a deep and bitter animosity + existed, should come down there for the sole purpose, as it seemed, of + seeing him, and should choose the Maypole for their place of meeting, and + should send to him express, were stumbling blocks John could not overcome. + The only resource he had, was to consult the boiler, and wait impatiently + for Barnaby’s return. + </p> + <p> + But Barnaby delayed beyond all precedent. The visitor’s dinner was served, + removed, his wine was set, the fire replenished, the hearth clean swept; + the light waned without, it grew dusk, became quite dark, and still no + Barnaby appeared. Yet, though John Willet was full of wonder and + misgiving, his guest sat cross-legged in the easy-chair, to all appearance + as little ruffled in his thoughts as in his dress—the same calm, + easy, cool gentleman, without a care or thought beyond his golden + toothpick. + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby’s late,’ John ventured to observe, as he placed a pair of + tarnished candlesticks, some three feet high, upon the table, and snuffed + the lights they held. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is rather so,’ replied the guest, sipping his wine. ‘He will not be + much longer, I dare say.’ + </p> + <p> + John coughed and raked the fire together. + </p> + <p> + ‘As your roads bear no very good character, if I may judge from my son’s + mishap, though,’ said Mr Chester, ‘and as I have no fancy to be knocked on + the head—which is not only disconcerting at the moment, but places + one, besides, in a ridiculous position with respect to the people who + chance to pick one up—I shall stop here to-night. I think you said + you had a bed to spare.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Such a bed, sir,’ returned John Willet; ‘ay, such a bed as few, even of + the gentry’s houses, own. A fixter here, sir. I’ve heard say that bedstead + is nigh two hundred years of age. Your noble son—a fine young + gentleman—slept in it last, sir, half a year ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Upon my life, a recommendation!’ said the guest, shrugging his shoulders + and wheeling his chair nearer to the fire. ‘See that it be well aired, Mr + Willet, and let a blazing fire be lighted there at once. This house is + something damp and chilly.’ + </p> + <p> + John raked the faggots up again, more from habit than presence of mind, or + any reference to this remark, and was about to withdraw, when a bounding + step was heard upon the stair, and Barnaby came panting in. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’ll have his foot in the stirrup in an hour’s time,’ he cried, + advancing. ‘He has been riding hard all day—has just come home—but + will be in the saddle again as soon as he has eat and drank, to meet his + loving friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was that his message?’ asked the visitor, looking up, but without the + smallest discomposure—or at least without the show of any. + </p> + <p> + ‘All but the last words,’ Barnaby rejoined. ‘He meant those. I saw that, + in his face.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This for your pains,’ said the other, putting money in his hand, and + glancing at him steadfastly.‘This for your pains, sharp Barnaby.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For Grip, and me, and Hugh, to share among us,’ he rejoined, putting it + up, and nodding, as he counted it on his fingers. ‘Grip one, me two, Hugh + three; the dog, the goat, the cats—well, we shall spend it pretty + soon, I warn you. Stay.—Look. Do you wise men see nothing there, + now?’ + </p> + <p> + He bent eagerly down on one knee, and gazed intently at the smoke, which + was rolling up the chimney in a thick black cloud. John Willet, who + appeared to consider himself particularly and chiefly referred to under + the term wise men, looked that way likewise, and with great solidity of + feature. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, where do they go to, when they spring so fast up there,’ asked + Barnaby; ‘eh? Why do they tread so closely on each other’s heels, and why + are they always in a hurry—which is what you blame me for, when I + only take pattern by these busy folk about me? More of ‘em! catching to + each other’s skirts; and as fast as they go, others come! What a merry + dance it is! I would that Grip and I could frisk like that!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What has he in that basket at his back?’ asked the guest after a few + moments, during which Barnaby was still bending down to look higher up the + chimney, and earnestly watching the smoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘In this?’ he answered, jumping up, before John Willet could reply—shaking + it as he spoke, and stooping his head to listen. ‘In this! What is there + here? Tell him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A devil, a devil, a devil!’ cried a hoarse voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here’s money!’ said Barnaby, chinking it in his hand, ‘money for a treat, + Grip!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!’ replied the raven, ‘keep up your spirits. Never + say die. Bow, wow, wow!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet, who appeared to entertain strong doubts whether a customer in a + laced coat and fine linen could be supposed to have any acquaintance even + with the existence of such unpolite gentry as the bird claimed to belong + to, took Barnaby off at this juncture, with the view of preventing any + other improper declarations, and quitted the room with his very best bow. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 11 + </h2> + <p> + There was great news that night for the regular Maypole customers, to each + of whom, as he straggled in to occupy his allotted seat in the + chimney-corner, John, with a most impressive slowness of delivery, and in + an apoplectic whisper, communicated the fact that Mr Chester was alone in + the large room upstairs, and was waiting the arrival of Mr Geoffrey + Haredale, to whom he had sent a letter (doubtless of a threatening nature) + by the hands of Barnaby, then and there present. + </p> + <p> + For a little knot of smokers and solemn gossips, who had seldom any new + topics of discussion, this was a perfect Godsend. Here was a good, + dark-looking mystery progressing under that very roof—brought home + to the fireside, as it were, and enjoyable without the smallest pains or + trouble. It is extraordinary what a zest and relish it gave to the drink, + and how it heightened the flavour of the tobacco. Every man smoked his + pipe with a face of grave and serious delight, and looked at his neighbour + with a sort of quiet congratulation. Nay, it was felt to be such a holiday + and special night, that, on the motion of little Solomon Daisy, every man + (including John himself) put down his sixpence for a can of flip, which + grateful beverage was brewed with all despatch, and set down in the midst + of them on the brick floor; both that it might simmer and stew before the + fire, and that its fragrant steam, rising up among them, and mixing with + the wreaths of vapour from their pipes, might shroud them in a delicious + atmosphere of their own, and shut out all the world. The very furniture of + the room seemed to mellow and deepen in its tone; the ceiling and walls + looked blacker and more highly polished, the curtains of a ruddier red; + the fire burnt clear and high, and the crickets in the hearthstone chirped + with a more than wonted satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + There were present two, however, who showed but little interest in the + general contentment. Of these, one was Barnaby himself, who slept, or, to + avoid being beset with questions, feigned to sleep, in the chimney-corner; + the other, Hugh, who, sleeping too, lay stretched upon the bench on the + opposite side, in the full glare of the blazing fire. + </p> + <p> + The light that fell upon this slumbering form, showed it in all its + muscular and handsome proportions. It was that of a young man, of a hale + athletic figure, and a giant’s strength, whose sunburnt face and swarthy + throat, overgrown with jet black hair, might have served a painter for a + model. Loosely attired, in the coarsest and roughest garb, with scraps of + straw and hay—his usual bed—clinging here and there, and + mingling with his uncombed locks, he had fallen asleep in a posture as + careless as his dress. The negligence and disorder of the whole man, with + something fierce and sullen in his features, gave him a picturesque + appearance, that attracted the regards even of the Maypole customers who + knew him well, and caused Long Parkes to say that Hugh looked more like a + poaching rascal to-night than ever he had seen him yet. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s waiting here, I suppose,’ said Solomon, ‘to take Mr Haredale’s + horse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s it, sir,’ replied John Willet. ‘He’s not often in the house, you + know. He’s more at his ease among horses than men. I look upon him as a + animal himself.’ + </p> + <p> + Following up this opinion with a shrug that seemed meant to say, ‘we can’t + expect everybody to be like us,’ John put his pipe into his mouth again, + and smoked like one who felt his superiority over the general run of + mankind. + </p> + <p> + ‘That chap, sir,’ said John, taking it out again after a time, and + pointing at him with the stem, ‘though he’s got all his faculties about + him—bottled up and corked down, if I may say so, somewheres or + another—’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0065m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0065m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0065.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘Very good!’ said Parkes, nodding his head. ‘A very good expression, + Johnny. You’ll be a tackling somebody presently. You’re in twig to-night, + I see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take care,’ said Mr Willet, not at all grateful for the compliment, ‘that + I don’t tackle you, sir, which I shall certainly endeavour to do, if you + interrupt me when I’m making observations.—That chap, I was a + saying, though he has all his faculties about him, somewheres or another, + bottled up and corked down, has no more imagination than Barnaby has. And + why hasn’t he?’ + </p> + <p> + The three friends shook their heads at each other; saying by that action, + without the trouble of opening their lips, ‘Do you observe what a + philosophical mind our friend has?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why hasn’t he?’ said John, gently striking the table with his open hand. + ‘Because they was never drawed out of him when he was a boy. That’s why. + What would any of us have been, if our fathers hadn’t drawed our faculties + out of us? What would my boy Joe have been, if I hadn’t drawed his + faculties out of him?—Do you mind what I’m a saying of, gentlemen?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! we mind you,’ cried Parkes. ‘Go on improving of us, Johnny.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Consequently, then,’ said Mr Willet, ‘that chap, whose mother was hung + when he was a little boy, along with six others, for passing bad notes—and + it’s a blessed thing to think how many people are hung in batches every + six weeks for that, and such like offences, as showing how wide awake our + government is—that chap that was then turned loose, and had to mind + cows, and frighten birds away, and what not, for a few pence to live on, + and so got on by degrees to mind horses, and to sleep in course of time in + lofts and litter, instead of under haystacks and hedges, till at last he + come to be hostler at the Maypole for his board and lodging and a annual + trifle—that chap that can’t read nor write, and has never had much + to do with anything but animals, and has never lived in any way but like + the animals he has lived among, IS a animal. And,’ said Mr Willet, + arriving at his logical conclusion, ‘is to be treated accordingly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willet,’ said Solomon Daisy, who had exhibited some impatience at the + intrusion of so unworthy a subject on their more interesting theme, ‘when + Mr Chester come this morning, did he order the large room?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He signified, sir,’ said John, ‘that he wanted a large apartment. Yes. + Certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why then, I’ll tell you what,’ said Solomon, speaking softly and with an + earnest look. ‘He and Mr Haredale are going to fight a duel in it.’ + </p> + <p> + Everybody looked at Mr Willet, after this alarming suggestion. Mr Willet + looked at the fire, weighing in his own mind the effect which such an + occurrence would be likely to have on the establishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said John, ‘I don’t know—I am sure—I remember that + when I went up last, he HAD put the lights upon the mantel-shelf.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s as plain,’ returned Solomon, ‘as the nose on Parkes’s face’—Mr + Parkes, who had a large nose, rubbed it, and looked as if he considered + this a personal allusion—‘they’ll fight in that room. You know by + the newspapers what a common thing it is for gentlemen to fight in + coffee-houses without seconds. One of ‘em will be wounded or perhaps + killed in this house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That was a challenge that Barnaby took then, eh?’ said John. + </p> + <p> + ‘—Inclosing a slip of paper with the measure of his sword upon it, + I’ll bet a guinea,’ answered the little man. ‘We know what sort of + gentleman Mr Haredale is. You have told us what Barnaby said about his + looks, when he came back. Depend upon it, I’m right. Now, mind.’ + </p> + <p> + The flip had had no flavour till now. The tobacco had been of mere English + growth, compared with its present taste. A duel in that great old rambling + room upstairs, and the best bed ordered already for the wounded man! + </p> + <p> + ‘Would it be swords or pistols, now?’ said John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven knows. Perhaps both,’ returned Solomon. ‘The gentlemen wear + swords, and may easily have pistols in their pockets—most likely + have, indeed. If they fire at each other without effect, then they’ll + draw, and go to work in earnest.’ + </p> + <p> + A shade passed over Mr Willet’s face as he thought of broken windows and + disabled furniture, but bethinking himself that one of the parties would + probably be left alive to pay the damage, he brightened up again. + </p> + <p> + ‘And then,’ said Solomon, looking from face to face, ‘then we shall have + one of those stains upon the floor that never come out. If Mr Haredale + wins, depend upon it, it’ll be a deep one; or if he loses, it will perhaps + be deeper still, for he’ll never give in unless he’s beaten down. We know + him better, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better indeed!’ they whispered all together. + </p> + <p> + ‘As to its ever being got out again,’ said Solomon, ‘I tell you it never + will, or can be. Why, do you know that it has been tried, at a certain + house we are acquainted with?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Warren!’ cried John. ‘No, sure!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sure—yes. It’s only known by very few. It has been whispered + about though, for all that. They planed the board away, but there it was. + They went deep, but it went deeper. They put new boards down, but there + was one great spot that came through still, and showed itself in the old + place. And—harkye—draw nearer—Mr Geoffrey made that room + his study, and sits there, always, with his foot (as I have heard) upon + it; and he believes, through thinking of it long and very much, that it + will never fade until he finds the man who did the deed.’ + </p> + <p> + As this recital ended, and they all drew closer round the fire, the tramp + of a horse was heard without. + </p> + <p> + ‘The very man!’ cried John, starting up. ‘Hugh! Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + The sleeper staggered to his feet, and hurried after him. John quickly + returned, ushering in with great attention and deference (for Mr Haredale + was his landlord) the long-expected visitor, who strode into the room + clanking his heavy boots upon the floor; and looking keenly round upon the + bowing group, raised his hat in acknowledgment of their profound respect. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have a stranger here, Willet, who sent to me,’ he said, in a voice + which sounded naturally stern and deep. ‘Where is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the great room upstairs, sir,’ answered John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Show the way. Your staircase is dark, I know. Gentlemen, good night.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he signed to the landlord to go on before; and went clanking + out, and up the stairs; old John, in his agitation, ingeniously lighting + everything but the way, and making a stumble at every second step. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ he said, when they reached the landing. ‘I can announce myself. + Don’t wait.’ + </p> + <p> + He laid his hand upon the door, entered, and shut it heavily. Mr Willet + was by no means disposed to stand there listening by himself, especially + as the walls were very thick; so descended, with much greater alacrity + than he had come up, and joined his friends below. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 12 + </h2> + <p> + There was a brief pause in the state-room of the Maypole, as Mr Haredale + tried the lock to satisfy himself that he had shut the door securely, and, + striding up the dark chamber to where the screen inclosed a little patch + of light and warmth, presented himself, abruptly and in silence, before + the smiling guest. + </p> + <p> + If the two had no greater sympathy in their inward thoughts than in their + outward bearing and appearance, the meeting did not seem likely to prove a + very calm or pleasant one. With no great disparity between them in point + of years, they were, in every other respect, as unlike and far removed + from each other as two men could well be. The one was soft-spoken, + delicately made, precise, and elegant; the other, a burly square-built + man, negligently dressed, rough and abrupt in manner, stern, and, in his + present mood, forbidding both in look and speech. The one preserved a calm + and placid smile; the other, a distrustful frown. The new-comer, indeed, + appeared bent on showing by his every tone and gesture his determined + opposition and hostility to the man he had come to meet. The guest who + received him, on the other hand, seemed to feel that the contrast between + them was all in his favour, and to derive a quiet exultation from it which + put him more at his ease than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘Haredale,’ said this gentleman, without the least appearance of + embarrassment or reserve, ‘I am very glad to see you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let us dispense with compliments. They are misplaced between us,’ + returned the other, waving his hand, ‘and say plainly what we have to say. + You have asked me to meet you. I am here. Why do we stand face to face + again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Still the same frank and sturdy character, I see!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good or bad, sir, I am,’ returned the other, leaning his arm upon the + chimney-piece, and turning a haughty look upon the occupant of the + easy-chair, ‘the man I used to be. I have lost no old likings or + dislikings; my memory has not failed me by a hair’s-breadth. You ask me to + give you a meeting. I say, I am here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our meeting, Haredale,’ said Mr Chester, tapping his snuff-box, and + following with a smile the impatient gesture he had made—perhaps + unconsciously—towards his sword, ‘is one of conference and peace, I + hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have come here,’ returned the other, ‘at your desire, holding myself + bound to meet you, when and where you would. I have not come to bandy + pleasant speeches, or hollow professions. You are a smooth man of the + world, sir, and at such play have me at a disadvantage. The very last man + on this earth with whom I would enter the lists to combat with gentle + compliments and masked faces, is Mr Chester, I do assure you. I am not his + match at such weapons, and have reason to believe that few men are.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do me a great deal of honour Haredale,’ returned the other, most + composedly, ‘and I thank you. I will be frank with you—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I beg your pardon—will be what?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Frank—open—perfectly candid.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hah!’ cried Mr Haredale, drawing his breath. ‘But don’t let me interrupt + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So resolved am I to hold this course,’ returned the other, tasting his + wine with great deliberation; ‘that I have determined not to quarrel with + you, and not to be betrayed into a warm expression or a hasty word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There again,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘you have me at a great advantage. Your + self-command—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is not to be disturbed, when it will serve my purpose, you would say’—rejoined + the other, interrupting him with the same complacency. ‘Granted. I allow + it. And I have a purpose to serve now. So have you. I am sure our object + is the same. Let us attain it like sensible men, who have ceased to be + boys some time.—Do you drink?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With my friends,’ returned the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘At least,’ said Mr Chester, ‘you will be seated?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will stand,’ returned Mr Haredale impatiently, ‘on this dismantled, + beggared hearth, and not pollute it, fallen as it is, with mockeries. Go + on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are wrong, Haredale,’ said the other, crossing his legs, and smiling + as he held his glass up in the bright glow of the fire. ‘You are really + very wrong. The world is a lively place enough, in which we must + accommodate ourselves to circumstances, sail with the stream as glibly as + we can, be content to take froth for substance, the surface for the depth, + the counterfeit for the real coin. I wonder no philosopher has ever + established that our globe itself is hollow. It should be, if Nature is + consistent in her works.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘YOU think it is, perhaps?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should say,’ he returned, sipping his wine, ‘there could be no doubt + about it. Well; we, in trifling with this jingling toy, have had the + ill-luck to jostle and fall out. We are not what the world calls friends; + but we are as good and true and loving friends for all that, as nine out + of every ten of those on whom it bestows the title. You have a niece, and + I a son—a fine lad, Haredale, but foolish. They fall in love with + each other, and form what this same world calls an attachment; meaning a + something fanciful and false like the rest, which, if it took its own free + time, would break like any other bubble. But it may not have its own free + time—will not, if they are left alone—and the question is, + shall we two, because society calls us enemies, stand aloof, and let them + rush into each other’s arms, when, by approaching each other sensibly, as + we do now, we can prevent it, and part them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I love my niece,’ said Mr Haredale, after a short silence. ‘It may sound + strangely in your ears; but I love her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Strangely, my good fellow!’ cried Mr Chester, lazily filling his glass + again, and pulling out his toothpick. ‘Not at all. I like Ned too—or, + as you say, love him—that’s the word among such near relations. I’m + very fond of Ned. He’s an amazingly good fellow, and a handsome fellow—foolish + and weak as yet; that’s all. But the thing is, Haredale—for I’ll be + very frank, as I told you I would at first—independently of any + dislike that you and I might have to being related to each other, and + independently of the religious differences between us—and damn it, + that’s important—I couldn’t afford a match of this description. Ned + and I couldn’t do it. It’s impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Curb your tongue, in God’s name, if this conversation is to last,’ + retorted Mr Haredale fiercely. ‘I have said I love my niece. Do you think + that, loving her, I would have her fling her heart away on any man who had + your blood in his veins?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You see,’ said the other, not at all disturbed, ‘the advantage of being + so frank and open. Just what I was about to add, upon my honour! I am + amazingly attached to Ned—quite doat upon him, indeed—and even + if we could afford to throw ourselves away, that very objection would be + quite insuperable.—I wish you’d take some wine?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mark me,’ said Mr Haredale, striding to the table, and laying his hand + upon it heavily. ‘If any man believes—presumes to think—that + I, in word or deed, or in the wildest dream, ever entertained remotely the + idea of Emma Haredale’s favouring the suit of any one who was akin to you—in + any way—I care not what—he lies. He lies, and does me grievous + wrong, in the mere thought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Haredale,’ returned the other, rocking himself to and fro as in assent, + and nodding at the fire, ‘it’s extremely manly, and really very generous + in you, to meet me in this unreserved and handsome way. Upon my word, + those are exactly my sentiments, only expressed with much more force and + power than I could use—you know my sluggish nature, and will forgive + me, I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘While I would restrain her from all correspondence with your son, and + sever their intercourse here, though it should cause her death,’ said Mr + Haredale, who had been pacing to and fro, ‘I would do it kindly and + tenderly if I can. I have a trust to discharge, which my nature is not + formed to understand, and, for this reason, the bare fact of there being + any love between them comes upon me to-night, almost for the first time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am more delighted than I can possibly tell you,’ rejoined Mr Chester + with the utmost blandness, ‘to find my own impression so confirmed. You + see the advantage of our having met. We understand each other. We quite + agree. We have a most complete and thorough explanation, and we know what + course to take.—Why don’t you taste your tenant’s wine? It’s really + very good.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray who,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘have aided Emma, or your son? Who are their + go-betweens, and agents—do you know?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All the good people hereabouts—the neighbourhood in general, I + think,’ returned the other, with his most affable smile. ‘The messenger I + sent to you to-day, foremost among them all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The idiot? Barnaby?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are surprised? I am glad of that, for I was rather so myself. Yes. I + wrung that from his mother—a very decent sort of woman—from + whom, indeed, I chiefly learnt how serious the matter had become, and so + determined to ride out here to-day, and hold a parley with you on this + neutral ground.—You’re stouter than you used to be, Haredale, but + you look extremely well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our business, I presume, is nearly at an end,’ said Mr Haredale, with an + expression of impatience he was at no pains to conceal. ‘Trust me, Mr + Chester, my niece shall change from this time. I will appeal,’ he added in + a lower tone, ‘to her woman’s heart, her dignity, her pride, her duty—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall do the same by Ned,’ said Mr Chester, restoring some errant + faggots to their places in the grate with the toe of his boot. ‘If there + is anything real in this world, it is those amazingly fine feelings and + those natural obligations which must subsist between father and son. I + shall put it to him on every ground of moral and religious feeling. I + shall represent to him that we cannot possibly afford it—that I have + always looked forward to his marrying well, for a genteel provision for + myself in the autumn of life—that there are a great many clamorous + dogs to pay, whose claims are perfectly just and right, and who must be + paid out of his wife’s fortune. In short, that the very highest and most + honourable feelings of our nature, with every consideration of filial duty + and affection, and all that sort of thing, imperatively demand that he + should run away with an heiress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And break her heart as speedily as possible?’ said Mr Haredale, drawing + on his glove. + </p> + <p> + ‘There Ned will act exactly as he pleases,’ returned the other, sipping + his wine; ‘that’s entirely his affair. I wouldn’t for the world interfere + with my son, Haredale, beyond a certain point. The relationship between + father and son, you know, is positively quite a holy kind of bond.—WON’T + you let me persuade you to take one glass of wine? Well! as you please, as + you please,’ he added, helping himself again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Chester,’ said Mr Haredale, after a short silence, during which he had + eyed his smiling face from time to time intently, ‘you have the head and + heart of an evil spirit in all matters of deception.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your health!’ said the other, with a nod. ‘But I have interrupted you—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If now,’ pursued Mr Haredale, ‘we should find it difficult to separate + these young people, and break off their intercourse—if, for + instance, you find it difficult on your side, what course do you intend to + take?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing plainer, my good fellow, nothing easier,’ returned the other, + shrugging his shoulders and stretching himself more comfortably before the + fire. ‘I shall then exert those powers on which you flatter me so highly—though, + upon my word, I don’t deserve your compliments to their full extent—and + resort to a few little trivial subterfuges for rousing jealousy and + resentment. You see?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In short, justifying the means by the end, we are, as a last resource for + tearing them asunder, to resort to treachery and—and lying,’ said Mr + Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear no. Fie, fie!’ returned the other, relishing a pinch of snuff + extremely. ‘Not lying. Only a little management, a little diplomacy, a + little—intriguing, that’s the word.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish,’ said Mr Haredale, moving to and fro, and stopping, and moving on + again, like one who was ill at ease, ‘that this could have been foreseen + or prevented. But as it has gone so far, and it is necessary for us to + act, it is of no use shrinking or regretting. Well! I shall second your + endeavours to the utmost of my power. There is one topic in the whole wide + range of human thoughts on which we both agree. We shall act in concert, + but apart. There will be no need, I hope, for us to meet again.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you going?’ said Mr Chester, rising with a graceful indolence. ‘Let + me light you down the stairs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray keep your seat,’ returned the other drily, ‘I know the way.’ So, + waving his hand slightly, and putting on his hat as he turned upon his + heel, he went clanking out as he had come, shut the door behind him, and + tramped down the echoing stairs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pah! A very coarse animal, indeed!’ said Mr Chester, composing himself in + the easy-chair again. ‘A rough brute. Quite a human badger!’ + </p> + <p> + John Willet and his friends, who had been listening intently for the clash + of swords, or firing of pistols in the great room, and had indeed settled + the order in which they should rush in when summoned—in which + procession old John had carefully arranged that he should bring up the + rear—were very much astonished to see Mr Haredale come down without + a scratch, call for his horse, and ride away thoughtfully at a footpace. + After some consideration, it was decided that he had left the gentleman + above, for dead, and had adopted this stratagem to divert suspicion or + pursuit. + </p> + <p> + As this conclusion involved the necessity of their going upstairs + forthwith, they were about to ascend in the order they had agreed upon, + when a smart ringing at the guest’s bell, as if he had pulled it + vigorously, overthrew all their speculations, and involved them in great + uncertainty and doubt. At length Mr Willet agreed to go upstairs himself, + escorted by Hugh and Barnaby, as the strongest and stoutest fellows on the + premises, who were to make their appearance under pretence of clearing + away the glasses. + </p> + <p> + Under this protection, the brave and broad-faced John boldly entered the + room, half a foot in advance, and received an order for a boot-jack + without trembling. But when it was brought, and he leant his sturdy + shoulder to the guest, Mr Willet was observed to look very hard into his + boots as he pulled them off, and, by opening his eyes much wider than + usual, to appear to express some surprise and disappointment at not + finding them full of blood. He took occasion, too, to examine the + gentleman as closely as he could, expecting to discover sundry loopholes + in his person, pierced by his adversary’s sword. Finding none, however, + and observing in course of time that his guest was as cool and unruffled, + both in his dress and temper, as he had been all day, old John at last + heaved a deep sigh, and began to think no duel had been fought that night. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, Willet,’ said Mr Chester, ‘if the room’s well aired, I’ll try + the merits of that famous bed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The room, sir,’ returned John, taking up a candle, and nudging Barnaby + and Hugh to accompany them, in case the gentleman should unexpectedly drop + down faint or dead from some internal wound, ‘the room’s as warm as any + toast in a tankard. Barnaby, take you that other candle, and go on before. + Hugh! Follow up, sir, with the easy-chair.’ + </p> + <p> + In this order—and still, in his earnest inspection, holding his + candle very close to the guest; now making him feel extremely warm about + the legs, now threatening to set his wig on fire, and constantly begging + his pardon with great awkwardness and embarrassment—John led the + party to the best bedroom, which was nearly as large as the chamber from + which they had come, and held, drawn out near the fire for warmth, a great + old spectral bedstead, hung with faded brocade, and ornamented, at the top + of each carved post, with a plume of feathers that had once been white, + but with dust and age had now grown hearse-like and funereal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, my friends,’ said Mr Chester with a sweet smile, seating + himself, when he had surveyed the room from end to end, in the easy-chair + which his attendants wheeled before the fire. ‘Good night! Barnaby, my + good fellow, you say some prayers before you go to bed, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby nodded. ‘He has some nonsense that he calls his prayers, sir,’ + returned old John, officiously. ‘I’m afraid there an’t much good in em.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And Hugh?’ said Mr Chester, turning to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I,’ he answered. ‘I know his’—pointing to Barnaby—‘they’re + well enough. He sings ‘em sometimes in the straw. I listen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s quite a animal, sir,’ John whispered in his ear with dignity. + ‘You’ll excuse him, I’m sure. If he has any soul at all, sir, it must be + such a very small one, that it don’t signify what he does or doesn’t in + that way. Good night, sir!’ + </p> + <p> + The guest rejoined ‘God bless you!’ with a fervour that was quite + affecting; and John, beckoning his guards to go before, bowed himself out + of the room, and left him to his rest in the Maypole’s ancient bed. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0070m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0070m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0070.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0071m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0071m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0071.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <h2> + Chapter 13 + </h2> + <p> + If Joseph Willet, the denounced and proscribed of ‘prentices, had happened + to be at home when his father’s courtly guest presented himself before the + Maypole door—that is, if it had not perversely chanced to be one of + the half-dozen days in the whole year on which he was at liberty to absent + himself for as many hours without question or reproach—he would have + contrived, by hook or crook, to dive to the very bottom of Mr Chester’s + mystery, and to come at his purpose with as much certainty as though he + had been his confidential adviser. In that fortunate case, the lovers + would have had quick warning of the ills that threatened them, and the aid + of various timely and wise suggestions to boot; for all Joe’s readiness of + thought and action, and all his sympathies and good wishes, were enlisted + in favour of the young people, and were staunch in devotion to their + cause. Whether this disposition arose out of his old prepossessions in + favour of the young lady, whose history had surrounded her in his mind, + almost from his cradle, with circumstances of unusual interest; or from + his attachment towards the young gentleman, into whose confidence he had, + through his shrewdness and alacrity, and the rendering of sundry important + services as a spy and messenger, almost imperceptibly glided; whether they + had their origin in either of these sources, or in the habit natural to + youth, or in the constant badgering and worrying of his venerable parent, + or in any hidden little love affair of his own which gave him something of + a fellow-feeling in the matter, it is needless to inquire—especially + as Joe was out of the way, and had no opportunity on that particular + occasion of testifying to his sentiments either on one side or the other. + </p> + <p> + It was, in fact, the twenty-fifth of March, which, as most people know to + their cost, is, and has been time out of mind, one of those unpleasant + epochs termed quarter-days. On this twenty-fifth of March, it was John + Willet’s pride annually to settle, in hard cash, his account with a + certain vintner and distiller in the city of London; to give into whose + hands a canvas bag containing its exact amount, and not a penny more or + less, was the end and object of a journey for Joe, so surely as the year + and day came round. + </p> + <p> + This journey was performed upon an old grey mare, concerning whom John had + an indistinct set of ideas hovering about him, to the effect that she + could win a plate or cup if she tried. She never had tried, and probably + never would now, being some fourteen or fifteen years of age, short in + wind, long in body, and rather the worse for wear in respect of her mane + and tail. Notwithstanding these slight defects, John perfectly gloried in + the animal; and when she was brought round to the door by Hugh, actually + retired into the bar, and there, in a secret grove of lemons, laughed with + pride. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s a bit of horseflesh, Hugh!’ said John, when he had recovered + enough self-command to appear at the door again. ‘There’s a comely + creature! There’s high mettle! There’s bone!’ + </p> + <p> + There was bone enough beyond all doubt; and so Hugh seemed to think, as he + sat sideways in the saddle, lazily doubled up with his chin nearly + touching his knees; and heedless of the dangling stirrups and loose + bridle-rein, sauntered up and down on the little green before the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mind you take good care of her, sir,’ said John, appealing from this + insensible person to his son and heir, who now appeared, fully equipped + and ready. ‘Don’t you ride hard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should be puzzled to do that, I think, father,’ Joe replied, casting a + disconsolate look at the animal. + </p> + <p> + ‘None of your impudence, sir, if you please,’ retorted old John. ‘What + would you ride, sir? A wild ass or zebra would be too tame for you, + wouldn’t he, eh sir? You’d like to ride a roaring lion, wouldn’t you, sir, + eh sir? Hold your tongue, sir.’ When Mr Willet, in his differences with + his son, had exhausted all the questions that occurred to him, and Joe had + said nothing at all in answer, he generally wound up by bidding him hold + his tongue. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what does the boy mean,’ added Mr Willet, after he had stared at him + for a little time, in a species of stupefaction, ‘by cocking his hat, to + such an extent! Are you going to kill the wintner, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Joe, tartly; ‘I’m not. Now your mind’s at ease, father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘With a milintary air, too!’ said Mr Willet, surveying him from top to + toe; ‘with a swaggering, fire-eating, biling-water drinking sort of way + with him! And what do you mean by pulling up the crocuses and snowdrops, + eh sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s only a little nosegay,’ said Joe, reddening. ‘There’s no harm in + that, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re a boy of business, you are, sir!’ said Mr Willet, disdainfully, + ‘to go supposing that wintners care for nosegays.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t suppose anything of the kind,’ returned Joe. ‘Let them keep their + red noses for bottles and tankards. These are going to Mr Varden’s house.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And do you suppose HE minds such things as crocuses?’ demanded John. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know, and to say the truth, I don’t care,’ said Joe. ‘Come, + father, give me the money, and in the name of patience let me go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There it is, sir,’ replied John; ‘and take care of it; and mind you don’t + make too much haste back, but give the mare a long rest.—Do you + mind?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, I mind,’ returned Joe. ‘She’ll need it, Heaven knows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And don’t you score up too much at the Black Lion,’ said John. ‘Mind that + too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why don’t you let me have some money of my own?’ retorted Joe, + sorrowfully; ‘why don’t you, father? What do you send me into London for, + giving me only the right to call for my dinner at the Black Lion, which + you’re to pay for next time you go, as if I was not to be trusted with a + few shillings? Why do you use me like this? It’s not right of you. You + can’t expect me to be quiet under it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him have money!’ cried John, in a drowsy reverie. ‘What does he call + money—guineas? Hasn’t he got money? Over and above the tolls, hasn’t + he one and sixpence?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One and sixpence!’ repeated his son contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir,’ returned John, ‘one and sixpence. When I was your age, I had + never seen so much money, in a heap. A shilling of it is in case of + accidents—the mare casting a shoe, or the like of that. The other + sixpence is to spend in the diversions of London; and the diversion I + recommend is going to the top of the Monument, and sitting there. There’s + no temptation there, sir—no drink—no young women—no bad + characters of any sort—nothing but imagination. That’s the way I + enjoyed myself when I was your age, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + To this, Joe made no answer, but beckoning Hugh, leaped into the saddle + and rode away; and a very stalwart, manly horseman he looked, deserving a + better charger than it was his fortune to bestride. John stood staring + after him, or rather after the grey mare (for he had no eyes for her + rider), until man and beast had been out of sight some twenty minutes, + when he began to think they were gone, and slowly re-entering the house, + fell into a gentle doze. + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate grey mare, who was the agony of Joe’s life, floundered + along at her own will and pleasure until the Maypole was no longer + visible, and then, contracting her legs into what in a puppet would have + been looked upon as a clumsy and awkward imitation of a canter, mended her + pace all at once, and did it of her own accord. The acquaintance with her + rider’s usual mode of proceeding, which suggested this improvement in + hers, impelled her likewise to turn up a bye-way, leading—not to + London, but through lanes running parallel with the road they had come, + and passing within a few hundred yards of the Maypole, which led finally + to an inclosure surrounding a large, old, red-brick mansion—the same + of which mention was made as the Warren in the first chapter of this + history. Coming to a dead stop in a little copse thereabout, she suffered + her rider to dismount with right goodwill, and to tie her to the trunk of + a tree. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay there, old girl,’ said Joe, ‘and let us see whether there’s any + little commission for me to-day.’ So saying, he left her to browze upon + such stunted grass and weeds as happened to grow within the length of her + tether, and passing through a wicket gate, entered the grounds on foot. + </p> + <p> + The pathway, after a very few minutes’ walking, brought him close to the + house, towards which, and especially towards one particular window, he + directed many covert glances. It was a dreary, silent building, with + echoing courtyards, desolated turret-chambers, and whole suites of rooms + shut up and mouldering to ruin. + </p> + <p> + The terrace-garden, dark with the shade of overhanging trees, had an air + of melancholy that was quite oppressive. Great iron gates, disused for + many years, and red with rust, drooping on their hinges and overgrown with + long rank grass, seemed as though they tried to sink into the ground, and + hide their fallen state among the friendly weeds. The fantastic monsters + on the walls, green with age and damp, and covered here and there with + moss, looked grim and desolate. There was a sombre aspect even on that + part of the mansion which was inhabited and kept in good repair, that + struck the beholder with a sense of sadness; of something forlorn and + failing, whence cheerfulness was banished. It would have been difficult to + imagine a bright fire blazing in the dull and darkened rooms, or to + picture any gaiety of heart or revelry that the frowning walls shut in. It + seemed a place where such things had been, but could be no more—the + very ghost of a house, haunting the old spot in its old outward form, and + that was all. + </p> + <p> + Much of this decayed and sombre look was attributable, no doubt, to the + death of its former master, and the temper of its present occupant; but + remembering the tale connected with the mansion, it seemed the very place + for such a deed, and one that might have been its predestined theatre + years upon years ago. Viewed with reference to this legend, the sheet of + water where the steward’s body had been found appeared to wear a black and + sullen character, such as no other pool might own; the bell upon the roof + that had told the tale of murder to the midnight wind, became a very + phantom whose voice would raise the listener’s hair on end; and every + leafless bough that nodded to another, had its stealthy whispering of the + crime. + </p> + <p> + Joe paced up and down the path, sometimes stopping in affected + contemplation of the building or the prospect, sometimes leaning against a + tree with an assumed air of idleness and indifference, but always keeping + an eye upon the window he had singled out at first. After some quarter of + an hour’s delay, a small white hand was waved to him for an instant from + this casement, and the young man, with a respectful bow, departed; saying + under his breath as he crossed his horse again, ‘No errand for me to-day!’ + </p> + <p> + But the air of smartness, the cock of the hat to which John Willet had + objected, and the spring nosegay, all betokened some little errand of his + own, having a more interesting object than a vintner or even a locksmith. + So, indeed, it turned out; for when he had settled with the vintner—whose + place of business was down in some deep cellars hard by Thames Street, and + who was as purple-faced an old gentleman as if he had all his life + supported their arched roof on his head—when he had settled the + account, and taken the receipt, and declined tasting more than three + glasses of old sherry, to the unbounded astonishment of the purple-faced + vintner, who, gimlet in hand, had projected an attack upon at least a + score of dusty casks, and who stood transfixed, or morally gimleted as it + were, to his own wall—when he had done all this, and disposed + besides of a frugal dinner at the Black Lion in Whitechapel; spurning the + Monument and John’s advice, he turned his steps towards the locksmith’s + house, attracted by the eyes of blooming Dolly Varden. + </p> + <p> + Joe was by no means a sheepish fellow, but, for all that, when he got to + the corner of the street in which the locksmith lived, he could by no + means make up his mind to walk straight to the house. First, he resolved + to stroll up another street for five minutes, then up another street for + five minutes more, and so on until he had lost full half an hour, when he + made a bold plunge and found himself with a red face and a beating heart + in the smoky workshop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Joe Willet, or his ghost?’ said Varden, rising from the desk at which he + was busy with his books, and looking at him under his spectacles. ‘Which + is it? Joe in the flesh, eh? That’s hearty. And how are all the Chigwell + company, Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much as usual, sir—they and I agree as well as ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well!’ said the locksmith. ‘We must be patient, Joe, and bear with + old folks’ foibles. How’s the mare, Joe? Does she do the four miles an + hour as easily as ever? Ha, ha, ha! Does she, Joe? Eh!—What have we + there, Joe—a nosegay!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A very poor one, sir—I thought Miss Dolly—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ said Gabriel, dropping his voice, and shaking his head, ‘not + Dolly. Give ‘em to her mother, Joe. A great deal better give ‘em to her + mother. Would you mind giving ‘em to Mrs Varden, Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, sir,’ Joe replied, and endeavouring, but not with the greatest + possible success, to hide his disappointment. ‘I shall be very glad, I’m + sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s right,’ said the locksmith, patting him on the back. ‘It don’t + matter who has ‘em, Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not a bit, sir.’—Dear heart, how the words stuck in his throat! + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ said Gabriel. ‘I have just been called to tea. She’s in the + parlour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She,’ thought Joe. ‘Which of ‘em I wonder—Mrs or Miss?’ The + locksmith settled the doubt as neatly as if it had been expressed aloud, + by leading him to the door, and saying, ‘Martha, my dear, here’s young Mr + Willet.’ + </p> + <p> + Now, Mrs Varden, regarding the Maypole as a sort of human mantrap, or + decoy for husbands; viewing its proprietor, and all who aided and abetted + him, in the light of so many poachers among Christian men; and believing, + moreover, that the publicans coupled with sinners in Holy Writ were + veritable licensed victuallers; was far from being favourably disposed + towards her visitor. Wherefore she was taken faint directly; and being + duly presented with the crocuses and snowdrops, divined on further + consideration that they were the occasion of the languor which had seized + upon her spirits. ‘I’m afraid I couldn’t bear the room another minute,’ + said the good lady, ‘if they remained here. WOULD you excuse my putting + them out of window?’ + </p> + <p> + Joe begged she wouldn’t mention it on any account, and smiled feebly as he + saw them deposited on the sill outside. If anybody could have known the + pains he had taken to make up that despised and misused bunch of flowers!— + </p> + <p> + ‘I feel it quite a relief to get rid of them, I assure you,’ said Mrs + Varden. ‘I’m better already.’ And indeed she did appear to have plucked up + her spirits. + </p> + <p> + Joe expressed his gratitude to Providence for this favourable + dispensation, and tried to look as if he didn’t wonder where Dolly was. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re sad people at Chigwell, Mr Joseph,’ said Mrs V. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope not, ma’am,’ returned Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re the cruellest and most inconsiderate people in the world,’ said + Mrs Varden, bridling. ‘I wonder old Mr Willet, having been a married man + himself, doesn’t know better than to conduct himself as he does. His doing + it for profit is no excuse. I would rather pay the money twenty times + over, and have Varden come home like a respectable and sober tradesman. If + there is one character,’ said Mrs Varden with great emphasis, ‘that + offends and disgusts me more than another, it is a sot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, Martha, my dear,’ said the locksmith cheerily, ‘let us have tea, + and don’t let us talk about sots. There are none here, and Joe don’t want + to hear about them, I dare say.’ + </p> + <p> + At this crisis, Miggs appeared with toast. + </p> + <p> + ‘I dare say he does not,’ said Mrs Varden; ‘and I dare say you do not, + Varden. It’s a very unpleasant subject, I have no doubt, though I won’t + say it’s personal’—Miggs coughed—‘whatever I may be forced to + think’—Miggs sneezed expressively. ‘You never will know, Varden, and + nobody at young Mr Willet’s age—you’ll excuse me, sir—can be + expected to know, what a woman suffers when she is waiting at home under + such circumstances. If you don’t believe me, as I know you don’t, here’s + Miggs, who is only too often a witness of it—ask her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! she were very bad the other night, sir, indeed she were, said Miggs. + ‘If you hadn’t the sweetness of an angel in you, mim, I don’t think you + could abear it, I raly don’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miggs,’ said Mrs Varden, ‘you’re profane.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Begging your pardon, mim,’ returned Miggs, with shrill rapidity, ‘such + was not my intentions, and such I hope is not my character, though I am + but a servant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Answering me, Miggs, and providing yourself,’ retorted her mistress, + looking round with dignity, ‘is one and the same thing. How dare you speak + of angels in connection with your sinful fellow-beings—mere’—said + Mrs Varden, glancing at herself in a neighbouring mirror, and arranging + the ribbon of her cap in a more becoming fashion—‘mere worms and + grovellers as we are!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not intend, mim, if you please, to give offence,’ said Miggs, + confident in the strength of her compliment, and developing strongly in + the throat as usual, ‘and I did not expect it would be took as such. I + hope I know my own unworthiness, and that I hate and despise myself and + all my fellow-creatures as every practicable Christian should.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll have the goodness, if you please,’ said Mrs Varden, loftily, ‘to + step upstairs and see if Dolly has finished dressing, and to tell her that + the chair that was ordered for her will be here in a minute, and that if + she keeps it waiting, I shall send it away that instant.—I’m sorry + to see that you don’t take your tea, Varden, and that you don’t take + yours, Mr Joseph; though of course it would be foolish of me to expect + that anything that can be had at home, and in the company of females, + would please YOU.’ + </p> + <p> + This pronoun was understood in the plural sense, and included both + gentlemen, upon both of whom it was rather hard and undeserved, for + Gabriel had applied himself to the meal with a very promising appetite, + until it was spoilt by Mrs Varden herself, and Joe had as great a liking + for the female society of the locksmith’s house—or for a part of it + at all events—as man could well entertain. + </p> + <p> + But he had no opportunity to say anything in his own defence, for at that + moment Dolly herself appeared, and struck him quite dumb with her beauty. + Never had Dolly looked so handsome as she did then, in all the glow and + grace of youth, with all her charms increased a hundredfold by a most + becoming dress, by a thousand little coquettish ways which nobody could + assume with a better grace, and all the sparkling expectation of that + accursed party. It is impossible to tell how Joe hated that party wherever + it was, and all the other people who were going to it, whoever they were. + </p> + <p> + And she hardly looked at him—no, hardly looked at him. And when the + chair was seen through the open door coming blundering into the workshop, + she actually clapped her hands and seemed glad to go. But Joe gave her his + arm—there was some comfort in that—and handed her into it. To + see her seat herself inside, with her laughing eyes brighter than + diamonds, and her hand—surely she had the prettiest hand in the + world—on the ledge of the open window, and her little finger + provokingly and pertly tilted up, as if it wondered why Joe didn’t squeeze + or kiss it! To think how well one or two of the modest snowdrops would + have become that delicate bodice, and how they were lying neglected + outside the parlour window! To see how Miggs looked on with a face + expressive of knowing how all this loveliness was got up, and of being in + the secret of every string and pin and hook and eye, and of saying it + ain’t half as real as you think, and I could look quite as well myself if + I took the pains! To hear that provoking precious little scream when the + chair was hoisted on its poles, and to catch that transient but + not-to-be-forgotten vision of the happy face within—what torments + and aggravations, and yet what delights were these! The very chairmen + seemed favoured rivals as they bore her down the street. + </p> + <p> + There never was such an alteration in a small room in a small time as in + that parlour when they went back to finish tea. So dark, so deserted, so + perfectly disenchanted. It seemed such sheer nonsense to be sitting tamely + there, when she was at a dance with more lovers than man could calculate + fluttering about her—with the whole party doting on and adoring her, + and wanting to marry her. Miggs was hovering about too; and the fact of + her existence, the mere circumstance of her ever having been born, + appeared, after Dolly, such an unaccountable practical joke. It was + impossible to talk. It couldn’t be done. He had nothing left for it but to + stir his tea round, and round, and round, and ruminate on all the + fascinations of the locksmith’s lovely daughter. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel was dull too. It was a part of the certain uncertainty of Mrs + Varden’s temper, that when they were in this condition, she should be gay + and sprightly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I need have a cheerful disposition, I am sure,’ said the smiling + housewife, ‘to preserve any spirits at all; and how I do it I can scarcely + tell.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, mim,’ sighed Miggs, ‘begging your pardon for the interruption, there + an’t a many like you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take away, Miggs,’ said Mrs Varden, rising, ‘take away, pray. I know I’m + a restraint here, and as I wish everybody to enjoy themselves as they best + can, I feel I had better go.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, Martha,’ cried the locksmith. ‘Stop here. I’m sure we shall be + very sorry to lose you, eh Joe!’ Joe started, and said ‘Certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, Varden, my dear,’ returned his wife; ‘but I know your wishes + better. Tobacco and beer, or spirits, have much greater attractions than + any I can boast of, and therefore I shall go and sit upstairs and look out + of window, my love. Good night, Mr Joseph. I’m very glad to have seen you, + and I only wish I could have provided something more suitable to your + taste. Remember me very kindly if you please to old Mr Willet, and tell + him that whenever he comes here I have a crow to pluck with him. Good + night!’ + </p> + <p> + Having uttered these words with great sweetness of manner, the good lady + dropped a curtsey remarkable for its condescension, and serenely withdrew. + </p> + <p> + And it was for this Joe had looked forward to the twenty-fifth of March + for weeks and weeks, and had gathered the flowers with so much care, and + had cocked his hat, and made himself so smart! This was the end of all his + bold determination, resolved upon for the hundredth time, to speak out to + Dolly and tell her how he loved her! To see her for a minute—for but + a minute—to find her going out to a party and glad to go; to be + looked upon as a common pipe-smoker, beer-bibber, spirit-guzzler, and + tosspot! He bade farewell to his friend the locksmith, and hastened to + take horse at the Black Lion, thinking as he turned towards home, as many + another Joe has thought before and since, that here was an end to all his + hopes—that the thing was impossible and never could be—that + she didn’t care for him—that he was wretched for life—and that + the only congenial prospect left him, was to go for a soldier or a sailor, + and get some obliging enemy to knock his brains out as soon as possible. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 14 + </h2> + <p> + Joe Willet rode leisurely along in his desponding mood, picturing the + locksmith’s daughter going down long country-dances, and poussetting + dreadfully with bold strangers—which was almost too much to bear—when + he heard the tramp of a horse’s feet behind him, and looking back, saw a + well-mounted gentleman advancing at a smart canter. As this rider passed, + he checked his steed, and called him of the Maypole by his name. Joe set + spurs to the grey mare, and was at his side directly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought it was you, sir,’ he said, touching his hat. ‘A fair evening, + sir. Glad to see you out of doors again.’ + </p> + <p> + The gentleman smiled and nodded. ‘What gay doings have been going on + to-day, Joe? Is she as pretty as ever? Nay, don’t blush, man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I coloured at all, Mr Edward,’ said Joe, ‘which I didn’t know I did, + it was to think I should have been such a fool as ever to have any hope of + her. She’s as far out of my reach as—as Heaven is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, Joe, I hope that’s not altogether beyond it,’ said Edward, + good-humouredly. ‘Eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ sighed Joe. ‘It’s all very fine talking, sir. Proverbs are easily + made in cold blood. But it can’t be helped. Are you bound for our house, + sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. As I am not quite strong yet, I shall stay there to-night, and ride + home coolly in the morning.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’re in no particular hurry,’ said Joe after a short silence, ‘and + will bear with the pace of this poor jade, I shall be glad to ride on with + you to the Warren, sir, and hold your horse when you dismount. It’ll save + you having to walk from the Maypole, there and back again. I can spare the + time well, sir, for I am too soon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And so am I,’ returned Edward, ‘though I was unconsciously riding fast + just now, in compliment I suppose to the pace of my thoughts, which were + travelling post. We will keep together, Joe, willingly, and be as good + company as may be. And cheer up, cheer up, think of the locksmith’s + daughter with a stout heart, and you shall win her yet.’ + </p> + <p> + Joe shook his head; but there was something so cheery in the buoyant + hopeful manner of this speech, that his spirits rose under its influence, + and communicated as it would seem some new impulse even to the grey mare, + who, breaking from her sober amble into a gentle trot, emulated the pace + of Edward Chester’s horse, and appeared to flatter herself that he was + doing his very best. + </p> + <p> + It was a fine dry night, and the light of a young moon, which was then + just rising, shed around that peace and tranquillity which gives to + evening time its most delicious charm. The lengthened shadows of the + trees, softened as if reflected in still water, threw their carpet on the + path the travellers pursued, and the light wind stirred yet more softly + than before, as though it were soothing Nature in her sleep. By little and + little they ceased talking, and rode on side by side in a pleasant + silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘The Maypole lights are brilliant to-night,’ said Edward, as they rode + along the lane from which, while the intervening trees were bare of + leaves, that hostelry was visible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brilliant indeed, sir,’ returned Joe, rising in his stirrups to get a + better view. ‘Lights in the large room, and a fire glimmering in the best + bedchamber? Why, what company can this be for, I wonder!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Some benighted horseman wending towards London, and deterred from going + on to-night by the marvellous tales of my friend the highwayman, I + suppose,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘He must be a horseman of good quality to have such accommodations. Your + bed too, sir—!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter, Joe. Any other room will do for me. But come—there’s + nine striking. We may push on.’ + </p> + <p> + They cantered forward at as brisk a pace as Joe’s charger could attain, + and presently stopped in the little copse where he had left her in the + morning. Edward dismounted, gave his bridle to his companion, and walked + with a light step towards the house. + </p> + <p> + A female servant was waiting at a side gate in the garden-wall, and + admitted him without delay. He hurried along the terrace-walk, and darted + up a flight of broad steps leading into an old and gloomy hall, whose + walls were ornamented with rusty suits of armour, antlers, weapons of the + chase, and suchlike garniture. Here he paused, but not long; for as he + looked round, as if expecting the attendant to have followed, and + wondering she had not done so, a lovely girl appeared, whose dark hair + next moment rested on his breast. Almost at the same instant a heavy hand + was laid upon her arm, Edward felt himself thrust away, and Mr Haredale + stood between them. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0077m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0077m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0077.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He regarded the young man sternly without removing his hat; with one hand + clasped his niece, and with the other, in which he held his riding-whip, + motioned him towards the door. The young man drew himself up, and returned + his gaze. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is well done of you, sir, to corrupt my servants, and enter my house + unbidden and in secret, like a thief!’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Leave it, sir, + and return no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Haredale’s presence,’ returned the young man, ‘and your relationship + to her, give you a licence which, if you are a brave man, you will not + abuse. You have compelled me to this course, and the fault is yours—not + mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is neither generous, nor honourable, nor the act of a true man, sir,’ + retorted the other, ‘to tamper with the affections of a weak, trusting + girl, while you shrink, in your unworthiness, from her guardian and + protector, and dare not meet the light of day. More than this I will not + say to you, save that I forbid you this house, and require you to be + gone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is neither generous, nor honourable, nor the act of a true man to play + the spy,’ said Edward. ‘Your words imply dishonour, and I reject them with + the scorn they merit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will find,’ said Mr Haredale, calmly, ‘your trusty go-between in + waiting at the gate by which you entered. I have played no spy’s part, + sir. I chanced to see you pass the gate, and followed. You might have + heard me knocking for admission, had you been less swift of foot, or + lingered in the garden. Please to withdraw. Your presence here is + offensive to me and distressful to my niece.’ As he said these words, he + passed his arm about the waist of the terrified and weeping girl, and drew + her closer to him; and though the habitual severity of his manner was + scarcely changed, there was yet apparent in the action an air of kindness + and sympathy for her distress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Haredale,’ said Edward, ‘your arm encircles her on whom I have set my + every hope and thought, and to purchase one minute’s happiness for whom I + would gladly lay down my life; this house is the casket that holds the + precious jewel of my existence. Your niece has plighted her faith to me, + and I have plighted mine to her. What have I done that you should hold me + in this light esteem, and give me these discourteous words?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done that, sir,’ answered Mr Haredale, ‘which must be undone. + You have tied a lover’s-knot here which must be cut asunder. Take good heed + of what I say. Must. I cancel the bond between ye. I reject you, and all + of your kith and kin—all the false, hollow, heartless stock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘High words, sir,’ said Edward, scornfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Words of purpose and meaning, as you will find,’ replied the other. ‘Lay + them to heart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay you then, these,’ said Edward. ‘Your cold and sullen temper, which + chills every breast about you, which turns affection into fear, and + changes duty into dread, has forced us on this secret course, repugnant to + our nature and our wish, and far more foreign, sir, to us than you. I am + not a false, a hollow, or a heartless man; the character is yours, who + poorly venture on these injurious terms, against the truth, and under the + shelter whereof I reminded you just now. You shall not cancel the bond + between us. I will not abandon this pursuit. I rely upon your niece’s + truth and honour, and set your influence at nought. I leave her with a + confidence in her pure faith, which you will never weaken, and with no + concern but that I do not leave her in some gentler care.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he pressed her cold hand to his lips, and once more + encountering and returning Mr Haredale’s steady look, withdrew. + </p> + <p> + A few words to Joe as he mounted his horse sufficiently explained what had + passed, and renewed all that young gentleman’s despondency with tenfold + aggravation. They rode back to the Maypole without exchanging a syllable, + and arrived at the door with heavy hearts. + </p> + <p> + Old John, who had peeped from behind the red curtain as they rode up + shouting for Hugh, was out directly, and said with great importance as he + held the young man’s stirrup, + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s comfortable in bed—the best bed. A thorough gentleman; the + smilingest, affablest gentleman I ever had to do with.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who, Willet?’ said Edward carelessly, as he dismounted. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your worthy father, sir,’ replied John. ‘Your honourable, venerable + father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What does he mean?’ said Edward, looking with a mixture of alarm and + doubt, at Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘What DO you mean?’ said Joe. ‘Don’t you see Mr Edward doesn’t understand, + father?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, didn’t you know of it, sir?’ said John, opening his eyes wide. ‘How + very singular! Bless you, he’s been here ever since noon to-day, and Mr + Haredale has been having a long talk with him, and hasn’t been gone an + hour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father, Willet!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, he told me so—a handsome, slim, upright gentleman, in + green-and-gold. In your old room up yonder, sir. No doubt you can go in, + sir,’ said John, walking backwards into the road and looking up at the + window. ‘He hasn’t put out his candles yet, I see.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward glanced at the window also, and hastily murmuring that he had + changed his mind—forgotten something—and must return to + London, mounted his horse again and rode away; leaving the Willets, father + and son, looking at each other in mute astonishment. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 15 + </h2> + <p> + At noon next day, John Willet’s guest sat lingering over his breakfast in + his own home, surrounded by a variety of comforts, which left the + Maypole’s highest flight and utmost stretch of accommodation at an + infinite distance behind, and suggested comparisons very much to the + disadvantage and disfavour of that venerable tavern. + </p> + <p> + In the broad old-fashioned window-seat—as capacious as many modern + sofas, and cushioned to serve the purpose of a luxurious settee—in + the broad old-fashioned window-seat of a roomy chamber, Mr Chester + lounged, very much at his ease, over a well-furnished breakfast-table. He + had exchanged his riding-coat for a handsome morning-gown, his boots for + slippers; had been at great pains to atone for the having been obliged to + make his toilet when he rose without the aid of dressing-case and tiring + equipage; and, having gradually forgotten through these means the + discomforts of an indifferent night and an early ride, was in a state of + perfect complacency, indolence, and satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The situation in which he found himself, indeed, was particularly + favourable to the growth of these feelings; for, not to mention the lazy + influence of a late and lonely breakfast, with the additional sedative of + a newspaper, there was an air of repose about his place of residence + peculiar to itself, and which hangs about it, even in these times, when it + is more bustling and busy than it was in days of yore. + </p> + <p> + There are, still, worse places than the Temple, on a sultry day, for + basking in the sun, or resting idly in the shade. There is yet a + drowsiness in its courts, and a dreamy dulness in its trees and gardens; + those who pace its lanes and squares may yet hear the echoes of their + footsteps on the sounding stones, and read upon its gates, in passing from + the tumult of the Strand or Fleet Street, ‘Who enters here leaves noise + behind.’ There is still the plash of falling water in fair Fountain Court, + and there are yet nooks and corners where dun-haunted students may look + down from their dusty garrets, on a vagrant ray of sunlight patching the + shade of the tall houses, and seldom troubled to reflect a passing + stranger’s form. There is yet, in the Temple, something of a clerkly + monkish atmosphere, which public offices of law have not disturbed, and + even legal firms have failed to scare away. In summer time, its pumps + suggest to thirsty idlers, springs cooler, and more sparkling, and deeper + than other wells; and as they trace the spillings of full pitchers on the + heated ground, they snuff the freshness, and, sighing, cast sad looks + towards the Thames, and think of baths and boats, and saunter on, + despondent. + </p> + <p> + It was in a room in Paper Buildings—a row of goodly tenements, + shaded in front by ancient trees, and looking, at the back, upon the + Temple Gardens—that this, our idler, lounged; now taking up again + the paper he had laid down a hundred times; now trifling with the + fragments of his meal; now pulling forth his golden toothpick, and + glancing leisurely about the room, or out at window into the trim garden + walks, where a few early loiterers were already pacing to and fro. Here a + pair of lovers met to quarrel and make up; there a dark-eyed nursery-maid + had better eyes for Templars than her charge; on this hand an ancient + spinster, with her lapdog in a string, regarded both enormities with + scornful sidelong looks; on that a weazen old gentleman, ogling the + nursery-maid, looked with like scorn upon the spinster, and wondered she + didn’t know she was no longer young. Apart from all these, on the river’s + margin two or three couple of business-talkers walked slowly up and down + in earnest conversation; and one young man sat thoughtfully on a bench, + alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ned is amazingly patient!’ said Mr Chester, glancing at this last-named + person as he set down his teacup and plied the golden toothpick, + ‘immensely patient! He was sitting yonder when I began to dress, and has + scarcely changed his posture since. A most eccentric dog!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, the figure rose, and came towards him with a rapid pace. + </p> + <p> + ‘Really, as if he had heard me,’ said the father, resuming his newspaper + with a yawn. ‘Dear Ned!’ + </p> + <p> + Presently the room-door opened, and the young man entered; to whom his + father gently waved his hand, and smiled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you at leisure for a little conversation, sir?’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely, Ned. I am always at leisure. You know my constitution.—Have + you breakfasted?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Three hours ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What a very early dog!’ cried his father, contemplating him from behind + the toothpick, with a languid smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘The truth is,’ said Edward, bringing a chair forward, and seating himself + near the table, ‘that I slept but ill last night, and was glad to rise. + The cause of my uneasiness cannot but be known to you, sir; and it is upon + that I wish to speak.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear boy,’ returned his father, ‘confide in me, I beg. But you know my + constitution—don’t be prosy, Ned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will be plain, and brief,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t say you will, my good fellow,’ returned his father, crossing his + legs, ‘or you certainly will not. You are going to tell me’— + </p> + <p> + ‘Plainly this, then,’ said the son, with an air of great concern, ‘that I + know where you were last night—from being on the spot, indeed—and + whom you saw, and what your purpose was.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t say so!’ cried his father. ‘I am delighted to hear it. It saves + us the worry, and terrible wear and tear of a long explanation, and is a + great relief for both. At the very house! Why didn’t you come up? I should + have been charmed to see you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew that what I had to say would be better said after a night’s + reflection, when both of us were cool,’ returned the son. + </p> + <p> + ‘’Fore Gad, Ned,’ rejoined the father, ‘I was cool enough last night. That + detestable Maypole! By some infernal contrivance of the builder, it holds + the wind, and keeps it fresh. You remember the sharp east wind that blew + so hard five weeks ago? I give you my honour it was rampant in that old + house last night, though out of doors there was a dead calm. But you were + saying’— + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0080m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0080m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0080.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘I was about to say, Heaven knows how seriously and earnestly, that you + have made me wretched, sir. Will you hear me gravely for a moment?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Ned,’ said his father, ‘I will hear you with the patience of an + anchorite. Oblige me with the milk.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw Miss Haredale last night,’ Edward resumed, when he had complied + with this request; ‘her uncle, in her presence, immediately after your + interview, and, as of course I know, in consequence of it, forbade me the + house, and, with circumstances of indignity which are of your creation I + am sure, commanded me to leave it on the instant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For his manner of doing so, I give you my honour, Ned, I am not + accountable,’ said his father. ‘That you must excuse. He is a mere boor, a + log, a brute, with no address in life.—Positively a fly in the jug. + The first I have seen this year.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward rose, and paced the room. His imperturbable parent sipped his tea. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ said the young man, stopping at length before him, ‘we must not + trifle in this matter. We must not deceive each other, or ourselves. Let + me pursue the manly open part I wish to take, and do not repel me by this + unkind indifference.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whether I am indifferent or no,’ returned the other, ‘I leave you, my + dear boy, to judge. A ride of twenty-five or thirty miles, through miry + roads—a Maypole dinner—a tete-a-tete with Haredale, which, + vanity apart, was quite a Valentine and Orson business—a Maypole bed—a + Maypole landlord, and a Maypole retinue of idiots and centaurs;—whether + the voluntary endurance of these things looks like indifference, dear Ned, + or like the excessive anxiety, and devotion, and all that sort of thing, + of a parent, you shall determine for yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish you to consider, sir,’ said Edward, ‘in what a cruel situation I + am placed. Loving Miss Haredale as I do’— + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear fellow,’ interrupted his father with a compassionate smile, ‘you + do nothing of the kind. You don’t know anything about it. There’s no such + thing, I assure you. Now, do take my word for it. You have good sense, + Ned,—great good sense. I wonder you should be guilty of such amazing + absurdities. You really surprise me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I repeat,’ said his son firmly, ‘that I love her. You have interposed to + part us, and have, to the extent I have just now told you of, succeeded. + May I induce you, sir, in time, to think more favourably of our + attachment, or is it your intention and your fixed design to hold us + asunder if you can?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Ned,’ returned his father, taking a pinch of snuff and pushing + his box towards him, ‘that is my purpose most undoubtedly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The time that has elapsed,’ rejoined his son, ‘since I began to know her + worth, has flown in such a dream that until now I have hardly once paused + to reflect upon my true position. What is it? From my childhood I have + been accustomed to luxury and idleness, and have been bred as though my + fortune were large, and my expectations almost without a limit. The idea + of wealth has been familiarised to me from my cradle. I have been taught + to look upon those means, by which men raise themselves to riches and + distinction, as being beyond my heeding, and beneath my care. I have been, + as the phrase is, liberally educated, and am fit for nothing. I find + myself at last wholly dependent upon you, with no resource but in your + favour. In this momentous question of my life we do not, and it would seem + we never can, agree. I have shrunk instinctively alike from those to whom + you have urged me to pay court, and from the motives of interest and gain + which have rendered them in your eyes visible objects for my suit. If + there never has been thus much plain-speaking between us before, sir, the + fault has not been mine, indeed. If I seem to speak too plainly now, it + is, believe me father, in the hope that there may be a franker spirit, a + worthier reliance, and a kinder confidence between us in time to come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good fellow,’ said his smiling father, ‘you quite affect me. Go on, my + dear Edward, I beg. But remember your promise. There is great earnestness, + vast candour, a manifest sincerity in all you say, but I fear I observe + the faintest indications of a tendency to prose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am very sorry, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am very sorry, too, Ned, but you know that I cannot fix my mind for any + long period upon one subject. If you’ll come to the point at once, I’ll + imagine all that ought to go before, and conclude it said. Oblige me with + the milk again. Listening, invariably makes me feverish.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What I would say then, tends to this,’ said Edward. ‘I cannot bear this + absolute dependence, sir, even upon you. Time has been lost and + opportunity thrown away, but I am yet a young man, and may retrieve it. + Will you give me the means of devoting such abilities and energies as I + possess, to some worthy pursuit? Will you let me try to make for myself an + honourable path in life? For any term you please to name—say for + five years if you will—I will pledge myself to move no further in + the matter of our difference without your full concurrence. During that + period, I will endeavour earnestly and patiently, if ever man did, to open + some prospect for myself, and free you from the burden you fear I should + become if I married one whose worth and beauty are her chief endowments. + Will you do this, sir? At the expiration of the term we agree upon, let us + discuss this subject again. Till then, unless it is revived by you, let it + never be renewed between us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Ned,’ returned his father, laying down the newspaper at which he + had been glancing carelessly, and throwing himself back in the + window-seat, ‘I believe you know how very much I dislike what are called + family affairs, which are only fit for plebeian Christmas days, and have + no manner of business with people of our condition. But as you are + proceeding upon a mistake, Ned—altogether upon a mistake—I + will conquer my repugnance to entering on such matters, and give you a + perfectly plain and candid answer, if you will do me the favour to shut + the door.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward having obeyed him, he took an elegant little knife from his pocket, + and paring his nails, continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘You have to thank me, Ned, for being of good family; for your mother, + charming person as she was, and almost broken-hearted, and so forth, as + she left me, when she was prematurely compelled to become immortal—had + nothing to boast of in that respect.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Her father was at least an eminent lawyer, sir,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite right, Ned; perfectly so. He stood high at the bar, had a great + name and great wealth, but having risen from nothing—I have always + closed my eyes to the circumstance and steadily resisted its + contemplation, but I fear his father dealt in pork, and that his business + did once involve cow-heel and sausages—he wished to marry his + daughter into a good family. He had his heart’s desire, Ned. I was a + younger son’s younger son, and I married her. We each had our object, and + gained it. She stepped at once into the politest and best circles, and I + stepped into a fortune which I assure you was very necessary to my comfort—quite + indispensable. Now, my good fellow, that fortune is among the things that + have been. It is gone, Ned, and has been gone—how old are you? I + always forget.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Seven-and-twenty, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you indeed?’ cried his father, raising his eyelids in a languishing + surprise. ‘So much! Then I should say, Ned, that as nearly as I remember, + its skirts vanished from human knowledge, about eighteen or nineteen years + ago. It was about that time when I came to live in these chambers (once + your grandfather’s, and bequeathed by that extremely respectable person to + me), and commenced to live upon an inconsiderable annuity and my past + reputation.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are jesting with me, sir,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in the slightest degree, I assure you,’ returned his father with + great composure. ‘These family topics are so extremely dry, that I am + sorry to say they don’t admit of any such relief. It is for that reason, + and because they have an appearance of business, that I dislike them so + very much. Well! You know the rest. A son, Ned, unless he is old enough to + be a companion—that is to say, unless he is some two or three and + twenty—is not the kind of thing to have about one. He is a restraint + upon his father, his father is a restraint upon him, and they make each + other mutually uncomfortable. Therefore, until within the last four years + or so—I have a poor memory for dates, and if I mistake, you will + correct me in your own mind—you pursued your studies at a distance, + and picked up a great variety of accomplishments. Occasionally we passed a + week or two together here, and disconcerted each other as only such near + relations can. At last you came home. I candidly tell you, my dear boy, + that if you had been awkward and overgrown, I should have exported you to + some distant part of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish with all my soul you had, sir,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘No you don’t, Ned,’ said his father coolly; ‘you are mistaken, I assure + you. I found you a handsome, prepossessing, elegant fellow, and I threw + you into the society I can still command. Having done that, my dear + fellow, I consider that I have provided for you in life, and rely upon + your doing something to provide for me in return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not understand your meaning, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My meaning, Ned, is obvious—I observe another fly in the cream-jug, + but have the goodness not to take it out as you did the first, for their + walk when their legs are milky, is extremely ungraceful and disagreeable—my + meaning is, that you must do as I did; that you must marry well and make + the most of yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A mere fortune-hunter!’ cried the son, indignantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What in the devil’s name, Ned, would you be!’ returned the father. ‘All + men are fortune-hunters, are they not? The law, the church, the court, the + camp—see how they are all crowded with fortune-hunters, jostling + each other in the pursuit. The stock-exchange, the pulpit, the + counting-house, the royal drawing-room, the senate,—what but + fortune-hunters are they filled with? A fortune-hunter! Yes. You ARE one; + and you would be nothing else, my dear Ned, if you were the greatest + courtier, lawyer, legislator, prelate, or merchant, in existence. If you + are squeamish and moral, Ned, console yourself with the reflection that at + the very worst your fortune-hunting can make but one person miserable or + unhappy. How many people do you suppose these other kinds of huntsmen + crush in following their sport—hundreds at a step? Or thousands?’ + </p> + <p> + The young man leant his head upon his hand, and made no answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am quite charmed,’ said the father rising, and walking slowly to and + fro—stopping now and then to glance at himself in the mirror, or + survey a picture through his glass, with the air of a connoisseur, ‘that + we have had this conversation, Ned, unpromising as it was. It establishes + a confidence between us which is quite delightful, and was certainly + necessary, though how you can ever have mistaken our positions and + designs, I confess I cannot understand. I conceived, until I found your + fancy for this girl, that all these points were tacitly agreed upon + between us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew you were embarrassed, sir,’ returned the son, raising his head for + a moment, and then falling into his former attitude, ‘but I had no idea we + were the beggared wretches you describe. How could I suppose it, bred as I + have been; witnessing the life you have always led; and the appearance you + have always made?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear child,’ said the father—‘for you really talk so like a + child that I must call you one—you were bred upon a careful + principle; the very manner of your education, I assure you, maintained my + credit surprisingly. As to the life I lead, I must lead it, Ned. I must + have these little refinements about me. I have always been used to them, + and I cannot exist without them. They must surround me, you observe, and + therefore they are here. With regard to our circumstances, Ned, you may + set your mind at rest upon that score. They are desperate. Your own + appearance is by no means despicable, and our joint pocket-money alone + devours our income. That’s the truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have I never known this before? Why have you encouraged me, sir, to + an expenditure and mode of life to which we have no right or title?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good fellow,’ returned his father more compassionately than ever, ‘if + you made no appearance, how could you possibly succeed in the pursuit for + which I destined you? As to our mode of life, every man has a right to + live in the best way he can; and to make himself as comfortable as he can, + or he is an unnatural scoundrel. Our debts, I grant, are very great, and + therefore it the more behoves you, as a young man of principle and honour, + to pay them off as speedily as possible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The villain’s part,’ muttered Edward, ‘that I have unconsciously played! + I to win the heart of Emma Haredale! I would, for her sake, I had died + first!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am glad you see, Ned,’ returned his father, ‘how perfectly self-evident + it is, that nothing can be done in that quarter. But apart from this, and + the necessity of your speedily bestowing yourself on another (as you know + you could to-morrow, if you chose), I wish you’d look upon it pleasantly. + In a religious point of view alone, how could you ever think of uniting + yourself to a Catholic, unless she was amazingly rich? You ought to be so + very Protestant, coming of such a Protestant family as you do. Let us be + moral, Ned, or we are nothing. Even if one could set that objection aside, + which is impossible, we come to another which is quite conclusive. The + very idea of marrying a girl whose father was killed, like meat! Good God, + Ned, how disagreeable! Consider the impossibility of having any respect + for your father-in-law under such unpleasant circumstances—think of + his having been “viewed” by jurors, and “sat upon” by coroners, and of his + very doubtful position in the family ever afterwards. It seems to me such + an indelicate sort of thing that I really think the girl ought to have + been put to death by the state to prevent its happening. But I tease you + perhaps. You would rather be alone? My dear Ned, most willingly. God bless + you. I shall be going out presently, but we shall meet to-night, or if not + to-night, certainly to-morrow. Take care of yourself in the mean time, for + both our sakes. You are a person of great consequence to me, Ned—of + vast consequence indeed. God bless you!’ + </p> + <p> + With these words, the father, who had been arranging his cravat in the + glass, while he uttered them in a disconnected careless manner, withdrew, + humming a tune as he went. The son, who had appeared so lost in thought as + not to hear or understand them, remained quite still and silent. After the + lapse of half an hour or so, the elder Chester, gaily dressed, went out. + The younger still sat with his head resting on his hands, in what appeared + to be a kind of stupor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 16 + </h2> + <p> + A series of pictures representing the streets of London in the night, even + at the comparatively recent date of this tale, would present to the eye + something so very different in character from the reality which is + witnessed in these times, that it would be difficult for the beholder to + recognise his most familiar walks in the altered aspect of little more + than half a century ago. + </p> + <p> + They were, one and all, from the broadest and best to the narrowest and + least frequented, very dark. The oil and cotton lamps, though regularly + trimmed twice or thrice in the long winter nights, burnt feebly at the + best; and at a late hour, when they were unassisted by the lamps and + candles in the shops, cast but a narrow track of doubtful light upon the + footway, leaving the projecting doors and house-fronts in the deepest + gloom. Many of the courts and lanes were left in total darkness; those of + the meaner sort, where one glimmering light twinkled for a score of + houses, being favoured in no slight degree. Even in these places, the + inhabitants had often good reason for extinguishing their lamp as soon as + it was lighted; and the watch being utterly inefficient and powerless to + prevent them, they did so at their pleasure. Thus, in the lightest + thoroughfares, there was at every turn some obscure and dangerous spot + whither a thief might fly or shelter, and few would care to follow; and + the city being belted round by fields, green lanes, waste grounds, and + lonely roads, dividing it at that time from the suburbs that have joined + it since, escape, even where the pursuit was hot, was rendered easy. + </p> + <p> + It is no wonder that with these favouring circumstances in full and + constant operation, street robberies, often accompanied by cruel wounds, + and not unfrequently by loss of life, should have been of nightly + occurrence in the very heart of London, or that quiet folks should have + had great dread of traversing its streets after the shops were closed. It + was not unusual for those who wended home alone at midnight, to keep the + middle of the road, the better to guard against surprise from lurking + footpads; few would venture to repair at a late hour to Kentish Town or + Hampstead, or even to Kensington or Chelsea, unarmed and unattended; while + he who had been loudest and most valiant at the supper-table or the + tavern, and had but a mile or so to go, was glad to fee a link-boy to + escort him home. + </p> + <p> + There were many other characteristics—not quite so disagreeable—about + the thoroughfares of London then, with which they had been long familiar. + Some of the shops, especially those to the eastward of Temple Bar, still + adhered to the old practice of hanging out a sign; and the creaking and + swinging of these boards in their iron frames on windy nights, formed a + strange and mournful concert for the ears of those who lay awake in bed or + hurried through the streets. Long stands of hackney-chairs and groups of + chairmen, compared with whom the coachmen of our day are gentle and + polite, obstructed the way and filled the air with clamour; night-cellars, + indicated by a little stream of light crossing the pavement, and + stretching out half-way into the road, and by the stifled roar of voices + from below, yawned for the reception and entertainment of the most + abandoned of both sexes; under every shed and bulk small groups of + link-boys gamed away the earnings of the day; or one more weary than the + rest, gave way to sleep, and let the fragment of his torch fall hissing on + the puddled ground. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0084m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0084m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0084.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Then there was the watch with staff and lantern crying the hour, and the + kind of weather; and those who woke up at his voice and turned them round + in bed, were glad to hear it rained, or snowed, or blew, or froze, for + very comfort’s sake. The solitary passenger was startled by the chairmen’s + cry of ‘By your leave there!’ as two came trotting past him with their + empty vehicle—carried backwards to show its being disengaged—and + hurried to the nearest stand. Many a private chair, too, inclosing some + fine lady, monstrously hooped and furbelowed, and preceded by + running-footmen bearing flambeaux—for which extinguishers are yet + suspended before the doors of a few houses of the better sort—made + the way gay and light as it danced along, and darker and more dismal when + it had passed. It was not unusual for these running gentry, who carried it + with a very high hand, to quarrel in the servants’ hall while waiting for + their masters and mistresses; and, falling to blows either there or in the + street without, to strew the place of skirmish with hair-powder, fragments + of bag-wigs, and scattered nosegays. Gaming, the vice which ran so high + among all classes (the fashion being of course set by the upper), was + generally the cause of these disputes; for cards and dice were as openly + used, and worked as much mischief, and yielded as much excitement below + stairs, as above. While incidents like these, arising out of drums and + masquerades and parties at quadrille, were passing at the west end of the + town, heavy stagecoaches and scarce heavier waggons were lumbering slowly + towards the city, the coachmen, guard, and passengers, armed to the teeth, + and the coach—a day or so perhaps behind its time, but that was + nothing—despoiled by highwaymen; who made no scruple to attack, + alone and single-handed, a whole caravan of goods and men, and sometimes + shot a passenger or two, and were sometimes shot themselves, as the case + might be. On the morrow, rumours of this new act of daring on the road + yielded matter for a few hours’ conversation through the town, and a + Public Progress of some fine gentleman (half-drunk) to Tyburn, dressed in + the newest fashion, and damning the ordinary with unspeakable gallantry + and grace, furnished to the populace, at once a pleasant excitement and a + wholesome and profound example. + </p> + <p> + Among all the dangerous characters who, in such a state of society, + prowled and skulked in the metropolis at night, there was one man from + whom many as uncouth and fierce as he, shrunk with an involuntary dread. + Who he was, or whence he came, was a question often asked, but which none + could answer. His name was unknown, he had never been seen until within + about eight days or thereabouts, and was equally a stranger to the old + ruffians, upon whose haunts he ventured fearlessly, as to the young. He + could be no spy, for he never removed his slouched hat to look about him, + entered into conversation with no man, heeded nothing that passed, + listened to no discourse, regarded nobody that came or went. But so surely + as the dead of night set in, so surely this man was in the midst of the + loose concourse in the night-cellar where outcasts of every grade + resorted; and there he sat till morning. + </p> + <p> + He was not only a spectre at their licentious feasts; a something in the + midst of their revelry and riot that chilled and haunted them; but out of + doors he was the same. Directly it was dark, he was abroad—never in + company with any one, but always alone; never lingering or loitering, but + always walking swiftly; and looking (so they said who had seen him) over + his shoulder from time to time, and as he did so quickening his pace. In + the fields, the lanes, the roads, in all quarters of the town—east, + west, north, and south—that man was seen gliding on like a shadow. + He was always hurrying away. Those who encountered him, saw him steal + past, caught sight of the backward glance, and so lost him in the + darkness. + </p> + <p> + This constant restlessness, and flitting to and fro, gave rise to strange + stories. He was seen in such distant and remote places, at times so nearly + tallying with each other, that some doubted whether there were not two of + them, or more—some, whether he had not unearthly means of travelling + from spot to spot. The footpad hiding in a ditch had marked him passing + like a ghost along its brink; the vagrant had met him on the dark + high-road; the beggar had seen him pause upon the bridge to look down at + the water, and then sweep on again; they who dealt in bodies with the + surgeons could swear he slept in churchyards, and that they had beheld him + glide away among the tombs on their approach. And as they told these + stories to each other, one who had looked about him would pull his + neighbour by the sleeve, and there he would be among them. + </p> + <p> + At last, one man—he was one of those whose commerce lay among the + graves—resolved to question this strange companion. Next night, when + he had eat his poor meal voraciously (he was accustomed to do that, they + had observed, as though he had no other in the day), this fellow sat down + at his elbow. + </p> + <p> + ‘A black night, master!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a black night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Blacker than last, though that was pitchy too. Didn’t I pass you near the + turnpike in the Oxford Road?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s like you may. I don’t know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come, master,’ cried the fellow, urged on by the looks of his + comrades, and slapping him on the shoulder; ‘be more companionable and + communicative. Be more the gentleman in this good company. There are tales + among us that you have sold yourself to the devil, and I know not what.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We all have, have we not?’ returned the stranger, looking up. ‘If we were + fewer in number, perhaps he would give better wages.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It goes rather hard with you, indeed,’ said the fellow, as the stranger + disclosed his haggard unwashed face, and torn clothes. ‘What of that? Be + merry, master. A stave of a roaring song now’— + </p> + <p> + ‘Sing you, if you desire to hear one,’ replied the other, shaking him + roughly off; ‘and don’t touch me if you’re a prudent man; I carry arms + which go off easily—they have done so, before now—and make it + dangerous for strangers who don’t know the trick of them, to lay hands + upon me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you threaten?’ said the fellow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ returned the other, rising and turning upon him, and looking + fiercely round as if in apprehension of a general attack. + </p> + <p> + His voice, and look, and bearing—all expressive of the wildest + recklessness and desperation—daunted while they repelled the + bystanders. Although in a very different sphere of action now, they were + not without much of the effect they had wrought at the Maypole Inn. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am what you all are, and live as you all do,’ said the man sternly, + after a short silence. ‘I am in hiding here like the rest, and if we were + surprised would perhaps do my part with the best of ye. If it’s my humour + to be left to myself, let me have it. Otherwise,’—and here he swore + a tremendous oath—‘there’ll be mischief done in this place, though + there ARE odds of a score against me.’ + </p> + <p> + A low murmur, having its origin perhaps in a dread of the man and the + mystery that surrounded him, or perhaps in a sincere opinion on the part + of some of those present, that it would be an inconvenient precedent to + meddle too curiously with a gentleman’s private affairs if he saw reason + to conceal them, warned the fellow who had occasioned this discussion that + he had best pursue it no further. After a short time the strange man lay + down upon a bench to sleep, and when they thought of him again, they found + he was gone. + </p> + <p> + Next night, as soon as it was dark, he was abroad again and traversing the + streets; he was before the locksmith’s house more than once, but the + family were out, and it was close shut. This night he crossed London + Bridge and passed into Southwark. As he glided down a bye street, a woman + with a little basket on her arm, turned into it at the other end. Directly + he observed her, he sought the shelter of an archway, and stood aside + until she had passed. Then he emerged cautiously from his hiding-place, + and followed. + </p> + <p> + She went into several shops to purchase various kinds of household + necessaries, and round every place at which she stopped he hovered like + her evil spirit; following her when she reappeared. It was nigh eleven + o’clock, and the passengers in the streets were thinning fast, when she + turned, doubtless to go home. The phantom still followed her. + </p> + <p> + She turned into the same bye street in which he had seen her first, which, + being free from shops, and narrow, was extremely dark. She quickened her + pace here, as though distrustful of being stopped, and robbed of such + trifling property as she carried with her. He crept along on the other + side of the road. Had she been gifted with the speed of wind, it seemed as + if his terrible shadow would have tracked her down. + </p> + <p> + At length the widow—for she it was—reached her own door, and, + panting for breath, paused to take the key from her basket. In a flush and + glow, with the haste she had made, and the pleasure of being safe at home, + she stooped to draw it out, when, raising her head, she saw him standing + silently beside her: the apparition of a dream. + </p> + <p> + His hand was on her mouth, but that was needless, for her tongue clove to + its roof, and her power of utterance was gone. ‘I have been looking for + you many nights. Is the house empty? Answer me. Is any one inside?’ + </p> + <p> + She could only answer by a rattle in her throat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make me a sign.’ + </p> + <p> + She seemed to indicate that there was no one there. He took the key, + unlocked the door, carried her in, and secured it carefully behind them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 17 + </h2> + <p> + It was a chilly night, and the fire in the widow’s parlour had burnt low. + Her strange companion placed her in a chair, and stooping down before the + half-extinguished ashes, raked them together and fanned them with his hat. + From time to time he glanced at her over his shoulder, as though to assure + himself of her remaining quiet and making no effort to depart; and that + done, busied himself about the fire again. + </p> + <p> + It was not without reason that he took these pains, for his dress was dank + and drenched with wet, his jaws rattled with cold, and he shivered from + head to foot. It had rained hard during the previous night and for some + hours in the morning, but since noon it had been fine. Wheresoever he had + passed the hours of darkness, his condition sufficiently betokened that + many of them had been spent beneath the open sky. Besmeared with mire; his + saturated clothes clinging with a damp embrace about his limbs; his beard + unshaven, his face unwashed, his meagre cheeks worn into deep hollows,—a + more miserable wretch could hardly be, than this man who now cowered down + upon the widow’s hearth, and watched the struggling flame with bloodshot + eyes. + </p> + <p> + She had covered her face with her hands, fearing, as it seemed, to look + towards him. So they remained for some short time in silence. Glancing + round again, he asked at length: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this your house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is. Why, in the name of Heaven, do you darken it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me meat and drink,’ he answered sullenly, ‘or I dare do more than + that. The very marrow in my bones is cold, with wet and hunger. I must + have warmth and food, and I will have them here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were the robber on the Chigwell road.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And nearly a murderer then.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The will was not wanting. There was one came upon me and raised the + hue-and-cry, that it would have gone hard with, but for his nimbleness. I + made a thrust at him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You thrust your sword at HIM!’ cried the widow, looking upwards. ‘You + hear this man! you hear and saw!’ + </p> + <p> + He looked at her, as, with her head thrown back, and her hands tight + clenched together, she uttered these words in an agony of appeal. Then, + starting to his feet as she had done, he advanced towards her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Beware!’ she cried in a suppressed voice, whose firmness stopped him + midway. ‘Do not so much as touch me with a finger, or you are lost; body + and soul, you are lost.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hear me,’ he replied, menacing her with his hand. ‘I, that in the form of + a man live the life of a hunted beast; that in the body am a spirit, a + ghost upon the earth, a thing from which all creatures shrink, save those + curst beings of another world, who will not leave me;—I am, in my + desperation of this night, past all fear but that of the hell in which I + exist from day to day. Give the alarm, cry out, refuse to shelter me. I + will not hurt you. But I will not be taken alive; and so surely as you + threaten me above your breath, I fall a dead man on this floor. The blood + with which I sprinkle it, be on you and yours, in the name of the Evil + Spirit that tempts men to their ruin!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he took a pistol from his breast, and firmly clutched it in + his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Remove this man from me, good Heaven!’ cried the widow. ‘In thy grace and + mercy, give him one minute’s penitence, and strike him dead!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It has no such purpose,’ he said, confronting her. ‘It is deaf. Give me + to eat and drink, lest I do that it cannot help my doing, and will not do + for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you leave me, if I do thus much? Will you leave me and return no + more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will promise nothing,’ he rejoined, seating himself at the table, + ‘nothing but this—I will execute my threat if you betray me.’ + </p> + <p> + She rose at length, and going to a closet or pantry in the room, brought + out some fragments of cold meat and bread and put them on the table. He + asked for brandy, and for water. These she produced likewise; and he ate + and drank with the voracity of a famished hound. All the time he was so + engaged she kept at the uttermost distance of the chamber, and sat there + shuddering, but with her face towards him. She never turned her back upon + him once; and although when she passed him (as she was obliged to do in + going to and from the cupboard) she gathered the skirts of her garment + about her, as if even its touching his by chance were horrible to think + of, still, in the midst of all this dread and terror, she kept her face + towards his own, and watched his every movement. + </p> + <p> + His repast ended—if that can be called one, which was a mere + ravenous satisfying of the calls of hunger—he moved his chair + towards the fire again, and warming himself before the blaze which had now + sprung brightly up, accosted her once more. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am an outcast, to whom a roof above his head is often an uncommon + luxury, and the food a beggar would reject is delicate fare. You live here + at your ease. Do you live alone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not,’ she made answer with an effort. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who dwells here besides?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One—it is no matter who. You had best begone, or he may find you + here. Why do you linger?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For warmth,’ he replied, spreading out his hands before the fire. ‘For + warmth. You are rich, perhaps?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very,’ she said faintly. ‘Very rich. No doubt I am very rich.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At least you are not penniless. You have some money. You were making + purchases to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a little left. It is but a few shillings.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me your purse. You had it in your hand at the door. Give it to me.’ + </p> + <p> + She stepped to the table and laid it down. He reached across, took it up, + and told the contents into his hand. As he was counting them, she listened + for a moment, and sprung towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Take what there is, take all, take more if more were there, but go before + it is too late. I have heard a wayward step without, I know full well. It + will return directly. Begone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not stop to ask. I will not answer. Much as I dread to touch you, I + would drag you to the door if I possessed the strength, rather than you + should lose an instant. Miserable wretch! fly from this place.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If there are spies without, I am safer here,’ replied the man, standing + aghast. ‘I will remain here, and will not fly till the danger is past.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is too late!’ cried the widow, who had listened for the step, and not + to him. ‘Hark to that foot upon the ground. Do you tremble to hear it! It + is my son, my idiot son!’ + </p> + <p> + As she said this wildly, there came a heavy knocking at the door. He + looked at her, and she at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him come in,’ said the man, hoarsely. ‘I fear him less than the dark, + houseless night. He knocks again. Let him come in!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The dread of this hour,’ returned the widow, ‘has been upon me all my + life, and I will not. Evil will fall upon him, if you stand eye to eye. My + blighted boy! Oh! all good angels who know the truth—hear a poor + mother’s prayer, and spare my boy from knowledge of this man!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He rattles at the shutters!’ cried the man. ‘He calls you. That voice and + cry! It was he who grappled with me in the road. Was it he?’ + </p> + <p> + She had sunk upon her knees, and so knelt down, moving her lips, but + uttering no sound. As he gazed upon her, uncertain what to do or where to + turn, the shutters flew open. He had barely time to catch a knife from the + table, sheathe it in the loose sleeve of his coat, hide in the closet, and + do all with the lightning’s speed, when Barnaby tapped at the bare glass, + and raised the sash exultingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, who can keep out Grip and me!’ he cried, thrusting in his head, and + staring round the room. ‘Are you there, mother? How long you keep us from + the fire and light.’ + </p> + <p> + She stammered some excuse and tendered him her hand. But Barnaby sprung + lightly in without assistance, and putting his arms about her neck, kissed + her a hundred times. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have been afield, mother—leaping ditches, scrambling through + hedges, running down steep banks, up and away, and hurrying on. The wind + has been blowing, and the rushes and young plants bowing and bending to + it, lest it should do them harm, the cowards—and Grip—ha ha + ha!—brave Grip, who cares for nothing, and when the wind rolls him + over in the dust, turns manfully to bite it—Grip, bold Grip, has + quarrelled with every little bowing twig—thinking, he told me, that + it mocked him—and has worried it like a bulldog. Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + The raven, in his little basket at his master’s back, hearing this + frequent mention of his name in a tone of exultation, expressed his + sympathy by crowing like a cock, and afterwards running over his various + phrases of speech with such rapidity, and in so many varieties of + hoarseness, that they sounded like the murmurs of a crowd of people. + </p> + <p> + ‘He takes such care of me besides!’ said Barnaby. ‘Such care, mother! He + watches all the time I sleep, and when I shut my eyes and make-believe to + slumber, he practises new learning softly; but he keeps his eye on me the + while, and if he sees me laugh, though never so little, stops directly. He + won’t surprise me till he’s perfect.’ + </p> + <p> + The raven crowed again in a rapturous manner which plainly said, ‘Those + are certainly some of my characteristics, and I glory in them.’ In the + meantime, Barnaby closed the window and secured it, and coming to the + fireplace, prepared to sit down with his face to the closet. But his + mother prevented this, by hastily taking that side herself, and motioning + him towards the other. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0089m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0089m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0089.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘How pale you are to-night!’ said Barnaby, leaning on his stick. ‘We have + been cruel, Grip, and made her anxious!’ + </p> + <p> + Anxious in good truth, and sick at heart! The listener held the door of + his hiding-place open with his hand, and closely watched her son. Grip—alive + to everything his master was unconscious of—had his head out of the + basket, and in return was watching him intently with his glistening eye. + </p> + <p> + ‘He flaps his wings,’ said Barnaby, turning almost quickly enough to catch + the retreating form and closing door, ‘as if there were strangers here, + but Grip is wiser than to fancy that. Jump then!’ + </p> + <p> + Accepting this invitation with a dignity peculiar to himself, the bird + hopped up on his master’s shoulder, from that to his extended hand, and so + to the ground. Barnaby unstrapping the basket and putting it down in a + corner with the lid open, Grip’s first care was to shut it down with all + possible despatch, and then to stand upon it. Believing, no doubt, that he + had now rendered it utterly impossible, and beyond the power of mortal + man, to shut him up in it any more, he drew a great many corks in triumph, + and uttered a corresponding number of hurrahs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother!’ said Barnaby, laying aside his hat and stick, and returning to + the chair from which he had risen, ‘I’ll tell you where we have been + to-day, and what we have been doing,—shall I?’ + </p> + <p> + She took his hand in hers, and holding it, nodded the word she could not + speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘You mustn’t tell,’ said Barnaby, holding up his finger, ‘for it’s a + secret, mind, and only known to me, and Grip, and Hugh. We had the dog + with us, but he’s not like Grip, clever as he is, and doesn’t guess it + yet, I’ll wager.—Why do you look behind me so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I?’ she answered faintly. ‘I didn’t know I did. Come nearer me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are frightened!’ said Barnaby, changing colour. ‘Mother—you + don’t see’— + </p> + <p> + ‘See what?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s—there’s none of this about, is there?’ he answered in a + whisper, drawing closer to her and clasping the mark upon his wrist. ‘I am + afraid there is, somewhere. You make my hair stand on end, and my flesh + creep. Why do you look like that? Is it in the room as I have seen it in + my dreams, dashing the ceiling and the walls with red? Tell me. Is it?’ + </p> + <p> + He fell into a shivering fit as he put the question, and shutting out the + light with his hands, sat shaking in every limb until it had passed away. + After a time, he raised his head and looked about him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it gone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There has been nothing here,’ rejoined his mother, soothing him. ‘Nothing + indeed, dear Barnaby. Look! You see there are but you and me.’ + </p> + <p> + He gazed at her vacantly, and, becoming reassured by degrees, burst into a + wild laugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘But let us see,’ he said, thoughtfully. ‘Were we talking? Was it you and + me? Where have we been?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nowhere but here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aye, but Hugh, and I,’ said Barnaby,—‘that’s it. Maypole Hugh, and + I, you know, and Grip—we have been lying in the forest, and among + the trees by the road side, with a dark lantern after night came on, and + the dog in a noose ready to slip him when the man came by.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The robber; him that the stars winked at. We have waited for him after + dark these many nights, and we shall have him. I’d know him in a thousand. + Mother, see here! This is the man. Look!’ + </p> + <p> + He twisted his handkerchief round his head, pulled his hat upon his brow, + wrapped his coat about him, and stood up before her: so like the original + he counterfeited, that the dark figure peering out behind him might have + passed for his own shadow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha! We shall have him,’ he cried, ridding himself of the semblance + as hastily as he had assumed it. ‘You shall see him, mother, bound hand + and foot, and brought to London at a saddle-girth; and you shall hear of + him at Tyburn Tree if we have luck. So Hugh says. You’re pale again, and + trembling. And why DO you look behind me so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is nothing,’ she answered. ‘I am not quite well. Go you to bed, dear, + and leave me here.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0091m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0091m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0091.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘To bed!’ he answered. ‘I don’t like bed. I like to lie before the fire, + watching the prospects in the burning coals—the rivers, hills, and + dells, in the deep, red sunset, and the wild faces. I am hungry too, and + Grip has eaten nothing since broad noon. Let us to supper. Grip! To + supper, lad!’ + </p> + <p> + The raven flapped his wings, and, croaking his satisfaction, hopped to the + feet of his master, and there held his bill open, ready for snapping up + such lumps of meat as he should throw him. Of these he received about a + score in rapid succession, without the smallest discomposure. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s all,’ said Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + ‘More!’ cried Grip. ‘More!’ + </p> + <p> + But it appearing for a certainty that no more was to be had, he retreated + with his store; and disgorging the morsels one by one from his pouch, hid + them in various corners—taking particular care, however, to avoid + the closet, as being doubtful of the hidden man’s propensities and power + of resisting temptation. When he had concluded these arrangements, he took + a turn or two across the room with an elaborate assumption of having + nothing on his mind (but with one eye hard upon his treasure all the + time), and then, and not till then, began to drag it out, piece by piece, + and eat it with the utmost relish. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, for his part, having pressed his mother to eat in vain, made a + hearty supper too. Once during the progress of his meal, he wanted more + bread from the closet and rose to get it. She hurriedly interposed to + prevent him, and summoning her utmost fortitude, passed into the recess, + and brought it out herself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother,’ said Barnaby, looking at her steadfastly as she sat down beside + him after doing so; ‘is to-day my birthday?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To-day!’ she answered. ‘Don’t you recollect it was but a week or so ago, + and that summer, autumn, and winter have to pass before it comes again?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I remember that it has been so till now,’ said Barnaby. ‘But I think + to-day must be my birthday too, for all that.’ + </p> + <p> + She asked him why? ‘I’ll tell you why,’ he said. ‘I have always seen you—I + didn’t let you know it, but I have—on the evening of that day grow + very sad. I have seen you cry when Grip and I were most glad; and look + frightened with no reason; and I have touched your hand, and felt that it + was cold—as it is now. Once, mother (on a birthday that was, also), + Grip and I thought of this after we went upstairs to bed, and when it was + midnight, striking one o’clock, we came down to your door to see if you + were well. You were on your knees. I forget what it was you said. Grip, + what was it we heard her say that night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m a devil!’ rejoined the raven promptly. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ said Barnaby. ‘But you said something in a prayer; and when you + rose and walked about, you looked (as you have done ever since, mother, + towards night on my birthday) just as you do now. I have found that out, + you see, though I am silly. So I say you’re wrong; and this must be my + birthday—my birthday, Grip!’ + </p> + <p> + The bird received this information with a crow of such duration as a cock, + gifted with intelligence beyond all others of his kind, might usher in the + longest day with. Then, as if he had well considered the sentiment, and + regarded it as apposite to birthdays, he cried, ‘Never say die!’ a great + many times, and flapped his wings for emphasis. + </p> + <p> + The widow tried to make light of Barnaby’s remark, and endeavoured to + divert his attention to some new subject; too easy a task at all times, as + she knew. His supper done, Barnaby, regardless of her entreaties, + stretched himself on the mat before the fire; Grip perched upon his leg, + and divided his time between dozing in the grateful warmth, and + endeavouring (as it presently appeared) to recall a new accomplishment he + had been studying all day. + </p> + <p> + A long and profound silence ensued, broken only by some change of position + on the part of Barnaby, whose eyes were still wide open and intently fixed + upon the fire; or by an effort of recollection on the part of Grip, who + would cry in a low voice from time to time, ‘Polly put the ket—’ and + there stop short, forgetting the remainder, and go off in a doze again. + </p> + <p> + After a long interval, Barnaby’s breathing grew more deep and regular, and + his eyes were closed. But even then the unquiet spirit of the raven + interposed. ‘Polly put the ket—’ cried Grip, and his master was + broad awake again. + </p> + <p> + At length Barnaby slept soundly, and the bird with his bill sunk upon his + breast, his breast itself puffed out into a comfortable alderman-like + form, and his bright eye growing smaller and smaller, really seemed to be + subsiding into a state of repose. Now and then he muttered in a sepulchral + voice, ‘Polly put the ket—’ but very drowsily, and more like a + drunken man than a reflecting raven. + </p> + <p> + The widow, scarcely venturing to breathe, rose from her seat. The man + glided from the closet, and extinguished the candle. + </p> + <p> + ‘—tle on,’ cried Grip, suddenly struck with an idea and very much + excited. ‘—tle on. Hurrah! Polly put the ket-tle on, we’ll all have + tea; Polly put the ket-tle on, we’ll all have tea. Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! + I’m a devil, I’m a devil, I’m a ket-tle on, Keep up your spirits, Never + say die, Bow, wow, wow, I’m a devil, I’m a ket-tle, I’m a—Polly put + the ket-tle on, we’ll all have tea.’ + </p> + <p> + They stood rooted to the ground, as though it had been a voice from the + grave. + </p> + <p> + But even this failed to awaken the sleeper. He turned over towards the + fire, his arm fell to the ground, and his head drooped heavily upon it. + The widow and her unwelcome visitor gazed at him and at each other for a + moment, and then she motioned him towards the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay,’ he whispered. ‘You teach your son well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have taught him nothing that you heard to-night. Depart instantly, or I + will rouse him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are free to do so. Shall I rouse him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You dare not do that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I dare do anything, I have told you. He knows me well, it seems. At least + I will know him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you kill him in his sleep?’ cried the widow, throwing herself + between them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Woman,’ he returned between his teeth, as he motioned her aside, ‘I would + see him nearer, and I will. If you want one of us to kill the other, wake + him.’ + </p> + <p> + With that he advanced, and bending down over the prostrate form, softly + turned back the head and looked into the face. The light of the fire was + upon it, and its every lineament was revealed distinctly. He contemplated + it for a brief space, and hastily uprose. + </p> + <p> + ‘Observe,’ he whispered in the widow’s ear: ‘In him, of whose existence I + was ignorant until to-night, I have you in my power. Be careful how you + use me. Be careful how you use me. I am destitute and starving, and a + wanderer upon the earth. I may take a sure and slow revenge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is some dreadful meaning in your words. I do not fathom it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a meaning in them, and I see you fathom it to its very depth. + You have anticipated it for years; you have told me as much. I leave you + to digest it. Do not forget my warning.’ + </p> + <p> + He pointed, as he left her, to the slumbering form, and stealthily + withdrawing, made his way into the street. She fell on her knees beside + the sleeper, and remained like one stricken into stone, until the tears + which fear had frozen so long, came tenderly to her relief. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Thou,’ she cried, ‘who hast taught me such deep love for this one + remnant of the promise of a happy life, out of whose affliction, even, + perhaps the comfort springs that he is ever a relying, loving child to me—never + growing old or cold at heart, but needing my care and duty in his manly + strength as in his cradle-time—help him, in his darkened walk + through this sad world, or he is doomed, and my poor heart is broken!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 18 + </h2> + <p> + Gliding along the silent streets, and holding his course where they were + darkest and most gloomy, the man who had left the widow’s house crossed + London Bridge, and arriving in the City, plunged into the backways, lanes, + and courts, between Cornhill and Smithfield; with no more fixedness of + purpose than to lose himself among their windings, and baffle pursuit, if + any one were dogging his steps. + </p> + <p> + It was the dead time of the night, and all was quiet. Now and then a + drowsy watchman’s footsteps sounded on the pavement, or the lamplighter on + his rounds went flashing past, leaving behind a little track of smoke + mingled with glowing morsels of his hot red link. He hid himself even from + these partakers of his lonely walk, and, shrinking in some arch or doorway + while they passed, issued forth again when they were gone and so pursued + his solitary way. + </p> + <p> + To be shelterless and alone in the open country, hearing the wind moan and + watching for day through the whole long weary night; to listen to the + falling rain, and crouch for warmth beneath the lee of some old barn or + rick, or in the hollow of a tree; are dismal things—but not so + dismal as the wandering up and down where shelter is, and beds and + sleepers are by thousands; a houseless rejected creature. To pace the + echoing stones from hour to hour, counting the dull chimes of the clocks; + to watch the lights twinkling in chamber windows, to think what happy + forgetfulness each house shuts in; that here are children coiled together + in their beds, here youth, here age, here poverty, here wealth, all equal + in their sleep, and all at rest; to have nothing in common with the + slumbering world around, not even sleep, Heaven’s gift to all its + creatures, and be akin to nothing but despair; to feel, by the wretched + contrast with everything on every hand, more utterly alone and cast away + than in a trackless desert; this is a kind of suffering, on which the + rivers of great cities close full many a time, and which the solitude in + crowds alone awakens. + </p> + <p> + The miserable man paced up and down the streets—so long, so + wearisome, so like each other—and often cast a wistful look towards + the east, hoping to see the first faint streaks of day. But obdurate night + had yet possession of the sky, and his disturbed and restless walk found + no relief. + </p> + <p> + One house in a back street was bright with the cheerful glare of lights; + there was the sound of music in it too, and the tread of dancers, and + there were cheerful voices, and many a burst of laughter. To this place—to + be near something that was awake and glad—he returned again and + again; and more than one of those who left it when the merriment was at + its height, felt it a check upon their mirthful mood to see him flitting + to and fro like an uneasy ghost. At last the guests departed, one and all; + and then the house was close shut up, and became as dull and silent as the + rest. + </p> + <p> + His wanderings brought him at one time to the city jail. Instead of + hastening from it as a place of ill omen, and one he had cause to shun, he + sat down on some steps hard by, and resting his chin upon his hand, gazed + upon its rough and frowning walls as though even they became a refuge in + his jaded eyes. He paced it round and round, came back to the same spot, + and sat down again. He did this often, and once, with a hasty movement, + crossed to where some men were watching in the prison lodge, and had his + foot upon the steps as though determined to accost them. But looking + round, he saw that the day began to break, and failing in his purpose, + turned and fled. + </p> + <p> + He was soon in the quarter he had lately traversed, and pacing to and fro + again as he had done before. He was passing down a mean street, when from + an alley close at hand some shouts of revelry arose, and there came + straggling forth a dozen madcaps, whooping and calling to each other, who, + parting noisily, took different ways and dispersed in smaller groups. + </p> + <p> + Hoping that some low place of entertainment which would afford him a safe + refuge might be near at hand, he turned into this court when they were all + gone, and looked about for a half-opened door, or lighted window, or other + indication of the place whence they had come. It was so profoundly dark, + however, and so ill-favoured, that he concluded they had but turned up + there, missing their way, and were pouring out again when he observed + them. With this impression, and finding there was no outlet but that by + which he had entered, he was about to turn, when from a grating near his + feet a sudden stream of light appeared, and the sound of talking came. He + retreated into a doorway to see who these talkers were, and to listen to + them. + </p> + <p> + The light came to the level of the pavement as he did this, and a man + ascended, bearing in his hand a torch. This figure unlocked and held open + the grating as for the passage of another, who presently appeared, in the + form of a young man of small stature and uncommon self-importance, dressed + in an obsolete and very gaudy fashion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, noble captain,’ said he with the torch. ‘Farewell, commander. + Good luck, illustrious general!’ + </p> + <p> + In return to these compliments the other bade him hold his tongue, and + keep his noise to himself, and laid upon him many similar injunctions, + with great fluency of speech and sternness of manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Commend me, captain, to the stricken Miggs,’ returned the torch-bearer in + a lower voice. ‘My captain flies at higher game than Miggses. Ha, ha, ha! + My captain is an eagle, both as respects his eye and soaring wings. My + captain breaketh hearts as other bachelors break eggs at breakfast.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What a fool you are, Stagg!’ said Mr Tappertit, stepping on the pavement + of the court, and brushing from his legs the dust he had contracted in his + passage upward. + </p> + <p> + ‘His precious limbs!’ cried Stagg, clasping one of his ankles. ‘Shall a + Miggs aspire to these proportions! No, no, my captain. We will inveigle + ladies fair, and wed them in our secret cavern. We will unite ourselves + with blooming beauties, captain.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you what, my buck,’ said Mr Tappertit, releasing his leg; ‘I’ll + trouble you not to take liberties, and not to broach certain questions + unless certain questions are broached to you. Speak when you’re spoke to + on particular subjects, and not otherways. Hold the torch up till I’ve got + to the end of the court, and then kennel yourself, do you hear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear you, noble captain.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Obey then,’ said Mr Tappertit haughtily. ‘Gentlemen, lead on!’ With which + word of command (addressed to an imaginary staff or retinue) he folded his + arms, and walked with surpassing dignity down the court. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0095m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0095m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0095.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + His obsequious follower stood holding the torch above his head, and then + the observer saw for the first time, from his place of concealment, that + he was blind. Some involuntary motion on his part caught the quick ear of + the blind man, before he was conscious of having moved an inch towards + him, for he turned suddenly and cried, ‘Who’s there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A man,’ said the other, advancing. ‘A friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A stranger!’ rejoined the blind man. ‘Strangers are not my friends. What + do you do there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I saw your company come out, and waited here till they were gone. I want + a lodging.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A lodging at this time!’ returned Stagg, pointing towards the dawn as + though he saw it. ‘Do you know the day is breaking?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know it,’ rejoined the other, ‘to my cost. I have been traversing this + iron-hearted town all night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had better traverse it again,’ said the blind man, preparing to + descend, ‘till you find some lodgings suitable to your taste. I don’t let + any.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay!’ cried the other, holding him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll beat this light about that hangdog face of yours (for hangdog it is, + if it answers to your voice), and rouse the neighbourhood besides, if you + detain me,’ said the blind man. ‘Let me go. Do you hear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do YOU hear!’ returned the other, chinking a few shillings together, and + hurriedly pressing them into his hand. ‘I beg nothing of you. I will pay + for the shelter you give me. Death! Is it much to ask of such as you! I + have come from the country, and desire to rest where there are none to + question me. I am faint, exhausted, worn out, almost dead. Let me lie + down, like a dog, before your fire. I ask no more than that. If you would + be rid of me, I will depart to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If a gentleman has been unfortunate on the road,’ muttered Stagg, + yielding to the other, who, pressing on him, had already gained a footing + on the steps—‘and can pay for his accommodation—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will pay you with all I have. I am just now past the want of food, God + knows, and wish but to purchase shelter. What companion have you below?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then fasten your grate there, and show me the way. Quick!’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man complied after a moment’s hesitation, and they descended + together. The dialogue had passed as hurriedly as the words could be + spoken, and they stood in his wretched room before he had had time to + recover from his first surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘May I see where that door leads to, and what is beyond?’ said the man, + glancing keenly round. ‘You will not mind that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will show you myself. Follow me, or go before. Take your choice.’ + </p> + <p> + He bade him lead the way, and, by the light of the torch which his + conductor held up for the purpose, inspected all three cellars narrowly. + Assured that the blind man had spoken truth, and that he lived there + alone, the visitor returned with him to the first, in which a fire was + burning, and flung himself with a deep groan upon the ground before it. + </p> + <p> + His host pursued his usual occupation without seeming to heed him any + further. But directly he fell asleep—and he noted his falling into a + slumber, as readily as the keenest-sighted man could have done—he + knelt down beside him, and passed his hand lightly but carefully over his + face and person. + </p> + <p> + His sleep was checkered with starts and moans, and sometimes with a + muttered word or two. His hands were clenched, his brow bent, and his + mouth firmly set. All this, the blind man accurately marked; and as if his + curiosity were strongly awakened, and he had already some inkling of his + mystery, he sat watching him, if the expression may be used, and + listening, until it was broad day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 19 + </h2> + <p> + Dolly Varden’s pretty little head was yet bewildered by various + recollections of the party, and her bright eyes were yet dazzled by a + crowd of images, dancing before them like motes in the sunbeams, among + which the effigy of one partner in particular did especially figure, the + same being a young coachmaker (a master in his own right) who had given + her to understand, when he handed her into the chair at parting, that it + was his fixed resolve to neglect his business from that time, and die + slowly for the love of her—Dolly’s head, and eyes, and thoughts, and + seven senses, were all in a state of flutter and confusion for which the + party was accountable, although it was now three days old, when, as she + was sitting listlessly at breakfast, reading all manner of fortunes (that + is to say, of married and flourishing fortunes) in the grounds of her + teacup, a step was heard in the workshop, and Mr Edward Chester was + descried through the glass door, standing among the rusty locks and keys, + like love among the roses—for which apt comparison the historian may + by no means take any credit to himself, the same being the invention, in a + sentimental mood, of the chaste and modest Miggs, who, beholding him from + the doorsteps she was then cleaning, did, in her maiden meditation, give + utterance to the simile. + </p> + <p> + The locksmith, who happened at the moment to have his eyes thrown upward + and his head backward, in an intense communing with Toby, did not see his + visitor, until Mrs Varden, more watchful than the rest, had desired Sim + Tappertit to open the glass door and give him admission—from which + untoward circumstance the good lady argued (for she could deduce a + precious moral from the most trifling event) that to take a draught of + small ale in the morning was to observe a pernicious, irreligious, and + Pagan custom, the relish whereof should be left to swine, and Satan, or at + least to Popish persons, and should be shunned by the righteous as a work + of sin and evil. She would no doubt have pursued her admonition much + further, and would have founded on it a long list of precious precepts of + inestimable value, but that the young gentleman standing by in a somewhat + uncomfortable and discomfited manner while she read her spouse this + lecture, occasioned her to bring it to a premature conclusion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m sure you’ll excuse me, sir,’ said Mrs Varden, rising and curtseying. + ‘Varden is so very thoughtless, and needs so much reminding—Sim, + bring a chair here.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit obeyed, with a flourish implying that he did so, under + protest. + </p> + <p> + ‘And you can go, Sim,’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit obeyed again, still under protest; and betaking himself to + the workshop, began seriously to fear that he might find it necessary to + poison his master, before his time was out. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime, Edward returned suitable replies to Mrs Varden’s + courtesies, and that lady brightened up very much; so that when he + accepted a dish of tea from the fair hands of Dolly, she was perfectly + agreeable. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure if there’s anything we can do,—Varden, or I, or Dolly + either,—to serve you, sir, at any time, you have only to say it, and + it shall be done,’ said Mrs V. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am much obliged to you, I am sure,’ returned Edward. ‘You encourage me + to say that I have come here now, to beg your good offices.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden was delighted beyond measure. + </p> + <p> + ‘It occurred to me that probably your fair daughter might be going to the + Warren, either to-day or to-morrow,’ said Edward, glancing at Dolly; ‘and + if so, and you will allow her to take charge of this letter, ma’am, you + will oblige me more than I can tell you. The truth is, that while I am + very anxious it should reach its destination, I have particular reasons + for not trusting it to any other conveyance; so that without your help, I + am wholly at a loss.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She was not going that way, sir, either to-day, or to-morrow, nor indeed + all next week,’ the lady graciously rejoined, ‘but we shall be very glad + to put ourselves out of the way on your account, and if you wish it, you + may depend upon its going to-day. You might suppose,’ said Mrs Varden, + frowning at her husband, ‘from Varden’s sitting there so glum and silent, + that he objected to this arrangement; but you must not mind that, sir, if + you please. It’s his way at home. Out of doors, he can be cheerful and + talkative enough.’ + </p> + <p> + Now, the fact was, that the unfortunate locksmith, blessing his stars to + find his helpmate in such good humour, had been sitting with a beaming + face, hearing this discourse with a joy past all expression. Wherefore + this sudden attack quite took him by surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Martha—’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes, I dare say,’ interrupted Mrs Varden, with a smile of mingled + scorn and pleasantry. ‘Very dear! We all know that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, but my good soul,’ said Gabriel, ‘you are quite mistaken. You are + indeed. I was delighted to find you so kind and ready. I waited, my dear, + anxiously, I assure you, to hear what you would say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You waited anxiously,’ repeated Mrs V. ‘Yes! Thank you, Varden. You + waited, as you always do, that I might bear the blame, if any came of it. + But I am used to it,’ said the lady with a kind of solemn titter, ‘and + that’s my comfort!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I give you my word, Martha—’ said Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me give you MY word, my dear,’ interposed his wife with a Christian + smile, ‘that such discussions as these between married people, are much + better left alone. Therefore, if you please, Varden, we’ll drop the + subject. I have no wish to pursue it. I could. I might say a great deal. + But I would rather not. Pray don’t say any more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t want to say any more,’ rejoined the goaded locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well then, don’t,’ said Mrs Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor did I begin it, Martha,’ added the locksmith, good-humouredly, ‘I + must say that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did not begin it, Varden!’ exclaimed his wife, opening her eyes very + wide and looking round upon the company, as though she would say, You hear + this man! ‘You did not begin it, Varden! But you shall not say I was out + of temper. No, you did not begin it, oh dear no, not you, my dear!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ said the locksmith. ‘That’s settled then.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes,’ rejoined his wife, ‘quite. If you like to say Dolly began it, my + dear, I shall not contradict you. I know my duty. I need know it, I am + sure. I am often obliged to bear it in mind, when my inclination perhaps + would be for the moment to forget it. Thank you, Varden.’ And so, with a + mighty show of humility and forgiveness, she folded her hands, and looked + round again, with a smile which plainly said, ‘If you desire to see the + first and foremost among female martyrs, here she is, on view!’ + </p> + <p> + This little incident, illustrative though it was of Mrs Varden’s + extraordinary sweetness and amiability, had so strong a tendency to check + the conversation and to disconcert all parties but that excellent lady, + that only a few monosyllables were uttered until Edward withdrew; which he + presently did, thanking the lady of the house a great many times for her + condescension, and whispering in Dolly’s ear that he would call on the + morrow, in case there should happen to be an answer to the note—which, + indeed, she knew without his telling, as Barnaby and his friend Grip had + dropped in on the previous night to prepare her for the visit which was + then terminating. + </p> + <p> + Gabriel, who had attended Edward to the door, came back with his hands in + his pockets; and, after fidgeting about the room in a very uneasy manner, + and casting a great many sidelong looks at Mrs Varden (who with the + calmest countenance in the world was five fathoms deep in the Protestant + Manual), inquired of Dolly how she meant to go. Dolly supposed by the + stage-coach, and looked at her lady mother, who finding herself silently + appealed to, dived down at least another fathom into the Manual, and + became unconscious of all earthly things. + </p> + <p> + ‘Martha—’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear you, Varden,’ said his wife, without rising to the surface. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sorry, my dear, you have such an objection to the Maypole and old + John, for otherways as it’s a very fine morning, and Saturday’s not a busy + day with us, we might have all three gone to Chigwell in the chaise, and + had quite a happy day of it.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden immediately closed the Manual, and bursting into tears, + requested to be led upstairs. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter now, Martha?’ inquired the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + To which Martha rejoined, ‘Oh! don’t speak to me,’ and protested in agony + that if anybody had told her so, she wouldn’t have believed it. + </p> + <p> + ‘But, Martha,’ said Gabriel, putting himself in the way as she was moving + off with the aid of Dolly’s shoulder, ‘wouldn’t have believed what? Tell + me what’s wrong now. Do tell me. Upon my soul I don’t know. Do YOU know, + child? Damme!’ cried the locksmith, plucking at his wig in a kind of + frenzy, ‘nobody does know, I verily believe, but Miggs!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miggs,’ said Mrs Varden faintly, and with symptoms of approaching + incoherence, ‘is attached to me, and that is sufficient to draw down + hatred upon her in this house. She is a comfort to me, whatever she may be + to others.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She’s no comfort to me,’ cried Gabriel, made bold by despair. ‘She’s the + misery of my life. She’s all the plagues of Egypt in one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She’s considered so, I have no doubt,’ said Mrs Varden. ‘I was prepared + for that; it’s natural; it’s of a piece with the rest. When you taunt me + as you do to my face, how can I wonder that you taunt her behind her + back!’ And here the incoherence coming on very strong, Mrs Varden wept, + and laughed, and sobbed, and shivered, and hiccoughed, and choked; and + said she knew it was very foolish but she couldn’t help it; and that when + she was dead and gone, perhaps they would be sorry for it—which + really under the circumstances did not appear quite so probable as she + seemed to think—with a great deal more to the same effect. In a + word, she passed with great decency through all the ceremonies incidental + to such occasions; and being supported upstairs, was deposited in a highly + spasmodic state on her own bed, where Miss Miggs shortly afterwards flung + herself upon the body. + </p> + <p> + The philosophy of all this was, that Mrs Varden wanted to go to Chigwell; + that she did not want to make any concession or explanation; that she + would only go on being implored and entreated so to do; and that she would + accept no other terms. Accordingly, after a vast amount of moaning and + crying upstairs, and much damping of foreheads, and vinegaring of temples, + and hartshorning of noses, and so forth; and after most pathetic + adjurations from Miggs, assisted by warm brandy-and-water not over-weak, + and divers other cordials, also of a stimulating quality, administered at + first in teaspoonfuls and afterwards in increasing doses, and of which + Miss Miggs herself partook as a preventive measure (for fainting is + infectious); after all these remedies, and many more too numerous to + mention, but not to take, had been applied; and many verbal consolations, + moral, religious, and miscellaneous, had been super-added thereto; the + locksmith humbled himself, and the end was gained. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it’s only for the sake of peace and quietness, father,’ said Dolly, + urging him to go upstairs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Doll, Doll,’ said her good-natured father. ‘If you ever have a + husband of your own—’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly glanced at the glass. + </p> + <p> + ‘—Well, WHEN you have,’ said the locksmith, ‘never faint, my + darling. More domestic unhappiness has come of easy fainting, Doll, than + from all the greater passions put together. Remember that, my dear, if you + would be really happy, which you never can be, if your husband isn’t. And + a word in your ear, my precious. Never have a Miggs about you!’ + </p> + <p> + With this advice he kissed his blooming daughter on the cheek, and slowly + repaired to Mrs Varden’s room; where that lady, lying all pale and languid + on her couch, was refreshing herself with a sight of her last new bonnet, + which Miggs, as a means of calming her scattered spirits, displayed to the + best advantage at her bedside. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here’s master, mim,’ said Miggs. ‘Oh, what a happiness it is when man and + wife come round again! Oh gracious, to think that him and her should ever + have a word together!’ In the energy of these sentiments, which were + uttered as an apostrophe to the Heavens in general, Miss Miggs perched the + bonnet on the top of her own head, and folding her hands, turned on her + tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t help it,’ cried Miggs. ‘I couldn’t, if I was to be drownded in + ‘em. She has such a forgiving spirit! She’ll forget all that has passed, + and go along with you, sir—Oh, if it was to the world’s end, she’d + go along with you.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden with a faint smile gently reproved her attendant for this + enthusiasm, and reminded her at the same time that she was far too unwell + to venture out that day. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh no, you’re not, mim, indeed you’re not,’ said Miggs; ‘I repeal to + master; master knows you’re not, mim. The hair, and motion of the shay, + will do you good, mim, and you must not give way, you must not raly. She + must keep up, mustn’t she, sir, for all our sakes? I was a telling her + that, just now. She must remember us, even if she forgets herself. Master + will persuade you, mim, I’m sure. There’s Miss Dolly’s a-going you know, + and master, and you, and all so happy and so comfortable. Oh!’ cried + Miggs, turning on the tears again, previous to quitting the room in great + emotion, ‘I never see such a blessed one as she is for the forgiveness of + her spirit, I never, never, never did. Not more did master neither; no, + nor no one—never!’ + </p> + <p> + For five minutes or thereabouts, Mrs Varden remained mildly opposed to all + her husband’s prayers that she would oblige him by taking a day’s + pleasure, but relenting at length, she suffered herself to be persuaded, + and granting him her free forgiveness (the merit whereof, she meekly said, + rested with the Manual and not with her), desired that Miggs might come + and help her dress. The handmaid attended promptly, and it is but justice + to their joint exertions to record that, when the good lady came + downstairs in course of time, completely decked out for the journey, she + really looked as if nothing had happened, and appeared in the very best + health imaginable. + </p> + <p> + As to Dolly, there she was again, the very pink and pattern of good looks, + in a smart little cherry-coloured mantle, with a hood of the same drawn + over her head, and upon the top of that hood, a little straw hat trimmed + with cherry-coloured ribbons, and worn the merest trifle on one side—just + enough in short to make it the wickedest and most provoking head-dress + that ever malicious milliner devised. And not to speak of the manner in + which these cherry-coloured decorations brightened her eyes, or vied with + her lips, or shed a new bloom on her face, she wore such a cruel little + muff, and such a heart-rending pair of shoes, and was so surrounded and + hemmed in, as it were, by aggravations of all kinds, that when Mr + Tappettit, holding the horse’s head, saw her come out of the house alone, + such impulses came over him to decoy her into the chaise and drive off + like mad, that he would unquestionably have done it, but for certain + uneasy doubts besetting him as to the shortest way to Gretna Green; + whether it was up the street or down, or up the right-hand turning or the + left; and whether, supposing all the turnpikes to be carried by storm, the + blacksmith in the end would marry them on credit; which by reason of his + clerical office appeared, even to his excited imagination, so unlikely, + that he hesitated. And while he stood hesitating, and looking + post-chaises-and-six at Dolly, out came his master and his mistress, and + the constant Miggs, and the opportunity was gone for ever. For now the + chaise creaked upon its springs, and Mrs Varden was inside; and now it + creaked again, and more than ever, and the locksmith was inside; and now + it bounded once, as if its heart beat lightly, and Dolly was inside; and + now it was gone and its place was empty, and he and that dreary Miggs were + standing in the street together. + </p> + <p> + The hearty locksmith was in as good a humour as if nothing had occurred + for the last twelve months to put him out of his way, Dolly was all smiles + and graces, and Mrs Varden was agreeable beyond all precedent. As they + jogged through the streets talking of this thing and of that, who should + be descried upon the pavement but that very coachmaker, looking so genteel + that nobody would have believed he had ever had anything to do with a + coach but riding in it, and bowing like any nobleman. To be sure Dolly was + confused when she bowed again, and to be sure the cherry-coloured ribbons + trembled a little when she met his mournful eye, which seemed to say, ‘I + have kept my word, I have begun, the business is going to the devil, and + you’re the cause of it.’ There he stood, rooted to the ground: as Dolly + said, like a statue; and as Mrs Varden said, like a pump; till they turned + the corner: and when her father thought it was like his impudence, and her + mother wondered what he meant by it, Dolly blushed again till her very + hood was pale. + </p> + <p> + But on they went, not the less merrily for this, and there was the + locksmith in the incautious fulness of his heart ‘pulling-up’ at all + manner of places, and evincing a most intimate acquaintance with all the + taverns on the road, and all the landlords and all the landladies, with + whom, indeed, the little horse was on equally friendly terms, for he kept + on stopping of his own accord. Never were people so glad to see other + people as these landlords and landladies were to behold Mr Varden and Mrs + Varden and Miss Varden; and wouldn’t they get out, said one; and they + really must walk upstairs, said another; and she would take it ill and be + quite certain they were proud if they wouldn’t have a little taste of + something, said a third; and so on, that it was really quite a Progress + rather than a ride, and one continued scene of hospitality from beginning + to end. It was pleasant enough to be held in such esteem, not to mention + the refreshments; so Mrs Varden said nothing at the time, and was all + affability and delight—but such a body of evidence as she collected + against the unfortunate locksmith that day, to be used thereafter as + occasion might require, never was got together for matrimonial purposes. + </p> + <p> + In course of time—and in course of a pretty long time too, for these + agreeable interruptions delayed them not a little,—they arrived upon + the skirts of the Forest, and riding pleasantly on among the trees, came + at last to the Maypole, where the locksmith’s cheerful ‘Yoho!’ speedily + brought to the porch old John, and after him young Joe, both of whom were + so transfixed at sight of the ladies, that for a moment they were + perfectly unable to give them any welcome, and could do nothing but stare. + </p> + <p> + It was only for a moment, however, that Joe forgot himself, for speedily + reviving he thrust his drowsy father aside—to Mr Willet’s mighty and + inexpressible indignation—and darting out, stood ready to help them + to alight. It was necessary for Dolly to get out first. Joe had her in his + arms;—yes, though for a space of time no longer than you could count + one in, Joe had her in his arms. Here was a glimpse of happiness! + </p> + <p> + It would be difficult to describe what a flat and commonplace affair the + helping Mrs Varden out afterwards was, but Joe did it, and did it too with + the best grace in the world. Then old John, who, entertaining a dull and + foggy sort of idea that Mrs Varden wasn’t fond of him, had been in some + doubt whether she might not have come for purposes of assault and battery, + took courage, hoped she was well, and offered to conduct her into the + house. This tender being amicably received, they marched in together; Joe + and Dolly followed, arm-in-arm, (happiness again!) and Varden brought up + the rear. + </p> + <p> + Old John would have it that they must sit in the bar, and nobody + objecting, into the bar they went. All bars are snug places, but the + Maypole’s was the very snuggest, cosiest, and completest bar, that ever + the wit of man devised. Such amazing bottles in old oaken pigeon-holes; + such gleaming tankards dangling from pegs at about the same inclination as + thirsty men would hold them to their lips; such sturdy little Dutch kegs + ranged in rows on shelves; so many lemons hanging in separate nets, and + forming the fragrant grove already mentioned in this chronicle, + suggestive, with goodly loaves of snowy sugar stowed away hard by, of + punch, idealised beyond all mortal knowledge; such closets, such presses, + such drawers full of pipes, such places for putting things away in hollow + window-seats, all crammed to the throat with eatables, drinkables, or + savoury condiments; lastly, and to crown all, as typical of the immense + resources of the establishment, and its defiances to all visitors to cut + and come again, such a stupendous cheese! + </p> + <p> + It is a poor heart that never rejoices—it must have been the + poorest, weakest, and most watery heart that ever beat, which would not + have warmed towards the Maypole bar. Mrs Varden’s did directly. She could + no more have reproached John Willet among those household gods, the kegs + and bottles, lemons, pipes, and cheese, than she could have stabbed him + with his own bright carving-knife. The order for dinner too—it might + have soothed a savage. ‘A bit of fish,’ said John to the cook, ‘and some + lamb chops (breaded, with plenty of ketchup), and a good salad, and a + roast spring chicken, with a dish of sausages and mashed potatoes, or + something of that sort.’ Something of that sort! The resources of these + inns! To talk carelessly about dishes, which in themselves were a + first-rate holiday kind of dinner, suitable to one’s wedding-day, as + something of that sort: meaning, if you can’t get a spring chicken, any + other trifle in the way of poultry will do—such as a peacock, + perhaps! The kitchen too, with its great broad cavernous chimney; the + kitchen, where nothing in the way of cookery seemed impossible; where you + could believe in anything to eat, they chose to tell you of. Mrs Varden + returned from the contemplation of these wonders to the bar again, with a + head quite dizzy and bewildered. Her housekeeping capacity was not large + enough to comprehend them. She was obliged to go to sleep. Waking was + pain, in the midst of such immensity. + </p> + <p> + Dolly in the meanwhile, whose gay heart and head ran upon other matters, + passed out at the garden door, and glancing back now and then (but of + course not wondering whether Joe saw her), tripped away by a path across + the fields with which she was well acquainted, to discharge her mission at + the Warren; and this deponent hath been informed and verily believes, that + you might have seen many less pleasant objects than the cherry-coloured + mantle and ribbons, as they went fluttering along the green meadows in the + bright light of the day, like giddy things as they were. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 20 + </h2> + <p> + The proud consciousness of her trust, and the great importance she derived + from it, might have advertised it to all the house if she had had to run + the gauntlet of its inhabitants; but as Dolly had played in every dull + room and passage many and many a time, when a child, and had ever since + been the humble friend of Miss Haredale, whose foster-sister she was, she + was as free of the building as the young lady herself. So, using no + greater precaution than holding her breath and walking on tiptoe as she + passed the library door, she went straight to Emma’s room as a privileged + visitor. + </p> + <p> + It was the liveliest room in the building. The chamber was sombre like the + rest for the matter of that, but the presence of youth and beauty would + make a prison cheerful (saving alas! that confinement withers them), and + lend some charms of their own to the gloomiest scene. Birds, flowers, + books, drawing, music, and a hundred such graceful tokens of feminine + loves and cares, filled it with more of life and human sympathy than the + whole house besides seemed made to hold. There was heart in the room; and + who that has a heart, ever fails to recognise the silent presence of + another! + </p> + <p> + Dolly had one undoubtedly, and it was not a tough one either, though there + was a little mist of coquettishness about it, such as sometimes surrounds + that sun of life in its morning, and slightly dims its lustre. Thus, when + Emma rose to greet her, and kissing her affectionately on the cheek, told + her, in her quiet way, that she had been very unhappy, the tears stood in + Dolly’s eyes, and she felt more sorry than she could tell; but next moment + she happened to raise them to the glass, and really there was something + there so exceedingly agreeable, that as she sighed, she smiled, and felt + surprisingly consoled. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have heard about it, miss,’ said Dolly, ‘and it’s very sad indeed, but + when things are at the worst they are sure to mend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But are you sure they are at the worst?’ asked Emma with a smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, I don’t see how they can very well be more unpromising than they + are; I really don’t,’ said Dolly. ‘And I bring something to begin with.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not from Edward?’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0102m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0102m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0102.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Dolly nodded and smiled, and feeling in her pockets (there were pockets in + those days) with an affectation of not being able to find what she wanted, + which greatly enhanced her importance, at length produced the letter. As + Emma hastily broke the seal and became absorbed in its contents, Dolly’s + eyes, by one of those strange accidents for which there is no accounting, + wandered to the glass again. She could not help wondering whether the + coach-maker suffered very much, and quite pitied the poor man. + </p> + <p> + It was a long letter—a very long letter, written close on all four + sides of the sheet of paper, and crossed afterwards; but it was not a + consolatory letter, for as Emma read it she stopped from time to time to + put her handkerchief to her eyes. To be sure Dolly marvelled greatly to + see her in so much distress, for to her thinking a love affair ought to be + one of the best jokes, and the slyest, merriest kind of thing in life. But + she set it down in her own mind that all this came from Miss Haredale’s + being so constant, and that if she would only take on with some other + young gentleman—just in the most innocent way possible, to keep her + first lover up to the mark—she would find herself inexpressibly + comforted. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure that’s what I should do if it was me,’ thought Dolly. ‘To make + one’s sweetheart miserable is well enough and quite right, but to be made + miserable one’s self is a little too much!’ + </p> + <p> + However it wouldn’t do to say so, and therefore she sat looking on in + silence. She needed a pretty considerable stretch of patience, for when + the long letter had been read once all through it was read again, and when + it had been read twice all through it was read again. During this tedious + process, Dolly beguiled the time in the most improving manner that + occurred to her, by curling her hair on her fingers, with the aid of the + looking-glass before mentioned, and giving it some killing twists. + </p> + <p> + Everything has an end. Even young ladies in love cannot read their letters + for ever. In course of time the packet was folded up, and it only remained + to write the answer. + </p> + <p> + But as this promised to be a work of time likewise, Emma said she would + put it off until after dinner, and that Dolly must dine with her. As Dolly + had made up her mind to do so beforehand, she required very little + pressing; and when they had settled this point, they went to walk in the + garden. + </p> + <p> + They strolled up and down the terrace walks, talking incessantly—at + least, Dolly never left off once—and making that quarter of the sad + and mournful house quite gay. Not that they talked loudly or laughed much, + but they were both so very handsome, and it was such a breezy day, and + their light dresses and dark curls appeared so free and joyous in their + abandonment, and Emma was so fair, and Dolly so rosy, and Emma so + delicately shaped, and Dolly so plump, and—in short, there are no + flowers for any garden like such flowers, let horticulturists say what + they may, and both house and garden seemed to know it, and to brighten up + sensibly. + </p> + <p> + After this, came the dinner and the letter writing, and some more talking, + in the course of which Miss Haredale took occasion to charge upon Dolly + certain flirtish and inconstant propensities, which accusations Dolly + seemed to think very complimentary indeed, and to be mightily amused with. + Finding her quite incorrigible in this respect, Emma suffered her to + depart; but not before she had confided to her that important and + never-sufficiently-to-be-taken-care-of answer, and endowed her moreover + with a pretty little bracelet as a keepsake. Having clasped it on her arm, + and again advised her half in jest and half in earnest to amend her + roguish ways, for she knew she was fond of Joe at heart (which Dolly + stoutly denied, with a great many haughty protestations that she hoped she + could do better than that indeed! and so forth), she bade her farewell; + and after calling her back to give her more supplementary messages for + Edward, than anybody with tenfold the gravity of Dolly Varden could be + reasonably expected to remember, at length dismissed her. + </p> + <p> + Dolly bade her good bye, and tripping lightly down the stairs arrived at + the dreaded library door, and was about to pass it again on tiptoe, when + it opened, and behold! there stood Mr Haredale. Now, Dolly had from her + childhood associated with this gentleman the idea of something grim and + ghostly, and being at the moment conscience-stricken besides, the sight of + him threw her into such a flurry that she could neither acknowledge his + presence nor run away, so she gave a great start, and then with downcast + eyes stood still and trembled. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come here, girl,’ said Mr Haredale, taking her by the hand. ‘I want to + speak to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you please, sir, I’m in a hurry,’ faltered Dolly, ‘and—you have + frightened me by coming so suddenly upon me, sir—I would rather go, + sir, if you’ll be so good as to let me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Immediately,’ said Mr Haredale, who had by this time led her into the + room and closed the door. ‘You shall go directly. You have just left Emma?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir, just this minute.—Father’s waiting for me, sir, if you’ll + please to have the goodness—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know. I know,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Answer me a question. What did you + bring here to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring here, sir?’ faltered Dolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will tell me the truth, I am sure. Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly hesitated for a little while, and somewhat emboldened by his manner, + said at last, ‘Well then, sir. It was a letter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From Mr Edward Chester, of course. And you are the bearer of the answer?’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly hesitated again, and not being able to decide upon any other course + of action, burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘You alarm yourself without cause,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Why are you so + foolish? Surely you can answer me. You know that I have but to put the + question to Emma and learn the truth directly. Have you the answer with + you?’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly had what is popularly called a spirit of her own, and being now + fairly at bay, made the best of it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir,’ she rejoined, trembling and frightened as she was. ‘Yes, sir, + I have. You may kill me if you please, sir, but I won’t give it up. I’m + very sorry,—but I won’t. There, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I commend your firmness and your plain-speaking,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Rest + assured that I have as little desire to take your letter as your life. You + are a very discreet messenger and a good girl.’ + </p> + <p> + Not feeling quite certain, as she afterwards said, whether he might not be + ‘coming over her’ with these compliments, Dolly kept as far from him as + she could, cried again, and resolved to defend her pocket (for the letter + was there) to the last extremity. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have some design,’ said Mr Haredale after a short silence, during which + a smile, as he regarded her, had struggled through the gloom and + melancholy that was natural to his face, ‘of providing a companion for my + niece; for her life is a very lonely one. Would you like the office? You + are the oldest friend she has, and the best entitled to it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know, sir,’ answered Dolly, not sure but he was bantering her; ‘I + can’t say. I don’t know what they might wish at home. I couldn’t give an + opinion, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If your friends had no objection, would you have any?’ said Mr Haredale. + ‘Come. There’s a plain question; and easy to answer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘None at all that I know of sir,’ replied Dolly. ‘I should be very glad to + be near Miss Emma of course, and always am.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s well,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘That is all I had to say. You are + anxious to go. Don’t let me detain you.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly didn’t let him, nor did she wait for him to try, for the words had + no sooner passed his lips than she was out of the room, out of the house, + and in the fields again. + </p> + <p> + The first thing to be done, of course, when she came to herself and + considered what a flurry she had been in, was to cry afresh; and the next + thing, when she reflected how well she had got over it, was to laugh + heartily. The tears once banished gave place to the smiles, and at last + Dolly laughed so much that she was fain to lean against a tree, and give + vent to her exultation. When she could laugh no longer, and was quite + tired, she put her head-dress to rights, dried her eyes, looked back very + merrily and triumphantly at the Warren chimneys, which were just visible, + and resumed her walk. + </p> + <p> + The twilight had come on, and it was quickly growing dusk, but the path + was so familiar to her from frequent traversing that she hardly thought of + this, and certainly felt no uneasiness at being left alone. Moreover, + there was the bracelet to admire; and when she had given it a good rub, + and held it out at arm’s length, it sparkled and glittered so beautifully + on her wrist, that to look at it in every point of view and with every + possible turn of the arm, was quite an absorbing business. There was the + letter too, and it looked so mysterious and knowing, when she took it out + of her pocket, and it held, as she knew, so much inside, that to turn it + over and over, and think about it, and wonder how it began, and how it + ended, and what it said all through, was another matter of constant + occupation. Between the bracelet and the letter, there was quite enough to + do without thinking of anything else; and admiring each by turns, Dolly + went on gaily. + </p> + <p> + As she passed through a wicket-gate to where the path was narrow, and lay + between two hedges garnished here and there with trees, she heard a + rustling close at hand, which brought her to a sudden stop. She listened. + All was very quiet, and she went on again—not absolutely frightened, + but a little quicker than before perhaps, and possibly not quite so much + at her ease, for a check of that kind is startling. + </p> + <p> + She had no sooner moved on again, than she was conscious of the same + sound, which was like that of a person tramping stealthily among bushes + and brushwood. Looking towards the spot whence it appeared to come, she + almost fancied she could make out a crouching figure. She stopped again. + All was quiet as before. On she went once more—decidedly faster now—and + tried to sing softly to herself. It must be the wind. + </p> + <p> + But how came the wind to blow only when she walked, and cease when she + stood still? She stopped involuntarily as she made the reflection, and the + rustling noise stopped likewise. She was really frightened now, and was + yet hesitating what to do, when the bushes crackled and snapped, and a man + came plunging through them, close before her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 21 + </h2> + <p> + It was for the moment an inexpressible relief to Dolly, to recognise in + the person who forced himself into the path so abruptly, and now stood + directly in her way, Hugh of the Maypole, whose name she uttered in a tone + of delighted surprise that came from her heart. + </p> + <p> + ‘Was it you?’ she said, ‘how glad I am to see you! and how could you + terrify me so!’ + </p> + <p> + In answer to which, he said nothing at all, but stood quite still, looking + at her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you come to meet me?’ asked Dolly. + </p> + <p> + Hugh nodded, and muttered something to the effect that he had been waiting + for her, and had expected her sooner. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought it likely they would send,’ said Dolly, greatly reassured by + this. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nobody sent me,’ was his sullen answer. ‘I came of my own accord.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0105m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0105m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0105.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The rough bearing of this fellow, and his wild, uncouth appearance, had + often filled the girl with a vague apprehension even when other people + were by, and had occasioned her to shrink from him involuntarily. The + having him for an unbidden companion in so solitary a place, with the + darkness fast gathering about them, renewed and even increased the alarm + she had felt at first. + </p> + <p> + If his manner had been merely dogged and passively fierce, as usual, she + would have had no greater dislike to his company than she always felt—perhaps, + indeed, would have been rather glad to have had him at hand. But there was + something of coarse bold admiration in his look, which terrified her very + much. She glanced timidly towards him, uncertain whether to go forward or + retreat, and he stood gazing at her like a handsome satyr; and so they + remained for some short time without stirring or breaking silence. At + length Dolly took courage, shot past him, and hurried on. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you spend so much breath in avoiding me?’ said Hugh, accommodating + his pace to hers, and keeping close at her side. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish to get back as quickly as I can, and you walk too near me, + answered Dolly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Too near!’ said Hugh, stooping over her so that she could feel his breath + upon her forehead. ‘Why too near? You’re always proud to ME, mistress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am proud to no one. You mistake me,’ answered Dolly. ‘Fall back, if you + please, or go on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, mistress,’ he rejoined, endeavouring to draw her arm through his, + ‘I’ll walk with you.’ + </p> + <p> + She released herself and clenching her little hand, struck him with right + good will. At this, Maypole Hugh burst into a roar of laughter, and + passing his arm about her waist, held her in his strong grasp as easily as + if she had been a bird. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha! Well done, mistress! Strike again. You shall beat my face, and + tear my hair, and pluck my beard up by the roots, and welcome, for the + sake of your bright eyes. Strike again, mistress. Do. Ha ha ha! I like + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go,’ she cried, endeavouring with both her hands to push him off. + ‘Let me go this moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had as good be kinder to me, Sweetlips,’ said Hugh. ‘You had, indeed. + Come. Tell me now. Why are you always so proud? I don’t quarrel with you + for it. I love you when you’re proud. Ha ha ha! You can’t hide your beauty + from a poor fellow; that’s a comfort!’ + </p> + <p> + She gave him no answer, but as he had not yet checked her progress, + continued to press forward as rapidly as she could. At length, between the + hurry she had made, her terror, and the tightness of his embrace, her + strength failed her, and she could go no further. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hugh,’ cried the panting girl, ‘good Hugh; if you will leave me I will + give you anything—everything I have—and never tell one word of + this to any living creature.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You had best not,’ he answered. ‘Harkye, little dove, you had best not. + All about here know me, and what I dare do if I have a mind. If ever you + are going to tell, stop when the words are on your lips, and think of the + mischief you’ll bring, if you do, upon some innocent heads that you + wouldn’t wish to hurt a hair of. Bring trouble on me, and I’ll bring + trouble and something more on them in return. I care no more for them than + for so many dogs; not so much—why should I? I’d sooner kill a man + than a dog any day. I’ve never been sorry for a man’s death in all my + life, and I have for a dog’s.’ + </p> + <p> + There was something so thoroughly savage in the manner of these + expressions, and the looks and gestures by which they were accompanied, + that her great fear of him gave her new strength, and enabled her by a + sudden effort to extricate herself and run fleetly from him. But Hugh was + as nimble, strong, and swift of foot, as any man in broad England, and it + was but a fruitless expenditure of energy, for he had her in his + encircling arms again before she had gone a hundred yards. + </p> + <p> + ‘Softly, darling—gently—would you fly from rough Hugh, that + loves you as well as any drawing-room gallant?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would,’ she answered, struggling to free herself again. ‘I will. Help!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A fine for crying out,’ said Hugh. ‘Ha ha ha! A fine, pretty one, from + your lips. I pay myself! Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Help! help! help!’ As she shrieked with the utmost violence she could + exert, a shout was heard in answer, and another, and another. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank Heaven!’ cried the girl in an ecstasy. ‘Joe, dear Joe, this way. + Help!’ + </p> + <p> + Her assailant paused, and stood irresolute for a moment, but the shouts + drawing nearer and coming quick upon them, forced him to a speedy + decision. He released her, whispered with a menacing look, ‘Tell HIM: and + see what follows!’ and leaping the hedge, was gone in an instant. Dolly + darted off, and fairly ran into Joe Willet’s open arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the matter? are you hurt? what was it? who was it? where is he? + what was he like?’ with a great many encouraging expressions and + assurances of safety, were the first words Joe poured forth. But poor + little Dolly was so breathless and terrified that for some time she was + quite unable to answer him, and hung upon his shoulder, sobbing and crying + as if her heart would break. + </p> + <p> + Joe had not the smallest objection to have her hanging on his shoulder; + no, not the least, though it crushed the cherry-coloured ribbons sadly, + and put the smart little hat out of all shape. But he couldn’t bear to see + her cry; it went to his very heart. He tried to console her, bent over + her, whispered to her—some say kissed her, but that’s a fable. At + any rate he said all the kind and tender things he could think of and + Dolly let him go on and didn’t interrupt him once, and it was a good ten + minutes before she was able to raise her head and thank him. + </p> + <p> + ‘What was it that frightened you?’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + A man whose person was unknown to her had followed her, she answered; he + began by begging, and went on to threats of robbery, which he was on the + point of carrying into execution, and would have executed, but for Joe’s + timely aid. The hesitation and confusion with which she said this, Joe + attributed to the fright she had sustained, and no suspicion of the truth + occurred to him for a moment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop when the words are on your lips.’ A hundred times that night, and + very often afterwards, when the disclosure was rising to her tongue, Dolly + thought of that, and repressed it. A deeply rooted dread of the man; the + conviction that his ferocious nature, once roused, would stop at nothing; + and the strong assurance that if she impeached him, the full measure of + his wrath and vengeance would be wreaked on Joe, who had preserved her; + these were considerations she had not the courage to overcome, and + inducements to secrecy too powerful for her to surmount. + </p> + <p> + Joe, for his part, was a great deal too happy to inquire very curiously + into the matter; and Dolly being yet too tremulous to walk without + assistance, they went forward very slowly, and in his mind very + pleasantly, until the Maypole lights were near at hand, twinkling their + cheerful welcome, when Dolly stopped suddenly and with a half scream + exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + ‘The letter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What letter?’ cried Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘That I was carrying—I had it in my hand. My bracelet too,’ she + said, clasping her wrist. ‘I have lost them both.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean just now?’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘Either I dropped them then, or they were taken from me,’ answered Dolly, + vainly searching her pocket and rustling her dress. ‘They are gone, both + gone. What an unhappy girl I am!’ With these words poor Dolly, who to do + her justice was quite as sorry for the loss of the letter as for her + bracelet, fell a-crying again, and bemoaned her fate most movingly. + </p> + <p> + Joe tried to comfort her with the assurance that directly he had housed + her in the Maypole, he would return to the spot with a lantern (for it was + now quite dark) and make strict search for the missing articles, which + there was great probability of his finding, as it was not likely that + anybody had passed that way since, and she was not conscious that they had + been forcibly taken from her. Dolly thanked him very heartily for this + offer, though with no great hope of his quest being successful; and so + with many lamentations on her side, and many hopeful words on his, and + much weakness on the part of Dolly and much tender supporting on the part + of Joe, they reached the Maypole bar at last, where the locksmith and his + wife and old John were yet keeping high festival. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet received the intelligence of Dolly’s trouble with that + surprising presence of mind and readiness of speech for which he was so + eminently distinguished above all other men. Mrs Varden expressed her + sympathy for her daughter’s distress by scolding her roundly for being so + late; and the honest locksmith divided himself between condoling with and + kissing Dolly, and shaking hands heartily with Joe, whom he could not + sufficiently praise or thank. + </p> + <p> + In reference to this latter point, old John was far from agreeing with his + friend; for besides that he by no means approved of an adventurous spirit + in the abstract, it occurred to him that if his son and heir had been + seriously damaged in a scuffle, the consequences would assuredly have been + expensive and inconvenient, and might perhaps have proved detrimental to + the Maypole business. Wherefore, and because he looked with no favourable + eye upon young girls, but rather considered that they and the whole female + sex were a kind of nonsensical mistake on the part of Nature, he took + occasion to retire and shake his head in private at the boiler; inspired + by which silent oracle, he was moved to give Joe various stealthy nudges + with his elbow, as a parental reproof and gentle admonition to mind his + own business and not make a fool of himself. + </p> + <p> + Joe, however, took down the lantern and lighted it; and arming himself + with a stout stick, asked whether Hugh was in the stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s lying asleep before the kitchen fire, sir,’ said Mr Willet. ‘What do + you want him for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I want him to come with me to look after this bracelet and letter,’ + answered Joe. ‘Halloa there! Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly turned pale as death, and felt as if she must faint forthwith. After + a few moments, Hugh came staggering in, stretching himself and yawning + according to custom, and presenting every appearance of having been roused + from a sound nap. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here, sleepy-head,’ said Joe, giving him the lantern. ‘Carry this, and + bring the dog, and that small cudgel of yours. And woe betide the fellow + if we come upon him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What fellow?’ growled Hugh, rubbing his eyes and shaking himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘What fellow?’ returned Joe, who was in a state of great valour and + bustle; ‘a fellow you ought to know of and be more alive about. It’s well + for the like of you, lazy giant that you are, to be snoring your time away + in chimney-corners, when honest men’s daughters can’t cross even our quiet + meadows at nightfall without being set upon by footpads, and frightened + out of their precious lives.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They never rob me,’ cried Hugh with a laugh. ‘I have got nothing to lose. + But I’d as lief knock them at head as any other men. How many are there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Only one,’ said Dolly faintly, for everybody looked at her. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what was he like, mistress?’ said Hugh with a glance at young Willet, + so slight and momentary that the scowl it conveyed was lost on all but + her. ‘About my height?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not—not so tall,’ Dolly replied, scarce knowing what she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘His dress,’ said Hugh, looking at her keenly, ‘like—like any of + ours now? I know all the people hereabouts, and maybe could give a guess + at the man, if I had anything to guide me.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly faltered and turned paler yet; then answered that he was wrapped in + a loose coat and had his face hidden by a handkerchief and that she could + give no other description of him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You wouldn’t know him if you saw him then, belike?’ said Hugh with a + malicious grin. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should not,’ answered Dolly, bursting into tears again. ‘I don’t wish + to see him. I can’t bear to think of him. I can’t talk about him any more. + Don’t go to look for these things, Mr Joe, pray don’t. I entreat you not + to go with that man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to go with me!’ cried Hugh. ‘I’m too rough for them all. They’re all + afraid of me. Why, bless you mistress, I’ve the tenderest heart alive. I + love all the ladies, ma’am,’ said Hugh, turning to the locksmith’s wife. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden opined that if he did, he ought to be ashamed of himself; such + sentiments being more consistent (so she argued) with a benighted + Mussulman or wild Islander than with a stanch Protestant. Arguing from + this imperfect state of his morals, Mrs Varden further opined that he had + never studied the Manual. Hugh admitting that he never had, and moreover + that he couldn’t read, Mrs Varden declared with much severity, that he + ought to be even more ashamed of himself than before, and strongly + recommended him to save up his pocket-money for the purchase of one, and + further to teach himself the contents with all convenient diligence. She + was still pursuing this train of discourse, when Hugh, somewhat + unceremoniously and irreverently, followed his young master out, and left + her to edify the rest of the company. This she proceeded to do, and + finding that Mr Willet’s eyes were fixed upon her with an appearance of + deep attention, gradually addressed the whole of her discourse to him, + whom she entertained with a moral and theological lecture of considerable + length, in the conviction that great workings were taking place in his + spirit. The simple truth was, however, that Mr Willet, although his eyes + were wide open and he saw a woman before him whose head by long and steady + looking at seemed to grow bigger and bigger until it filled the whole bar, + was to all other intents and purposes fast asleep; and so sat leaning back + in his chair with his hands in his pockets until his son’s return caused + him to wake up with a deep sigh, and a faint impression that he had been + dreaming about pickled pork and greens—a vision of his slumbers + which was no doubt referable to the circumstance of Mrs Varden’s having + frequently pronounced the word ‘Grace’ with much emphasis; which word, + entering the portals of Mr Willet’s brain as they stood ajar, and coupling + itself with the words ‘before meat,’ which were there ranging about, did + in time suggest a particular kind of meat together with that description + of vegetable which is usually its companion. + </p> + <p> + The search was wholly unsuccessful. Joe had groped along the path a dozen + times, and among the grass, and in the dry ditch, and in the hedge, but + all in vain. Dolly, who was quite inconsolable for her loss, wrote a note + to Miss Haredale giving her the same account of it that she had given at + the Maypole, which Joe undertook to deliver as soon as the family were + stirring next day. That done, they sat down to tea in the bar, where there + was an uncommon display of buttered toast, and—in order that they + might not grow faint for want of sustenance, and might have a decent + halting-place or halfway house between dinner and supper—a few + savoury trifles in the shape of great rashers of broiled ham, which being + well cured, done to a turn, and smoking hot, sent forth a tempting and + delicious fragrance. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden was seldom very Protestant at meals, unless it happened that + they were underdone, or overdone, or indeed that anything occurred to put + her out of humour. Her spirits rose considerably on beholding these goodly + preparations, and from the nothingness of good works, she passed to the + somethingness of ham and toast with great cheerfulness. Nay, under the + influence of these wholesome stimulants, she sharply reproved her daughter + for being low and despondent (which she considered an unacceptable frame + of mind), and remarked, as she held her own plate for a fresh supply, that + it would be well for Dolly, who pined over the loss of a toy and a sheet + of paper, if she would reflect upon the voluntary sacrifices of the + missionaries in foreign parts who lived chiefly on salads. + </p> + <p> + The proceedings of such a day occasion various fluctuations in the human + thermometer, and especially in instruments so sensitively and delicately + constructed as Mrs Varden. Thus, at dinner Mrs V. stood at summer heat; + genial, smiling, and delightful. After dinner, in the sunshine of the + wine, she went up at least half-a-dozen degrees, and was perfectly + enchanting. As its effect subsided, she fell rapidly, went to sleep for an + hour or so at temperate, and woke at something below freezing. Now she was + at summer heat again, in the shade; and when tea was over, and old John, + producing a bottle of cordial from one of the oaken cases, insisted on her + sipping two glasses thereof in slow succession, she stood steadily at + ninety for one hour and a quarter. Profiting by experience, the locksmith + took advantage of this genial weather to smoke his pipe in the porch, and + in consequence of this prudent management, he was fully prepared, when the + glass went down again, to start homewards directly. + </p> + <p> + The horse was accordingly put in, and the chaise brought round to the + door. Joe, who would on no account be dissuaded from escorting them until + they had passed the most dreary and solitary part of the road, led out the + grey mare at the same time; and having helped Dolly into her seat (more + happiness!) sprung gaily into the saddle. Then, after many good nights, + and admonitions to wrap up, and glancing of lights, and handing in of + cloaks and shawls, the chaise rolled away, and Joe trotted beside it—on + Dolly’s side, no doubt, and pretty close to the wheel too. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 22 + </h2> + <p> + It was a fine bright night, and for all her lowness of spirits Dolly kept + looking up at the stars in a manner so bewitching (and SHE knew it!) that + Joe was clean out of his senses, and plainly showed that if ever a man + were—not to say over head and ears, but over the Monument and the + top of Saint Paul’s in love, that man was himself. The road was a very + good one; not at all a jolting road, or an uneven one; and yet Dolly held + the side of the chaise with one little hand, all the way. If there had + been an executioner behind him with an uplifted axe ready to chop off his + head if he touched that hand, Joe couldn’t have helped doing it. From + putting his own hand upon it as if by chance, and taking it away again + after a minute or so, he got to riding along without taking it off at all; + as if he, the escort, were bound to do that as an important part of his + duty, and had come out for the purpose. The most curious circumstance + about this little incident was, that Dolly didn’t seem to know of it. She + looked so innocent and unconscious when she turned her eyes on Joe, that + it was quite provoking. + </p> + <p> + She talked though; talked about her fright, and about Joe’s coming up to + rescue her, and about her gratitude, and about her fear that she might not + have thanked him enough, and about their always being friends from that + time forth—and about all that sort of thing. And when Joe said, not + friends he hoped, Dolly was quite surprised, and said not enemies she + hoped; and when Joe said, couldn’t they be something much better than + either, Dolly all of a sudden found out a star which was brighter than all + the other stars, and begged to call his attention to the same, and was ten + thousand times more innocent and unconscious than ever. + </p> + <p> + In this manner they travelled along, talking very little above a whisper, + and wishing the road could be stretched out to some dozen times its + natural length—at least that was Joe’s desire—when, as they + were getting clear of the forest and emerging on the more frequented road, + they heard behind them the sound of a horse’s feet at a round trot, which + growing rapidly louder as it drew nearer, elicited a scream from Mrs + Varden, and the cry ‘a friend!’ from the rider, who now came panting up, + and checked his horse beside them. + </p> + <p> + ‘This man again!’ cried Dolly, shuddering. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hugh!’ said Joe. ‘What errand are you upon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I come to ride back with you,’ he answered, glancing covertly at the + locksmith’s daughter. ‘HE sent me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My father!’ said poor Joe; adding under his breath, with a very unfilial + apostrophe, ‘Will he never think me man enough to take care of myself!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aye!’ returned Hugh to the first part of the inquiry. ‘The roads are not + safe just now, he says, and you’d better have a companion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ride on then,’ said Joe. ‘I’m not going to turn yet.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh complied, and they went on again. It was his whim or humour to ride + immediately before the chaise, and from this position he constantly turned + his head, and looked back. Dolly felt that he looked at her, but she + averted her eyes and feared to raise them once, so great was the dread + with which he had inspired her. + </p> + <p> + This interruption, and the consequent wakefulness of Mrs Varden, who had + been nodding in her sleep up to this point, except for a minute or two at + a time, when she roused herself to scold the locksmith for audaciously + taking hold of her to prevent her nodding herself out of the chaise, put a + restraint upon the whispered conversation, and made it difficult of + resumption. Indeed, before they had gone another mile, Gabriel stopped at + his wife’s desire, and that good lady protested she would not hear of + Joe’s going a step further on any account whatever. It was in vain for Joe + to protest on the other hand that he was by no means tired, and would turn + back presently, and would see them safely past such a point, and so forth. + Mrs Varden was obdurate, and being so was not to be overcome by mortal + agency. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night—if I must say it,’ said Joe, sorrowfully. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night,’ said Dolly. She would have added, ‘Take care of that man, + and pray don’t trust him,’ but he had turned his horse’s head, and was + standing close to them. She had therefore nothing for it but to suffer Joe + to give her hand a gentle squeeze, and when the chaise had gone on for + some distance, to look back and wave it, as he still lingered on the spot + where they had parted, with the tall dark figure of Hugh beside him. + </p> + <p> + What she thought about, going home; and whether the coach-maker held as + favourable a place in her meditations as he had occupied in the morning, + is unknown. They reached home at last—at last, for it was a long + way, made none the shorter by Mrs Varden’s grumbling. Miggs hearing the + sound of wheels was at the door immediately. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here they are, Simmun! Here they are!’ cried Miggs, clapping her hands, + and issuing forth to help her mistress to alight. ‘Bring a chair, Simmun. + Now, an’t you the better for it, mim? Don’t you feel more yourself than + you would have done if you’d have stopped at home? Oh, gracious! how cold + you are! Goodness me, sir, she’s a perfect heap of ice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t help it, my good girl. You had better take her in to the fire,’ + said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Master sounds unfeeling, mim,’ said Miggs, in a tone of commiseration, + ‘but such is not his intentions, I’m sure. After what he has seen of you + this day, I never will believe but that he has a deal more affection in + his heart than to speak unkind. Come in and sit yourself down by the fire; + there’s a good dear—do.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden complied. The locksmith followed with his hands in his pockets, + and Mr Tappertit trundled off with the chaise to a neighbouring stable. + </p> + <p> + ‘Martha, my dear,’ said the locksmith, when they reached the parlour, ‘if + you’ll look to Dolly yourself or let somebody else do it, perhaps it will + be only kind and reasonable. She has been frightened, you know, and is not + at all well to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + In fact, Dolly had thrown herself upon the sofa, quite regardless of all + the little finery of which she had been so proud in the morning, and with + her face buried in her hands was crying very much. + </p> + <p> + At first sight of this phenomenon (for Dolly was by no means accustomed to + displays of this sort, rather learning from her mother’s example to avoid + them as much as possible) Mrs Varden expressed her belief that never was + any woman so beset as she; that her life was a continued scene of trial; + that whenever she was disposed to be well and cheerful, so sure were the + people around her to throw, by some means or other, a damp upon her + spirits; and that, as she had enjoyed herself that day, and Heaven knew it + was very seldom she did enjoy herself so she was now to pay the penalty. + To all such propositions Miggs assented freely. Poor Dolly, however, grew + none the better for these restoratives, but rather worse, indeed; and + seeing that she was really ill, both Mrs Varden and Miggs were moved to + compassion, and tended her in earnest. + </p> + <p> + But even then, their very kindness shaped itself into their usual course + of policy, and though Dolly was in a swoon, it was rendered clear to the + meanest capacity, that Mrs Varden was the sufferer. Thus when Dolly began + to get a little better, and passed into that stage in which matrons hold + that remonstrance and argument may be successfully applied, her mother + represented to her, with tears in her eyes, that if she had been flurried + and worried that day, she must remember it was the common lot of humanity, + and in especial of womankind, who through the whole of their existence + must expect no less, and were bound to make up their minds to meek + endurance and patient resignation. Mrs Varden entreated her to remember + that one of these days she would, in all probability, have to do violence + to her feelings so far as to be married; and that marriage, as she might + see every day of her life (and truly she did) was a state requiring great + fortitude and forbearance. She represented to her in lively colours, that + if she (Mrs V.) had not, in steering her course through this vale of + tears, been supported by a strong principle of duty which alone upheld and + prevented her from drooping, she must have been in her grave many years + ago; in which case she desired to know what would have become of that + errant spirit (meaning the locksmith), of whose eye she was the very + apple, and in whose path she was, as it were, a shining light and guiding + star? + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs also put in her word to the same effect. She said that indeed + and indeed Miss Dolly might take pattern by her blessed mother, who, she + always had said, and always would say, though she were to be hanged, + drawn, and quartered for it next minute, was the mildest, amiablest, + forgivingest-spirited, longest-sufferingest female as ever she could have + believed; the mere narration of whose excellencies had worked such a + wholesome change in the mind of her own sister-in-law, that, whereas, + before, she and her husband lived like cat and dog, and were in the habit + of exchanging brass candlesticks, pot-lids, flat-irons, and other such + strong resentments, they were now the happiest and affectionatest couple + upon earth; as could be proved any day on application at Golden Lion + Court, number twenty-sivin, second bell-handle on the right-hand doorpost. + After glancing at herself as a comparatively worthless vessel, but still + as one of some desert, she besought her to bear in mind that her aforesaid + dear and only mother was of a weakly constitution and excitable + temperament, who had constantly to sustain afflictions in domestic life, + compared with which thieves and robbers were as nothing, and yet never + sunk down or gave way to despair or wrath, but, in prize-fighting + phraseology, always came up to time with a cheerful countenance, and went + in to win as if nothing had happened. When Miggs finished her solo, her + mistress struck in again, and the two together performed a duet to the + same purpose; the burden being, that Mrs Varden was persecuted perfection, + and Mr Varden, as the representative of mankind in that apartment, a + creature of vicious and brutal habits, utterly insensible to the blessings + he enjoyed. Of so refined a character, indeed, was their talent of assault + under the mask of sympathy, that when Dolly, recovering, embraced her + father tenderly, as in vindication of his goodness, Mrs Varden expressed + her solemn hope that this would be a lesson to him for the remainder of + his life, and that he would do some little justice to a woman’s nature + ever afterwards—in which aspiration Miss Miggs, by divers sniffs and + coughs, more significant than the longest oration, expressed her entire + concurrence. + </p> + <p> + But the great joy of Miggs’s heart was, that she not only picked up a full + account of what had happened, but had the exquisite delight of conveying + it to Mr Tappertit for his jealousy and torture. For that gentleman, on + account of Dolly’s indisposition, had been requested to take his supper in + the workshop, and it was conveyed thither by Miss Miggs’s own fair hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Simmun!’ said the young lady, ‘such goings on to-day! Oh, gracious me, + Simmun!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit, who was not in the best of humours, and who disliked Miss + Miggs more when she laid her hand on her heart and panted for breath than + at any other time, as her deficiency of outline was most apparent under + such circumstances, eyed her over in his loftiest style, and deigned to + express no curiosity whatever. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never heard the like, nor nobody else,’ pursued Miggs. ‘The idea of + interfering with HER. What people can see in her to make it worth their + while to do so, that’s the joke—he he he!’ + </p> + <p> + Finding there was a lady in the case, Mr Tappertit haughtily requested his + fair friend to be more explicit, and demanded to know what she meant by + ‘her.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, that Dolly,’ said Miggs, with an extremely sharp emphasis on the + name. ‘But, oh upon my word and honour, young Joseph Willet is a brave + one; and he do deserve her, that he do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Woman!’ said Mr Tappertit, jumping off the counter on which he was + seated; ‘beware!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My stars, Simmun!’ cried Miggs, in affected astonishment. ‘You frighten + me to death! What’s the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There are strings,’ said Mr Tappertit, flourishing his bread-and-cheese + knife in the air, ‘in the human heart that had better not be wibrated. + That’s what’s the matter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, very well—if you’re in a huff,’ cried Miggs, turning away. + </p> + <p> + ‘Huff or no huff,’ said Mr Tappertit, detaining her by the wrist. ‘What do + you mean, Jezebel? What were you going to say? Answer me!’ + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding this uncivil exhortation, Miggs gladly did as she was + required; and told him how that their young mistress, being alone in the + meadows after dark, had been attacked by three or four tall men, who would + have certainly borne her away and perhaps murdered her, but for the timely + arrival of Joseph Willet, who with his own single hand put them all to + flight, and rescued her; to the lasting admiration of his fellow-creatures + generally, and to the eternal love and gratitude of Dolly Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said Mr Tappertit, fetching a long breath when the tale was + told, and rubbing his hair up till it stood stiff and straight on end all + over his head. ‘His days are numbered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Simmun!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you,’ said the ‘prentice, ‘his days are numbered. Leave me. Get + along with you.’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs departed at his bidding, but less because of his bidding than + because she desired to chuckle in secret. When she had given vent to her + satisfaction, she returned to the parlour; where the locksmith, stimulated + by quietness and Toby, had become talkative, and was disposed to take a + cheerful review of the occurrences of the day. But Mrs Varden, whose + practical religion (as is not uncommon) was usually of the retrospective + order, cut him short by declaiming on the sinfulness of such junketings, + and holding that it was high time to go to bed. To bed therefore she + withdrew, with an aspect as grim and gloomy as that of the Maypole’s own + state couch; and to bed the rest of the establishment soon afterwards + repaired. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0112m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0112m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0112.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 23 + </h2> + <p> + Twilight had given place to night some hours, and it was high noon in + those quarters of the town in which ‘the world’ condescended to dwell—the + world being then, as now, of very limited dimensions and easily lodged—when + Mr Chester reclined upon a sofa in his dressing-room in the Temple, + entertaining himself with a book. + </p> + <p> + He was dressing, as it seemed, by easy stages, and having performed half + the journey was taking a long rest. Completely attired as to his legs and + feet in the trimmest fashion of the day, he had yet the remainder of his + toilet to perform. The coat was stretched, like a refined scarecrow, on + its separate horse; the waistcoat was displayed to the best advantage; the + various ornamental articles of dress were severally set out in most + alluring order; and yet he lay dangling his legs between the sofa and the + ground, as intent upon his book as if there were nothing but bed before + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Upon my honour,’ he said, at length raising his eyes to the ceiling with + the air of a man who was reflecting seriously on what he had read; ‘upon + my honour, the most masterly composition, the most delicate thoughts, the + finest code of morality, and the most gentlemanly sentiments in the + universe! Ah Ned, Ned, if you would but form your mind by such precepts, + we should have but one common feeling on every subject that could possibly + arise between us!’ + </p> + <p> + This apostrophe was addressed, like the rest of his remarks, to empty air: + for Edward was not present, and the father was quite alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘My Lord Chesterfield,’ he said, pressing his hand tenderly upon the book + as he laid it down, ‘if I could but have profited by your genius soon + enough to have formed my son on the model you have left to all wise + fathers, both he and I would have been rich men. Shakespeare was + undoubtedly very fine in his way; Milton good, though prosy; Lord Bacon + deep, and decidedly knowing; but the writer who should be his country’s + pride, is my Lord Chesterfield.’ + </p> + <p> + He became thoughtful again, and the toothpick was in requisition. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought I was tolerably accomplished as a man of the world,’ he + continued, ‘I flattered myself that I was pretty well versed in all those + little arts and graces which distinguish men of the world from boors and + peasants, and separate their character from those intensely vulgar + sentiments which are called the national character. Apart from any natural + prepossession in my own favour, I believed I was. Still, in every page of + this enlightened writer, I find some captivating hypocrisy which has never + occurred to me before, or some superlative piece of selfishness to which I + was utterly a stranger. I should quite blush for myself before this + stupendous creature, if remembering his precepts, one might blush at + anything. An amazing man! a nobleman indeed! any King or Queen may make a + Lord, but only the Devil himself—and the Graces—can make a + Chesterfield.’ + </p> + <p> + Men who are thoroughly false and hollow, seldom try to hide those vices + from themselves; and yet in the very act of avowing them, they lay claim + to the virtues they feign most to despise. ‘For,’ say they, ‘this is + honesty, this is truth. All mankind are like us, but they have not the + candour to avow it.’ The more they affect to deny the existence of any + sincerity in the world, the more they would be thought to possess it in + its boldest shape; and this is an unconscious compliment to Truth on the + part of these philosophers, which will turn the laugh against them to the + Day of Judgment. + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester, having extolled his favourite author, as above recited, took + up the book again in the excess of his admiration and was composing + himself for a further perusal of its sublime morality, when he was + disturbed by a noise at the outer door; occasioned as it seemed by the + endeavours of his servant to obstruct the entrance of some unwelcome + visitor. + </p> + <p> + ‘A late hour for an importunate creditor,’ he said, raising his eyebrows + with as indolent an expression of wonder as if the noise were in the + street, and one with which he had not the smallest possible concern. ‘Much + after their accustomed time. The usual pretence I suppose. No doubt a + heavy payment to make up tomorrow. Poor fellow, he loses time, and time is + money as the good proverb says—I never found it out though. Well. + What now? You know I am not at home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A man, sir,’ replied the servant, who was to the full as cool and + negligent in his way as his master, ‘has brought home the riding-whip you + lost the other day. I told him you were out, but he said he was to wait + while I brought it in, and wouldn’t go till I did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was quite right,’ returned his master, ‘and you’re a blockhead, + possessing no judgment or discretion whatever. Tell him to come in, and + see that he rubs his shoes for exactly five minutes first.’ + </p> + <p> + The man laid the whip on a chair, and withdrew. The master, who had only + heard his foot upon the ground and had not taken the trouble to turn round + and look at him, shut his book, and pursued the train of ideas his + entrance had disturbed. + </p> + <p> + ‘If time were money,’ he said, handling his snuff-box, ‘I would compound + with my creditors, and give them—let me see—how much a day? + There’s my nap after dinner—an hour—they’re extremely welcome + to that, and to make the most of it. In the morning, between my breakfast + and the paper, I could spare them another hour; in the evening before + dinner say another. Three hours a day. They might pay themselves in calls, + with interest, in twelve months. I think I shall propose it to them. Ah, + my centaur, are you there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here I am,’ replied Hugh, striding in, followed by a dog, as rough and + sullen as himself; ‘and trouble enough I’ve had to get here. What do you + ask me to come for, and keep me out when I DO come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good fellow,’ returned the other, raising his head a little from the + cushion and carelessly surveying him from top to toe, ‘I am delighted to + see you, and to have, in your being here, the very best proof that you are + not kept out. How are you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m well enough,’ said Hugh impatiently. + </p> + <p> + ‘You look a perfect marvel of health. Sit down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’d rather stand,’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Please yourself my good fellow,’ returned Mr Chester rising, slowly + pulling off the loose robe he wore, and sitting down before the + dressing-glass. ‘Please yourself by all means.’ + </p> + <p> + Having said this in the politest and blandest tone possible, he went on + dressing, and took no further notice of his guest, who stood in the same + spot as uncertain what to do next, eyeing him sulkily from time to time. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you going to speak to me, master?’ he said, after a long silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘My worthy creature,’ returned Mr Chester, ‘you are a little ruffled and + out of humour. I’ll wait till you’re quite yourself again. I am in no + hurry.’ + </p> + <p> + This behaviour had its intended effect. It humbled and abashed the man, + and made him still more irresolute and uncertain. Hard words he could have + returned, violence he would have repaid with interest; but this cool, + complacent, contemptuous, self-possessed reception, caused him to feel his + inferiority more completely than the most elaborate arguments. Everything + contributed to this effect. His own rough speech, contrasted with the soft + persuasive accents of the other; his rude bearing, and Mr Chester’s + polished manner; the disorder and negligence of his ragged dress, and the + elegant attire he saw before him; with all the unaccustomed luxuries and + comforts of the room, and the silence that gave him leisure to observe + these things, and feel how ill at ease they made him; all these + influences, which have too often some effect on tutored minds and become + of almost resistless power when brought to bear on such a mind as his, + quelled Hugh completely. He moved by little and little nearer to Mr + Chester’s chair, and glancing over his shoulder at the reflection of his + face in the glass, as if seeking for some encouragement in its expression, + said at length, with a rough attempt at conciliation, + </p> + <p> + ‘ARE you going to speak to me, master, or am I to go away?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Speak you,’ said Mr Chester, ‘speak you, good fellow. I have spoken, have + I not? I am waiting for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, look’ee, sir,’ returned Hugh with increased embarrassment, ‘am I the + man that you privately left your whip with before you rode away from the + Maypole, and told to bring it back whenever he might want to see you on a + certain subject?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt the same, or you have a twin brother,’ said Mr Chester, glancing + at the reflection of his anxious face; ‘which is not probable, I should + say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I have come, sir,’ said Hugh, ‘and I have brought it back, and + something else along with it. A letter, sir, it is, that I took from the + person who had charge of it.’ As he spoke, he laid upon the + dressing-table, Dolly’s lost epistle. The very letter that had cost her so + much trouble. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you obtain this by force, my good fellow?’ said Mr Chester, casting + his eye upon it without the least perceptible surprise or pleasure. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not quite,’ said Hugh. ‘Partly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who was the messenger from whom you took it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A woman. One Varden’s daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh indeed!’ said Mr Chester gaily. ‘What else did you take from her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What else?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said the other, in a drawling manner, for he was fixing a very + small patch of sticking plaster on a very small pimple near the corner of + his mouth. ‘What else?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well a kiss,’ replied Hugh, after some hesitation. + </p> + <p> + ‘And what else?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think,’ said Mr Chester, in the same easy tone, and smiling twice or + thrice to try if the patch adhered—‘I think there was something + else. I have heard a trifle of jewellery spoken of—a mere trifle—a + thing of such little value, indeed, that you may have forgotten it. Do you + remember anything of the kind—such as a bracelet now, for instance?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh with a muttered oath thrust his hand into his breast, and drawing the + bracelet forth, wrapped in a scrap of hay, was about to lay it on the + table likewise, when his patron stopped his hand and bade him put it up + again. + </p> + <p> + ‘You took that for yourself my excellent friend,’ he said, ‘and may keep + it. I am neither a thief nor a receiver. Don’t show it to me. You had + better hide it again, and lose no time. Don’t let me see where you put it + either,’ he added, turning away his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re not a receiver!’ said Hugh bluntly, despite the increasing awe in + which he held him. ‘What do you call THAT, master?’ striking the letter + with his heavy hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘I call that quite another thing,’ said Mr Chester coolly. ‘I shall prove + it presently, as you will see. You are thirsty, I suppose?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh drew his sleeve across his lips, and gruffly answered yes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Step to that closet and bring me a bottle you will see there, and a + glass.’ + </p> + <p> + He obeyed. His patron followed him with his eyes, and when his back was + turned, smiled as he had never done when he stood beside the mirror. On + his return he filled the glass, and bade him drink. That dram despatched, + he poured him out another, and another. + </p> + <p> + ‘How many can you bear?’ he said, filling the glass again. + </p> + <p> + ‘As many as you like to give me. Pour on. Fill high. A bumper with a bead + in the middle! Give me enough of this,’ he added, as he tossed it down his + hairy throat, ‘and I’ll do murder if you ask me!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0115m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0115m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0115.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘As I don’t mean to ask you, and you might possibly do it without being + invited if you went on much further,’ said Mr Chester with great + composure, ‘we will stop, if agreeable to you, my good friend, at the next + glass. You were drinking before you came here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I always am when I can get it,’ cried Hugh boisterously, waving the empty + glass above his head, and throwing himself into a rude dancing attitude. + ‘I always am. Why not? Ha ha ha! What’s so good to me as this? What ever + has been? What else has kept away the cold on bitter nights, and driven + hunger off in starving times? What else has given me the strength and + courage of a man, when men would have left me to die, a puny child? I + should never have had a man’s heart but for this. I should have died in a + ditch. Where’s he who when I was a weak and sickly wretch, with trembling + legs and fading sight, bade me cheer up, as this did? I never knew him; + not I. I drink to the drink, master. Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are an exceedingly cheerful young man,’ said Mr Chester, putting on + his cravat with great deliberation, and slightly moving his head from side + to side to settle his chin in its proper place. ‘Quite a boon companion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you see this hand, master,’ said Hugh, ‘and this arm?’ baring the + brawny limb to the elbow. ‘It was once mere skin and bone, and would have + been dust in some poor churchyard by this time, but for the drink.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You may cover it,’ said Mr Chester, ‘it’s sufficiently real in your + sleeve.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should never have been spirited up to take a kiss from the proud little + beauty, master, but for the drink,’ cried Hugh. ‘Ha ha ha! It was a good + one. As sweet as honeysuckle, I warrant you. I thank the drink for it. + I’ll drink to the drink again, master. Fill me one more. Come. One more!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are such a promising fellow,’ said his patron, putting on his + waistcoat with great nicety, and taking no heed of this request, ‘that I + must caution you against having too many impulses from the drink, and + getting hung before your time. What’s your age?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At any rate,’ said Mr Chester, ‘you are young enough to escape what I may + call a natural death for some years to come. How can you trust yourself in + my hands on so short an acquaintance, with a halter round your neck? What + a confiding nature yours must be!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh fell back a pace or two and surveyed him with a look of mingled + terror, indignation, and surprise. Regarding himself in the glass with the + same complacency as before, and speaking as smoothly as if he were + discussing some pleasant chit-chat of the town, his patron went on: + </p> + <p> + ‘Robbery on the king’s highway, my young friend, is a very dangerous and + ticklish occupation. It is pleasant, I have no doubt, while it lasts; but + like many other pleasures in this transitory world, it seldom lasts long. + And really if in the ingenuousness of youth, you open your heart so + readily on the subject, I am afraid your career will be an extremely short + one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How’s this?’ said Hugh. ‘What do you talk of master? Who was it set me + on?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who?’ said Mr Chester, wheeling sharply round, and looking full at him + for the first time. ‘I didn’t hear you. Who was it?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh faltered, and muttered something which was not audible. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who was it? I am curious to know,’ said Mr Chester, with surpassing + affability. ‘Some rustic beauty perhaps? But be cautious, my good friend. + They are not always to be trusted. Do take my advice now, and be careful + of yourself.’ With these words he turned to the glass again, and went on + with his toilet. + </p> + <p> + Hugh would have answered him that he, the questioner himself had set him + on, but the words stuck in his throat. The consummate art with which his + patron had led him to this point, and managed the whole conversation, + perfectly baffled him. He did not doubt that if he had made the retort + which was on his lips when Mr Chester turned round and questioned him so + keenly, he would straightway have given him into custody and had him + dragged before a justice with the stolen property upon him; in which case + it was as certain he would have been hung as it was that he had been born. + The ascendency which it was the purpose of the man of the world to + establish over this savage instrument, was gained from that time. Hugh’s + submission was complete. He dreaded him beyond description; and felt that + accident and artifice had spun a web about him, which at a touch from such + a master-hand as his, would bind him to the gallows. + </p> + <p> + With these thoughts passing through his mind, and yet wondering at the + very same time how he who came there rioting in the confidence of this man + (as he thought), should be so soon and so thoroughly subdued, Hugh stood + cowering before him, regarding him uneasily from time to time, while he + finished dressing. When he had done so, he took up the letter, broke the + seal, and throwing himself back in his chair, read it leisurely through. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very neatly worded upon my life! Quite a woman’s letter, full of what + people call tenderness, and disinterestedness, and heart, and all that + sort of thing!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he twisted it up, and glancing lazily round at Hugh as though + he would say ‘You see this?’ held it in the flame of the candle. When it + was in a full blaze, he tossed it into the grate, and there it smouldered + away. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was directed to my son,’ he said, turning to Hugh, ‘and you did quite + right to bring it here. I opened it on my own responsibility, and you see + what I have done with it. Take this, for your trouble.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh stepped forward to receive the piece of money he held out to him. As + he put it in his hand, he added: + </p> + <p> + ‘If you should happen to find anything else of this sort, or to pick up + any kind of information you may think I would like to have, bring it here, + will you, my good fellow?’ + </p> + <p> + This was said with a smile which implied—or Hugh thought it did—‘fail + to do so at your peril!’ He answered that he would. + </p> + <p> + ‘And don’t,’ said his patron, with an air of the very kindest patronage, + ‘don’t be at all downcast or uneasy respecting that little rashness we + have been speaking of. Your neck is as safe in my hands, my good fellow, + as though a baby’s fingers clasped it, I assure you.—Take another + glass. You are quieter now.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh accepted it from his hand, and looking stealthily at his smiling + face, drank the contents in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you—ha, ha!—don’t you drink to the drink any more?’ + said Mr Chester, in his most winning manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘To you, sir,’ was the sullen answer, with something approaching to a bow. + ‘I drink to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you. God bless you. By the bye, what is your name, my good soul? + You are called Hugh, I know, of course—your other name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no other name.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A very strange fellow! Do you mean that you never knew one, or that you + don’t choose to tell it? Which?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’d tell it if I could,’ said Hugh, quickly. ‘I can’t. I have been always + called Hugh; nothing more. I never knew, nor saw, nor thought about a + father; and I was a boy of six—that’s not very old—when they + hung my mother up at Tyburn for a couple of thousand men to stare at. They + might have let her live. She was poor enough.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How very sad!’ exclaimed his patron, with a condescending smile. ‘I have + no doubt she was an exceedingly fine woman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You see that dog of mine?’ said Hugh, abruptly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Faithful, I dare say?’ rejoined his patron, looking at him through his + glass; ‘and immensely clever? Virtuous and gifted animals, whether man or + beast, always are so very hideous.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Such a dog as that, and one of the same breed, was the only living thing + except me that howled that day,’ said Hugh. ‘Out of the two thousand odd—there + was a larger crowd for its being a woman—the dog and I alone had any + pity. If he’d have been a man, he’d have been glad to be quit of her, for + she had been forced to keep him lean and half-starved; but being a dog, + and not having a man’s sense, he was sorry.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was dull of the brute, certainly,’ said Mr Chester, ‘and very like a + brute.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh made no rejoinder, but whistling to his dog, who sprung up at the + sound and came jumping and sporting about him, bade his sympathising + friend good night. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0117m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0117m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0117.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘Good night,’ he returned. ‘Remember; you’re safe with me—quite safe. + So long as you deserve it, my good fellow, as I hope you always will, you + have a friend in me, on whose silence you may rely. Now do be careful of + yourself, pray do, and consider what jeopardy you might have stood in. + Good night! bless you!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh truckled before the hidden meaning of these words as much as such a + being could, and crept out of the door so submissively and subserviently—with + an air, in short, so different from that with which he had entered—that + his patron on being left alone, smiled more than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘And yet,’ he said, as he took a pinch of snuff, ‘I do not like their + having hanged his mother. The fellow has a fine eye, and I am sure she was + handsome. But very probably she was coarse—red-nosed perhaps, and + had clumsy feet. Aye, it was all for the best, no doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + With this comforting reflection, he put on his coat, took a farewell + glance at the glass, and summoned his man, who promptly attended, followed + by a chair and its two bearers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Foh!’ said Mr Chester. ‘The very atmosphere that centaur has breathed, + seems tainted with the cart and ladder. Here, Peak. Bring some scent and + sprinkle the floor; and take away the chair he sat upon, and air it; and + dash a little of that mixture upon me. I am stifled!’ + </p> + <p> + The man obeyed; and the room and its master being both purified, nothing + remained for Mr Chester but to demand his hat, to fold it jauntily under + his arm, to take his seat in the chair and be carried off; humming a + fashionable tune. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 24 + </h2> + <p> + How the accomplished gentleman spent the evening in the midst of a + dazzling and brilliant circle; how he enchanted all those with whom he + mingled by the grace of his deportment, the politeness of his manner, the + vivacity of his conversation, and the sweetness of his voice; how it was + observed in every corner, that Chester was a man of that happy disposition + that nothing ruffled him, that he was one on whom the world’s cares and + errors sat lightly as his dress, and in whose smiling face a calm and + tranquil mind was constantly reflected; how honest men, who by instinct + knew him better, bowed down before him nevertheless, deferred to his every + word, and courted his favourable notice; how people, who really had good + in them, went with the stream, and fawned and flattered, and approved, and + despised themselves while they did so, and yet had not the courage to + resist; how, in short, he was one of those who are received and cherished + in society (as the phrase is) by scores who individually would shrink from + and be repelled by the object of their lavish regard; are things of + course, which will suggest themselves. Matter so commonplace needs but a + passing glance, and there an end. + </p> + <p> + The despisers of mankind—apart from the mere fools and mimics, of + that creed—are of two sorts. They who believe their merit neglected + and unappreciated, make up one class; they who receive adulation and + flattery, knowing their own worthlessness, compose the other. Be sure that + the coldest-hearted misanthropes are ever of this last order. + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester sat up in bed next morning, sipping his coffee, and remembering + with a kind of contemptuous satisfaction how he had shone last night, and + how he had been caressed and courted, when his servant brought in a very + small scrap of dirty paper, tightly sealed in two places, on the inside + whereof was inscribed in pretty large text these words: ‘A friend. + Desiring of a conference. Immediate. Private. Burn it when you’ve read + it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where in the name of the Gunpowder Plot did you pick up this?’ said his + master. + </p> + <p> + It was given him by a person then waiting at the door, the man replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘With a cloak and dagger?’ said Mr Chester. + </p> + <p> + With nothing more threatening about him, it appeared, than a leather apron + and a dirty face. ‘Let him come in.’ In he came—Mr Tappertit; with + his hair still on end, and a great lock in his hand, which he put down on + the floor in the middle of the chamber as if he were about to go through + some performances in which it was a necessary agent. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ said Mr Tappertit with a low bow, ‘I thank you for this + condescension, and am glad to see you. Pardon the menial office in which I + am engaged, sir, and extend your sympathies to one, who, humble as his + appearance is, has inn’ard workings far above his station.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester held the bed-curtain farther back, and looked at him with a + vague impression that he was some maniac, who had not only broken open the + door of his place of confinement, but had brought away the lock. Mr + Tappertit bowed again, and displayed his legs to the best advantage. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have heard, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit, laying his hand upon his breast, + ‘of G. Varden Locksmith and bell-hanger and repairs neatly executed in + town and country, Clerkenwell, London?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What then?’ asked Mr Chester. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m his ‘prentice, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What THEN?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ahem!’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Would you permit me to shut the door, sir, and + will you further, sir, give me your honour bright, that what passes + between us is in the strictest confidence?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester laid himself calmly down in bed again, and turning a perfectly + undisturbed face towards the strange apparition, which had by this time + closed the door, begged him to speak out, and to be as rational as he + could, without putting himself to any very great personal inconvenience. + </p> + <p> + ‘In the first place, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit, producing a small + pocket-handkerchief and shaking it out of the folds, ‘as I have not a card + about me (for the envy of masters debases us below that level) allow me to + offer the best substitute that circumstances will admit of. If you will + take that in your own hand, sir, and cast your eye on the right-hand + corner,’ said Mr Tappertit, offering it with a graceful air, ‘you will + meet with my credentials.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ answered Mr Chester, politely accepting it, and turning to + some blood-red characters at one end. ‘“Four. Simon Tappertit. One.” Is + that the—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Without the numbers, sir, that is my name,’ replied the ‘prentice. ‘They + are merely intended as directions to the washerwoman, and have no + connection with myself or family. YOUR name, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit, + looking very hard at his nightcap, ‘is Chester, I suppose? You needn’t + pull it off, sir, thank you. I observe E. C. from here. We will take the + rest for granted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray, Mr Tappertit,’ said Mr Chester, ‘has that complicated piece of + ironmongery which you have done me the favour to bring with you, any + immediate connection with the business we are to discuss?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It has not, sir,’ rejoined the ‘prentice. ‘It’s going to be fitted on a + ware’us-door in Thames Street.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps, as that is the case,’ said Mr Chester, ‘and as it has a stronger + flavour of oil than I usually refresh my bedroom with, you will oblige me + so far as to put it outside the door?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By all means, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit, suiting the action to the word. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll excuse my mentioning it, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t apologise, sir, I beg. And now, if you please, to business.’ + </p> + <p> + During the whole of this dialogue, Mr Chester had suffered nothing but his + smile of unvarying serenity and politeness to appear upon his face. Sim + Tappertit, who had far too good an opinion of himself to suspect that + anybody could be playing upon him, thought within himself that this was + something like the respect to which he was entitled, and drew a comparison + from this courteous demeanour of a stranger, by no means favourable to the + worthy locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘From what passes in our house,’ said Mr Tappertit, ‘I am aware, sir, that + your son keeps company with a young lady against your inclinations. Sir, + your son has not used me well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Tappertit,’ said the other, ‘you grieve me beyond description.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you, sir,’ replied the ‘prentice. ‘I’m glad to hear you say so. + He’s very proud, sir, is your son; very haughty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am afraid he IS haughty,’ said Mr Chester. ‘Do you know I was really + afraid of that before; and you confirm me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To recount the menial offices I’ve had to do for your son, sir,’ said Mr + Tappertit; ‘the chairs I’ve had to hand him, the coaches I’ve had to call + for him, the numerous degrading duties, wholly unconnected with my + indenters, that I’ve had to do for him, would fill a family Bible. Besides + which, sir, he is but a young man himself and I do not consider “thank’ee + Sim,” a proper form of address on those occasions.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Tappertit, your wisdom is beyond your years. Pray go on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank you for your good opinion, sir,’ said Sim, much gratified, ‘and + will endeavour so to do. Now sir, on this account (and perhaps for another + reason or two which I needn’t go into) I am on your side. And what I tell + you is this—that as long as our people go backwards and forwards, to + and fro, up and down, to that there jolly old Maypole, lettering, and + messaging, and fetching and carrying, you couldn’t help your son keeping + company with that young lady by deputy,—not if he was minded night + and day by all the Horse Guards, and every man of ‘em in the very fullest + uniform.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit stopped to take breath after this, and then started fresh + again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, sir, I am a coming to the point. You will inquire of me, “how is + this to be prevented?” I’ll tell you how. If an honest, civil, smiling + gentleman like you—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Tappertit—really—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, I’m serious,’ rejoined the ‘prentice, ‘I am, upon my soul. If an + honest, civil, smiling gentleman like you, was to talk but ten minutes to + our old woman—that’s Mrs Varden—and flatter her up a bit, + you’d gain her over for ever. Then there’s this point got—that her + daughter Dolly,’—here a flush came over Mr Tappertit’s face—‘wouldn’t + be allowed to be a go-between from that time forward; and till that + point’s got, there’s nothing ever will prevent her. Mind that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Tappertit, your knowledge of human nature—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait a minute,’ said Sim, folding his arms with a dreadful calmness. ‘Now + I come to THE point. Sir, there is a villain at that Maypole, a monster in + human shape, a vagabond of the deepest dye, that unless you get rid of and + have kidnapped and carried off at the very least—nothing less will + do—will marry your son to that young woman, as certainly and as + surely as if he was the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. He will, sir, + for the hatred and malice that he bears to you; let alone the pleasure of + doing a bad action, which to him is its own reward. If you knew how this + chap, this Joseph Willet—that’s his name—comes backwards and + forwards to our house, libelling, and denouncing, and threatening you, and + how I shudder when I hear him, you’d hate him worse than I do,—worse + than I do, sir,’ said Mr Tappertit wildly, putting his hair up straighter, + and making a crunching noise with his teeth; ‘if sich a thing is + possible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A little private vengeance in this, Mr Tappertit?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Private vengeance, sir, or public sentiment, or both combined—destroy + him,’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Miggs says so too. Miggs and me both say so. We + can’t bear the plotting and undermining that takes place. Our souls recoil + from it. Barnaby Rudge and Mrs Rudge are in it likewise; but the villain, + Joseph Willet, is the ringleader. Their plottings and schemes are known to + me and Miggs. If you want information of ‘em, apply to us. Put Joseph + Willet down, sir. Destroy him. Crush him. And be happy.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words, Mr Tappertit, who seemed to expect no reply, and to hold + it as a necessary consequence of his eloquence that his hearer should be + utterly stunned, dumbfoundered, and overwhelmed, folded his arms so that + the palm of each hand rested on the opposite shoulder, and disappeared + after the manner of those mysterious warners of whom he had read in cheap + story-books. + </p> + <p> + ‘That fellow,’ said Mr Chester, relaxing his face when he was fairly gone, + ‘is good practice. I HAVE some command of my features, beyond all doubt. + He fully confirms what I suspected, though; and blunt tools are sometimes + found of use, where sharper instruments would fail. I fear I may be + obliged to make great havoc among these worthy people. A troublesome + necessity! I quite feel for them.’ + </p> + <p> + With that he fell into a quiet slumber:—subsided into such a gentle, + pleasant sleep, that it was quite infantine. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 25 + </h2> + <p> + Leaving the favoured, and well-received, and flattered of the world; him + of the world most worldly, who never compromised himself by an + ungentlemanly action, and never was guilty of a manly one; to lie + smilingly asleep—for even sleep, working but little change in his + dissembling face, became with him a piece of cold, conventional hypocrisy—we + follow in the steps of two slow travellers on foot, making towards + Chigwell. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby and his mother. Grip in their company, of course. + </p> + <p> + The widow, to whom each painful mile seemed longer than the last, toiled + wearily along; while Barnaby, yielding to every inconstant impulse, + fluttered here and there, now leaving her far behind, now lingering far + behind himself, now darting into some by-lane or path and leaving her to + pursue her way alone, until he stealthily emerged again and came upon her + with a wild shout of merriment, as his wayward and capricious nature + prompted. Now he would call to her from the topmost branch of some high + tree by the roadside; now using his tall staff as a leaping-pole, come + flying over ditch or hedge or five-barred gate; now run with surprising + swiftness for a mile or more on the straight road, and halting, sport upon + a patch of grass with Grip till she came up. These were his delights; and + when his patient mother heard his merry voice, or looked into his flushed + and healthy face, she would not have abated them by one sad word or + murmur, though each had been to her a source of suffering in the same + degree as it was to him of pleasure. + </p> + <p> + It is something to look upon enjoyment, so that it be free and wild and in + the face of nature, though it is but the enjoyment of an idiot. It is + something to know that Heaven has left the capacity of gladness in such a + creature’s breast; it is something to be assured that, however lightly men + may crush that faculty in their fellows, the Great Creator of mankind + imparts it even to his despised and slighted work. Who would not rather + see a poor idiot happy in the sunlight, than a wise man pining in a + darkened jail! + </p> + <p> + Ye men of gloom and austerity, who paint the face of Infinite Benevolence + with an eternal frown; read in the Everlasting Book, wide open to your + view, the lesson it would teach. Its pictures are not in black and sombre + hues, but bright and glowing tints; its music—save when ye drown it—is + not in sighs and groans, but songs and cheerful sounds. Listen to the + million voices in the summer air, and find one dismal as your own. + Remember, if ye can, the sense of hope and pleasure which every glad + return of day awakens in the breast of all your kind who have not changed + their nature; and learn some wisdom even from the witless, when their + hearts are lifted up they know not why, by all the mirth and happiness it + brings. + </p> + <p> + The widow’s breast was full of care, was laden heavily with secret dread + and sorrow; but her boy’s gaiety of heart gladdened her, and beguiled the + long journey. Sometimes he would bid her lean upon his arm, and would keep + beside her steadily for a short distance; but it was more his nature to be + rambling to and fro, and she better liked to see him free and happy, even + than to have him near her, because she loved him better than herself. + </p> + <p> + She had quitted the place to which they were travelling, directly after + the event which had changed her whole existence; and for two-and-twenty + years had never had courage to revisit it. It was her native village. How + many recollections crowded on her mind when it appeared in sight! + </p> + <p> + Two-and-twenty years. Her boy’s whole life and history. The last time she + looked back upon those roofs among the trees, she carried him in her arms, + an infant. How often since that time had she sat beside him night and day, + watching for the dawn of mind that never came; how had she feared, and + doubted, and yet hoped, long after conviction forced itself upon her! The + little stratagems she had devised to try him, the little tokens he had + given in his childish way—not of dulness but of something infinitely + worse, so ghastly and unchildlike in its cunning—came back as + vividly as if but yesterday had intervened. The room in which they used to + be; the spot in which his cradle stood; he, old and elfin-like in face, + but ever dear to her, gazing at her with a wild and vacant eye, and + crooning some uncouth song as she sat by and rocked him; every + circumstance of his infancy came thronging back, and the most trivial, + perhaps, the most distinctly. + </p> + <p> + His older childhood, too; the strange imaginings he had; his terror of + certain senseless things—familiar objects he endowed with life; the + slow and gradual breaking out of that one horror, in which, before his + birth, his darkened intellect began; how, in the midst of all, she had + found some hope and comfort in his being unlike another child, and had + gone on almost believing in the slow development of his mind until he grew + a man, and then his childhood was complete and lasting; one after another, + all these old thoughts sprung up within her, strong after their long + slumber and bitterer than ever. + </p> + <p> + She took his arm and they hurried through the village street. It was the + same as it was wont to be in old times, yet different too, and wore + another air. The change was in herself, not it; but she never thought of + that, and wondered at its alteration, and where it lay, and what it was. + </p> + <p> + The people all knew Barnaby, and the children of the place came flocking + round him—as she remembered to have done with their fathers and + mothers round some silly beggarman, when a child herself. None of them + knew her; they passed each well-remembered house, and yard, and homestead; + and striking into the fields, were soon alone again. + </p> + <p> + The Warren was the end of their journey. Mr Haredale was walking in the + garden, and seeing them as they passed the iron gate, unlocked it, and + bade them enter that way. + </p> + <p> + ‘At length you have mustered heart to visit the old place,’ he said to the + widow. ‘I am glad you have.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For the first time, and the last, sir,’ she replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘The first for many years, but not the last?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The very last.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You mean,’ said Mr Haredale, regarding her with some surprise, ‘that + having made this effort, you are resolved not to persevere and are + determined to relapse? This is unworthy of you. I have often told you, you + should return here. You would be happier here than elsewhere, I know. As + to Barnaby, it’s quite his home.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And Grip’s,’ said Barnaby, holding the basket open. The raven hopped + gravely out, and perching on his shoulder and addressing himself to Mr + Haredale, cried—as a hint, perhaps, that some temperate refreshment + would be acceptable—‘Polly put the ket-tle on, we’ll all have tea!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hear me, Mary,’ said Mr Haredale kindly, as he motioned her to walk with + him towards the house. ‘Your life has been an example of patience and + fortitude, except in this one particular which has often given me great + pain. It is enough to know that you were cruelly involved in the calamity + which deprived me of an only brother, and Emma of her father, without + being obliged to suppose (as I sometimes am) that you associate us with + the author of our joint misfortunes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Associate you with him, sir!’ she cried. + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘I think you do. I almost believe that because + your husband was bound by so many ties to our relation, and died in his + service and defence, you have come in some sort to connect us with his + murder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ she answered. ‘You little know my heart, sir. You little know the + truth!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is natural you should do so; it is very probable you may, without + being conscious of it,’ said Mr Haredale, speaking more to himself than + her. ‘We are a fallen house. Money, dispensed with the most lavish hand, + would be a poor recompense for sufferings like yours; and thinly scattered + by hands so pinched and tied as ours, it becomes a miserable mockery. I + feel it so, God knows,’ he added, hastily. ‘Why should I wonder if she + does!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do me wrong, dear sir, indeed,’ she rejoined with great earnestness; + ‘and yet when you come to hear what I desire your leave to say—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall find my doubts confirmed?’ he said, observing that she faltered + and became confused. ‘Well!’ + </p> + <p> + He quickened his pace for a few steps, but fell back again to her side, + and said: + </p> + <p> + ‘And have you come all this way at last, solely to speak to me?’ + </p> + <p> + She answered, ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A curse,’ he muttered, ‘upon the wretched state of us proud beggars, from + whom the poor and rich are equally at a distance; the one being forced to + treat us with a show of cold respect; the other condescending to us in + their every deed and word, and keeping more aloof, the nearer they + approach us.—Why, if it were pain to you (as it must have been) to + break for this slight purpose the chain of habit forged through + two-and-twenty years, could you not let me know your wish, and beg me to + come to you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There was not time, sir,’ she rejoined. ‘I took my resolution but last + night, and taking it, felt that I must not lose a day—a day! an hour—in + having speech with you.’ + </p> + <p> + They had by this time reached the house. Mr Haredale paused for a moment, + and looked at her as if surprised by the energy of her manner. Observing, + however, that she took no heed of him, but glanced up, shuddering, at the + old walls with which such horrors were connected in her mind, he led her + by a private stair into his library, where Emma was seated in a window, + reading. + </p> + <p> + The young lady, seeing who approached, hastily rose and laid aside her + book, and with many kind words, and not without tears, gave her a warm and + earnest welcome. But the widow shrunk from her embrace as though she + feared her, and sunk down trembling on a chair. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the return to this place after so long an absence,’ said Emma + gently. ‘Pray ring, dear uncle—or stay—Barnaby will run + himself and ask for wine—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not for the world,’ she cried. ‘It would have another taste—I could + not touch it. I want but a minute’s rest. Nothing but that.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Haredale stood beside her chair, regarding her with silent pity. She + remained for a little time quite still; then rose and turned to Mr + Haredale, who had sat down in his easy chair, and was contemplating her + with fixed attention. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0123m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0123m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0123.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The tale connected with the mansion borne in mind, it seemed, as has been + already said, the chosen theatre for such a deed as it had known. The room + in which this group were now assembled—hard by the very chamber + where the act was done—dull, dark, and sombre; heavy with worm-eaten + books; deadened and shut in by faded hangings, muffling every sound; + shadowed mournfully by trees whose rustling boughs gave ever and anon a + spectral knocking at the glass; wore, beyond all others in the house, a + ghostly, gloomy air. Nor were the group assembled there, unfitting tenants + of the spot. The widow, with her marked and startling face and downcast + eyes; Mr Haredale stern and despondent ever; his niece beside him, like, + yet most unlike, the picture of her father, which gazed reproachfully down + upon them from the blackened wall; Barnaby, with his vacant look and + restless eye; were all in keeping with the place, and actors in the + legend. Nay, the very raven, who had hopped upon the table and with the + air of some old necromancer appeared to be profoundly studying a great + folio volume that lay open on a desk, was strictly in unison with the + rest, and looked like the embodied spirit of evil biding his time of + mischief. + </p> + <p> + ‘I scarcely know,’ said the widow, breaking silence, ‘how to begin. You + will think my mind disordered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The whole tenor of your quiet and reproachless life since you were last + here,’ returned Mr Haredale, mildly, ‘shall bear witness for you. Why do + you fear to awaken such a suspicion? You do not speak to strangers. You + have not to claim our interest or consideration for the first time. Be + more yourself. Take heart. Any advice or assistance that I can give you, + you know is yours of right, and freely yours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What if I came, sir,’ she rejoined, ‘I who have but one other friend on + earth, to reject your aid from this moment, and to say that henceforth I + launch myself upon the world, alone and unassisted, to sink or swim as + Heaven may decree!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You would have, if you came to me for such a purpose,’ said Mr Haredale + calmly, ‘some reason to assign for conduct so extraordinary, which—if + one may entertain the possibility of anything so wild and strange—would + have its weight, of course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That, sir,’ she answered, ‘is the misery of my distress. I can give no + reason whatever. My own bare word is all that I can offer. It is my duty, + my imperative and bounden duty. If I did not discharge it, I should be a + base and guilty wretch. Having said that, my lips are sealed, and I can + say no more.’ + </p> + <p> + As though she felt relieved at having said so much, and had nerved herself + to the remainder of her task, she spoke from this time with a firmer voice + and heightened courage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven is my witness, as my own heart is—and yours, dear young + lady, will speak for me, I know—that I have lived, since that time + we all have bitter reason to remember, in unchanging devotion, and + gratitude to this family. Heaven is my witness that go where I may, I + shall preserve those feelings unimpaired. And it is my witness, too, that + they alone impel me to the course I must take, and from which nothing now + shall turn me, as I hope for mercy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘These are strange riddles,’ said Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘In this world, sir,’ she replied, ‘they may, perhaps, never be explained. + In another, the Truth will be discovered in its own good time. And may + that time,’ she added in a low voice, ‘be far distant!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me be sure,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘that I understand you, for I am + doubtful of my own senses. Do you mean that you are resolved voluntarily + to deprive yourself of those means of support you have received from us so + long—that you are determined to resign the annuity we settled on you + twenty years ago—to leave house, and home, and goods, and begin life + anew—and this, for some secret reason or monstrous fancy which is + incapable of explanation, which only now exists, and has been dormant all + this time? In the name of God, under what delusion are you labouring?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As I am deeply thankful,’ she made answer, ‘for the kindness of those, + alive and dead, who have owned this house; and as I would not have its + roof fall down and crush me, or its very walls drip blood, my name being + spoken in their hearing; I never will again subsist upon their bounty, or + let it help me to subsistence. You do not know,’ she added, suddenly, ‘to + what uses it may be applied; into what hands it may pass. I do, and I + renounce it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘its uses rest with you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They did. They rest with me no longer. It may be—it IS—devoted + to purposes that mock the dead in their graves. It never can prosper with + me. It will bring some other heavy judgement on the head of my dear son, + whose innocence will suffer for his mother’s guilt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What words are these!’ cried Mr Haredale, regarding her with wonder. + ‘Among what associates have you fallen? Into what guilt have you ever been + betrayed?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am guilty, and yet innocent; wrong, yet right; good in intention, + though constrained to shield and aid the bad. Ask me no more questions, + sir; but believe that I am rather to be pitied than condemned. I must + leave my house to-morrow, for while I stay there, it is haunted. My future + dwelling, if I am to live in peace, must be a secret. If my poor boy + should ever stray this way, do not tempt him to disclose it or have him + watched when he returns; for if we are hunted, we must fly again. And now + this load is off my mind, I beseech you—and you, dear Miss Haredale, + too—to trust me if you can, and think of me kindly as you have been + used to do. If I die and cannot tell my secret even then (for that may + come to pass), it will sit the lighter on my breast in that hour for this + day’s work; and on that day, and every day until it comes, I will pray for + and thank you both, and trouble you no more.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, she would have left them, but they detained her, and with many + soothing words and kind entreaties, besought her to consider what she did, + and above all to repose more freely upon them, and say what weighed so + sorely on her mind. Finding her deaf to their persuasions, Mr Haredale + suggested, as a last resource, that she should confide in Emma, of whom, + as a young person and one of her own sex, she might stand in less dread + than of himself. From this proposal, however, she recoiled with the same + indescribable repugnance she had manifested when they met. The utmost that + could be wrung from her was, a promise that she would receive Mr Haredale + at her own house next evening, and in the mean time reconsider her + determination and their dissuasions—though any change on her part, + as she told them, was quite hopeless. This condition made at last, they + reluctantly suffered her to depart, since she would neither eat nor drink + within the house; and she, and Barnaby, and Grip, accordingly went out as + they had come, by the private stair and garden-gate; seeing and being seen + of no one by the way. + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable in the raven that during the whole interview he had kept + his eye on his book with exactly the air of a very sly human rascal, who, + under the mask of pretending to read hard, was listening to everything. He + still appeared to have the conversation very strongly in his mind, for + although, when they were alone again, he issued orders for the instant + preparation of innumerable kettles for purposes of tea, he was thoughtful, + and rather seemed to do so from an abstract sense of duty, than with any + regard to making himself agreeable, or being what is commonly called good + company. + </p> + <p> + They were to return by the coach. As there was an interval of full two + hours before it started, and they needed rest and some refreshment, + Barnaby begged hard for a visit to the Maypole. But his mother, who had no + wish to be recognised by any of those who had known her long ago, and who + feared besides that Mr Haredale might, on second thoughts, despatch some + messenger to that place of entertainment in quest of her, proposed to wait + in the churchyard instead. As it was easy for Barnaby to buy and carry + thither such humble viands as they required, he cheerfully assented, and + in the churchyard they sat down to take their frugal dinner. + </p> + <p> + Here again, the raven was in a highly reflective state; walking up and + down when he had dined, with an air of elderly complacency which was + strongly suggestive of his having his hands under his coat-tails; and + appearing to read the tombstones with a very critical taste. Sometimes, + after a long inspection of an epitaph, he would strop his beak upon the + grave to which it referred, and cry in his hoarse tones, ‘I’m a devil, I’m + a devil, I’m a devil!’ but whether he addressed his observations to any + supposed person below, or merely threw them off as a general remark, is + matter of uncertainty. + </p> + <p> + It was a quiet pretty spot, but a sad one for Barnaby’s mother; for Mr + Reuben Haredale lay there, and near the vault in which his ashes rested, + was a stone to the memory of her own husband, with a brief inscription + recording how and when he had lost his life. She sat here, thoughtful and + apart, until their time was out, and the distant horn told that the coach + was coming. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, who had been sleeping on the grass, sprung up quickly at the + sound; and Grip, who appeared to understand it equally well, walked into + his basket straightway, entreating society in general (as though he + intended a kind of satire upon them in connection with churchyards) never + to say die on any terms. They were soon on the coach-top and rolling along + the road. + </p> + <p> + It went round by the Maypole, and stopped at the door. Joe was from home, + and Hugh came sluggishly out to hand up the parcel that it called for. + There was no fear of old John coming out. They could see him from the + coach-roof fast asleep in his cosy bar. It was a part of John’s character. + He made a point of going to sleep at the coach’s time. He despised gadding + about; he looked upon coaches as things that ought to be indicted; as + disturbers of the peace of mankind; as restless, bustling, busy, + horn-blowing contrivances, quite beneath the dignity of men, and only + suited to giddy girls that did nothing but chatter and go a-shopping. ‘We + know nothing about coaches here, sir,’ John would say, if any unlucky + stranger made inquiry touching the offensive vehicles; ‘we don’t book for + ‘em; we’d rather not; they’re more trouble than they’re worth, with their + noise and rattle. If you like to wait for ‘em you can; but we don’t know + anything about ‘em; they may call and they may not—there’s a carrier—he + was looked upon as quite good enough for us, when I was a boy.’ + </p> + <p> + She dropped her veil as Hugh climbed up, and while he hung behind, and + talked to Barnaby in whispers. But neither he nor any other person spoke + to her, or noticed her, or had any curiosity about her; and so, an alien, + she visited and left the village where she had been born, and had lived a + merry child, a comely girl, a happy wife—where she had known all her + enjoyment of life, and had entered on its hardest sorrows. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0125m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0125m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0125.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 26 + </h2> + <p> + ‘And you’re not surprised to hear this, Varden?’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Well! + You and she have always been the best friends, and you should understand + her if anybody does.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I ask your pardon, sir,’ rejoined the locksmith. ‘I didn’t say I + understood her. I wouldn’t have the presumption to say that of any woman. + It’s not so easily done. But I am not so much surprised, sir, as you + expected me to be, certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘May I ask why not, my good friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have seen, sir,’ returned the locksmith with evident reluctance, ‘I + have seen in connection with her, something that has filled me with + distrust and uneasiness. She has made bad friends, how, or when, I don’t + know; but that her house is a refuge for one robber and cut-throat at + least, I am certain. There, sir! Now it’s out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My own eyes, sir, are my witnesses, and for her sake I would be willingly + half-blind, if I could but have the pleasure of mistrusting ‘em. I have + kept the secret till now, and it will go no further than yourself, I know; + but I tell you that with my own eyes—broad awake—I saw, in the + passage of her house one evening after dark, the highwayman who robbed and + wounded Mr Edward Chester, and on the same night threatened me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you made no effort to detain him?’ said Mr Haredale quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ returned the locksmith, ‘she herself prevented me—held me, + with all her strength, and hung about me until he had got clear off.’ And + having gone so far, he related circumstantially all that had passed upon + the night in question. + </p> + <p> + This dialogue was held in a low tone in the locksmith’s little parlour, + into which honest Gabriel had shown his visitor on his arrival. Mr + Haredale had called upon him to entreat his company to the widow’s, that + he might have the assistance of his persuasion and influence; and out of + this circumstance the conversation had arisen. + </p> + <p> + ‘I forbore,’ said Gabriel, ‘from repeating one word of this to anybody, as + it could do her no good and might do her great harm. I thought and hoped, + to say the truth, that she would come to me, and talk to me about it, and + tell me how it was; but though I have purposely put myself in her way more + than once or twice, she has never touched upon the subject—except by + a look. And indeed,’ said the good-natured locksmith, ‘there was a good + deal in the look, more than could have been put into a great many words. + It said among other matters “Don’t ask me anything” so imploringly, that I + didn’t ask her anything. You’ll think me an old fool, I know, sir. If it’s + any relief to call me one, pray do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am greatly disturbed by what you tell me,’ said Mr Haredale, after a + silence. ‘What meaning do you attach to it?’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith shook his head, and looked doubtfully out of window at the + failing light. + </p> + <p> + ‘She cannot have married again,’ said Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not without our knowledge surely, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She may have done so, in the fear that it would lead, if known, to some + objection or estrangement. Suppose she married incautiously—it is + not improbable, for her existence has been a lonely and monotonous one for + many years—and the man turned out a ruffian, she would be anxious to + screen him, and yet would revolt from his crimes. This might be. It bears + strongly on the whole drift of her discourse yesterday, and would quite + explain her conduct. Do you suppose Barnaby is privy to these + circumstances?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite impossible to say, sir,’ returned the locksmith, shaking his head + again: ‘and next to impossible to find out from him. If what you suppose + is really the case, I tremble for the lad—a notable person, sir, to + put to bad uses—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not possible, Varden,’ said Mr Haredale, in a still lower tone of + voice than he had spoken yet, ‘that we have been blinded and deceived by + this woman from the beginning? It is not possible that this connection was + formed in her husband’s lifetime, and led to his and my brother’s—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good God, sir,’ cried Gabriel, interrupting him, ‘don’t entertain such + dark thoughts for a moment. Five-and-twenty years ago, where was there a + girl like her? A gay, handsome, laughing, bright-eyed damsel! Think what + she was, sir. It makes my heart ache now, even now, though I’m an old man, + with a woman for a daughter, to think what she was and what she is. We all + change, but that’s with Time; Time does his work honestly, and I don’t + mind him. A fig for Time, sir. Use him well, and he’s a hearty fellow, and + scorns to have you at a disadvantage. But care and suffering (and those + have changed her) are devils, sir—secret, stealthy, undermining + devils—who tread down the brightest flowers in Eden, and do more + havoc in a month than Time does in a year. Picture to yourself for one + minute what Mary was before they went to work with her fresh heart and + face—do her that justice—and say whether such a thing is + possible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re a good fellow, Varden,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘and are quite right. I + have brooded on that subject so long, that every breath of suspicion + carries me back to it. You are quite right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It isn’t, sir,’ cried the locksmith with brightened eyes, and sturdy, + honest voice; ‘it isn’t because I courted her before Rudge, and failed, + that I say she was too good for him. She would have been as much too good + for me. But she WAS too good for him; he wasn’t free and frank enough for + her. I don’t reproach his memory with it, poor fellow; I only want to put + her before you as she really was. For myself, I’ll keep her old picture in + my mind; and thinking of that, and what has altered her, I’ll stand her + friend, and try to win her back to peace. And damme, sir,’ cried Gabriel, + ‘with your pardon for the word, I’d do the same if she had married fifty + highwaymen in a twelvemonth; and think it in the Protestant Manual too, + though Martha said it wasn’t, tooth and nail, till doomsday!’ + </p> + <p> + If the dark little parlour had been filled with a dense fog, which, + clearing away in an instant, left it all radiance and brightness, it could + not have been more suddenly cheered than by this outbreak on the part of + the hearty locksmith. In a voice nearly as full and round as his own, Mr + Haredale cried ‘Well said!’ and bade him come away without more parley. + The locksmith complied right willingly; and both getting into a hackney + coach which was waiting at the door, drove off straightway. + </p> + <p> + They alighted at the street corner, and dismissing their conveyance, + walked to the house. To their first knock at the door there was no + response. A second met with the like result. But in answer to the third, + which was of a more vigorous kind, the parlour window-sash was gently + raised, and a musical voice cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Haredale, my dear fellow, I am extremely glad to see you. How very much + you have improved in your appearance since our last meeting! I never saw + you looking better. HOW do you do?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale turned his eyes towards the casement whence the voice + proceeded, though there was no need to do so, to recognise the speaker, + and Mr Chester waved his hand, and smiled a courteous welcome. + </p> + <p> + ‘The door will be opened immediately,’ he said. ‘There is nobody but a + very dilapidated female to perform such offices. You will excuse her + infirmities? If she were in a more elevated station of society, she would + be gouty. Being but a hewer of wood and drawer of water, she is rheumatic. + My dear Haredale, these are natural class distinctions, depend upon it.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale, whose face resumed its lowering and distrustful look the + moment he heard the voice, inclined his head stiffly, and turned his back + upon the speaker. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not opened yet,’ said Mr Chester. ‘Dear me! I hope the aged soul has not + caught her foot in some unlucky cobweb by the way. She is there at last! + Come in, I beg!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale entered, followed by the locksmith. Turning with a look of + great astonishment to the old woman who had opened the door, he inquired + for Mrs Rudge—for Barnaby. They were both gone, she replied, wagging + her ancient head, for good. There was a gentleman in the parlour, who + perhaps could tell them more. That was all SHE knew. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray, sir,’ said Mr Haredale, presenting himself before this new tenant, + ‘where is the person whom I came here to see?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend,’ he returned, ‘I have not the least idea.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your trifling is ill-timed,’ retorted the other in a suppressed tone and + voice, ‘and its subject ill-chosen. Reserve it for those who are your + friends, and do not expend it on me. I lay no claim to the distinction, + and have the self-denial to reject it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear, good sir,’ said Mr Chester, ‘you are heated with walking. Sit + down, I beg. Our friend is—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is but a plain honest man,’ returned Mr Haredale, ‘and quite unworthy of + your notice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gabriel Varden by name, sir,’ said the locksmith bluntly. + </p> + <p> + ‘A worthy English yeoman!’ said Mr Chester. ‘A most worthy yeoman, of whom + I have frequently heard my son Ned—darling fellow—speak, and + have often wished to see. Varden, my good friend, I am glad to know you. + You wonder now,’ he said, turning languidly to Mr Haredale, ‘to see me + here. Now, I am sure you do.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale glanced at him—not fondly or admiringly—smiled, + and held his peace. + </p> + <p> + ‘The mystery is solved in a moment,’ said Mr Chester; ‘in a moment. Will + you step aside with me one instant. You remember our little compact in + reference to Ned, and your dear niece, Haredale? You remember the list of + assistants in their innocent intrigue? You remember these two people being + among them? My dear fellow, congratulate yourself, and me. I have bought + them off.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done what?’ said Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bought them off,’ returned his smiling friend. ‘I have found it necessary + to take some active steps towards setting this boy and girl attachment + quite at rest, and have begun by removing these two agents. You are + surprised? Who CAN withstand the influence of a little money! They wanted + it, and have been bought off. We have nothing more to fear from them. They + are gone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gone!’ echoed Mr Haredale. ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear fellow—and you must permit me to say again, that you never + looked so young; so positively boyish as you do to-night—the Lord + knows where; I believe Columbus himself wouldn’t find them. Between you + and me they have their hidden reasons, but upon that point I have pledged + myself to secrecy. She appointed to see you here to-night, I know, but + found it inconvenient, and couldn’t wait. Here is the key of the door. I + am afraid you’ll find it inconveniently large; but as the tenement is + yours, your good-nature will excuse that, Haredale, I am certain!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 27 + </h2> + <p> + Mr Haredale stood in the widow’s parlour with the door-key in his hand, + gazing by turns at Mr Chester and at Gabriel Varden, and occasionally + glancing downward at the key as in the hope that of its own accord it + would unlock the mystery; until Mr Chester, putting on his hat and gloves, + and sweetly inquiring whether they were walking in the same direction, + recalled him to himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ he said. ‘Our roads diverge—widely, as you know. For the + present, I shall remain here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will be hipped, Haredale; you will be miserable, melancholy, utterly + wretched,’ returned the other. ‘It’s a place of the very last description + for a man of your temper. I know it will make you very miserable.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let it,’ said Mr Haredale, sitting down; ‘and thrive upon the thought. + Good night!’ + </p> + <p> + Feigning to be wholly unconscious of the abrupt wave of the hand which + rendered this farewell tantamount to a dismissal, Mr Chester retorted with + a bland and heartfelt benediction, and inquired of Gabriel in what + direction HE was going. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yours, sir, would be too much honour for the like of me,’ replied the + locksmith, hesitating. + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish you to remain here a little while, Varden,’ said Mr Haredale, + without looking towards them. ‘I have a word or two to say to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will not intrude upon your conference another moment,’ said Mr Chester + with inconceivable politeness. ‘May it be satisfactory to you both! God + bless you!’ So saying, and bestowing upon the locksmith a most refulgent + smile, he left them. + </p> + <p> + ‘A deplorably constituted creature, that rugged person,’ he said, as he + walked along the street; ‘he is an atrocity that carries its own + punishment along with it—a bear that gnaws himself. And here is one + of the inestimable advantages of having a perfect command over one’s + inclinations. I have been tempted in these two short interviews, to draw + upon that fellow, fifty times. Five men in six would have yielded to the + impulse. By suppressing mine, I wound him deeper and more keenly than if I + were the best swordsman in all Europe, and he the worst. You are the wise + man’s very last resource,’ he said, tapping the hilt of his weapon; ‘we + can but appeal to you when all else is said and done. To come to you + before, and thereby spare our adversaries so much, is a barbarian mode of + warfare, quite unworthy of any man with the remotest pretensions to + delicacy of feeling, or refinement.’ + </p> + <p> + He smiled so very pleasantly as he communed with himself after this + manner, that a beggar was emboldened to follow for alms, and to dog his + footsteps for some distance. He was gratified by the circumstance, feeling + it complimentary to his power of feature, and as a reward suffered the man + to follow him until he called a chair, when he graciously dismissed him + with a fervent blessing. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which is as easy as cursing,’ he wisely added, as he took his seat, ‘and + more becoming to the face.—To Clerkenwell, my good creatures, if you + please!’ The chairmen were rendered quite vivacious by having such a + courteous burden, and to Clerkenwell they went at a fair round trot. + </p> + <p> + Alighting at a certain point he had indicated to them upon the road, and + paying them something less than they expected from a fare of such gentle + speech, he turned into the street in which the locksmith dwelt, and + presently stood beneath the shadow of the Golden Key. Mr Tappertit, who + was hard at work by lamplight, in a corner of the workshop, remained + unconscious of his presence until a hand upon his shoulder made him start + and turn his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Industry,’ said Mr Chester, ‘is the soul of business, and the keystone of + prosperity. Mr Tappertit, I shall expect you to invite me to dinner when + you are Lord Mayor of London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ returned the ‘prentice, laying down his hammer, and rubbing his + nose on the back of a very sooty hand, ‘I scorn the Lord Mayor and + everything that belongs to him. We must have another state of society, + sir, before you catch me being Lord Mayor. How de do, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The better, Mr Tappertit, for looking into your ingenuous face once more. + I hope you are well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am as well, sir,’ said Sim, standing up to get nearer to his ear, and + whispering hoarsely, ‘as any man can be under the aggrawations to which I + am exposed. My life’s a burden to me. If it wasn’t for wengeance, I’d play + at pitch and toss with it on the losing hazard.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is Mrs Varden at home?’ said Mr Chester. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ returned Sim, eyeing him over with a look of concentrated + expression,—‘she is. Did you wish to see her?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then come this way, sir,’ said Sim, wiping his face upon his apron. + ‘Follow me, sir.—Would you permit me to whisper in your ear, one + half a second?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By all means.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit raised himself on tiptoe, applied his lips to Mr Chester’s + ear, drew back his head without saying anything, looked hard at him, + applied them to his ear again, again drew back, and finally whispered—‘The + name is Joseph Willet. Hush! I say no more.’ + </p> + <p> + Having said that much, he beckoned the visitor with a mysterious aspect to + follow him to the parlour-door, where he announced him in the voice of a + gentleman-usher. ‘Mr Chester.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And not Mr Ed’dard, mind,’ said Sim, looking into the door again, and + adding this by way of postscript in his own person; ‘it’s his father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But do not let his father,’ said Mr Chester, advancing hat in hand, as he + observed the effect of this last explanatory announcement, ‘do not let his + father be any check or restraint on your domestic occupations, Miss + Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! Now! There! An’t I always a-saying it!’ exclaimed Miggs, clapping her + hands. ‘If he an’t been and took Missis for her own daughter. Well, she DO + look like it, that she do. Only think of that, mim!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible,’ said Mr Chester in his softest tones, ‘that this is Mrs + Varden! I am amazed. That is not your daughter, Mrs Varden? No, no. Your + sister.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My daughter, indeed, sir,’ returned Mrs V., blushing with great + juvenility. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah, Mrs Varden!’ cried the visitor. ‘Ah, ma’am—humanity is indeed a + happy lot, when we can repeat ourselves in others, and still be young as + they. You must allow me to salute you—the custom of the country, my + dear madam—your daughter too.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly showed some reluctance to perform this ceremony, but was sharply + reproved by Mrs Varden, who insisted on her undergoing it that minute. For + pride, she said with great severity, was one of the seven deadly sins, and + humility and lowliness of heart were virtues. Wherefore she desired that + Dolly would be kissed immediately, on pain of her just displeasure; at the + same time giving her to understand that whatever she saw her mother do, + she might safely do herself, without being at the trouble of any reasoning + or reflection on the subject—which, indeed, was offensive and + undutiful, and in direct contravention of the church catechism. + </p> + <p> + Thus admonished, Dolly complied, though by no means willingly; for there + was a broad, bold look of admiration in Mr Chester’s face, refined and + polished though it sought to be, which distressed her very much. As she + stood with downcast eyes, not liking to look up and meet his, he gazed + upon her with an approving air, and then turned to her mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘My friend Gabriel (whose acquaintance I only made this very evening) + should be a happy man, Mrs Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ sighed Mrs V., shaking her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ echoed Miggs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that the case?’ said Mr Chester, compassionately. ‘Dear me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Master has no intentions, sir,’ murmured Miggs as she sidled up to him, + ‘but to be as grateful as his natur will let him, for everythink he owns + which it is in his powers to appreciate. But we never, sir’—said + Miggs, looking sideways at Mrs Varden, and interlarding her discourse with + a sigh—‘we never know the full value of SOME wines and fig-trees + till we lose ‘em. So much the worse, sir, for them as has the slighting of + ‘em on their consciences when they’re gone to be in full blow elsewhere.’ + And Miss Miggs cast up her eyes to signify where that might be. + </p> + <p> + As Mrs Varden distinctly heard, and was intended to hear, all that Miggs + said, and as these words appeared to convey in metaphorical terms a + presage or foreboding that she would at some early period droop beneath + her trials and take an easy flight towards the stars, she immediately + began to languish, and taking a volume of the Manual from a neighbouring + table, leant her arm upon it as though she were Hope and that her Anchor. + Mr Chester perceiving this, and seeing how the volume was lettered on the + back, took it gently from her hand, and turned the fluttering leaves. + </p> + <p> + ‘My favourite book, dear madam. How often, how very often in his early + life—before he can remember’—(this clause was strictly true) + ‘have I deduced little easy moral lessons from its pages, for my dear son + Ned! You know Ned?’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden had that honour, and a fine affable young gentleman he was. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re a mother, Mrs Varden,’ said Mr Chester, taking a pinch of snuff, + ‘and you know what I, as a father, feel, when he is praised. He gives me + some uneasiness—much uneasiness—he’s of a roving nature, ma’am—from + flower to flower—from sweet to sweet—but his is the butterfly + time of life, and we must not be hard upon such trifling.’ + </p> + <p> + He glanced at Dolly. She was attending evidently to what he said. Just + what he desired! + </p> + <p> + ‘The only thing I object to in this little trait of Ned’s, is,’ said Mr + Chester, ‘—and the mention of his name reminds me, by the way, that + I am about to beg the favour of a minute’s talk with you alone—the + only thing I object to in it, is, that it DOES partake of insincerity. + Now, however I may attempt to disguise the fact from myself in my + affection for Ned, still I always revert to this—that if we are not + sincere, we are nothing. Nothing upon earth. Let us be sincere, my dear + madam—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—and Protestant,’ murmured Mrs Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘—and Protestant above all things. Let us be sincere and Protestant, + strictly moral, strictly just (though always with a leaning towards + mercy), strictly honest, and strictly true, and we gain—it is a + slight point, certainly, but still it is something tangible; we throw up a + groundwork and foundation, so to speak, of goodness, on which we may + afterwards erect some worthy superstructure.’ + </p> + <p> + Now, to be sure, Mrs Varden thought, here is a perfect character. Here is + a meek, righteous, thoroughgoing Christian, who, having mastered all these + qualities, so difficult of attainment; who, having dropped a pinch of salt + on the tails of all the cardinal virtues, and caught them every one; makes + light of their possession, and pants for more morality. For the good woman + never doubted (as many good men and women never do), that this slighting + kind of profession, this setting so little store by great matters, this + seeming to say, ‘I am not proud, I am what you hear, but I consider myself + no better than other people; let us change the subject, pray’—was + perfectly genuine and true. He so contrived it, and said it in that way + that it appeared to have been forced from him, and its effect was + marvellous. + </p> + <p> + Aware of the impression he had made—few men were quicker than he at + such discoveries—Mr Chester followed up the blow by propounding + certain virtuous maxims, somewhat vague and general in their nature, + doubtless, and occasionally partaking of the character of truisms, worn a + little out at elbow, but delivered in so charming a voice and with such + uncommon serenity and peace of mind, that they answered as well as the + best. Nor is this to be wondered at; for as hollow vessels produce a far + more musical sound in falling than those which are substantial, so it will + oftentimes be found that sentiments which have nothing in them make the + loudest ringing in the world, and are the most relished. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0131m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0131m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0131.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr Chester, with the volume gently extended in one hand, and with the + other planted lightly on his breast, talked to them in the most delicious + manner possible; and quite enchanted all his hearers, notwithstanding + their conflicting interests and thoughts. Even Dolly, who, between his + keen regards and her eyeing over by Mr Tappertit, was put quite out of + countenance, could not help owning within herself that he was the + sweetest-spoken gentleman she had ever seen. Even Miss Miggs, who was + divided between admiration of Mr Chester and a mortal jealousy of her + young mistress, had sufficient leisure to be propitiated. Even Mr + Tappertit, though occupied as we have seen in gazing at his heart’s + delight, could not wholly divert his thoughts from the voice of the other + charmer. Mrs Varden, to her own private thinking, had never been so + improved in all her life; and when Mr Chester, rising and craving + permission to speak with her apart, took her by the hand and led her at + arm’s length upstairs to the best sitting-room, she almost deemed him + something more than human. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear madam,’ he said, pressing her hand delicately to his lips; ‘be + seated.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden called up quite a courtly air, and became seated. + </p> + <p> + ‘You guess my object?’ said Mr Chester, drawing a chair towards her. ‘You + divine my purpose? I am an affectionate parent, my dear Mrs Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That I am sure you are, sir,’ said Mrs V. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ returned Mr Chester, tapping his snuff-box lid. ‘Heavy moral + responsibilities rest with parents, Mrs Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden slightly raised her hands, shook her head, and looked at the + ground as though she saw straight through the globe, out at the other end, + and into the immensity of space beyond. + </p> + <p> + ‘I may confide in you,’ said Mr Chester, ‘without reserve. I love my son, + ma’am, dearly; and loving him as I do, I would save him from working + certain misery. You know of his attachment to Miss Haredale. You have + abetted him in it, and very kind of you it was to do so. I am deeply + obliged to you—most deeply obliged to you—for your interest in + his behalf; but my dear ma’am, it is a mistaken one, I do assure you.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden stammered that she was sorry— + </p> + <p> + ‘Sorry, my dear ma’am,’ he interposed. ‘Never be sorry for what is so very + amiable, so very good in intention, so perfectly like yourself. But there + are grave and weighty reasons, pressing family considerations, and apart + even from these, points of religious difference, which interpose + themselves, and render their union impossible; utterly im-possible. I + should have mentioned these circumstances to your husband; but he has—you + will excuse my saying this so freely—he has NOT your quickness of + apprehension or depth of moral sense. What an extremely airy house this + is, and how beautifully kept! For one like myself—a widower so long—these + tokens of female care and superintendence have inexpressible charms.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden began to think (she scarcely knew why) that the young Mr + Chester must be in the wrong and the old Mr Chester must be in the right. + </p> + <p> + ‘My son Ned,’ resumed her tempter with his most winning air, ‘has had, I + am told, your lovely daughter’s aid, and your open-hearted husband’s.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—Much more than mine, sir,’ said Mrs Varden; ‘a great deal more. I + have often had my doubts. It’s a—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A bad example,’ suggested Mr Chester. ‘It is. No doubt it is. Your + daughter is at that age when to set before her an encouragement for young + persons to rebel against their parents on this most important point, is + particularly injudicious. You are quite right. I ought to have thought of + that myself, but it escaped me, I confess—so far superior are your + sex to ours, dear madam, in point of penetration and sagacity.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden looked as wise as if she had really said something to deserve + this compliment—firmly believed she had, in short—and her + faith in her own shrewdness increased considerably. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear ma’am,’ said Mr Chester, ‘you embolden me to be plain with you. + My son and I are at variance on this point. The young lady and her natural + guardian differ upon it, also. And the closing point is, that my son is + bound by his duty to me, by his honour, by every solemn tie and + obligation, to marry some one else.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Engaged to marry another lady!’ quoth Mrs Varden, holding up her hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear madam, brought up, educated, and trained, expressly for that + purpose. Expressly for that purpose.—Miss Haredale, I am told, is a + very charming creature.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am her foster-mother, and should know—the best young lady in the + world,’ said Mrs Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not the smallest doubt of it. I am sure she is. And you, who have + stood in that tender relation towards her, are bound to consult her + happiness. Now, can I—as I have said to Haredale, who quite agrees—can + I possibly stand by, and suffer her to throw herself away (although she IS + of a Catholic family), upon a young fellow who, as yet, has no heart at + all? It is no imputation upon him to say he has not, because young men who + have plunged deeply into the frivolities and conventionalities of society, + very seldom have. Their hearts never grow, my dear ma’am, till after + thirty. I don’t believe, no, I do NOT believe, that I had any heart myself + when I was Ned’s age.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh sir,’ said Mrs Varden, ‘I think you must have had. It’s impossible + that you, who have so much now, can ever have been without any.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope,’ he answered, shrugging his shoulders meekly, ‘I have a little; I + hope, a very little—Heaven knows! But to return to Ned; I have no + doubt you thought, and therefore interfered benevolently in his behalf, + that I objected to Miss Haredale. How very natural! My dear madam, I + object to him—to him—emphatically to Ned himself.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden was perfectly aghast at the disclosure. + </p> + <p> + ‘He has, if he honourably fulfils this solemn obligation of which I have + told you—and he must be honourable, dear Mrs Varden, or he is no son + of mine—a fortune within his reach. He is of most expensive, + ruinously expensive habits; and if, in a moment of caprice and wilfulness, + he were to marry this young lady, and so deprive himself of the means of + gratifying the tastes to which he has been so long accustomed, he would—my + dear madam, he would break the gentle creature’s heart. Mrs Varden, my + good lady, my dear soul, I put it to you—is such a sacrifice to be + endured? Is the female heart a thing to be trifled with in this way? Ask + your own, my dear madam. Ask your own, I beseech you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly,’ thought Mrs Varden, ‘this gentleman is a saint. But,’ she added + aloud, and not unnaturally, ‘if you take Miss Emma’s lover away, sir, what + becomes of the poor thing’s heart then?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The very point,’ said Mr Chester, not at all abashed, ‘to which I wished + to lead you. A marriage with my son, whom I should be compelled to disown, + would be followed by years of misery; they would be separated, my dear + madam, in a twelvemonth. To break off this attachment, which is more + fancied than real, as you and I know very well, will cost the dear girl + but a few tears, and she is happy again. Take the case of your own + daughter, the young lady downstairs, who is your breathing image’—Mrs + Varden coughed and simpered—‘there is a young man (I am sorry to + say, a dissolute fellow, of very indifferent character) of whom I have + heard Ned speak—Bullet was it—Pullet—Mullet—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a young man of the name of Joseph Willet, sir,’ said Mrs Varden, + folding her hands loftily. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s he,’ cried Mr Chester. ‘Suppose this Joseph Willet now, were to + aspire to the affections of your charming daughter, and were to engage + them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It would be like his impudence,’ interposed Mrs Varden, bridling, ‘to + dare to think of such a thing!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear madam, that’s the whole case. I know it would be like his + impudence. It is like Ned’s impudence to do as he has done; but you would + not on that account, or because of a few tears from your beautiful + daughter, refrain from checking their inclinations in their birth. I meant + to have reasoned thus with your husband when I saw him at Mrs Rudge’s this + evening—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My husband,’ said Mrs Varden, interposing with emotion, ‘would be a great + deal better at home than going to Mrs Rudge’s so often. I don’t know what + he does there. I don’t see what occasion he has to busy himself in her + affairs at all, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If I don’t appear to express my concurrence in those last sentiments of + yours,’ returned Mr Chester, ‘quite so strongly as you might desire, it is + because his being there, my dear madam, and not proving conversational, + led me hither, and procured me the happiness of this interview with one, + in whom the whole management, conduct, and prosperity of her family are + centred, I perceive.’ + </p> + <p> + With that he took Mrs Varden’s hand again, and having pressed it to his + lips with the highflown gallantry of the day—a little burlesqued to + render it the more striking in the good lady’s unaccustomed eyes—proceeded + in the same strain of mingled sophistry, cajolery, and flattery, to + entreat that her utmost influence might be exerted to restrain her husband + and daughter from any further promotion of Edward’s suit to Miss Haredale, + and from aiding or abetting either party in any way. Mrs Varden was but a + woman, and had her share of vanity, obstinacy, and love of power. She + entered into a secret treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, with + her insinuating visitor; and really did believe, as many others would have + done who saw and heard him, that in so doing she furthered the ends of + truth, justice, and morality, in a very uncommon degree. + </p> + <p> + Overjoyed by the success of his negotiation, and mightily amused within + himself, Mr Chester conducted her downstairs in the same state as before; + and having repeated the previous ceremony of salutation, which also as + before comprehended Dolly, took his leave; first completing the conquest + of Miss Miggs’s heart, by inquiring if ‘this young lady’ would light him + to the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, mim,’ said Miggs, returning with the candle. ‘Oh gracious me, mim, + there’s a gentleman! Was there ever such an angel to talk as he is—and + such a sweet-looking man! So upright and noble, that he seems to despise + the very ground he walks on; and yet so mild and condescending, that he + seems to say “but I will take notice on it too.” And to think of his + taking you for Miss Dolly, and Miss Dolly for your sister—Oh, my + goodness me, if I was master wouldn’t I be jealous of him!’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden reproved her handmaid for this vain-speaking; but very gently + and mildly—quite smilingly indeed—remarking that she was a + foolish, giddy, light-headed girl, whose spirits carried her beyond all + bounds, and who didn’t mean half she said, or she would be quite angry + with her. + </p> + <p> + ‘For my part,’ said Dolly, in a thoughtful manner, ‘I half believe Mr + Chester is something like Miggs in that respect. For all his politeness + and pleasant speaking, I am pretty sure he was making game of us, more + than once.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you venture to say such a thing again, and to speak ill of people + behind their backs in my presence, miss,’ said Mrs Varden, ‘I shall insist + upon your taking a candle and going to bed directly. How dare you, Dolly? + I’m astonished at you. The rudeness of your whole behaviour this evening + has been disgraceful. Did anybody ever hear,’ cried the enraged matron, + bursting into tears, ‘of a daughter telling her own mother she has been + made game of!’ + </p> + <p> + What a very uncertain temper Mrs Varden’s was! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 28 + </h2> + <p> + Repairing to a noted coffee-house in Covent Garden when he left the + locksmith’s, Mr Chester sat long over a late dinner, entertaining himself + exceedingly with the whimsical recollection of his recent proceedings, and + congratulating himself very much on his great cleverness. Influenced by + these thoughts, his face wore an expression so benign and tranquil, that + the waiter in immediate attendance upon him felt he could almost have died + in his defence, and settled in his own mind (until the receipt of the + bill, and a very small fee for very great trouble disabused it of the + idea) that such an apostolic customer was worth half-a-dozen of the + ordinary run of visitors, at least. + </p> + <p> + A visit to the gaming-table—not as a heated, anxious venturer, but + one whom it was quite a treat to see staking his two or three pieces in + deference to the follies of society, and smiling with equal benevolence on + winners and losers—made it late before he reached home. It was his + custom to bid his servant go to bed at his own time unless he had orders + to the contrary, and to leave a candle on the common stair. There was a + lamp on the landing by which he could always light it when he came home + late, and having a key of the door about him he could enter and go to bed + at his pleasure. + </p> + <p> + He opened the glass of the dull lamp, whose wick, burnt up and swollen + like a drunkard’s nose, came flying off in little carbuncles at the + candle’s touch, and scattering hot sparks about, rendered it matter of + some difficulty to kindle the lazy taper; when a noise, as of a man + snoring deeply some steps higher up, caused him to pause and listen. It + was the heavy breathing of a sleeper, close at hand. Some fellow had lain + down on the open staircase, and was slumbering soundly. Having lighted the + candle at length and opened his own door, he softly ascended, holding the + taper high above his head, and peering cautiously about; curious to see + what kind of man had chosen so comfortless a shelter for his lodging. + </p> + <p> + With his head upon the landing and his great limbs flung over half-a-dozen + stairs, as carelessly as though he were a dead man whom drunken bearers + had thrown down by chance, there lay Hugh, face uppermost, his long hair + drooping like some wild weed upon his wooden pillow, and his huge chest + heaving with the sounds which so unwontedly disturbed the place and hour. + </p> + <p> + He who came upon him so unexpectedly was about to break his rest by + thrusting him with his foot, when, glancing at his upturned face, he + arrested himself in the very action, and stooping down and shading the + candle with his hand, examined his features closely. Close as his first + inspection was, it did not suffice, for he passed the light, still + carefully shaded as before, across and across his face, and yet observed + him with a searching eye. + </p> + <p> + While he was thus engaged, the sleeper, without any starting or turning + round, awoke. There was a kind of fascination in meeting his steady gaze + so suddenly, which took from the other the presence of mind to withdraw + his eyes, and forced him, as it were, to meet his look. So they remained + staring at each other, until Mr Chester at last broke silence, and asked + him in a low voice, why he lay sleeping there. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought,’ said Hugh, struggling into a sitting posture and gazing at + him intently, still, ‘that you were a part of my dream. It was a curious + one. I hope it may never come true, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What makes you shiver?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The—the cold, I suppose,’ he growled, as he shook himself and rose. + ‘I hardly know where I am yet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know me?’ said Mr Chester. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, I know you,’ he answered. ‘I was dreaming of you—we’re not + where I thought we were. That’s a comfort.’ + </p> + <p> + He looked round him as he spoke, and in particular looked above his head, + as though he half expected to be standing under some object which had had + existence in his dream. Then he rubbed his eyes and shook himself again, + and followed his conductor into his own rooms. + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester lighted the candles which stood upon his dressing-table, and + wheeling an easy-chair towards the fire, which was yet burning, stirred up + a cheerful blaze, sat down before it, and bade his uncouth visitor ‘Come + here,’ and draw his boots off. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been drinking again, my fine fellow,’ he said, as Hugh went down + on one knee, and did as he was told. + </p> + <p> + ‘As I’m alive, master, I’ve walked the twelve long miles, and waited here + I don’t know how long, and had no drink between my lips since dinner-time + at noon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And can you do nothing better, my pleasant friend, than fall asleep, and + shake the very building with your snores?’ said Mr Chester. ‘Can’t you + dream in your straw at home, dull dog as you are, that you need come here + to do it?—Reach me those slippers, and tread softly.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh obeyed in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘And harkee, my dear young gentleman,’ said Mr Chester, as he put them on, + ‘the next time you dream, don’t let it be of me, but of some dog or horse + with whom you are better acquainted. Fill the glass once—you’ll find + it and the bottle in the same place—and empty it to keep yourself + awake.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh obeyed again even more zealously—and having done so, presented + himself before his patron. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now,’ said Mr Chester, ‘what do you want with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There was news to-day,’ returned Hugh. ‘Your son was at our house—came + down on horseback. He tried to see the young woman, but couldn’t get sight + of her. He left some letter or some message which our Joe had charge of, + but he and the old one quarrelled about it when your son had gone, and the + old one wouldn’t let it be delivered. He says (that’s the old one does) + that none of his people shall interfere and get him into trouble. He’s a + landlord, he says, and lives on everybody’s custom.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s a jewel,’ smiled Mr Chester, ‘and the better for being a dull one.—Well?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden’s daughter—that’s the girl I kissed—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—and stole the bracelet from upon the king’s highway,’ said Mr + Chester, composedly. ‘Yes; what of her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She wrote a note at our house to the young woman, saying she lost the + letter I brought to you, and you burnt. Our Joe was to carry it, but the + old one kept him at home all next day, on purpose that he shouldn’t. Next + morning he gave it to me to take; and here it is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You didn’t deliver it then, my good friend?’ said Mr Chester, twirling + Dolly’s note between his finger and thumb, and feigning to be surprised. + </p> + <p> + ‘I supposed you’d want to have it,’ retorted Hugh. ‘Burn one, burn all, I + thought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My devil-may-care acquaintance,’ said Mr Chester—‘really if you do + not draw some nicer distinctions, your career will be cut short with most + surprising suddenness. Don’t you know that the letter you brought to me, + was directed to my son who resides in this very place? And can you descry + no difference between his letters and those addressed to other people?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you don’t want it,’ said Hugh, disconcerted by this reproof, for he + had expected high praise, ‘give it me back, and I’ll deliver it. I don’t + know how to please you, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall deliver it,’ returned his patron, putting it away after a + moment’s consideration, ‘myself. Does the young lady walk out, on fine + mornings?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mostly—about noon is her usual time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, alone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the grounds before the house.—Them that the footpath crosses.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If the weather should be fine, I may throw myself in her way to-morrow, + perhaps,’ said Mr Chester, as coolly as if she were one of his ordinary + acquaintance. ‘Mr Hugh, if I should ride up to the Maypole door, you will + do me the favour only to have seen me once. You must suppress your + gratitude, and endeavour to forget my forbearance in the matter of the + bracelet. It is natural it should break out, and it does you honour; but + when other folks are by, you must, for your own sake and safety, be as + like your usual self as though you owed me no obligation whatever, and had + never stood within these walls. You comprehend me?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh understood him perfectly. After a pause he muttered that he hoped his + patron would involve him in no trouble about this last letter; for he had + kept it back solely with the view of pleasing him. He was continuing in + this strain, when Mr Chester with a most beneficent and patronising air + cut him short by saying: + </p> + <p> + ‘My good fellow, you have my promise, my word, my sealed bond (for a + verbal pledge with me is quite as good), that I will always protect you so + long as you deserve it. Now, do set your mind at rest. Keep it at ease, I + beg of you. When a man puts himself in my power so thoroughly as you have + done, I really feel as though he had a kind of claim upon me. I am more + disposed to mercy and forbearance under such circumstances than I can tell + you, Hugh. Do look upon me as your protector, and rest assured, I entreat + you, that on the subject of that indiscretion, you may preserve, as long + as you and I are friends, the lightest heart that ever beat within a human + breast. Fill that glass once more to cheer you on your road homewards—I + am really quite ashamed to think how far you have to go—and then God + bless you for the night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They think,’ said Hugh, when he had tossed the liquor down, ‘that I am + sleeping soundly in the stable. Ha ha ha! The stable door is shut, but the + steed’s gone, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a most convivial fellow,’ returned his friend, ‘and I love your + humour of all things. Good night! Take the greatest possible care of + yourself, for my sake!’ + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable that during the whole interview, each had endeavoured to + catch stolen glances of the other’s face, and had never looked full at it. + They interchanged one brief and hasty glance as Hugh went out, averted + their eyes directly, and so separated. Hugh closed the double doors behind + him, carefully and without noise; and Mr Chester remained in his + easy-chair, with his gaze intently fixed upon the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ he said, after meditating for a long time—and said with a + deep sigh and an uneasy shifting of his attitude, as though he dismissed + some other subject from his thoughts, and returned to that which had held + possession of them all the day—‘the plot thickens; I have thrown the + shell; it will explode, I think, in eight-and-forty hours, and should + scatter these good folks amazingly. We shall see!’ + </p> + <p> + He went to bed and fell asleep, but had not slept long when he started up + and thought that Hugh was at the outer door, calling in a strange voice, + very different from his own, to be admitted. The delusion was so strong + upon him, and was so full of that vague terror of the night in which such + visions have their being, that he rose, and taking his sheathed sword in + his hand, opened the door, and looked out upon the staircase, and towards + the spot where Hugh had lain asleep; and even spoke to him by name. But + all was dark and quiet, and creeping back to bed again, he fell, after an + hour’s uneasy watching, into a second sleep, and woke no more till + morning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 29 + </h2> + <p> + The thoughts of worldly men are for ever regulated by a moral law of + gravitation, which, like the physical one, holds them down to earth. The + bright glory of day, and the silent wonders of a starlit night, appeal to + their minds in vain. There are no signs in the sun, or in the moon, or in + the stars, for their reading. They are like some wise men, who, learning + to know each planet by its Latin name, have quite forgotten such small + heavenly constellations as Charity, Forbearance, Universal Love, and + Mercy, although they shine by night and day so brightly that the blind may + see them; and who, looking upward at the spangled sky, see nothing there + but the reflection of their own great wisdom and book-learning. + </p> + <p> + It is curious to imagine these people of the world, busy in thought, + turning their eyes towards the countless spheres that shine above us, and + making them reflect the only images their minds contain. The man who lives + but in the breath of princes, has nothing in his sight but stars for + courtiers’ breasts. The envious man beholds his neighbours’ honours even + in the sky; to the money-hoarder, and the mass of worldly folk, the whole + great universe above glitters with sterling coin—fresh from the mint—stamped + with the sovereign’s head—coming always between them and heaven, + turn where they may. So do the shadows of our own desires stand between us + and our better angels, and thus their brightness is eclipsed. + </p> + <p> + Everything was fresh and gay, as though the world were but that morning + made, when Mr Chester rode at a tranquil pace along the Forest road. + Though early in the season, it was warm and genial weather; the trees were + budding into leaf, the hedges and the grass were green, the air was + musical with songs of birds, and high above them all the lark poured out + her richest melody. In shady spots, the morning dew sparkled on each young + leaf and blade of grass; and where the sun was shining, some diamond drops + yet glistened brightly, as in unwillingness to leave so fair a world, and + have such brief existence. Even the light wind, whose rustling was as + gentle to the ear as softly-falling water, had its hope and promise; and, + leaving a pleasant fragrance in its track as it went fluttering by, + whispered of its intercourse with Summer, and of his happy coming. + </p> + <p> + The solitary rider went glancing on among the trees, from sunlight into + shade and back again, at the same even pace—looking about him, + certainly, from time to time, but with no greater thought of the day or + the scene through which he moved, than that he was fortunate (being + choicely dressed) to have such favourable weather. He smiled very + complacently at such times, but rather as if he were satisfied with + himself than with anything else: and so went riding on, upon his chestnut + cob, as pleasant to look upon as his own horse, and probably far less + sensitive to the many cheerful influences by which he was surrounded. + </p> + <p> + In the course of time, the Maypole’s massive chimneys rose upon his view: + but he quickened not his pace one jot, and with the same cool gravity rode + up to the tavern porch. John Willet, who was toasting his red face before + a great fire in the bar, and who, with surpassing foresight and quickness + of apprehension, had been thinking, as he looked at the blue sky, that if + that state of things lasted much longer, it might ultimately become + necessary to leave off fires and throw the windows open, issued forth to + hold his stirrup; calling lustily for Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, you’re here, are you, sir?’ said John, rather surprised by the + quickness with which he appeared. ‘Take this here valuable animal into the + stable, and have more than particular care of him if you want to keep your + place. A mortal lazy fellow, sir; he needs a deal of looking after.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you have a son,’ returned Mr Chester, giving his bridle to Hugh as he + dismounted, and acknowledging his salute by a careless motion of his hand + towards his hat. ‘Why don’t you make HIM useful?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, the truth is, sir,’ replied John with great importance, ‘that my son—what, + you’re a-listening are you, villain?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s listening?’ returned Hugh angrily. ‘A treat, indeed, to hear YOU + speak! Would you have me take him in till he’s cool?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Walk him up and down further off then, sir,’ cried old John, ‘and when + you see me and a noble gentleman entertaining ourselves with talk, keep + your distance. If you don’t know your distance, sir,’ added Mr Willet, + after an enormously long pause, during which he fixed his great dull eyes + on Hugh, and waited with exemplary patience for any little property in the + way of ideas that might come to him, ‘we’ll find a way to teach you, + pretty soon.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh shrugged his shoulders scornfully, and in his reckless swaggering + way, crossed to the other side of the little green, and there, with the + bridle slung loosely over his shoulder, led the horse to and fro, glancing + at his master every now and then from under his bushy eyebrows, with as + sinister an aspect as one would desire to see. + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester, who, without appearing to do so, had eyed him attentively + during this brief dispute, stepped into the porch, and turning abruptly to + Mr Willet, said, + </p> + <p> + ‘You keep strange servants, John.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Strange enough to look at, sir, certainly,’ answered the host; ‘but out + of doors; for horses, dogs, and the likes of that; there an’t a better man + in England than is that Maypole Hugh yonder. He an’t fit for indoors,’ + added Mr Willet, with the confidential air of a man who felt his own + superior nature. ‘I do that; but if that chap had only a little + imagination, sir—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s an active fellow now, I dare swear,’ said Mr Chester, in a musing + tone, which seemed to suggest that he would have said the same had there + been nobody to hear him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Active, sir!’ retorted John, with quite an expression in his face; ‘that + chap! Hallo there! You, sir! Bring that horse here, and go and hang my wig + on the weathercock, to show this gentleman whether you’re one of the + lively sort or not.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh made no answer, but throwing the bridle to his master, and snatching + his wig from his head, in a manner so unceremonious and hasty that the + action discomposed Mr Willet not a little, though performed at his own + special desire, climbed nimbly to the very summit of the maypole before + the house, and hanging the wig upon the weathercock, sent it twirling + round like a roasting jack. Having achieved this performance, he cast it + on the ground, and sliding down the pole with inconceivable rapidity, + alighted on his feet almost as soon as it had touched the earth. + </p> + <p> + ‘There, sir,’ said John, relapsing into his usual stolid state, ‘you won’t + see that at many houses, besides the Maypole, where there’s good + accommodation for man and beast—nor that neither, though that with + him is nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + This last remark bore reference to his vaulting on horseback, as upon Mr + Chester’s first visit, and quickly disappearing by the stable gate. + </p> + <p> + ‘That with him is nothing,’ repeated Mr Willet, brushing his wig with his + wrist, and inwardly resolving to distribute a small charge for dust and + damage to that article of dress, through the various items of his guest’s + bill; ‘he’ll get out of a’most any winder in the house. There never was + such a chap for flinging himself about and never hurting his bones. It’s + my opinion, sir, that it’s pretty nearly allowing to his not having any + imagination; and that if imagination could be (which it can’t) knocked + into him, he’d never be able to do it any more. But we was a-talking, sir, + about my son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True, Willet, true,’ said his visitor, turning again towards the landlord + with his accustomed serenity of face. ‘My good friend, what about him?’ + </p> + <p> + It has been reported that Mr Willet, previously to making answer, winked. + But as he was never known to be guilty of such lightness of conduct either + before or afterwards, this may be looked upon as a malicious invention of + his enemies—founded, perhaps, upon the undisputed circumstance of + his taking his guest by the third breast button of his coat, counting + downwards from the chin, and pouring his reply into his ear: + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ whispered John, with dignity, ‘I know my duty. We want no + love-making here, sir, unbeknown to parents. I respect a certain young + gentleman, taking him in the light of a young gentleman; I respect a + certain young lady, taking her in the light of a young lady; but of the + two as a couple, I have no knowledge, sir, none whatever. My son, sir, is + upon his patrole.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought I saw him looking through the corner window but this moment,’ + said Mr Chester, who naturally thought that being on patrole, implied + walking about somewhere. + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt you did, sir,’ returned John. ‘He is upon his patrole of honour, + sir, not to leave the premises. Me and some friends of mine that use the + Maypole of an evening, sir, considered what was best to be done with him, + to prevent his doing anything unpleasant in opposing your desires; and + we’ve put him on his patrole. And what’s more, sir, he won’t be off his + patrole for a pretty long time to come, I can tell you that.’ + </p> + <p> + When he had communicated this bright idea, which had its origin in the + perusal by the village cronies of a newspaper, containing, among other + matters, an account of how some officer pending the sentence of some + court-martial had been enlarged on parole, Mr Willet drew back from his + guest’s ear, and without any visible alteration of feature, chuckled + thrice audibly. This nearest approach to a laugh in which he ever indulged + (and that but seldom and only on extreme occasions), never even curled his + lip or effected the smallest change in—no, not so much as a slight + wagging of—his great, fat, double chin, which at these times, as at + all others, remained a perfect desert in the broad map of his face; one + changeless, dull, tremendous blank. + </p> + <p> + Lest it should be matter of surprise to any, that Mr Willet adopted this + bold course in opposition to one whom he had often entertained, and who + had always paid his way at the Maypole gallantly, it may be remarked that + it was his very penetration and sagacity in this respect, which occasioned + him to indulge in those unusual demonstrations of jocularity, just now + recorded. For Mr Willet, after carefully balancing father and son in his + mental scales, had arrived at the distinct conclusion that the old + gentleman was a better sort of a customer than the young one. Throwing his + landlord into the same scale, which was already turned by this + consideration, and heaping upon him, again, his strong desires to run + counter to the unfortunate Joe, and his opposition as a general principle + to all matters of love and matrimony, it went down to the very ground + straightway, and sent the light cause of the younger gentleman flying + upwards to the ceiling. Mr Chester was not the kind of man to be by any + means dim-sighted to Mr Willet’s motives, but he thanked him as graciously + as if he had been one of the most disinterested martyrs that ever shone on + earth; and leaving him, with many complimentary reliances on his great + taste and judgment, to prepare whatever dinner he might deem most fitting + the occasion, bent his steps towards the Warren. + </p> + <p> + Dressed with more than his usual elegance; assuming a gracefulness of + manner, which, though it was the result of long study, sat easily upon him + and became him well; composing his features into their most serene and + prepossessing expression; and setting in short that guard upon himself, at + every point, which denoted that he attached no slight importance to the + impression he was about to make; he entered the bounds of Miss Haredale’s + usual walk. He had not gone far, or looked about him long, when he + descried coming towards him, a female figure. A glimpse of the form and + dress as she crossed a little wooden bridge which lay between them, + satisfied him that he had found her whom he desired to see. He threw + himself in her way, and a very few paces brought them close together. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0139m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0139m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0139.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He raised his hat from his head, and yielding the path, suffered her to + pass him. Then, as if the idea had but that moment occurred to him, he + turned hastily back and said in an agitated voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘I beg pardon—do I address Miss Haredale?’ + </p> + <p> + She stopped in some confusion at being so unexpectedly accosted by a + stranger; and answered ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Something told me,’ he said, LOOKING a compliment to her beauty, ‘that it + could be no other. Miss Haredale, I bear a name which is not unknown to + you—which it is a pride, and yet a pain to me to know, sounds + pleasantly in your ears. I am a man advanced in life, as you see. I am the + father of him whom you honour and distinguish above all other men. May I + for weighty reasons which fill me with distress, beg but a minute’s + conversation with you here?’ + </p> + <p> + Who that was inexperienced in deceit, and had a frank and youthful heart, + could doubt the speaker’s truth—could doubt it too, when the voice + that spoke, was like the faint echo of one she knew so well, and so much + loved to hear? She inclined her head, and stopping, cast her eyes upon the + ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘A little more apart—among these trees. It is an old man’s hand, + Miss Haredale; an honest one, believe me.’ + </p> + <p> + She put hers in it as he said these words, and suffered him to lead her to + a neighbouring seat. + </p> + <p> + ‘You alarm me, sir,’ she said in a low voice. ‘You are not the bearer of + any ill news, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of none that you anticipate,’ he answered, sitting down beside her. + ‘Edward is well—quite well. It is of him I wish to speak, certainly; + but I have no misfortune to communicate.’ + </p> + <p> + She bowed her head again, and made as though she would have begged him to + proceed; but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sensible that I speak to you at a disadvantage, dear Miss Haredale. + Believe me that I am not so forgetful of the feelings of my younger days + as not to know that you are little disposed to view me with favour. You + have heard me described as cold-hearted, calculating, selfish—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have never, sir,’—she interposed with an altered manner and a + firmer voice; ‘I have never heard you spoken of in harsh or disrespectful + terms. You do a great wrong to Edward’s nature if you believe him capable + of any mean or base proceeding.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pardon me, my sweet young lady, but your uncle—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor is it my uncle’s nature either,’ she replied, with a heightened + colour in her cheek. ‘It is not his nature to stab in the dark, nor is it + mine to love such deeds.’ + </p> + <p> + She rose as she spoke, and would have left him; but he detained her with a + gentle hand, and besought her in such persuasive accents to hear him but + another minute, that she was easily prevailed upon to comply, and so sat + down again. + </p> + <p> + ‘And it is,’ said Mr Chester, looking upward, and apostrophising the air; + ‘it is this frank, ingenuous, noble nature, Ned, that you can wound so + lightly. Shame—shame upon you, boy!’ + </p> + <p> + She turned towards him quickly, and with a scornful look and flashing + eyes. There were tears in Mr Chester’s eyes, but he dashed them hurriedly + away, as though unwilling that his weakness should be known, and regarded + her with mingled admiration and compassion. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never until now,’ he said, ‘believed, that the frivolous actions of a + young man could move me like these of my own son. I never knew till now, + the worth of a woman’s heart, which boys so lightly win, and lightly fling + away. Trust me, dear young lady, that I never until now did know your + worth; and though an abhorrence of deceit and falsehood has impelled me to + seek you out, and would have done so had you been the poorest and least + gifted of your sex, I should have lacked the fortitude to sustain this + interview could I have pictured you to my imagination as you really are.’ + </p> + <p> + Oh! If Mrs Varden could have seen the virtuous gentleman as he said these + words, with indignation sparkling from his eyes—if she could have + heard his broken, quavering voice—if she could have beheld him as he + stood bareheaded in the sunlight, and with unwonted energy poured forth + his eloquence! + </p> + <p> + With a haughty face, but pale and trembling too, Emma regarded him in + silence. She neither spoke nor moved, but gazed upon him as though she + would look into his heart. + </p> + <p> + ‘I throw off,’ said Mr Chester, ‘the restraint which natural affection + would impose on some men, and reject all bonds but those of truth and + duty. Miss Haredale, you are deceived; you are deceived by your unworthy + lover, and my unworthy son.’ + </p> + <p> + Still she looked at him steadily, and still said not one word. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have ever opposed his professions of love for you; you will do me the + justice, dear Miss Haredale, to remember that. Your uncle and myself were + enemies in early life, and if I had sought retaliation, I might have found + it here. But as we grow older, we grow wiser—bitter, I would fain + hope—and from the first, I have opposed him in this attempt. I + foresaw the end, and would have spared you, if I could.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Speak plainly, sir,’ she faltered. ‘You deceive me, or are deceived + yourself. I do not believe you—I cannot—I should not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘First,’ said Mr Chester, soothingly, ‘for there may be in your mind some + latent angry feeling to which I would not appeal, pray take this letter. + It reached my hands by chance, and by mistake, and should have accounted + to you (as I am told) for my son’s not answering some other note of yours. + God forbid, Miss Haredale,’ said the good gentleman, with great emotion, + ‘that there should be in your gentle breast one causeless ground of + quarrel with him. You should know, and you will see, that he was in no + fault here.’ + </p> + <p> + There appeared something so very candid, so scrupulously honourable, so + very truthful and just in this course—something which rendered the upright + person who resorted to it, so worthy of belief—that Emma’s heart, + for the first time, sunk within her. She turned away and burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘I would,’ said Mr Chester, leaning over her, and speaking in mild and + quite venerable accents; ‘I would, dear girl, it were my task to banish, + not increase, those tokens of your grief. My son, my erring son,—I + will not call him deliberately criminal in this, for men so young, who + have been inconstant twice or thrice before, act without reflection, + almost without a knowledge of the wrong they do,—will break his + plighted faith to you; has broken it even now. Shall I stop here, and + having given you this warning, leave it to be fulfilled; or shall I go + on?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will go on, sir,’ she answered, ‘and speak more plainly yet, in + justice both to him and me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear girl,’ said Mr Chester, bending over her more affectionately + still; ‘whom I would call my daughter, but the Fates forbid, Edward seeks + to break with you upon a false and most unwarrantable pretence. I have it + on his own showing; in his own hand. Forgive me, if I have had a watch + upon his conduct; I am his father; I had a regard for your peace and his + honour, and no better resource was left me. There lies on his desk at this + present moment, ready for transmission to you, a letter, in which he tells + you that our poverty—our poverty; his and mine, Miss Haredale—forbids + him to pursue his claim upon your hand; in which he offers, voluntarily + proposes, to free you from your pledge; and talks magnanimously (men do + so, very commonly, in such cases) of being in time more worthy of your + regard—and so forth. A letter, to be plain, in which he not only + jilts you—pardon the word; I would summon to your aid your pride and + dignity—not only jilts you, I fear, in favour of the object whose + slighting treatment first inspired his brief passion for yourself and gave + it birth in wounded vanity, but affects to make a merit and a virtue of + the act.’ + </p> + <p> + She glanced proudly at him once more, as by an involuntary impulse, and + with a swelling breast rejoined, ‘If what you say be true, he takes much + needless trouble, sir, to compass his design. He’s very tender of my peace + of mind. I quite thank him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The truth of what I tell you, dear young lady,’ he replied, ‘you will + test by the receipt or non-receipt of the letter of which I speak. + Haredale, my dear fellow, I am delighted to see you, although we meet + under singular circumstances, and upon a melancholy occasion. I hope you + are very well.’ + </p> + <p> + At these words the young lady raised her eyes, which were filled with + tears; and seeing that her uncle indeed stood before them, and being quite + unequal to the trial of hearing or of speaking one word more, hurriedly + withdrew, and left them. They stood looking at each other, and at her + retreating figure, and for a long time neither of them spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does this mean? Explain it,’ said Mr Haredale at length. ‘Why are + you here, and why with her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend,’ rejoined the other, resuming his accustomed manner with + infinite readiness, and throwing himself upon the bench with a weary air, + ‘you told me not very long ago, at that delightful old tavern of which you + are the esteemed proprietor (and a most charming establishment it is for + persons of rural pursuits and in robust health, who are not liable to take + cold), that I had the head and heart of an evil spirit in all matters of + deception. I thought at the time; I really did think; you flattered me. + But now I begin to wonder at your discernment, and vanity apart, do + honestly believe you spoke the truth. Did you ever counterfeit extreme + ingenuousness and honest indignation? My dear fellow, you have no + conception, if you never did, how faint the effort makes one.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale surveyed him with a look of cold contempt. ‘You may evade an + explanation, I know,’ he said, folding his arms. ‘But I must have it. I + can wait.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not at all. Not at all, my good fellow. You shall not wait a moment,’ + returned his friend, as he lazily crossed his legs. ‘The simplest thing in + the world. It lies in a nutshell. Ned has written her a letter—a + boyish, honest, sentimental composition, which remains as yet in his desk, + because he hasn’t had the heart to send it. I have taken a liberty, for + which my parental affection and anxiety are a sufficient excuse, and + possessed myself of the contents. I have described them to your niece (a + most enchanting person, Haredale; quite an angelic creature), with a + little colouring and description adapted to our purpose. It’s done. You + may be quite easy. It’s all over. Deprived of their adherents and + mediators; her pride and jealousy roused to the utmost; with nobody to + undeceive her, and you to confirm me; you will find that their intercourse + will close with her answer. If she receives Ned’s letter by to-morrow + noon, you may date their parting from to-morrow night. No thanks, I beg; + you owe me none. I have acted for myself; and if I have forwarded our + compact with all the ardour even you could have desired, I have done so + selfishly, indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I curse the compact, as you call it, with my whole heart and soul,’ + returned the other. ‘It was made in an evil hour. I have bound myself to a + lie; I have leagued myself with you; and though I did so with a righteous + motive, and though it cost me such an effort as haply few men know, I hate + and despise myself for the deed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are very warm,’ said Mr Chester with a languid smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘I AM warm. I am maddened by your coldness. ‘Death, Chester, if your blood + ran warmer in your veins, and there were no restraints upon me, such as + those that hold and drag me back—well; it is done; you tell me so, + and on such a point I may believe you. When I am most remorseful for this + treachery, I will think of you and your marriage, and try to justify + myself in such remembrances, for having torn asunder Emma and your son, at + any cost. Our bond is cancelled now, and we may part.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Chester kissed his hand gracefully; and with the same tranquil face he + had preserved throughout—even when he had seen his companion so + tortured and transported by his passion that his whole frame was shaken—lay + in his lounging posture on the seat and watched him as he walked away. + </p> + <p> + ‘My scapegoat and my drudge at school,’ he said, raising his head to look + after him; ‘my friend of later days, who could not keep his mistress when + he had won her, and threw me in her way to carry off the prize; I triumph + in the present and the past. Bark on, ill-favoured, ill-conditioned cur; + fortune has ever been with me—I like to hear you.’ + </p> + <p> + The spot where they had met, was in an avenue of trees. Mr Haredale not + passing out on either hand, had walked straight on. He chanced to turn his + head when at some considerable distance, and seeing that his late + companion had by that time risen and was looking after him, stood still as + though he half expected him to follow and waited for his coming up. + </p> + <p> + ‘It MAY come to that one day, but not yet,’ said Mr Chester, waving his + hand, as though they were the best of friends, and turning away. ‘Not yet, + Haredale. Life is pleasant enough to me; dull and full of heaviness to + you. No. To cross swords with such a man—to indulge his humour + unless upon extremity—would be weak indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + For all that, he drew his sword as he walked along, and in an absent + humour ran his eye from hilt to point full twenty times. But + thoughtfulness begets wrinkles; remembering this, he soon put it up, + smoothed his contracted brow, hummed a gay tune with greater gaiety of + manner, and was his unruffled self again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 30 + </h2> + <p> + A homely proverb recognises the existence of a troublesome class of + persons who, having an inch conceded them, will take an ell. Not to quote + the illustrious examples of those heroic scourges of mankind, whose + amiable path in life has been from birth to death through blood, and fire, + and ruin, and who would seem to have existed for no better purpose than to + teach mankind that as the absence of pain is pleasure, so the earth, + purged of their presence, may be deemed a blessed place—not to quote + such mighty instances, it will be sufficient to refer to old John Willet. + </p> + <p> + Old John having long encroached a good standard inch, full measure, on the + liberty of Joe, and having snipped off a Flemish ell in the matter of the + parole, grew so despotic and so great, that his thirst for conquest knew + no bounds. The more young Joe submitted, the more absolute old John + became. The ell soon faded into nothing. Yards, furlongs, miles arose; and + on went old John in the pleasantest manner possible, trimming off an + exuberance in this place, shearing away some liberty of speech or action + in that, and conducting himself in his small way with as much high + mightiness and majesty, as the most glorious tyrant that ever had his + statue reared in the public ways, of ancient or of modern times. + </p> + <p> + As great men are urged on to the abuse of power (when they need urging, + which is not often), by their flatterers and dependents, so old John was + impelled to these exercises of authority by the applause and admiration of + his Maypole cronies, who, in the intervals of their nightly pipes and + pots, would shake their heads and say that Mr Willet was a father of the + good old English sort; that there were no new-fangled notions or modern + ways in him; that he put them in mind of what their fathers were when they + were boys; that there was no mistake about him; that it would be well for + the country if there were more like him, and more was the pity that there + were not; with many other original remarks of that nature. Then they would + condescendingly give Joe to understand that it was all for his good, and + he would be thankful for it one day; and in particular, Mr Cobb would + acquaint him, that when he was his age, his father thought no more of + giving him a parental kick, or a box on the ears, or a cuff on the head, + or some little admonition of that sort, than he did of any other ordinary + duty of life; and he would further remark, with looks of great + significance, that but for this judicious bringing up, he might have never + been the man he was at that present speaking; which was probable enough, + as he was, beyond all question, the dullest dog of the party. In short, + between old John and old John’s friends, there never was an unfortunate + young fellow so bullied, badgered, worried, fretted, and brow-beaten; so + constantly beset, or made so tired of his life, as poor Joe Willet. + </p> + <p> + This had come to be the recognised and established state of things; but as + John was very anxious to flourish his supremacy before the eyes of Mr + Chester, he did that day exceed himself, and did so goad and chafe his son + and heir, that but for Joe’s having made a solemn vow to keep his hands in + his pockets when they were not otherwise engaged, it is impossible to say + what he might have done with them. But the longest day has an end, and at + length Mr Chester came downstairs to mount his horse, which was ready at + the door. + </p> + <p> + As old John was not in the way at the moment, Joe, who was sitting in the + bar ruminating on his dismal fate and the manifold perfections of Dolly + Varden, ran out to hold the guest’s stirrup and assist him to mount. Mr + Chester was scarcely in the saddle, and Joe was in the very act of making + him a graceful bow, when old John came diving out of the porch, and + collared him. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0143m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0143m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0143.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘None of that, sir,’ said John, ‘none of that, sir. No breaking of + patroles. How dare you come out of the door, sir, without leave? You’re + trying to get away, sir, are you, and to make a traitor of yourself again? + What do you mean, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go, father,’ said Joe, imploringly, as he marked the smile upon + their visitor’s face, and observed the pleasure his disgrace afforded him. + ‘This is too bad. Who wants to get away?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who wants to get away!’ cried John, shaking him. ‘Why you do, sir, you + do. You’re the boy, sir,’ added John, collaring with one hand, and aiding + the effect of a farewell bow to the visitor with the other, ‘that wants to + sneak into houses, and stir up differences between noble gentlemen and + their sons, are you, eh? Hold your tongue, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Joe made no effort to reply. It was the crowning circumstance of his + degradation. He extricated himself from his father’s grasp, darted an + angry look at the departing guest, and returned into the house. + </p> + <p> + ‘But for her,’ thought Joe, as he threw his arms upon a table in the + common room, and laid his head upon them, ‘but for Dolly, who I couldn’t + bear should think me the rascal they would make me out to be if I ran + away, this house and I should part to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + It being evening by this time, Solomon Daisy, Tom Cobb, and Long Parkes, + were all in the common room too, and had from the window been witnesses of + what had just occurred. Mr Willet joining them soon afterwards, received + the compliments of the company with great composure, and lighting his + pipe, sat down among them. + </p> + <p> + ‘We’ll see, gentlemen,’ said John, after a long pause, ‘who’s the master + of this house, and who isn’t. We’ll see whether boys are to govern men, or + men are to govern boys.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And quite right too,’ assented Solomon Daisy with some approving nods; + ‘quite right, Johnny. Very good, Johnny. Well said, Mr Willet. Brayvo, + sir.’ + </p> + <p> + John slowly brought his eyes to bear upon him, looked at him for a long + time, and finally made answer, to the unspeakable consternation of his + hearers, ‘When I want encouragement from you, sir, I’ll ask you for it. + You let me alone, sir. I can get on without you, I hope. Don’t you tackle + me, sir, if you please.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t take it ill, Johnny; I didn’t mean any harm,’ pleaded the little + man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good, sir,’ said John, more than usually obstinate after his late + success. ‘Never mind, sir. I can stand pretty firm of myself, sir, I + believe, without being shored up by you.’ And having given utterance to + this retort, Mr Willet fixed his eyes upon the boiler, and fell into a + kind of tobacco-trance. + </p> + <p> + The spirits of the company being somewhat damped by this embarrassing line + of conduct on the part of their host, nothing more was said for a long + time; but at length Mr Cobb took upon himself to remark, as he rose to + knock the ashes out of his pipe, that he hoped Joe would thenceforth learn + to obey his father in all things; that he had found, that day, he was not + one of the sort of men who were to be trifled with; and that he would + recommend him, poetically speaking, to mind his eye for the future. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’d recommend you, in return,’ said Joe, looking up with a flushed face, + ‘not to talk to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold your tongue, sir,’ cried Mr Willet, suddenly rousing himself, and + turning round. + </p> + <p> + ‘I won’t, father,’ cried Joe, smiting the table with his fist, so that the + jugs and glasses rung again; ‘these things are hard enough to bear from + you; from anybody else I never will endure them any more. Therefore I say, + Mr Cobb, don’t talk to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, who are you,’ said Mr Cobb, sneeringly, ‘that you’re not to be + talked to, eh, Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + To which Joe returned no answer, but with a very ominous shake of the + head, resumed his old position, which he would have peacefully preserved + until the house shut up at night, but that Mr Cobb, stimulated by the + wonder of the company at the young man’s presumption, retorted with sundry + taunts, which proved too much for flesh and blood to bear. Crowding into + one moment the vexation and the wrath of years, Joe started up, overturned + the table, fell upon his long enemy, pummelled him with all his might and + main, and finished by driving him with surprising swiftness against a heap + of spittoons in one corner; plunging into which, head foremost, with a + tremendous crash, he lay at full length among the ruins, stunned and + motionless. Then, without waiting to receive the compliments of the + bystanders on the victory he had won, he retreated to his own bedchamber, + and considering himself in a state of siege, piled all the portable + furniture against the door by way of barricade. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have done it now,’ said Joe, as he sat down upon his bedstead and wiped + his heated face. ‘I knew it would come at last. The Maypole and I must + part company. I’m a roving vagabond—she hates me for evermore—it’s + all over!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 31 + </h2> + <p> + Pondering on his unhappy lot, Joe sat and listened for a long time, + expecting every moment to hear their creaking footsteps on the stairs, or + to be greeted by his worthy father with a summons to capitulate + unconditionally, and deliver himself up straightway. But neither voice nor + footstep came; and though some distant echoes, as of closing doors and + people hurrying in and out of rooms, resounding from time to time through + the great passages, and penetrating to his remote seclusion, gave note of + unusual commotion downstairs, no nearer sound disturbed his place of + retreat, which seemed the quieter for these far-off noises, and was as + dull and full of gloom as any hermit’s cell. + </p> + <p> + It came on darker and darker. The old-fashioned furniture of the chamber, + which was a kind of hospital for all the invalided movables in the house, + grew indistinct and shadowy in its many shapes; chairs and tables, which + by day were as honest cripples as need be, assumed a doubtful and + mysterious character; and one old leprous screen of faded India leather + and gold binding, which had kept out many a cold breath of air in days of + yore and shut in many a jolly face, frowned on him with a spectral aspect, + and stood at full height in its allotted corner, like some gaunt ghost who + waited to be questioned. A portrait opposite the window—a queer, old + grey-eyed general, in an oval frame—seemed to wink and doze as the + light decayed, and at length, when the last faint glimmering speck of day + went out, to shut its eyes in good earnest, and fall sound asleep. There + was such a hush and mystery about everything, that Joe could not help + following its example; and so went off into a slumber likewise, and + dreamed of Dolly, till the clock of Chigwell church struck two. + </p> + <p> + Still nobody came. The distant noises in the house had ceased, and out of + doors all was quiet; save for the occasional barking of some deep-mouthed + dog, and the shaking of the branches by the night wind. He gazed + mournfully out of window at each well-known object as it lay sleeping in + the dim light of the moon; and creeping back to his former seat, thought + about the late uproar, until, with long thinking of, it seemed to have + occurred a month ago. Thus, between dozing, and thinking, and walking to + the window and looking out, the night wore away; the grim old screen, and + the kindred chairs and tables, began slowly to reveal themselves in their + accustomed forms; the grey-eyed general seemed to wink and yawn and rouse + himself; and at last he was broad awake again, and very uncomfortable and + cold and haggard he looked, in the dull grey light of morning. + </p> + <p> + The sun had begun to peep above the forest trees, and already flung across + the curling mist bright bars of gold, when Joe dropped from his window on + the ground below, a little bundle and his trusty stick, and prepared to + descend himself. + </p> + <p> + It was not a very difficult task; for there were so many projections and + gable ends in the way, that they formed a series of clumsy steps, with no + greater obstacle than a jump of some few feet at last. Joe, with his stick + and bundle on his shoulder, quickly stood on the firm earth, and looked up + at the old Maypole, it might be for the last time. + </p> + <p> + He didn’t apostrophise it, for he was no great scholar. He didn’t curse + it, for he had little ill-will to give to anything on earth. He felt more + affectionate and kind to it than ever he had done in all his life before, + so said with all his heart, ‘God bless you!’ as a parting wish, and turned + away. + </p> + <p> + He walked along at a brisk pace, big with great thoughts of going for a + soldier and dying in some foreign country where it was very hot and sandy, + and leaving God knows what unheard-of wealth in prize-money to Dolly, who + would be very much affected when she came to know of it; and full of such + youthful visions, which were sometimes sanguine and sometimes melancholy, + but always had her for their main point and centre, pushed on vigorously + until the noise of London sounded in his ears, and the Black Lion hove in + sight. + </p> + <p> + It was only eight o’clock then, and very much astonished the Black Lion + was, to see him come walking in with dust upon his feet at that early + hour, with no grey mare to bear him company. But as he ordered breakfast + to be got ready with all speed, and on its being set before him gave + indisputable tokens of a hearty appetite, the Lion received him, as usual, + with a hospitable welcome; and treated him with those marks of + distinction, which, as a regular customer, and one within the freemasonry + of the trade, he had a right to claim. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0147m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0147m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0147.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + This Lion or landlord,—for he was called both man and beast, by + reason of his having instructed the artist who painted his sign, to convey + into the features of the lordly brute whose effigy it bore, as near a + counterpart of his own face as his skill could compass and devise,—was + a gentleman almost as quick of apprehension, and of almost as subtle a + wit, as the mighty John himself. But the difference between them lay in + this: that whereas Mr Willet’s extreme sagacity and acuteness were the + efforts of unassisted nature, the Lion stood indebted, in no small amount, + to beer; of which he swigged such copious draughts, that most of his + faculties were utterly drowned and washed away, except the one great + faculty of sleep, which he retained in surprising perfection. The creaking + Lion over the house-door was, therefore, to say the truth, rather a + drowsy, tame, and feeble lion; and as these social representatives of a + savage class are usually of a conventional character (being depicted, for + the most part, in impossible attitudes and of unearthly colours), he was + frequently supposed by the more ignorant and uninformed among the + neighbours, to be the veritable portrait of the host as he appeared on the + occasion of some great funeral ceremony or public mourning. + </p> + <p> + ‘What noisy fellow is that in the next room?’ said Joe, when he had + disposed of his breakfast, and had washed and brushed himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘A recruiting serjeant,’ replied the Lion. + </p> + <p> + Joe started involuntarily. Here was the very thing he had been dreaming + of, all the way along. + </p> + <p> + ‘And I wish,’ said the Lion, ‘he was anywhere else but here. The party + make noise enough, but don’t call for much. There’s great cry there, Mr + Willet, but very little wool. Your father wouldn’t like ‘em, I know.’ + </p> + <p> + Perhaps not much under any circumstances. Perhaps if he could have known + what was passing at that moment in Joe’s mind, he would have liked them + still less. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is he recruiting for a—for a fine regiment?’ said Joe, glancing at + a little round mirror that hung in the bar. + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe he is,’ replied the host. ‘It’s much the same thing, whatever + regiment he’s recruiting for. I’m told there an’t a deal of difference + between a fine man and another one, when they’re shot through and + through.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They’re not all shot,’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ the Lion answered, ‘not all. Those that are—supposing it’s + done easy—are the best off in my opinion.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ retorted Joe, ‘but you don’t care for glory.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For what?’ said the Lion. + </p> + <p> + ‘Glory.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ returned the Lion, with supreme indifference. ‘I don’t. You’re right + in that, Mr Willet. When Glory comes here, and calls for anything to drink + and changes a guinea to pay for it, I’ll give it him for nothing. It’s my + belief, sir, that the Glory’s arms wouldn’t do a very strong business.’ + </p> + <p> + These remarks were not at all comforting. Joe walked out, stopped at the + door of the next room, and listened. The serjeant was describing a + military life. It was all drinking, he said, except that there were + frequent intervals of eating and love-making. A battle was the finest + thing in the world—when your side won it—and Englishmen always + did that. ‘Supposing you should be killed, sir?’ said a timid voice in one + corner. ‘Well, sir, supposing you should be,’ said the serjeant, ‘what + then? Your country loves you, sir; his Majesty King George the Third loves + you; your memory is honoured, revered, respected; everybody’s fond of you, + and grateful to you; your name’s wrote down at full length in a book in + the War Office. Damme, gentlemen, we must all die some time, or another, + eh?’ + </p> + <p> + The voice coughed, and said no more. + </p> + <p> + Joe walked into the room. A group of half-a-dozen fellows had gathered + together in the taproom, and were listening with greedy ears. One of them, + a carter in a smockfrock, seemed wavering and disposed to enlist. The + rest, who were by no means disposed, strongly urged him to do so + (according to the custom of mankind), backed the serjeant’s arguments, and + grinned among themselves. ‘I say nothing, boys,’ said the serjeant, who + sat a little apart, drinking his liquor. ‘For lads of spirit’—here + he cast an eye on Joe—‘this is the time. I don’t want to inveigle + you. The king’s not come to that, I hope. Brisk young blood is what we + want; not milk and water. We won’t take five men out of six. We want + top-sawyers, we do. I’m not a-going to tell tales out of school, but, + damme, if every gentleman’s son that carries arms in our corps, through + being under a cloud and having little differences with his relations, was + counted up’—here his eye fell on Joe again, and so good-naturedly, + that Joe beckoned him out. He came directly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re a gentleman, by G—!’ was his first remark, as he slapped him + on the back. ‘You’re a gentleman in disguise. So am I. Let’s swear a + friendship.’ + </p> + <p> + Joe didn’t exactly do that, but he shook hands with him, and thanked him + for his good opinion. + </p> + <p> + ‘You want to serve,’ said his new friend. ‘You shall. You were made for + it. You’re one of us by nature. What’ll you take to drink?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing just now,’ replied Joe, smiling faintly. ‘I haven’t quite made up + my mind.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A mettlesome fellow like you, and not made up his mind!’ cried the + serjeant. ‘Here—let me give the bell a pull, and you’ll make up your + mind in half a minute, I know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re right so far’—answered Joe, ‘for if you pull the bell here, + where I’m known, there’ll be an end of my soldiering inclinations in no + time. Look in my face. You see me, do you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do,’ replied the serjeant with an oath, ‘and a finer young fellow or + one better qualified to serve his king and country, I never set my—’ + he used an adjective in this place—‘eyes on.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ said Joe, ‘I didn’t ask you for want of a compliment, but + thank you all the same. Do I look like a sneaking fellow or a liar?’ + </p> + <p> + The serjeant rejoined with many choice asseverations that he didn’t; and + that if his (the serjeant’s) own father were to say he did, he would run + the old gentleman through the body cheerfully, and consider it a + meritorious action. + </p> + <p> + Joe expressed his obligations, and continued, ‘You can trust me then, and + credit what I say. I believe I shall enlist in your regiment to-night. The + reason I don’t do so now is, because I don’t want until to-night, to do + what I can’t recall. Where shall I find you, this evening?’ + </p> + <p> + His friend replied with some unwillingness, and after much ineffectual + entreaty having for its object the immediate settlement of the business, + that his quarters would be at the Crooked Billet in Tower Street; where he + would be found waking until midnight, and sleeping until breakfast time + to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + ‘And if I do come—which it’s a million to one, I shall—when + will you take me out of London?’ demanded Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-morrow morning, at half after eight o’clock,’ replied the serjeant. + ‘You’ll go abroad—a country where it’s all sunshine and plunder—the + finest climate in the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To go abroad,’ said Joe, shaking hands with him, ‘is the very thing I + want. You may expect me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re the kind of lad for us,’ cried the serjeant, holding Joe’s hand in + his, in the excess of his admiration. ‘You’re the boy to push your + fortune. I don’t say it because I bear you any envy, or would take away + from the credit of the rise you’ll make, but if I had been bred and taught + like you, I’d have been a colonel by this time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tush, man!’ said Joe, ‘I’m not so young as that. Needs must when the + devil drives; and the devil that drives me is an empty pocket and an + unhappy home. For the present, good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For king and country!’ cried the serjeant, flourishing his cap. + </p> + <p> + ‘For bread and meat!’ cried Joe, snapping his fingers. And so they parted. + </p> + <p> + He had very little money in his pocket; so little indeed, that after + paying for his breakfast (which he was too honest and perhaps too proud to + score up to his father’s charge) he had but a penny left. He had courage, + notwithstanding, to resist all the affectionate importunities of the + serjeant, who waylaid him at the door with many protestations of eternal + friendship, and did in particular request that he would do him the favour + to accept of only one shilling as a temporary accommodation. Rejecting his + offers both of cash and credit, Joe walked away with stick and bundle as + before, bent upon getting through the day as he best could, and going down + to the locksmith’s in the dusk of the evening; for it should go hard, he + had resolved, but he would have a parting word with charming Dolly Varden. + </p> + <p> + He went out by Islington and so on to Highgate, and sat on many stones and + gates, but there were no voices in the bells to bid him turn. Since the + time of noble Whittington, fair flower of merchants, bells have come to + have less sympathy with humankind. They only ring for money and on state + occasions. Wanderers have increased in number; ships leave the Thames for + distant regions, carrying from stem to stern no other cargo; the bells are + silent; they ring out no entreaties or regrets; they are used to it and + have grown worldly. + </p> + <p> + Joe bought a roll, and reduced his purse to the condition (with a + difference) of that celebrated purse of Fortunatus, which, whatever were + its favoured owner’s necessities, had one unvarying amount in it. In these + real times, when all the Fairies are dead and buried, there are still a + great many purses which possess that quality. The sum-total they contain + is expressed in arithmetic by a circle, and whether it be added to or + multiplied by its own amount, the result of the problem is more easily + stated than any known in figures. + </p> + <p> + Evening drew on at last. With the desolate and solitary feeling of one who + had no home or shelter, and was alone utterly in the world for the first + time, he bent his steps towards the locksmith’s house. He had delayed till + now, knowing that Mrs Varden sometimes went out alone, or with Miggs for + her sole attendant, to lectures in the evening; and devoutly hoping that + this might be one of her nights of moral culture. + </p> + <p> + He had walked up and down before the house, on the opposite side of the + way, two or three times, when as he returned to it again, he caught a + glimpse of a fluttering skirt at the door. It was Dolly’s—to whom + else could it belong? no dress but hers had such a flow as that. He + plucked up his spirits, and followed it into the workshop of the Golden + Key. + </p> + <p> + His darkening the door caused her to look round. Oh that face! ‘If it + hadn’t been for that,’ thought Joe, ‘I should never have walked into poor + Tom Cobb. She’s twenty times handsomer than ever. She might marry a Lord!’ + </p> + <p> + He didn’t say this. He only thought it—perhaps looked it also. Dolly + was glad to see him, and was SO sorry her father and mother were away from + home. Joe begged she wouldn’t mention it on any account. + </p> + <p> + Dolly hesitated to lead the way into the parlour, for there it was nearly + dark; at the same time she hesitated to stand talking in the workshop, + which was yet light and open to the street. They had got by some means, + too, before the little forge; and Joe having her hand in his (which he had + no right to have, for Dolly only gave it him to shake), it was so like + standing before some homely altar being married, that it was the most + embarrassing state of things in the world. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have come,’ said Joe, ‘to say good-bye—to say good-bye for I + don’t know how many years; perhaps for ever. I am going abroad.’ + </p> + <p> + Now this was exactly what he should not have said. Here he was, talking + like a gentleman at large who was free to come and go and roam about the + world at pleasure, when that gallant coachmaker had vowed but the night + before that Miss Varden held him bound in adamantine chains; and had + positively stated in so many words that she was killing him by inches, and + that in a fortnight more or thereabouts he expected to make a decent end + and leave the business to his mother. + </p> + <p> + Dolly released her hand and said ‘Indeed!’ She remarked in the same breath + that it was a fine night, and in short, betrayed no more emotion than the + forge itself. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0150m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0150m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0150.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘I couldn’t go,’ said Joe, ‘without coming to see you. I hadn’t the heart + to.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly was more sorry than she could tell, that he should have taken so + much trouble. It was such a long way, and he must have such a deal to do. + And how WAS Mr Willet—that dear old gentleman— + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this all you say!’ cried Joe. + </p> + <p> + All! Good gracious, what did the man expect! She was obliged to take her + apron in her hand and run her eyes along the hem from corner to corner, to + keep herself from laughing in his face;—not because his gaze + confused her—not at all. + </p> + <p> + Joe had small experience in love affairs, and had no notion how different + young ladies are at different times; he had expected to take Dolly up + again at the very point where he had left her after that delicious evening + ride, and was no more prepared for such an alteration than to see the sun + and moon change places. He had buoyed himself up all day with an + indistinct idea that she would certainly say ‘Don’t go,’ or ‘Don’t leave + us,’ or ‘Why do you go?’ or ‘Why do you leave us?’ or would give him some + little encouragement of that sort; he had even entertained the possibility + of her bursting into tears, of her throwing herself into his arms, of her + falling down in a fainting fit without previous word or sign; but any + approach to such a line of conduct as this, had been so far from his + thoughts that he could only look at her in silent wonder. + </p> + <p> + Dolly in the meanwhile, turned to the corners of her apron, and measured + the sides, and smoothed out the wrinkles, and was as silent as he. At last + after a long pause, Joe said good-bye. ‘Good-bye’—said Dolly—with + as pleasant a smile as if he were going into the next street, and were + coming back to supper; ‘good-bye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come,’ said Joe, putting out both hands, ‘Dolly, dear Dolly, don’t let us + part like this. I love you dearly, with all my heart and soul; with as + much truth and earnestness as ever man loved woman in this world, I do + believe. I am a poor fellow, as you know—poorer now than ever, for I + have fled from home, not being able to bear it any longer, and must fight + my own way without help. You are beautiful, admired, are loved by + everybody, are well off and happy; and may you ever be so! Heaven forbid I + should ever make you otherwise; but give me a word of comfort. Say + something kind to me. I have no right to expect it of you, I know, but I + ask it because I love you, and shall treasure the slightest word from you + all through my life. Dolly, dearest, have you nothing to say to me?’ + </p> + <p> + No. Nothing. Dolly was a coquette by nature, and a spoilt child. She had + no notion of being carried by storm in this way. The coachmaker would have + been dissolved in tears, and would have knelt down, and called himself + names, and clasped his hands, and beat his breast, and tugged wildly at + his cravat, and done all kinds of poetry. Joe had no business to be going + abroad. He had no right to be able to do it. If he was in adamantine + chains, he couldn’t. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have said good-bye,’ said Dolly, ‘twice. Take your arm away directly, + Mr Joseph, or I’ll call Miggs.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll not reproach you,’ answered Joe, ‘it’s my fault, no doubt. I have + thought sometimes that you didn’t quite despise me, but I was a fool to + think so. Every one must, who has seen the life I have led—you most + of all. God bless you!’ + </p> + <p> + He was gone, actually gone. Dolly waited a little while, thinking he would + return, peeped out at the door, looked up the street and down as well as + the increasing darkness would allow, came in again, waited a little + longer, went upstairs humming a tune, bolted herself in, laid her head + down on her bed, and cried as if her heart would break. And yet such + natures are made up of so many contradictions, that if Joe Willet had come + back that night, next day, next week, next month, the odds are a hundred + to one she would have treated him in the very same manner, and have wept + for it afterwards with the very same distress. + </p> + <p> + She had no sooner left the workshop than there cautiously peered out from + behind the chimney of the forge, a face which had already emerged from the + same concealment twice or thrice, unseen, and which, after satisfying + itself that it was now alone, was followed by a leg, a shoulder, and so on + by degrees, until the form of Mr Tappertit stood confessed, with a + brown-paper cap stuck negligently on one side of its head, and its arms + very much a-kimbo. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have my ears deceived me,’ said the ‘prentice, ‘or do I dream! am I to + thank thee, Fortun’, or to cus thee—which?’ + </p> + <p> + He gravely descended from his elevation, took down his piece of + looking-glass, planted it against the wall upon the usual bench, twisted + his head round, and looked closely at his legs. + </p> + <p> + ‘If they’re a dream,’ said Sim, ‘let sculptures have such wisions, and + chisel ‘em out when they wake. This is reality. Sleep has no such limbs as + them. Tremble, Willet, and despair. She’s mine! She’s mine!’ + </p> + <p> + With these triumphant expressions, he seized a hammer and dealt a heavy + blow at a vice, which in his mind’s eye represented the sconce or head of + Joseph Willet. That done, he burst into a peal of laughter which startled + Miss Miggs even in her distant kitchen, and dipping his head into a bowl + of water, had recourse to a jack-towel inside the closet door, which + served the double purpose of smothering his feelings and drying his face. + </p> + <p> + Joe, disconsolate and down-hearted, but full of courage too, on leaving + the locksmith’s house made the best of his way to the Crooked Billet, and + there inquired for his friend the serjeant, who, expecting no man less, + received him with open arms. In the course of five minutes after his + arrival at that house of entertainment, he was enrolled among the gallant + defenders of his native land; and within half an hour, was regaled with a + steaming supper of boiled tripe and onions, prepared, as his friend + assured him more than once, at the express command of his most Sacred + Majesty the King. To this meal, which tasted very savoury after his long + fasting, he did ample justice; and when he had followed it up, or down, + with a variety of loyal and patriotic toasts, he was conducted to a straw + mattress in a loft over the stable, and locked in there for the night. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, he found that the obliging care of his martial friend + had decorated his hat with sundry particoloured streamers, which made a + very lively appearance; and in company with that officer, and three other + military gentlemen newly enrolled, who were under a cloud so dense that it + only left three shoes, a boot, and a coat and a half visible among them, + repaired to the riverside. Here they were joined by a corporal and four + more heroes, of whom two were drunk and daring, and two sober and + penitent, but each of whom, like Joe, had his dusty stick and bundle. The + party embarked in a passage-boat bound for Gravesend, whence they were to + proceed on foot to Chatham; the wind was in their favour, and they soon + left London behind them, a mere dark mist—a giant phantom in the + air. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 32 + </h2> + <p> + Misfortunes, saith the adage, never come singly. There is little doubt + that troubles are exceedingly gregarious in their nature, and flying in + flocks, are apt to perch capriciously; crowding on the heads of some poor + wights until there is not an inch of room left on their unlucky crowns, + and taking no more notice of others who offer as good resting-places for + the soles of their feet, than if they had no existence. It may have + happened that a flight of troubles brooding over London, and looking out + for Joseph Willet, whom they couldn’t find, darted down haphazard on the + first young man that caught their fancy, and settled on him instead. + However this may be, certain it is that on the very day of Joe’s departure + they swarmed about the ears of Edward Chester, and did so buzz and flap + their wings, and persecute him, that he was most profoundly wretched. + </p> + <p> + It was evening, and just eight o’clock, when he and his father, having + wine and dessert set before them, were left to themselves for the first + time that day. They had dined together, but a third person had been + present during the meal, and until they met at table they had not seen + each other since the previous night. + </p> + <p> + Edward was reserved and silent. Mr Chester was more than usually gay; but + not caring, as it seemed, to open a conversation with one whose humour was + so different, he vented the lightness of his spirit in smiles and + sparkling looks, and made no effort to awaken his attention. So they + remained for some time: the father lying on a sofa with his accustomed air + of graceful negligence; the son seated opposite to him with downcast eyes, + busied, it was plain, with painful and uneasy thoughts. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear Edward,’ said Mr Chester at length, with a most engaging laugh, + ‘do not extend your drowsy influence to the decanter. Suffer THAT to + circulate, let your spirits be never so stagnant.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward begged his pardon, passed it, and relapsed into his former state. + </p> + <p> + ‘You do wrong not to fill your glass,’ said Mr Chester, holding up his own + before the light. ‘Wine in moderation—not in excess, for that makes + men ugly—has a thousand pleasant influences. It brightens the eye, + improves the voice, imparts a new vivacity to one’s thoughts and + conversation: you should try it, Ned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah father!’ cried his son, ‘if—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good fellow,’ interposed the parent hastily, as he set down his glass, + and raised his eyebrows with a startled and horrified expression, ‘for + Heaven’s sake don’t call me by that obsolete and ancient name. Have some + regard for delicacy. Am I grey, or wrinkled, do I go on crutches, have I + lost my teeth, that you adopt such a mode of address? Good God, how very + coarse!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was about to speak to you from my heart, sir,’ returned Edward, ‘in the + confidence which should subsist between us; and you check me in the + outset.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now DO, Ned, DO not,’ said Mr Chester, raising his delicate hand + imploringly, ‘talk in that monstrous manner. About to speak from your + heart. Don’t you know that the heart is an ingenious part of our formation—the + centre of the blood-vessels and all that sort of thing—which has no + more to do with what you say or think, than your knees have? How can you + be so very vulgar and absurd? These anatomical allusions should be left to + gentlemen of the medical profession. They are really not agreeable in + society. You quite surprise me, Ned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! there are no such things to wound, or heal, or have regard for. I + know your creed, sir, and will say no more,’ returned his son. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0153m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0153m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0153.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘There again,’ said Mr Chester, sipping his wine, ‘you are wrong. I + distinctly say there are such things. We know there are. The hearts of + animals—of bullocks, sheep, and so forth—are cooked and + devoured, as I am told, by the lower classes, with a vast deal of relish. + Men are sometimes stabbed to the heart, shot to the heart; but as to + speaking from the heart, or to the heart, or being warm-hearted, or + cold-hearted, or broken-hearted, or being all heart, or having no heart—pah! + these things are nonsense, Ned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt, sir,’ returned his son, seeing that he paused for him to speak. + ‘No doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s Haredale’s niece, your late flame,’ said Mr Chester, as a + careless illustration of his meaning. ‘No doubt in your mind she was all + heart once. Now she has none at all. Yet she is the same person, Ned, + exactly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She is a changed person, sir,’ cried Edward, reddening; ‘and changed by + vile means, I believe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have had a cool dismissal, have you?’ said his father. ‘Poor Ned! I + told you last night what would happen.—May I ask you for the + nutcrackers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She has been tampered with, and most treacherously deceived,’ cried + Edward, rising from his seat. ‘I never will believe that the knowledge of + my real position, given her by myself, has worked this change. I know she + is beset and tortured. But though our contract is at an end, and broken + past all redemption; though I charge upon her want of firmness and want of + truth, both to herself and me; I do not now, and never will believe, that + any sordid motive, or her own unbiassed will, has led her to this course—never!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You make me blush,’ returned his father gaily, ‘for the folly of your + nature, in which—but we never know ourselves—I devoutly hope + there is no reflection of my own. With regard to the young lady herself, + she has done what is very natural and proper, my dear fellow; what you + yourself proposed, as I learn from Haredale; and what I predicted—with + no great exercise of sagacity—she would do. She supposed you to be + rich, or at least quite rich enough; and found you poor. Marriage is a + civil contract; people marry to better their worldly condition and improve + appearances; it is an affair of house and furniture, of liveries, + servants, equipage, and so forth. The lady being poor and you poor also, + there is an end of the matter. You cannot enter upon these considerations, + and have no manner of business with the ceremony. I drink her health in + this glass, and respect and honour her for her extreme good sense. It is a + lesson to you. Fill yours, Ned.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a lesson,’ returned his son, ‘by which I hope I may never profit, + and if years and experience impress it on—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t say on the heart,’ interposed his father. + </p> + <p> + ‘On men whom the world and its hypocrisy have spoiled,’ said Edward + warmly, ‘Heaven keep me from its knowledge.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, sir,’ returned his father, raising himself a little on the sofa, + and looking straight towards him; ‘we have had enough of this. Remember, + if you please, your interest, your duty, your moral obligations, your + filial affections, and all that sort of thing, which it is so very + delightful and charming to reflect upon; or you will repent it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never repent the preservation of my self-respect, sir,’ said + Edward. ‘Forgive me if I say that I will not sacrifice it at your bidding, + and that I will not pursue the track which you would have me take, and to + which the secret share you have had in this late separation tends.’ + </p> + <p> + His father rose a little higher still, and looking at him as though + curious to know if he were quite resolved and earnest, dropped gently down + again, and said in the calmest voice—eating his nuts meanwhile, + </p> + <p> + ‘Edward, my father had a son, who being a fool like you, and, like you, + entertaining low and disobedient sentiments, he disinherited and cursed + one morning after breakfast. The circumstance occurs to me with a singular + clearness of recollection this evening. I remember eating muffins at the + time, with marmalade. He led a miserable life (the son, I mean) and died + early; it was a happy release on all accounts; he degraded the family very + much. It is a sad circumstance, Edward, when a father finds it necessary + to resort to such strong measures. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is,’ replied Edward, ‘and it is sad when a son, proffering him his + love and duty in their best and truest sense, finds himself repelled at + every turn, and forced to disobey. Dear father,’ he added, more earnestly + though in a gentler tone, ‘I have reflected many times on what occurred + between us when we first discussed this subject. Let there be a confidence + between us; not in terms, but truth. Hear what I have to say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As I anticipate what it is, and cannot fail to do so, Edward,’ returned + his father coldly, ‘I decline. I couldn’t possibly. I am sure it would put + me out of temper, which is a state of mind I can’t endure. If you intend + to mar my plans for your establishment in life, and the preservation of + that gentility and becoming pride, which our family have so long sustained—if, + in short, you are resolved to take your own course, you must take it, and + my curse with it. I am very sorry, but there’s really no alternative.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The curse may pass your lips,’ said Edward, ‘but it will be but empty + breath. I do not believe that any man on earth has greater power to call + one down upon his fellow—least of all, upon his own child—than + he has to make one drop of rain or flake of snow fall from the clouds + above us at his impious bidding. Beware, sir, what you do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are so very irreligious, so exceedingly undutiful, so horribly + profane,’ rejoined his father, turning his face lazily towards him, and + cracking another nut, ‘that I positively must interrupt you here. It is + quite impossible we can continue to go on, upon such terms as these. If + you will do me the favour to ring the bell, the servant will show you to + the door. Return to this roof no more, I beg you. Go, sir, since you have + no moral sense remaining; and go to the Devil, at my express desire. Good + day.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward left the room without another word or look, and turned his back + upon the house for ever. + </p> + <p> + The father’s face was slightly flushed and heated, but his manner was + quite unchanged, as he rang the bell again, and addressed the servant on + his entrance. + </p> + <p> + ‘Peak—if that gentleman who has just gone out—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I beg your pardon, sir, Mr Edward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Were there more than one, dolt, that you ask the question?—If that + gentleman should send here for his wardrobe, let him have it, do you hear? + If he should call himself at any time, I’m not at home. You’ll tell him + so, and shut the door.’ + </p> + <p> + So, it soon got whispered about, that Mr Chester was very unfortunate in + his son, who had occasioned him great grief and sorrow. And the good + people who heard this and told it again, marvelled the more at his + equanimity and even temper, and said what an amiable nature that man must + have, who, having undergone so much, could be so placid and so calm. And + when Edward’s name was spoken, Society shook its head, and laid its finger + on its lip, and sighed, and looked very grave; and those who had sons + about his age, waxed wrathful and indignant, and hoped, for Virtue’s sake, + that he was dead. And the world went on turning round, as usual, for five + years, concerning which this Narrative is silent. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 33 + </h2> + <p> + One wintry evening, early in the year of our Lord one thousand seven + hundred and eighty, a keen north wind arose as it grew dark, and night + came on with black and dismal looks. A bitter storm of sleet, sharp, + dense, and icy-cold, swept the wet streets, and rattled on the trembling + windows. Signboards, shaken past endurance in their creaking frames, fell + crashing on the pavement; old tottering chimneys reeled and staggered in + the blast; and many a steeple rocked again that night, as though the earth + were troubled. + </p> + <p> + It was not a time for those who could by any means get light and warmth, + to brave the fury of the weather. In coffee-houses of the better sort, + guests crowded round the fire, forgot to be political, and told each other + with a secret gladness that the blast grew fiercer every minute. Each + humble tavern by the water-side, had its group of uncouth figures round + the hearth, who talked of vessels foundering at sea, and all hands lost; + related many a dismal tale of shipwreck and drowned men, and hoped that + some they knew were safe, and shook their heads in doubt. In private + dwellings, children clustered near the blaze; listening with timid + pleasure to tales of ghosts and goblins, and tall figures clad in white + standing by bed-sides, and people who had gone to sleep in old churches + and being overlooked had found themselves alone there at the dead hour of + the night: until they shuddered at the thought of the dark rooms upstairs, + yet loved to hear the wind moan too, and hoped it would continue bravely. + From time to time these happy indoor people stopped to listen, or one held + up his finger and cried ‘Hark!’ and then, above the rumbling in the + chimney, and the fast pattering on the glass, was heard a wailing, rushing + sound, which shook the walls as though a giant’s hand were on them; then a + hoarse roar as if the sea had risen; then such a whirl and tumult that the + air seemed mad; and then, with a lengthened howl, the waves of wind swept + on, and left a moment’s interval of rest. + </p> + <p> + Cheerily, though there were none abroad to see it, shone the Maypole light + that evening. Blessings on the red—deep, ruby, glowing red—old + curtain of the window; blending into one rich stream of brightness, fire + and candle, meat, drink, and company, and gleaming like a jovial eye upon + the bleak waste out of doors! Within, what carpet like its crunching sand, + what music merry as its crackling logs, what perfume like its kitchen’s + dainty breath, what weather genial as its hearty warmth! Blessings on the + old house, how sturdily it stood! How did the vexed wind chafe and roar + about its stalwart roof; how did it pant and strive with its wide + chimneys, which still poured forth from their hospitable throats, great + clouds of smoke, and puffed defiance in its face; how, above all, did it + drive and rattle at the casement, emulous to extinguish that cheerful + glow, which would not be put down and seemed the brighter for the + conflict! + </p> + <p> + The profusion too, the rich and lavish bounty, of that goodly tavern! It + was not enough that one fire roared and sparkled on its spacious hearth; + in the tiles which paved and compassed it, five hundred flickering fires + burnt brightly also. It was not enough that one red curtain shut the wild + night out, and shed its cheerful influence on the room. In every saucepan + lid, and candlestick, and vessel of copper, brass, or tin that hung upon + the walls, were countless ruddy hangings, flashing and gleaming with every + motion of the blaze, and offering, let the eye wander where it might, + interminable vistas of the same rich colour. The old oak wainscoting, the + beams, the chairs, the seats, reflected it in a deep, dull glimmer. There + were fires and red curtains in the very eyes of the drinkers, in their + buttons, in their liquor, in the pipes they smoked. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet sat in what had been his accustomed place five years before, + with his eyes on the eternal boiler; and had sat there since the clock + struck eight, giving no other signs of life than breathing with a loud and + constant snore (though he was wide awake), and from time to time putting + his glass to his lips, or knocking the ashes out of his pipe, and filling + it anew. It was now half-past ten. Mr Cobb and long Phil Parkes were his + companions, as of old, and for two mortal hours and a half, none of the + company had pronounced one word. + </p> + <p> + Whether people, by dint of sitting together in the same place and the same + relative positions, and doing exactly the same things for a great many + years, acquire a sixth sense, or some unknown power of influencing each + other which serves them in its stead, is a question for philosophy to + settle. But certain it is that old John Willet, Mr Parkes, and Mr Cobb, + were one and all firmly of opinion that they were very jolly companions—rather + choice spirits than otherwise; that they looked at each other every now + and then as if there were a perpetual interchange of ideas going on among + them; that no man considered himself or his neighbour by any means silent; + and that each of them nodded occasionally when he caught the eye of + another, as if he would say, ‘You have expressed yourself extremely well, + sir, in relation to that sentiment, and I quite agree with you.’ + </p> + <p> + The room was so very warm, the tobacco so very good, and the fire so very + soothing, that Mr Willet by degrees began to doze; but as he had perfectly + acquired, by dint of long habit, the art of smoking in his sleep, and as + his breathing was pretty much the same, awake or asleep, saving that in + the latter case he sometimes experienced a slight difficulty in + respiration (such as a carpenter meets with when he is planing and comes + to a knot), neither of his companions was aware of the circumstance, until + he met with one of these impediments and was obliged to try again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Johnny’s dropped off,’ said Mr Parkes in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fast as a top,’ said Mr Cobb. + </p> + <p> + Neither of them said any more until Mr Willet came to another knot—one + of surpassing obduracy—which bade fair to throw him into + convulsions, but which he got over at last without waking, by an effort + quite superhuman. + </p> + <p> + ‘He sleeps uncommon hard,’ said Mr Cobb. + </p> + <p> + Mr Parkes, who was possibly a hard-sleeper himself, replied with some + disdain, ‘Not a bit on it;’ and directed his eyes towards a handbill + pasted over the chimney-piece, which was decorated at the top with a + woodcut representing a youth of tender years running away very fast, with + a bundle over his shoulder at the end of a stick, and—to carry out + the idea—a finger-post and a milestone beside him. Mr Cobb likewise + turned his eyes in the same direction, and surveyed the placard as if that + were the first time he had ever beheld it. Now, this was a document which + Mr Willet had himself indited on the disappearance of his son Joseph, + acquainting the nobility and gentry and the public in general with the + circumstances of his having left his home; describing his dress and + appearance; and offering a reward of five pounds to any person or persons + who would pack him up and return him safely to the Maypole at Chigwell, or + lodge him in any of his Majesty’s jails until such time as his father + should come and claim him. In this advertisement Mr Willet had obstinately + persisted, despite the advice and entreaties of his friends, in describing + his son as a ‘young boy;’ and furthermore as being from eighteen inches to + a couple of feet shorter than he really was; two circumstances which + perhaps accounted, in some degree, for its never having been productive of + any other effect than the transmission to Chigwell at various times and at + a vast expense, of some five-and-forty runaways varying from six years old + to twelve. + </p> + <p> + Mr Cobb and Mr Parkes looked mysteriously at this composition, at each + other, and at old John. From the time he had pasted it up with his own + hands, Mr Willet had never by word or sign alluded to the subject, or + encouraged any one else to do so. Nobody had the least notion what his + thoughts or opinions were, connected with it; whether he remembered it or + forgot it; whether he had any idea that such an event had ever taken + place. Therefore, even while he slept, no one ventured to refer to it in + his presence; and for such sufficient reasons, these his chosen friends + were silent now. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet had got by this time into such a complication of knots, that it + was perfectly clear he must wake or die. He chose the former alternative, + and opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + ‘If he don’t come in five minutes,’ said John, ‘I shall have supper + without him.’ + </p> + <p> + The antecedent of this pronoun had been mentioned for the last time at + eight o’clock. Messrs Parkes and Cobb being used to this style of + conversation, replied without difficulty that to be sure Solomon was very + late, and they wondered what had happened to detain him. + </p> + <p> + ‘He an’t blown away, I suppose,’ said Parkes. ‘It’s enough to carry a man + of his figure off his legs, and easy too. Do you hear it? It blows great + guns, indeed. There’ll be many a crash in the Forest to-night, I reckon, + and many a broken branch upon the ground to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It won’t break anything in the Maypole, I take it, sir,’ returned old + John. ‘Let it try. I give it leave—what’s that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The wind,’ cried Parkes. ‘It’s howling like a Christian, and has been all + night long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you ever, sir,’ asked John, after a minute’s contemplation, ‘hear the + wind say “Maypole”?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what man ever did?’ said Parkes. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor “ahoy,” perhaps?’ added John. + </p> + <p> + ‘No. Nor that neither.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good, sir,’ said Mr Willet, perfectly unmoved; ‘then if that was the + wind just now, and you’ll wait a little time without speaking, you’ll hear + it say both words very plain.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet was right. After listening for a few moments, they could clearly + hear, above the roar and tumult out of doors, this shout repeated; and + that with a shrillness and energy, which denoted that it came from some + person in great distress or terror. They looked at each other, turned + pale, and held their breath. No man stirred. + </p> + <p> + It was in this emergency that Mr Willet displayed something of that + strength of mind and plenitude of mental resource, which rendered him the + admiration of all his friends and neighbours. After looking at Messrs + Parkes and Cobb for some time in silence, he clapped his two hands to his + cheeks, and sent forth a roar which made the glasses dance and rafters + ring—a long-sustained, discordant bellow, that rolled onward with + the wind, and startling every echo, made the night a hundred times more + boisterous—a deep, loud, dismal bray, that sounded like a human + gong. Then, with every vein in his head and face swollen with the great + exertion, and his countenance suffused with a lively purple, he drew a + little nearer to the fire, and turning his back upon it, said with + dignity: + </p> + <p> + ‘If that’s any comfort to anybody, they’re welcome to it. If it an’t, I’m + sorry for ‘em. If either of you two gentlemen likes to go out and see + what’s the matter, you can. I’m not curious, myself.’ + </p> + <p> + While he spoke the cry drew nearer and nearer, footsteps passed the + window, the latch of the door was raised, it opened, was violently shut + again, and Solomon Daisy, with a lighted lantern in his hand, and the rain + streaming from his disordered dress, dashed into the room. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0157m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0157m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0157.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + A more complete picture of terror than the little man presented, it would + be difficult to imagine. The perspiration stood in beads upon his face, + his knees knocked together, his every limb trembled, the power of + articulation was quite gone; and there he stood, panting for breath, + gazing on them with such livid ashy looks, that they were infected with + his fear, though ignorant of its occasion, and, reflecting his dismayed + and horror-stricken visage, stared back again without venturing to + question him; until old John Willet, in a fit of temporary insanity, made + a dive at his cravat, and, seizing him by that portion of his dress, shook + him to and fro until his very teeth appeared to rattle in his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell us what’s the matter, sir,’ said John, ‘or I’ll kill you. Tell us + what’s the matter, sir, or in another second I’ll have your head under the + biler. How dare you look like that? Is anybody a-following of you? What do + you mean? Say something, or I’ll be the death of you, I will.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet, in his frenzy, was so near keeping his word to the very letter + (Solomon Daisy’s eyes already beginning to roll in an alarming manner, and + certain guttural sounds, as of a choking man, to issue from his throat), + that the two bystanders, recovering in some degree, plucked him off his + victim by main force, and placed the little clerk of Chigwell in a chair. + Directing a fearful gaze all round the room, he implored them in a faint + voice to give him some drink; and above all to lock the house-door and + close and bar the shutters of the room, without a moment’s loss of time. + The latter request did not tend to reassure his hearers, or to fill them + with the most comfortable sensations; they complied with it, however, with + the greatest expedition; and having handed him a bumper of + brandy-and-water, nearly boiling hot, waited to hear what he might have to + tell them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, Johnny,’ said Solomon, shaking him by the hand. ‘Oh, Parkes. Oh, + Tommy Cobb. Why did I leave this house to-night! On the nineteenth of + March—of all nights in the year, on the nineteenth of March!’ + </p> + <p> + They all drew closer to the fire. Parkes, who was nearest to the door, + started and looked over his shoulder. Mr Willet, with great indignation, + inquired what the devil he meant by that—and then said, ‘God forgive + me,’ and glanced over his own shoulder, and came a little nearer. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I left here to-night,’ said Solomon Daisy, ‘I little thought what + day of the month it was. I have never gone alone into the church after + dark on this day, for seven-and-twenty years. I have heard it said that as + we keep our birthdays when we are alive, so the ghosts of dead people, who + are not easy in their graves, keep the day they died upon.—How the + wind roars!’ + </p> + <p> + Nobody spoke. All eyes were fastened on Solomon. + </p> + <p> + ‘I might have known,’ he said, ‘what night it was, by the foul weather. + There’s no such night in the whole year round as this is, always. I never + sleep quietly in my bed on the nineteenth of March.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go on,’ said Tom Cobb, in a low voice. ‘Nor I neither.’ + </p> + <p> + Solomon Daisy raised his glass to his lips; put it down upon the floor + with such a trembling hand that the spoon tinkled in it like a little + bell; and continued thus: + </p> + <p> + ‘Have I ever said that we are always brought back to this subject in some + strange way, when the nineteenth of this month comes round? Do you suppose + it was by accident, I forgot to wind up the church-clock? I never forgot + it at any other time, though it’s such a clumsy thing that it has to be + wound up every day. Why should it escape my memory on this day of all + others? + </p> + <p> + ‘I made as much haste down there as I could when I went from here, but I + had to go home first for the keys; and the wind and rain being dead + against me all the way, it was pretty well as much as I could do at times + to keep my legs. I got there at last, opened the church-door, and went in. + I had not met a soul all the way, and you may judge whether it was dull or + not. Neither of you would bear me company. If you could have known what + was to come, you’d have been in the right. + </p> + <p> + ‘The wind was so strong, that it was as much as I could do to shut the + church-door by putting my whole weight against it; and even as it was, it + burst wide open twice, with such strength that any of you would have + sworn, if you had been leaning against it, as I was, that somebody was + pushing on the other side. However, I got the key turned, went into the + belfry, and wound up the clock—which was very near run down, and + would have stood stock-still in half an hour. + </p> + <p> + ‘As I took up my lantern again to leave the church, it came upon me all at + once that this was the nineteenth of March. It came upon me with a kind of + shock, as if a hand had struck the thought upon my forehead; at the very + same moment, I heard a voice outside the tower—rising from among the + graves.’ + </p> + <p> + Here old John precipitately interrupted the speaker, and begged that if Mr + Parkes (who was seated opposite to him and was staring directly over his + head) saw anything, he would have the goodness to mention it. Mr Parkes + apologised, and remarked that he was only listening; to which Mr Willet + angrily retorted, that his listening with that kind of expression in his + face was not agreeable, and that if he couldn’t look like other people, he + had better put his pocket-handkerchief over his head. Mr Parkes with great + submission pledged himself to do so, if again required, and John Willet + turning to Solomon desired him to proceed. After waiting until a violent + gust of wind and rain, which seemed to shake even that sturdy house to its + foundation, had passed away, the little man complied: + </p> + <p> + ‘Never tell me that it was my fancy, or that it was any other sound which + I mistook for that I tell you of. I heard the wind whistle through the + arches of the church. I heard the steeple strain and creak. I heard the + rain as it came driving against the walls. I felt the bells shake. I saw + the ropes sway to and fro. And I heard that voice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What did it say?’ asked Tom Cobb. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know what; I don’t know that it spoke. It gave a kind of cry, as + any one of us might do, if something dreadful followed us in a dream, and + came upon us unawares; and then it died off: seeming to pass quite round + the church.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t see much in that,’ said John, drawing a long breath, and looking + round him like a man who felt relieved. + </p> + <p> + ‘Perhaps not,’ returned his friend, ‘but that’s not all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What more do you mean to say, sir, is to come?’ asked John, pausing in + the act of wiping his face upon his apron. ‘What are you a-going to tell + us of next?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What I saw.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Saw!’ echoed all three, bending forward. + </p> + <p> + ‘When I opened the church-door to come out,’ said the little man, with an + expression of face which bore ample testimony to the sincerity of his + conviction, ‘when I opened the church-door to come out, which I did + suddenly, for I wanted to get it shut again before another gust of wind + came up, there crossed me—so close, that by stretching out my finger + I could have touched it—something in the likeness of a man. It was + bare-headed to the storm. It turned its face without stopping, and fixed + its eyes on mine. It was a ghost—a spirit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose?’ they all three cried together. + </p> + <p> + In the excess of his emotion (for he fell back trembling in his chair, and + waved his hand as if entreating them to question him no further), his + answer was lost on all but old John Willet, who happened to be seated + close beside him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who!’ cried Parkes and Tom Cobb, looking eagerly by turns at Solomon + Daisy and at Mr Willet. ‘Who was it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gentlemen,’ said Mr Willet after a long pause, ‘you needn’t ask. The + likeness of a murdered man. This is the nineteenth of March.’ + </p> + <p> + A profound silence ensued. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’ll take my advice,’ said John, ‘we had better, one and all, keep + this a secret. Such tales would not be liked at the Warren. Let us keep it + to ourselves for the present time at all events, or we may get into + trouble, and Solomon may lose his place. Whether it was really as he says, + or whether it wasn’t, is no matter. Right or wrong, nobody would believe + him. As to the probabilities, I don’t myself think,’ said Mr Willet, + eyeing the corners of the room in a manner which showed that, like some + other philosophers, he was not quite easy in his theory, ‘that a ghost as + had been a man of sense in his lifetime, would be out a-walking in such + weather—I only know that I wouldn’t, if I was one.’ + </p> + <p> + But this heretical doctrine was strongly opposed by the other three, who + quoted a great many precedents to show that bad weather was the very time + for such appearances; and Mr Parkes (who had had a ghost in his family, by + the mother’s side) argued the matter with so much ingenuity and force of + illustration, that John was only saved from having to retract his opinion + by the opportune appearance of supper, to which they applied themselves + with a dreadful relish. Even Solomon Daisy himself, by dint of the + elevating influences of fire, lights, brandy, and good company, so far + recovered as to handle his knife and fork in a highly creditable manner, + and to display a capacity both of eating and drinking, such as banished + all fear of his having sustained any lasting injury from his fright. + </p> + <p> + Supper done, they crowded round the fire again, and, as is common on such + occasions, propounded all manner of leading questions calculated to + surround the story with new horrors and surprises. But Solomon Daisy, + notwithstanding these temptations, adhered so steadily to his original + account, and repeated it so often, with such slight variations, and with + such solemn asseverations of its truth and reality, that his hearers were + (with good reason) more astonished than at first. As he took John Willet’s + view of the matter in regard to the propriety of not bruiting the tale + abroad, unless the spirit should appear to him again, in which case it + would be necessary to take immediate counsel with the clergyman, it was + solemnly resolved that it should be hushed up and kept quiet. And as most + men like to have a secret to tell which may exalt their own importance, + they arrived at this conclusion with perfect unanimity. + </p> + <p> + As it was by this time growing late, and was long past their usual hour of + separating, the cronies parted for the night. Solomon Daisy, with a fresh + candle in his lantern, repaired homewards under the escort of long Phil + Parkes and Mr Cobb, who were rather more nervous than himself. Mr Willet, + after seeing them to the door, returned to collect his thoughts with the + assistance of the boiler, and to listen to the storm of wind and rain, + which had not yet abated one jot of its fury. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0034" id="link2HCH0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 34 + </h2> + <p> + Before old John had looked at the boiler quite twenty minutes, he got his + ideas into a focus, and brought them to bear upon Solomon Daisy’s story. + The more he thought of it, the more impressed he became with a sense of + his own wisdom, and a desire that Mr Haredale should be impressed with it + likewise. At length, to the end that he might sustain a principal and + important character in the affair; and might have the start of Solomon and + his two friends, through whose means he knew the adventure, with a variety + of exaggerations, would be known to at least a score of people, and most + likely to Mr Haredale himself, by breakfast-time to-morrow; he determined + to repair to the Warren before going to bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s my landlord,’ thought John, as he took a candle in his hand, and + setting it down in a corner out of the wind’s way, opened a casement in + the rear of the house, looking towards the stables. ‘We haven’t met of + late years so often as we used to do—changes are taking place in the + family—it’s desirable that I should stand as well with them, in + point of dignity, as possible—the whispering about of this here tale + will anger him—it’s good to have confidences with a gentleman of his + natur’, and set one’s-self right besides. Halloa there! Hugh—Hugh. + Hal-loa!’ + </p> + <p> + When he had repeated this shout a dozen times, and startled every pigeon + from its slumbers, a door in one of the ruinous old buildings opened, and + a rough voice demanded what was amiss now, that a man couldn’t even have + his sleep in quiet. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! Haven’t you sleep enough, growler, that you’re not to be knocked up + for once?’ said John. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ replied the voice, as the speaker yawned and shook himself. ‘Not + half enough.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know how you CAN sleep, with the wind a bellowsing and roaring + about you, making the tiles fly like a pack of cards,’ said John; ‘but no + matter for that. Wrap yourself up in something or another, and come here, + for you must go as far as the Warren with me. And look sharp about it.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh, with much low growling and muttering, went back into his lair; and + presently reappeared, carrying a lantern and a cudgel, and enveloped from + head to foot in an old, frowzy, slouching horse-cloth. Mr Willet received + this figure at the back-door, and ushered him into the bar, while he + wrapped himself in sundry greatcoats and capes, and so tied and knotted + his face in shawls and handkerchiefs, that how he breathed was a mystery. + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t take a man out of doors at near midnight in such weather, + without putting some heart into him, do you, master?’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes I do, sir,’ returned Mr Willet. ‘I put the heart (as you call it) + into him when he has brought me safe home again, and his standing steady + on his legs an’t of so much consequence. So hold that light up, if you + please, and go on a step or two before, to show the way.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh obeyed with a very indifferent grace, and a longing glance at the + bottles. Old John, laying strict injunctions on his cook to keep the doors + locked in his absence, and to open to nobody but himself on pain of + dismissal, followed him into the blustering darkness out of doors. + </p> + <p> + The way was wet and dismal, and the night so black, that if Mr Willet had + been his own pilot, he would have walked into a deep horsepond within a + few hundred yards of his own house, and would certainly have terminated + his career in that ignoble sphere of action. But Hugh, who had a sight as + keen as any hawk’s, and, apart from that endowment, could have found his + way blindfold to any place within a dozen miles, dragged old John along, + quite deaf to his remonstrances, and took his own course without the + slightest reference to, or notice of, his master. So they made head + against the wind as they best could; Hugh crushing the wet grass beneath + his heavy tread, and stalking on after his ordinary savage fashion; John + Willet following at arm’s length, picking his steps, and looking about + him, now for bogs and ditches, and now for such stray ghosts as might be + wandering abroad, with looks of as much dismay and uneasiness as his + immovable face was capable of expressing. + </p> + <p> + At length they stood upon the broad gravel-walk before the Warren-house. + The building was profoundly dark, and none were moving near it save + themselves. From one solitary turret-chamber, however, there shone a ray + of light; and towards this speck of comfort in the cold, cheerless, silent + scene, Mr Willet bade his pilot lead him. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old room,’ said John, looking timidly upward; ‘Mr Reuben’s own apartment, + God be with us! I wonder his brother likes to sit there, so late at night—on + this night too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where else should he sit?’ asked Hugh, holding the lantern to his + breast, to keep the candle from the wind, while he trimmed it with his + fingers. ‘It’s snug enough, an’t it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Snug!’ said John indignantly. ‘You have a comfortable idea of snugness, + you have, sir. Do you know what was done in that room, you ruffian?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what is it the worse for that!’ cried Hugh, looking into John’s fat + face. ‘Does it keep out the rain, and snow, and wind, the less for that? + Is it less warm or dry, because a man was killed there? Ha, ha, ha! Never + believe it, master. One man’s no such matter as that comes to.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet fixed his dull eyes on his follower, and began—by a + species of inspiration—to think it just barely possible that he was + something of a dangerous character, and that it might be advisable to get + rid of him one of these days. He was too prudent to say anything, with the + journey home before him; and therefore turned to the iron gate before + which this brief dialogue had passed, and pulled the handle of the bell + that hung beside it. The turret in which the light appeared being at one + corner of the building, and only divided from the path by one of the + garden-walks, upon which this gate opened, Mr Haredale threw up the window + directly, and demanded who was there. + </p> + <p> + ‘Begging pardon, sir,’ said John, ‘I knew you sat up late, and made bold + to come round, having a word to say to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willet—is it not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of the Maypole—at your service, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale closed the window, and withdrew. He presently appeared at a + door in the bottom of the turret, and coming across the garden-walk, + unlocked the gate and let them in. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a late visitor, Willet. What is the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing to speak of, sir,’ said John; ‘an idle tale, I thought you ought + to know of; nothing more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let your man go forward with the lantern, and give me your hand. The + stairs are crooked and narrow. Gently with your light, friend. You swing + it like a censer.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh, who had already reached the turret, held it more steadily, and + ascended first, turning round from time to time to shed his light downward + on the steps. Mr Haredale following next, eyed his lowering face with no + great favour; and Hugh, looking down on him, returned his glances with + interest, as they climbed the winding stairs. + </p> + <p> + It terminated in a little ante-room adjoining that from which they had + seen the light. Mr Haredale entered first, and led the way through it into + the latter chamber, where he seated himself at a writing-table from which + he had risen when they had rung the bell. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come in,’ he said, beckoning to old John, who remained bowing at the + door. ‘Not you, friend,’ he added hastily to Hugh, who entered also. + ‘Willet, why do you bring that fellow here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, sir,’ returned John, elevating his eyebrows, and lowering his voice + to the tone in which the question had been asked him, ‘he’s a good guard, + you see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be too sure of that,’ said Mr Haredale, looking towards him as he + spoke. ‘I doubt it. He has an evil eye.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s no imagination in his eye,’ returned Mr Willet, glancing over his + shoulder at the organ in question, ‘certainly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is no good there, be assured,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Wait in that + little room, friend, and close the door between us.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0161m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0161m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0161.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Hugh shrugged his shoulders, and with a disdainful look, which showed, + either that he had overheard, or that he guessed the purport of their + whispering, did as he was told. When he was shut out, Mr Haredale turned + to John, and bade him go on with what he had to say, but not to speak too + loud, for there were quick ears yonder. + </p> + <p> + Thus cautioned, Mr Willet, in an oily whisper, recited all that he had + heard and said that night; laying particular stress upon his own sagacity, + upon his great regard for the family, and upon his solicitude for their + peace of mind and happiness. The story moved his auditor much more than he + had expected. Mr Haredale often changed his attitude, rose and paced the + room, returned again, desired him to repeat, as nearly as he could, the + very words that Solomon had used, and gave so many other signs of being + disturbed and ill at ease, that even Mr Willet was surprised. + </p> + <p> + ‘You did quite right,’ he said, at the end of a long conversation, ‘to bid + them keep this story secret. It is a foolish fancy on the part of this + weak-brained man, bred in his fears and superstition. But Miss Haredale, + though she would know it to be so, would be disturbed by it if it reached + her ears; it is too nearly connected with a subject very painful to us + all, to be heard with indifference. You were most prudent, and have laid + me under a great obligation. I thank you very much.’ + </p> + <p> + This was equal to John’s most sanguine expectations; but he would have + preferred Mr Haredale’s looking at him when he spoke, as if he really did + thank him, to his walking up and down, speaking by fits and starts, often + stopping with his eyes fixed on the ground, moving hurriedly on again, + like one distracted, and seeming almost unconscious of what he said or + did. + </p> + <p> + This, however, was his manner; and it was so embarrassing to John that he + sat quite passive for a long time, not knowing what to do. At length he + rose. Mr Haredale stared at him for a moment as though he had quite + forgotten his being present, then shook hands with him, and opened the + door. Hugh, who was, or feigned to be, fast asleep on the ante-chamber + floor, sprang up on their entrance, and throwing his cloak about him, + grasped his stick and lantern, and prepared to descend the stairs. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Will this man drink?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Drink! He’d drink the Thames up, if it was strong enough, sir,’ replied + John Willet. ‘He’ll have something when he gets home. He’s better without + it, now, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay. Half the distance is done,’ said Hugh. ‘What a hard master you are! + I shall go home the better for one glassful, halfway. Come!’ + </p> + <p> + As John made no reply, Mr Haredale brought out a glass of liquor, and gave + it to Hugh, who, as he took it in his hand, threw part of it upon the + floor. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you mean by splashing your drink about a gentleman’s house, sir?’ + said John. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m drinking a toast,’ Hugh rejoined, holding the glass above his head, + and fixing his eyes on Mr Haredale’s face; ‘a toast to this house and its + master.’ With that he muttered something to himself, and drank the rest, + and setting down the glass, preceded them without another word. + </p> + <p> + John was a good deal scandalised by this observance, but seeing that Mr + Haredale took little heed of what Hugh said or did, and that his thoughts + were otherwise employed, he offered no apology, and went in silence down + the stairs, across the walk, and through the garden-gate. They stopped + upon the outer side for Hugh to hold the light while Mr Haredale locked it + on the inner; and then John saw with wonder (as he often afterwards + related), that he was very pale, and that his face had changed so much and + grown so haggard since their entrance, that he almost seemed another man. + </p> + <p> + They were in the open road again, and John Willet was walking on behind + his escort, as he had come, thinking very steadily of what he had just now + seen, when Hugh drew him suddenly aside, and almost at the same instant + three horsemen swept past—the nearest brushed his shoulder even then—who, + checking their steeds as suddenly as they could, stood still, and waited + for their coming up. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0035" id="link2HCH0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 35 + </h2> + <p> + When John Willet saw that the horsemen wheeled smartly round, and drew up + three abreast in the narrow road, waiting for him and his man to join + them, it occurred to him with unusual precipitation that they must be + highwaymen; and had Hugh been armed with a blunderbuss, in place of his + stout cudgel, he would certainly have ordered him to fire it off at a + venture, and would, while the word of command was obeyed, have consulted + his own personal safety in immediate flight. Under the circumstances of + disadvantage, however, in which he and his guard were placed, he deemed it + prudent to adopt a different style of generalship, and therefore whispered + his attendant to address them in the most peaceable and courteous terms. + By way of acting up to the spirit and letter of this instruction, Hugh + stepped forward, and flourishing his staff before the very eyes of the + rider nearest to him, demanded roughly what he and his fellows meant by so + nearly galloping over them, and why they scoured the king’s highway at + that late hour of night. + </p> + <p> + The man whom he addressed was beginning an angry reply in the same strain, + when he was checked by the horseman in the centre, who, interposing with + an air of authority, inquired in a somewhat loud but not harsh or + unpleasant voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray, is this the London road?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you follow it right, it is,’ replied Hugh roughly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, brother,’ said the same person, ‘you’re but a churlish Englishman, + if Englishman you be—which I should much doubt but for your tongue. + Your companion, I am sure, will answer me more civilly. How say you, + friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say it IS the London road, sir,’ answered John. ‘And I wish,’ he added + in a subdued voice, as he turned to Hugh, ‘that you was in any other road, + you vagabond. Are you tired of your life, sir, that you go a-trying to + provoke three great neck-or-nothing chaps, that could keep on running over + us, back’ards and for’ards, till we was dead, and then take our bodies up + behind ‘em, and drown us ten miles off?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How far is it to London?’ inquired the same speaker. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, from here, sir,’ answered John, persuasively, ‘it’s thirteen very + easy mile.’ + </p> + <p> + The adjective was thrown in, as an inducement to the travellers to ride + away with all speed; but instead of having the desired effect, it elicited + from the same person, the remark, ‘Thirteen miles! That’s a long + distance!’ which was followed by a short pause of indecision. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pray,’ said the gentleman, ‘are there any inns hereabouts?’ At the word + ‘inns,’ John plucked up his spirit in a surprising manner; his fears + rolled off like smoke; all the landlord stirred within him. + </p> + <p> + ‘There are no inns,’ rejoined Mr Willet, with a strong emphasis on the + plural number; ‘but there’s a Inn—one Inn—the Maypole Inn. + That’s a Inn indeed. You won’t see the like of that Inn often.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You keep it, perhaps?’ said the horseman, smiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do, sir,’ replied John, greatly wondering how he had found this out. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how far is the Maypole from here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘About a mile’—John was going to add that it was the easiest mile in + all the world, when the third rider, who had hitherto kept a little in the + rear, suddenly interposed: + </p> + <p> + ‘And have you one excellent bed, landlord? Hem! A bed that you can + recommend—a bed that you are sure is well aired—a bed that has + been slept in by some perfectly respectable and unexceptionable person?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We don’t take in no tagrag and bobtail at our house, sir,’ answered John. + ‘And as to the bed itself—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Say, as to three beds,’ interposed the gentleman who had spoken before; + ‘for we shall want three if we stay, though my friend only speaks of one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, my lord; you are too good, you are too kind; but your life is of + far too much importance to the nation in these portentous times, to be + placed upon a level with one so useless and so poor as mine. A great + cause, my lord, a mighty cause, depends on you. You are its leader and its + champion, its advanced guard and its van. It is the cause of our altars + and our homes, our country and our faith. Let ME sleep on a chair—the + carpet—anywhere. No one will repine if I take cold or fever. Let + John Grueby pass the night beneath the open sky—no one will repine + for HIM. But forty thousand men of this our island in the wave (exclusive + of women and children) rivet their eyes and thoughts on Lord George + Gordon; and every day, from the rising up of the sun to the going down of + the same, pray for his health and vigour. My lord,’ said the speaker, + rising in his stirrups, ‘it is a glorious cause, and must not be + forgotten. My lord, it is a mighty cause, and must not be endangered. My + lord, it is a holy cause, and must not be deserted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It IS a holy cause,’ exclaimed his lordship, lifting up his hat with + great solemnity. ‘Amen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘John Grueby,’ said the long-winded gentleman, in a tone of mild reproof, + ‘his lordship said Amen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I heard my lord, sir,’ said the man, sitting like a statue on his horse. + </p> + <p> + ‘And do not YOU say Amen, likewise?’ + </p> + <p> + To which John Grueby made no reply at all, but sat looking straight before + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You surprise me, Grueby,’ said the gentleman. ‘At a crisis like the + present, when Queen Elizabeth, that maiden monarch, weeps within her tomb, + and Bloody Mary, with a brow of gloom and shadow, stalks triumphant—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, sir,’ cried the man, gruffly, ‘where’s the use of talking of Bloody + Mary, under such circumstances as the present, when my lord’s wet through, + and tired with hard riding? Let’s either go on to London, sir, or put up + at once; or that unfort’nate Bloody Mary will have more to answer for—and + she’s done a deal more harm in her grave than she ever did in her + lifetime, I believe.’ + </p> + <p> + By this time Mr Willet, who had never heard so many words spoken together + at one time, or delivered with such volubility and emphasis as by the + long-winded gentleman; and whose brain, being wholly unable to sustain or + compass them, had quite given itself up for lost; recovered so far as to + observe that there was ample accommodation at the Maypole for all the + party: good beds; neat wines; excellent entertainment for man and beast; + private rooms for large and small parties; dinners dressed upon the + shortest notice; choice stabling, and a lock-up coach-house; and, in + short, to run over such recommendatory scraps of language as were painted + up on various portions of the building, and which in the course of some + forty years he had learnt to repeat with tolerable correctness. He was + considering whether it was at all possible to insert any novel sentences + to the same purpose, when the gentleman who had spoken first, turning to + him of the long wind, exclaimed, ‘What say you, Gashford? Shall we tarry + at this house he speaks of, or press forward? You shall decide.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would submit, my lord, then,’ returned the person he appealed to, in a + silky tone, ‘that your health and spirits—so important, under + Providence, to our great cause, our pure and truthful cause’—here + his lordship pulled off his hat again, though it was raining hard—‘require + refreshment and repose.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go on before, landlord, and show the way,’ said Lord George Gordon; ‘we + will follow at a footpace.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’ll give me leave, my lord,’ said John Grueby, in a low voice, + ‘I’ll change my proper place, and ride before you. The looks of the + landlord’s friend are not over honest, and it may be as well to be + cautious with him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘John Grueby is quite right,’ interposed Mr Gashford, falling back + hastily. ‘My lord, a life so precious as yours must not be put in peril. + Go forward, John, by all means. If you have any reason to suspect the + fellow, blow his brains out.’ + </p> + <p> + John made no answer, but looking straight before him, as his custom seemed + to be when the secretary spoke, bade Hugh push on, and followed close + behind him. Then came his lordship, with Mr Willet at his bridle rein; + and, last of all, his lordship’s secretary—for that, it seemed, was + Gashford’s office. + </p> + <p> + Hugh strode briskly on, often looking back at the servant, whose horse was + close upon his heels, and glancing with a leer at his holster case of + pistols, by which he seemed to set great store. He was a square-built, + strong-made, bull-necked fellow, of the true English breed; and as Hugh + measured him with his eye, he measured Hugh, regarding him meanwhile with + a look of bluff disdain. He was much older than the Maypole man, being to + all appearance five-and-forty; but was one of those self-possessed, + hard-headed, imperturbable fellows, who, if they are ever beaten at + fisticuffs, or other kind of warfare, never know it, and go on coolly till + they win. + </p> + <p> + ‘If I led you wrong now,’ said Hugh, tauntingly, ‘you’d—ha ha ha!—you’d + shoot me through the head, I suppose.’ + </p> + <p> + John Grueby took no more notice of this remark than if he had been deaf + and Hugh dumb; but kept riding on quite comfortably, with his eyes fixed + on the horizon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you ever try a fall with a man when you were young, master?’ said + Hugh. ‘Can you make any play at single-stick?’ + </p> + <p> + John Grueby looked at him sideways with the same contented air, but + deigned not a word in answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘—Like this?’ said Hugh, giving his cudgel one of those skilful + flourishes, in which the rustic of that time delighted. ‘Whoop!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—Or that,’ returned John Grueby, beating down his guard with his + whip, and striking him on the head with its butt end. ‘Yes, I played a + little once. You wear your hair too long; I should have cracked your crown + if it had been a little shorter.’ + </p> + <p> + It was a pretty smart, loud-sounding rap, as it was, and evidently + astonished Hugh; who, for the moment, seemed disposed to drag his new + acquaintance from his saddle. But his face betokening neither malice, + triumph, rage, nor any lingering idea that he had given him offence; his + eyes gazing steadily in the old direction, and his manner being as + careless and composed as if he had merely brushed away a fly; Hugh was so + puzzled, and so disposed to look upon him as a customer of almost + supernatural toughness, that he merely laughed, and cried ‘Well done!’ + then, sheering off a little, led the way in silence. + </p> + <p> + Before the lapse of many minutes the party halted at the Maypole door. + Lord George and his secretary quickly dismounting, gave their horses to + their servant, who, under the guidance of Hugh, repaired to the stables. + Right glad to escape from the inclemency of the night, they followed Mr + Willet into the common room, and stood warming themselves and drying their + clothes before the cheerful fire, while he busied himself with such orders + and preparations as his guest’s high quality required. + </p> + <p> + As he bustled in and out of the room, intent on these arrangements, he had + an opportunity of observing the two travellers, of whom, as yet, he knew + nothing but the voice. The lord, the great personage who did the Maypole + so much honour, was about the middle height, of a slender make, and sallow + complexion, with an aquiline nose, and long hair of a reddish brown, + combed perfectly straight and smooth about his ears, and slightly + powdered, but without the faintest vestige of a curl. He was attired, + under his greatcoat, in a full suit of black, quite free from any + ornament, and of the most precise and sober cut. The gravity of his dress, + together with a certain lankness of cheek and stiffness of deportment, + added nearly ten years to his age, but his figure was that of one not yet + past thirty. As he stood musing in the red glow of the fire, it was + striking to observe his very bright large eye, which betrayed a + restlessness of thought and purpose, singularly at variance with the + studied composure and sobriety of his mien, and with his quaint and sad + apparel. It had nothing harsh or cruel in its expression; neither had his + face, which was thin and mild, and wore an air of melancholy; but it was + suggestive of an indefinable uneasiness; which infected those who looked + upon him, and filled them with a kind of pity for the man: though why it + did so, they would have had some trouble to explain. + </p> + <p> + Gashford, the secretary, was taller, angularly made, high-shouldered, + bony, and ungraceful. His dress, in imitation of his superior, was demure + and staid in the extreme; his manner, formal and constrained. This + gentleman had an overhanging brow, great hands and feet and ears, and a + pair of eyes that seemed to have made an unnatural retreat into his head, + and to have dug themselves a cave to hide in. His manner was smooth and + humble, but very sly and slinking. He wore the aspect of a man who was + always lying in wait for something that WOULDN’T come to pass; but he + looked patient—very patient—and fawned like a spaniel dog. + Even now, while he warmed and rubbed his hands before the blaze, he had + the air of one who only presumed to enjoy it in his degree as a commoner; + and though he knew his lord was not regarding him, he looked into his face + from time to time, and with a meek and deferential manner, smiled as if + for practice. + </p> + <p> + Such were the guests whom old John Willet, with a fixed and leaden eye, + surveyed a hundred times, and to whom he now advanced with a state + candlestick in each hand, beseeching them to follow him into a worthier + chamber. ‘For my lord,’ said John—it is odd enough, but certain + people seem to have as great a pleasure in pronouncing titles as their + owners have in wearing them—‘this room, my lord, isn’t at all the + sort of place for your lordship, and I have to beg your lordship’s pardon + for keeping you here, my lord, one minute.’ + </p> + <p> + With this address, John ushered them upstairs into the state apartment, + which, like many other things of state, was cold and comfortless. Their + own footsteps, reverberating through the spacious room, struck upon their + hearing with a hollow sound; and its damp and chilly atmosphere was + rendered doubly cheerless by contrast with the homely warmth they had + deserted. + </p> + <p> + It was of no use, however, to propose a return to the place they had + quitted, for the preparations went on so briskly that there was no time to + stop them. John, with the tall candlesticks in his hands, bowed them up to + the fireplace; Hugh, striding in with a lighted brand and pile of + firewood, cast it down upon the hearth, and set it in a blaze; John Grueby + (who had a great blue cockade in his hat, which he appeared to despise + mightily) brought in the portmanteau he had carried on his horse, and + placed it on the floor; and presently all three were busily engaged in + drawing out the screen, laying the cloth, inspecting the beds, lighting + fires in the bedrooms, expediting the supper, and making everything as + cosy and as snug as might be, on so short a notice. In less than an hour’s + time, supper had been served, and ate, and cleared away; and Lord George + and his secretary, with slippered feet, and legs stretched out before the + fire, sat over some hot mulled wine together. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0166m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0166m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0166.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘So ends, my lord,’ said Gashford, filling his glass with great + complacency, ‘the blessed work of a most blessed day.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And of a blessed yesterday,’ said his lordship, raising his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’—and here the secretary clasped his hands—‘a blessed + yesterday indeed! The Protestants of Suffolk are godly men and true. + Though others of our countrymen have lost their way in darkness, even as + we, my lord, did lose our road to-night, theirs is the light and glory.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I move them, Gashford?’ said Lord George. + </p> + <p> + ‘Move them, my lord! Move them! They cried to be led on against the + Papists, they vowed a dreadful vengeance on their heads, they roared like + men possessed—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But not by devils,’ said his lord. + </p> + <p> + ‘By devils! my lord! By angels.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes—oh surely—by angels, no doubt,’ said Lord George, + thrusting his hands into his pockets, taking them out again to bite his + nails, and looking uncomfortably at the fire. ‘Of course by angels—eh + Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not doubt it, my lord?’ said the secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘No—No,’ returned his lord. ‘No. Why should I? I suppose it would be + decidedly irreligious to doubt it—wouldn’t it, Gashford? Though + there certainly were,’ he added, without waiting for an answer, ‘some + plaguy ill-looking characters among them.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When you warmed,’ said the secretary, looking sharply at the other’s + downcast eyes, which brightened slowly as he spoke; ‘when you warmed into + that noble outbreak; when you told them that you were never of the + lukewarm or the timid tribe, and bade them take heed that they were + prepared to follow one who would lead them on, though to the very death; + when you spoke of a hundred and twenty thousand men across the Scottish + border who would take their own redress at any time, if it were not + conceded; when you cried “Perish the Pope and all his base adherents; the + penal laws against them shall never be repealed while Englishmen have + hearts and hands”—and waved your own and touched your sword; and + when they cried “No Popery!” and you cried “No; not even if we wade in + blood,” and they threw up their hats and cried “Hurrah! not even if we + wade in blood; No Popery! Lord George! Down with the Papists—Vengeance + on their heads:” when this was said and done, and a word from you, my + lord, could raise or still the tumult—ah! then I felt what greatness + was indeed, and thought, When was there ever power like this of Lord + George Gordon’s!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s a great power. You’re right. It is a great power!’ he cried with + sparkling eyes. ‘But—dear Gashford—did I really say all that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how much more!’ cried the secretary, looking upwards. ‘Ah! how much + more!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And I told them what you say, about the one hundred and forty thousand + men in Scotland, did I!’ he asked with evident delight. ‘That was bold.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our cause is boldness. Truth is always bold.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly. So is religion. She’s bold, Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The true religion is, my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And that’s ours,’ he rejoined, moving uneasily in his seat, and biting + his nails as though he would pare them to the quick. ‘There can be no + doubt of ours being the true one. You feel as certain of that as I do, + Gashford, don’t you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does my lord ask ME,’ whined Gashford, drawing his chair nearer with an + injured air, and laying his broad flat hand upon the table; ‘ME,’ he + repeated, bending the dark hollows of his eyes upon him with an + unwholesome smile, ‘who, stricken by the magic of his eloquence in + Scotland but a year ago, abjured the errors of the Romish church, and + clung to him as one whose timely hand had plucked me from a pit?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True. No—No. I—I didn’t mean it,’ replied the other, shaking + him by the hand, rising from his seat, and pacing restlessly about the + room. ‘It’s a proud thing to lead the people, Gashford,’ he added as he + made a sudden halt. + </p> + <p> + ‘By force of reason too,’ returned the pliant secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, to be sure. They may cough and jeer, and groan in Parliament, and + call me fool and madman, but which of them can raise this human sea and + make it swell and roar at pleasure? Not one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not one,’ repeated Gashford. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which of them can say for his honesty, what I can say for mine; which of + them has refused a minister’s bribe of one thousand pounds a year, to + resign his seat in favour of another? Not one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not one,’ repeated Gashford again—taking the lion’s share of the + mulled wine between whiles. + </p> + <p> + ‘And as we are honest, true, and in a sacred cause, Gashford,’ said Lord + George with a heightened colour and in a louder voice, as he laid his + fevered hand upon his shoulder, ‘and are the only men who regard the mass + of people out of doors, or are regarded by them, we will uphold them to + the last; and will raise a cry against these un-English Papists which + shall re-echo through the country, and roll with a noise like thunder. I + will be worthy of the motto on my coat of arms, “Called and chosen and + faithful.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Called,’ said the secretary, ‘by Heaven.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Chosen by the people.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Faithful to both.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To the block!’ + </p> + <p> + It would be difficult to convey an adequate idea of the excited manner in + which he gave these answers to the secretary’s promptings; of the rapidity + of his utterance, or the violence of his tone and gesture; in which, + struggling through his Puritan’s demeanour, was something wild and + ungovernable which broke through all restraint. For some minutes he walked + rapidly up and down the room, then stopping suddenly, exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + ‘Gashford—YOU moved them yesterday too. Oh yes! You did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shone with a reflected light, my lord,’ replied the humble secretary, + laying his hand upon his heart. ‘I did my best.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did well,’ said his master, ‘and are a great and worthy instrument. + If you will ring for John Grueby to carry the portmanteau into my room, + and will wait here while I undress, we will dispose of business as usual, + if you’re not too tired.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Too tired, my lord!—But this is his consideration! Christian from + head to foot.’ With which soliloquy, the secretary tilted the jug, and + looked very hard into the mulled wine, to see how much remained. + </p> + <p> + John Willet and John Grueby appeared together. The one bearing the great + candlesticks, and the other the portmanteau, showed the deluded lord into + his chamber; and left the secretary alone, to yawn and shake himself, and + finally to fall asleep before the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, Mr Gashford sir,’ said John Grueby in his ear, after what appeared + to him a moment of unconsciousness; ‘my lord’s abed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh. Very good, John,’ was his mild reply. ‘Thank you, John. Nobody need + sit up. I know my room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope you’re not a-going to trouble your head to-night, or my lord’s + head neither, with anything more about Bloody Mary,’ said John. ‘I wish + the blessed old creetur had never been born.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I said you might go to bed, John,’ returned the secretary. ‘You didn’t + hear me, I think.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Between Bloody Marys, and blue cockades, and glorious Queen Besses, and + no Poperys, and Protestant associations, and making of speeches,’ pursued + John Grueby, looking, as usual, a long way off, and taking no notice of + this hint, ‘my lord’s half off his head. When we go out o’ doors, such a + set of ragamuffins comes a-shouting after us, “Gordon forever!” that I’m + ashamed of myself and don’t know where to look. When we’re indoors, they + come a-roaring and screaming about the house like so many devils; and my + lord instead of ordering them to be drove away, goes out into the balcony + and demeans himself by making speeches to ‘em, and calls ‘em “Men of + England,” and “Fellow-countrymen,” as if he was fond of ‘em and thanked + ‘em for coming. I can’t make it out, but they’re all mixed up somehow or + another with that unfort’nate Bloody Mary, and call her name out till + they’re hoarse. They’re all Protestants too—every man and boy among + ‘em: and Protestants are very fond of spoons, I find, and silver-plate in + general, whenever area-gates is left open accidentally. I wish that was + the worst of it, and that no more harm might be to come; but if you don’t + stop these ugly customers in time, Mr Gashford (and I know you; you’re the + man that blows the fire), you’ll find ‘em grow a little bit too strong for + you. One of these evenings, when the weather gets warmer and Protestants + are thirsty, they’ll be pulling London down,—and I never heard that + Bloody Mary went as far as THAT.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford had vanished long ago, and these remarks had been bestowed on + empty air. Not at all discomposed by the discovery, John Grueby fixed his + hat on, wrongside foremost that he might be unconscious of the shadow of + the obnoxious cockade, and withdrew to bed; shaking his head in a very + gloomy and prophetic manner until he reached his chamber. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0036" id="link2HCH0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 36 + </h2> + <p> + Gashford, with a smiling face, but still with looks of profound deference + and humility, betook himself towards his master’s room, smoothing his hair + down as he went, and humming a psalm tune. As he approached Lord George’s + door, he cleared his throat and hummed more vigorously. + </p> + <p> + There was a remarkable contrast between this man’s occupation at the + moment, and the expression of his countenance, which was singularly + repulsive and malicious. His beetling brow almost obscured his eyes; his + lip was curled contemptuously; his very shoulders seemed to sneer in + stealthy whisperings with his great flapped ears. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ he muttered softly, as he peeped in at the chamber-door. ‘He seems + to be asleep. Pray Heaven he is! Too much watching, too much care, too + much thought—ah! Lord preserve him for a martyr! He is a saint, if + ever saint drew breath on this bad earth.’ + </p> + <p> + Placing his light upon a table, he walked on tiptoe to the fire, and + sitting in a chair before it with his back towards the bed, went on + communing with himself like one who thought aloud: + </p> + <p> + ‘The saviour of his country and his country’s religion, the friend of his + poor countrymen, the enemy of the proud and harsh; beloved of the rejected + and oppressed, adored by forty thousand bold and loyal English hearts—what + happy slumbers his should be!’ And here he sighed, and warmed his hands, + and shook his head as men do when their hearts are full, and heaved + another sigh, and warmed his hands again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, Gashford?’ said Lord George, who was lying broad awake, upon his + side, and had been staring at him from his entrance. + </p> + <p> + ‘My—my lord,’ said Gashford, starting and looking round as though in + great surprise. ‘I have disturbed you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have not been sleeping.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not sleeping!’ he repeated, with assumed confusion. ‘What can I say for + having in your presence given utterance to thoughts—but they were + sincere—they were sincere!’ exclaimed the secretary, drawing his + sleeve in a hasty way across his eyes; ‘and why should I regret your + having heard them?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gashford,’ said the poor lord, stretching out his hand with manifest + emotion. ‘Do not regret it. You love me well, I know—too well. I + don’t deserve such homage.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford made no reply, but grasped the hand and pressed it to his lips. + Then rising, and taking from the trunk a little desk, he placed it on a + table near the fire, unlocked it with a key he carried in his pocket, sat + down before it, took out a pen, and, before dipping it in the inkstand, + sucked it—to compose the fashion of his mouth perhaps, on which a + smile was hovering yet. + </p> + <p> + ‘How do our numbers stand since last enrolling-night?’ inquired Lord + George. ‘Are we really forty thousand strong, or do we still speak in + round numbers when we take the Association at that amount?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Our total now exceeds that number by a score and three,’ Gashford + replied, casting his eyes upon his papers. + </p> + <p> + ‘The funds?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not VERY improving; but there is some manna in the wilderness, my lord. + Hem! On Friday night the widows’ mites dropped in. “Forty scavengers, + three and fourpence. An aged pew-opener of St Martin’s parish, sixpence. A + bell-ringer of the established church, sixpence. A Protestant infant, + newly born, one halfpenny. The United Link Boys, three shillings—one + bad. The anti-popish prisoners in Newgate, five and fourpence. A friend in + Bedlam, half-a-crown. Dennis the hangman, one shilling.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That Dennis,’ said his lordship, ‘is an earnest man. I marked him in the + crowd in Welbeck Street, last Friday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A good man,’ rejoined the secretary, ‘a staunch, sincere, and truly + zealous man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He should be encouraged,’ said Lord George. ‘Make a note of Dennis. I’ll + talk with him.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford obeyed, and went on reading from his list: + </p> + <p> + ‘“The Friends of Reason, half-a-guinea. The Friends of Liberty, + half-a-guinea. The Friends of Peace, half-a-guinea. The Friends of + Charity, half-a-guinea. The Friends of Mercy, half-a-guinea. The + Associated Rememberers of Bloody Mary, half-a-guinea. The United Bulldogs, + half-a-guinea.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The United Bulldogs,’ said Lord George, biting his nails most horribly, + ‘are a new society, are they not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Formerly the ‘Prentice Knights, my lord. The indentures of the old + members expiring by degrees, they changed their name, it seems, though + they still have ‘prentices among them, as well as workmen.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is their president’s name?’ inquired Lord George. + </p> + <p> + ‘President,’ said Gashford, reading, ‘Mr Simon Tappertit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I remember him. The little man, who sometimes brings an elderly sister to + our meetings, and sometimes another female too, who is conscientious, I + have no doubt, but not well-favoured?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The very same, my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tappertit is an earnest man,’ said Lord George, thoughtfully. ‘Eh, + Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘One of the foremost among them all, my lord. He snuffs the battle from + afar, like the war-horse. He throws his hat up in the street as if he were + inspired, and makes most stirring speeches from the shoulders of his + friends.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Make a note of Tappertit,’ said Lord George Gordon. ‘We may advance him + to a place of trust.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That,’ rejoined the secretary, doing as he was told, ‘is all—except + Mrs Varden’s box (fourteenth time of opening), seven shillings and + sixpence in silver and copper, and half-a-guinea in gold; and Miggs (being + the saving of a quarter’s wages), one-and-threepence.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miggs,’ said Lord George. ‘Is that a man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The name is entered on the list as a woman,’ replied the secretary. ‘I + think she is the tall spare female of whom you spoke just now, my lord, as + not being well-favoured, who sometimes comes to hear the speeches—along + with Tappertit and Mrs Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mrs Varden is the elderly lady then, is she?’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary nodded, and rubbed the bridge of his nose with the feather + of his pen. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is a zealous sister,’ said Lord George. ‘Her collection goes on + prosperously, and is pursued with fervour. Has her husband joined?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A malignant,’ returned the secretary, folding up his papers. ‘Unworthy + such a wife. He remains in outer darkness and steadily refuses.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The consequences be upon his own head!—Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t think,’ he turned restlessly in his bed as he spoke, ‘these + people will desert me, when the hour arrives? I have spoken boldly for + them, ventured much, suppressed nothing. They’ll not fall off, will they?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No fear of that, my lord,’ said Gashford, with a meaning look, which was + rather the involuntary expression of his own thoughts than intended as any + confirmation of his words, for the other’s face was turned away. ‘Be sure + there is no fear of that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor,’ he said with a more restless motion than before, ‘of their—but + they CAN sustain no harm from leaguing for this purpose. Right is on our + side, though Might may be against us. You feel as sure of that as I—honestly, + you do?’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary was beginning with ‘You do not doubt,’ when the other + interrupted him, and impatiently rejoined: + </p> + <p> + ‘Doubt. No. Who says I doubt? If I doubted, should I cast away relatives, + friends, everything, for this unhappy country’s sake; this unhappy + country,’ he cried, springing up in bed, after repeating the phrase + ‘unhappy country’s sake’ to himself, at least a dozen times, ‘forsaken of + God and man, delivered over to a dangerous confederacy of Popish powers; + the prey of corruption, idolatry, and despotism! Who says I doubt? Am I + called, and chosen, and faithful? Tell me. Am I, or am I not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To God, the country, and yourself,’ cried Gashford. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am. I will be. I say again, I will be: to the block. Who says as much! + Do you? Does any man alive?’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary drooped his head with an expression of perfect acquiescence + in anything that had been said or might be; and Lord George gradually + sinking down upon his pillow, fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Although there was something very ludicrous in his vehement manner, taken + in conjunction with his meagre aspect and ungraceful presence, it would + scarcely have provoked a smile in any man of kindly feeling; or even if it + had, he would have felt sorry and almost angry with himself next moment, + for yielding to the impulse. This lord was sincere in his violence and in + his wavering. A nature prone to false enthusiasm, and the vanity of being + a leader, were the worst qualities apparent in his composition. All the + rest was weakness—sheer weakness; and it is the unhappy lot of + thoroughly weak men, that their very sympathies, affections, confidences—all + the qualities which in better constituted minds are virtues—dwindle + into foibles, or turn into downright vices. + </p> + <p> + Gashford, with many a sly look towards the bed, sat chuckling at his + master’s folly, until his deep and heavy breathing warned him that he + might retire. Locking his desk, and replacing it within the trunk (but not + before he had taken from a secret lining two printed handbills), he + cautiously withdrew; looking back, as he went, at the pale face of the + slumbering man, above whose head the dusty plumes that crowned the Maypole + couch, waved drearily and sadly as though it were a bier. + </p> + <p> + Stopping on the staircase to listen that all was quiet, and to take off + his shoes lest his footsteps should alarm any light sleeper who might be + near at hand, he descended to the ground floor, and thrust one of his + bills beneath the great door of the house. That done, he crept softly back + to his own chamber, and from the window let another fall—carefully + wrapt round a stone to save it from the wind—into the yard below. + </p> + <p> + They were addressed on the back ‘To every Protestant into whose hands this + shall come,’ and bore within what follows: + </p> + <p> + ‘Men and Brethren. Whoever shall find this letter, will take it as a + warning to join, without delay, the friends of Lord George Gordon. There + are great events at hand; and the times are dangerous and troubled. Read + this carefully, keep it clean, and drop it somewhere else. For King and + Country. Union.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘More seed, more seed,’ said Gashford as he closed the window. ‘When will + the harvest come!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0037" id="link2HCH0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 37 + </h2> + <p> + To surround anything, however monstrous or ridiculous, with an air of + mystery, is to invest it with a secret charm, and power of attraction + which to the crowd is irresistible. False priests, false prophets, false + doctors, false patriots, false prodigies of every kind, veiling their + proceedings in mystery, have always addressed themselves at an immense + advantage to the popular credulity, and have been, perhaps, more indebted + to that resource in gaining and keeping for a time the upper hand of Truth + and Common Sense, than to any half-dozen items in the whole catalogue of + imposture. Curiosity is, and has been from the creation of the world, a + master-passion. To awaken it, to gratify it by slight degrees, and yet + leave something always in suspense, is to establish the surest hold that + can be had, in wrong, on the unthinking portion of mankind. + </p> + <p> + If a man had stood on London Bridge, calling till he was hoarse, upon the + passers-by, to join with Lord George Gordon, although for an object which + no man understood, and which in that very incident had a charm of its own,—the + probability is, that he might have influenced a score of people in a + month. If all zealous Protestants had been publicly urged to join an + association for the avowed purpose of singing a hymn or two occasionally, + and hearing some indifferent speeches made, and ultimately of petitioning + Parliament not to pass an act for abolishing the penal laws against Roman + Catholic priests, the penalty of perpetual imprisonment denounced against + those who educated children in that persuasion, and the disqualification + of all members of the Romish church to inherit real property in the United + Kingdom by right of purchase or descent,—matters so far removed from + the business and bosoms of the mass, might perhaps have called together a + hundred people. But when vague rumours got abroad, that in this Protestant + association a secret power was mustering against the government for + undefined and mighty purposes; when the air was filled with whispers of a + confederacy among the Popish powers to degrade and enslave England, + establish an inquisition in London, and turn the pens of Smithfield market + into stakes and cauldrons; when terrors and alarms which no man understood + were perpetually broached, both in and out of Parliament, by one + enthusiast who did not understand himself, and bygone bugbears which had + lain quietly in their graves for centuries, were raised again to haunt the + ignorant and credulous; when all this was done, as it were, in the dark, + and secret invitations to join the Great Protestant Association in defence + of religion, life, and liberty, were dropped in the public ways, thrust + under the house-doors, tossed in at windows, and pressed into the hands of + those who trod the streets by night; when they glared from every wall, and + shone on every post and pillar, so that stocks and stones appeared + infected with the common fear, urging all men to join together blindfold + in resistance of they knew not what, they knew not why;—then the + mania spread indeed, and the body, still increasing every day, grew forty + thousand strong. + </p> + <p> + So said, at least, in this month of March, 1780, Lord George Gordon, the + Association’s president. Whether it was the fact or otherwise, few men + knew or cared to ascertain. It had never made any public demonstration; + had scarcely ever been heard of, save through him; had never been seen; + and was supposed by many to be the mere creature of his disordered brain. + He was accustomed to talk largely about numbers of men—stimulated, + as it was inferred, by certain successful disturbances, arising out of the + same subject, which had occurred in Scotland in the previous year; was + looked upon as a cracked-brained member of the lower house, who attacked + all parties and sided with none, and was very little regarded. It was + known that there was discontent abroad—there always is; he had been + accustomed to address the people by placard, speech, and pamphlet, upon + other questions; nothing had come, in England, of his past exertions, and + nothing was apprehended from his present. Just as he has come upon the + reader, he had come, from time to time, upon the public, and been + forgotten in a day; as suddenly as he appears in these pages, after a + blank of five long years, did he and his proceedings begin to force + themselves, about this period, upon the notice of thousands of people, who + had mingled in active life during the whole interval, and who, without + being deaf or blind to passing events, had scarcely ever thought of him + before. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ said Gashford in his ear, as he drew the curtains of his bed + betimes; ‘my lord!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes—who’s that? What is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The clock has struck nine,’ returned the secretary, with meekly folded + hands. ‘You have slept well? I hope you have slept well? If my prayers are + heard, you are refreshed indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To say the truth, I have slept so soundly,’ said Lord George, rubbing his + eyes and looking round the room, ‘that I don’t remember quite—what + place is this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord!’ cried Gashford, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ returned his superior. ‘Yes. You’re not a Jew then?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A Jew!’ exclaimed the pious secretary, recoiling. + </p> + <p> + ‘I dreamed that we were Jews, Gashford. You and I—both of us—Jews + with long beards.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven forbid, my lord! We might as well be Papists.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose we might,’ returned the other, very quickly. ‘Eh? You really + think so, Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely I do,’ the secretary cried, with looks of great surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Humph!’ he muttered. ‘Yes, that seems reasonable.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope my lord—’ the secretary began. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hope!’ he echoed, interrupting him. ‘Why do you say, you hope? There’s no + harm in thinking of such things.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not in dreams,’ returned the Secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘In dreams! No, nor waking either.’ + </p> + <p> + —‘"Called, and chosen, and faithful,”’ said Gashford, taking up Lord + George’s watch which lay upon a chair, and seeming to read the inscription + on the seal, abstractedly. + </p> + <p> + It was the slightest action possible, not obtruded on his notice, and + apparently the result of a moment’s absence of mind, not worth remark. But + as the words were uttered, Lord George, who had been going on impetuously, + stopped short, reddened, and was silent. Apparently quite unconscious of + this change in his demeanour, the wily Secretary stepped a little apart, + under pretence of pulling up the window-blind, and returning when the + other had had time to recover, said: + </p> + <p> + ‘The holy cause goes bravely on, my lord. I was not idle, even last night. + I dropped two of the handbills before I went to bed, and both are gone + this morning. Nobody in the house has mentioned the circumstance of + finding them, though I have been downstairs full half-an-hour. One or two + recruits will be their first fruit, I predict; and who shall say how many + more, with Heaven’s blessing on your inspired exertions!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was a famous device in the beginning,’ replied Lord George; ‘an + excellent device, and did good service in Scotland. It was quite worthy of + you. You remind me not to be a sluggard, Gashford, when the vineyard is + menaced with destruction, and may be trodden down by Papist feet. Let the + horses be saddled in half-an-hour. We must be up and doing!’ + </p> + <p> + He said this with a heightened colour, and in a tone of such enthusiasm, + that the secretary deemed all further prompting needless, and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + —‘Dreamed he was a Jew,’ he said thoughtfully, as he closed the + bedroom door. ‘He may come to that before he dies. It’s like enough. Well! + After a time, and provided I lost nothing by it, I don’t see why that + religion shouldn’t suit me as well as any other. There are rich men among + the Jews; shaving is very troublesome;—yes, it would suit me well + enough. For the present, though, we must be Christian to the core. Our + prophetic motto will suit all creeds in their turn, that’s a comfort.’ + Reflecting on this source of consolation, he reached the sitting-room, and + rang the bell for breakfast. + </p> + <p> + Lord George was quickly dressed (for his plain toilet was easily made), + and as he was no less frugal in his repasts than in his Puritan attire, + his share of the meal was soon dispatched. The secretary, however, more + devoted to the good things of this world, or more intent on sustaining his + strength and spirits for the sake of the Protestant cause, ate and drank + to the last minute, and required indeed some three or four reminders from + John Grueby, before he could resolve to tear himself away from Mr Willet’s + plentiful providing. + </p> + <p> + At length he came downstairs, wiping his greasy mouth, and having paid + John Willet’s bill, climbed into his saddle. Lord George, who had been + walking up and down before the house talking to himself with earnest + gestures, mounted his horse; and returning old John Willet’s stately bow, + as well as the parting salutation of a dozen idlers whom the rumour of a + live lord being about to leave the Maypole had gathered round the porch, + they rode away, with stout John Grueby in the rear. + </p> + <p> + If Lord George Gordon had appeared in the eyes of Mr Willet, overnight, a + nobleman of somewhat quaint and odd exterior, the impression was confirmed + this morning, and increased a hundredfold. Sitting bolt upright upon his + bony steed, with his long, straight hair, dangling about his face and + fluttering in the wind; his limbs all angular and rigid, his elbows stuck + out on either side ungracefully, and his whole frame jogged and shaken at + every motion of his horse’s feet; a more grotesque or more ungainly figure + can hardly be conceived. In lieu of whip, he carried in his hand a great + gold-headed cane, as large as any footman carries in these days, and his + various modes of holding this unwieldy weapon—now upright before his + face like the sabre of a horse-soldier, now over his shoulder like a + musket, now between his finger and thumb, but always in some uncouth and + awkward fashion—contributed in no small degree to the absurdity of + his appearance. Stiff, lank, and solemn, dressed in an unusual manner, and + ostentatiously exhibiting—whether by design or accident—all + his peculiarities of carriage, gesture, and conduct, all the qualities, + natural and artificial, in which he differed from other men; he might have + moved the sternest looker-on to laughter, and fully provoked the smiles + and whispered jests which greeted his departure from the Maypole inn. + </p> + <p> + Quite unconscious, however, of the effect he produced, he trotted on + beside his secretary, talking to himself nearly all the way, until they + came within a mile or two of London, when now and then some passenger went + by who knew him by sight, and pointed him out to some one else, and + perhaps stood looking after him, or cried in jest or earnest as it might + be, ‘Hurrah Geordie! No Popery!’ At which he would gravely pull off his + hat, and bow. When they reached the town and rode along the streets, these + notices became more frequent; some laughed, some hissed, some turned their + heads and smiled, some wondered who he was, some ran along the pavement by + his side and cheered. When this happened in a crush of carts and chairs + and coaches, he would make a dead stop, and pulling off his hat, cry, + ‘Gentlemen, No Popery!’ to which the gentlemen would respond with lusty + voices, and with three times three; and then, on he would go again with a + score or so of the raggedest, following at his horse’s heels, and shouting + till their throats were parched. + </p> + <p> + The old ladies too—there were a great many old ladies in the + streets, and these all knew him. Some of them—not those of the + highest rank, but such as sold fruit from baskets and carried burdens—clapped + their shrivelled hands, and raised a weazen, piping, shrill ‘Hurrah, my + lord.’ Others waved their hands or handkerchiefs, or shook their fans or + parasols, or threw up windows and called in haste to those within, to come + and see. All these marks of popular esteem, he received with profound + gravity and respect; bowing very low, and so frequently that his hat was + more off his head than on; and looking up at the houses as he passed + along, with the air of one who was making a public entry, and yet was not + puffed up or proud. + </p> + <p> + So they rode (to the deep and unspeakable disgust of John Grueby) the + whole length of Whitechapel, Leadenhall Street, and Cheapside, and into St + Paul’s Churchyard. Arriving close to the cathedral, he halted; spoke to + Gashford; and looking upward at its lofty dome, shook his head, as though + he said, ‘The Church in Danger!’ Then to be sure, the bystanders stretched + their throats indeed; and he went on again with mighty acclamations from + the mob, and lower bows than ever. + </p> + <p> + So along the Strand, up Swallow Street, into the Oxford Road, and thence + to his house in Welbeck Street, near Cavendish Square, whither he was + attended by a few dozen idlers; of whom he took leave on the steps with + this brief parting, ‘Gentlemen, No Popery. Good day. God bless you.’ This + being rather a shorter address than they expected, was received with some + displeasure, and cries of ‘A speech! a speech!’ which might have been + complied with, but that John Grueby, making a mad charge upon them with + all three horses, on his way to the stables, caused them to disperse into + the adjoining fields, where they presently fell to pitch and toss, + chuck-farthing, odd or even, dog-fighting, and other Protestant + recreations. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon Lord George came forth again, dressed in a black velvet + coat, and trousers and waistcoat of the Gordon plaid, all of the same + Quaker cut; and in this costume, which made him look a dozen times more + strange and singular than before, went down on foot to Westminster. + Gashford, meanwhile, bestirred himself in business matters; with which he + was still engaged when, shortly after dusk, John Grueby entered and + announced a visitor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him come in,’ said Gashford. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here! come in!’ growled John to somebody without; ‘You’re a Protestant, + an’t you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should think so,’ replied a deep, gruff voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve the looks of it,’ said John Grueby. ‘I’d have known you for one, + anywhere.’ With which remark he gave the visitor admission, retired, and + shut the door. + </p> + <p> + The man who now confronted Gashford, was a squat, thickset personage, with + a low, retreating forehead, a coarse shock head of hair, and eyes so small + and near together, that his broken nose alone seemed to prevent their + meeting and fusing into one of the usual size. A dingy handkerchief + twisted like a cord about his neck, left its great veins exposed to view, + and they were swollen and starting, as though with gulping down strong + passions, malice, and ill-will. His dress was of threadbare velveteen—a + faded, rusty, whitened black, like the ashes of a pipe or a coal fire + after a day’s extinction; discoloured with the soils of many a stale + debauch, and reeking yet with pot-house odours. In lieu of buckles at his + knees, he wore unequal loops of packthread; and in his grimy hands he held + a knotted stick, the knob of which was carved into a rough likeness of his + own vile face. Such was the visitor who doffed his three-cornered hat in + Gashford’s presence, and waited, leering, for his notice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Dennis!’ cried the secretary. ‘Sit down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see my lord down yonder—’ cried the man, with a jerk of his thumb + towards the quarter that he spoke of, ‘and he says to me, says my lord, + “If you’ve nothing to do, Dennis, go up to my house and talk with Muster + Gashford.” Of course I’d nothing to do, you know. These an’t my working + hours. Ha ha! I was a-taking the air when I see my lord, that’s what I was + doing. I takes the air by night, as the howls does, Muster Gashford.’ + </p> + <p> + And sometimes in the day-time, eh?’ said the secretary—‘when you go + out in state, you know.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha!’ roared the fellow, smiting his leg; ‘for a gentleman as ‘ull say + a pleasant thing in a pleasant way, give me Muster Gashford agin’ all + London and Westminster! My lord an’t a bad ‘un at that, but he’s a fool to + you. Ah to be sure,—when I go out in state.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And have your carriage,’ said the secretary; ‘and your chaplain, eh? and + all the rest of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll be the death of me,’ cried Dennis, with another roar, ‘you will. + But what’s in the wind now, Muster Gashford,’ he asked hoarsely, ‘Eh? Are + we to be under orders to pull down one of them Popish chapels—or + what?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said the secretary, suffering the faintest smile to play upon his + face. ‘Hush! God bless me, Dennis! We associate, you know, for strictly + peaceable and lawful purposes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know, bless you,’ returned the man, thrusting his tongue into his + cheek; ‘I entered a’ purpose, didn’t I!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No doubt,’ said Gashford, smiling as before. And when he said so, Dennis + roared again, and smote his leg still harder, and falling into fits of + laughter, wiped his eyes with the corner of his neckerchief, and cried, + ‘Muster Gashford agin’ all England hollow!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord George and I were talking of you last night,’ said Gashford, after a + pause. ‘He says you are a very earnest fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I am,’ returned the hangman. + </p> + <p> + ‘And that you truly hate the Papists.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I do,’ and he confirmed it with a good round oath. ‘Lookye here, + Muster Gashford,’ said the fellow, laying his hat and stick upon the + floor, and slowly beating the palm of one hand with the fingers of the + other; ‘Ob-serve. I’m a constitutional officer that works for my living, + and does my work creditable. Do I, or do I not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unquestionably.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good. Stop a minute. My work, is sound, Protestant, constitutional, + English work. Is it, or is it not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No man alive can doubt it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor dead neither. Parliament says this here—says Parliament, “If + any man, woman, or child, does anything which goes again a certain number + of our acts”—how many hanging laws may there be at this present + time, Muster Gashford? Fifty?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t exactly know how many,’ replied Gashford, leaning back in his + chair and yawning; ‘a great number though.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, say fifty. Parliament says, “If any man, woman, or child, does + anything again any one of them fifty acts, that man, woman, or child, + shall be worked off by Dennis.” George the Third steps in when they number + very strong at the end of a sessions, and says, “These are too many for + Dennis. I’ll have half for myself and Dennis shall have half for himself;” + and sometimes he throws me in one over that I don’t expect, as he did + three year ago, when I got Mary Jones, a young woman of nineteen who come + up to Tyburn with a infant at her breast, and was worked off for taking a + piece of cloth off the counter of a shop in Ludgate Hill, and putting it + down again when the shopman see her; and who had never done any harm + before, and only tried to do that, in consequence of her husband having + been pressed three weeks previous, and she being left to beg, with two + young children—as was proved upon the trial. Ha ha!—Well! That + being the law and the practice of England, is the glory of England, an’t + it, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly,’ said the secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘And in times to come,’ pursued the hangman, ‘if our grandsons should + think of their grandfathers’ times, and find these things altered, they’ll + say, “Those were days indeed, and we’ve been going down hill ever since.” + Won’t they, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no doubt they will,’ said the secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well then, look here,’ said the hangman. ‘If these Papists gets into + power, and begins to boil and roast instead of hang, what becomes of my + work! If they touch my work that’s a part of so many laws, what becomes of + the laws in general, what becomes of the religion, what becomes of the + country!—Did you ever go to church, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ever!’ repeated the secretary with some indignation; ‘of course.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the ruffian, ‘I’ve been once—twice, counting the time I + was christened—and when I heard the Parliament prayed for, and + thought how many new hanging laws they made every sessions, I considered + that I was prayed for. Now mind, Muster Gashford,’ said the fellow, taking + up his stick and shaking it with a ferocious air, ‘I mustn’t have my + Protestant work touched, nor this here Protestant state of things altered + in no degree, if I can help it; I mustn’t have no Papists interfering with + me, unless they come to be worked off in course of law; I mustn’t have no + biling, no roasting, no frying—nothing but hanging. My lord may well + call me an earnest fellow. In support of the great Protestant principle of + having plenty of that, I’ll,’ and here he beat his club upon the ground, + ‘burn, fight, kill—do anything you bid me, so that it’s bold and + devilish—though the end of it was, that I got hung myself.—There, + Muster Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + He appropriately followed up this frequent prostitution of a noble word to + the vilest purposes, by pouring out in a kind of ecstasy at least a score + of most tremendous oaths; then wiped his heated face upon his neckerchief, + and cried, ‘No Popery! I’m a religious man, by G—!’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford had leant back in his chair, regarding him with eyes so sunken, + and so shadowed by his heavy brows, that for aught the hangman saw of + them, he might have been stone blind. He remained smiling in silence for a + short time longer, and then said, slowly and distinctly: + </p> + <p> + ‘You are indeed an earnest fellow, Dennis—a most valuable fellow—the + staunchest man I know of in our ranks. But you must calm yourself; you + must be peaceful, lawful, mild as any lamb. I am sure you will be though.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, we shall see, Muster Gashford, we shall see. You won’t have to + complain of me,’ returned the other, shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure I shall not,’ said the secretary in the same mild tone, and + with the same emphasis. ‘We shall have, we think, about next month, or + May, when this Papist relief bill comes before the house, to convene our + whole body for the first time. My lord has thoughts of our walking in + procession through the streets—just as an innocent display of + strength—and accompanying our petition down to the door of the House + of Commons.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The sooner the better,’ said Dennis, with another oath. + </p> + <p> + ‘We shall have to draw up in divisions, our numbers being so large; and, I + believe I may venture to say,’ resumed Gashford, affecting not to hear the + interruption, ‘though I have no direct instructions to that effect—that + Lord George has thought of you as an excellent leader for one of these + parties. I have no doubt you would be an admirable one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Try me,’ said the fellow, with an ugly wink. + </p> + <p> + ‘You would be cool, I know,’ pursued the secretary, still smiling, and + still managing his eyes so that he could watch him closely, and really not + be seen in turn, ‘obedient to orders, and perfectly temperate. You would + lead your party into no danger, I am certain.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0175m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0175m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0175.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘I’d lead them, Muster Gashford,’—the hangman was beginning in a + reckless way, when Gashford started forward, laid his finger on his lips, + and feigned to write, just as the door was opened by John Grueby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!’ said John, looking in; ‘here’s another Protestant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Some other room, John,’ cried Gashford in his blandest voice. ‘I am + engaged just now.’ + </p> + <p> + But John had brought this new visitor to the door, and he walked in + unbidden, as the words were uttered; giving to view the form and features, + rough attire, and reckless air, of Hugh. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0038" id="link2HCH0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 38 + </h2> + <p> + The secretary put his hand before his eyes to shade them from the glare of + the lamp, and for some moments looked at Hugh with a frowning brow, as if + he remembered to have seen him lately, but could not call to mind where, + or on what occasion. His uncertainty was very brief, for before Hugh had + spoken a word, he said, as his countenance cleared up: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, I recollect. It’s quite right, John, you needn’t wait. Don’t go, + Dennis.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your servant, master,’ said Hugh, as Grueby disappeared. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yours, friend,’ returned the secretary in his smoothest manner. ‘What + brings YOU here? We left nothing behind us, I hope?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh gave a short laugh, and thrusting his hand into his breast, produced + one of the handbills, soiled and dirty from lying out of doors all night, + which he laid upon the secretary’s desk after flattening it upon his knee, + and smoothing out the wrinkles with his heavy palm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing but that, master. It fell into good hands, you see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is this!’ said Gashford, turning it over with an air of perfectly + natural surprise. ‘Where did you get it from, my good fellow; what does it + mean? I don’t understand this at all.’ + </p> + <p> + A little disconcerted by this reception, Hugh looked from the secretary to + Dennis, who had risen and was standing at the table too, observing the + stranger by stealth, and seeming to derive the utmost satisfaction from + his manners and appearance. Considering himself silently appealed to by + this action, Mr Dennis shook his head thrice, as if to say of Gashford, + ‘No. He don’t know anything at all about it. I know he don’t. I’ll take my + oath he don’t;’ and hiding his profile from Hugh with one long end of his + frowzy neckerchief, nodded and chuckled behind this screen in extreme + approval of the secretary’s proceedings. + </p> + <p> + ‘It tells the man that finds it, to come here, don’t it?’ asked Hugh. ‘I’m + no scholar, myself, but I showed it to a friend, and he said it did.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It certainly does,’ said Gashford, opening his eyes to their utmost + width; ‘really this is the most remarkable circumstance I have ever known. + How did you come by this piece of paper, my good friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Muster Gashford,’ wheezed the hangman under his breath, ‘agin’ all + Newgate!’ + </p> + <p> + Whether Hugh heard him, or saw by his manner that he was being played + upon, or perceived the secretary’s drift of himself, he came in his blunt + way to the point at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here!’ he said, stretching out his hand and taking it back; ‘never mind + the bill, or what it says, or what it don’t say. You don’t know anything + about it, master,—no more do I,—no more does he,’ glancing at + Dennis. ‘None of us know what it means, or where it comes from: there’s an + end of that. Now I want to make one against the Catholics, I’m a No-Popery + man, and ready to be sworn in. That’s what I’ve come here for.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Put him down on the roll, Muster Gashford,’ said Dennis approvingly. + ‘That’s the way to go to work—right to the end at once, and no + palaver.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the use of shooting wide of the mark, eh, old boy!’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘My sentiments all over!’ rejoined the hangman. ‘This is the sort of chap + for my division, Muster Gashford. Down with him, sir. Put him on the roll. + I’d stand godfather to him, if he was to be christened in a bonfire, made + of the ruins of the Bank of England.’ + </p> + <p> + With these and other expressions of confidence of the like flattering + kind, Mr Dennis gave him a hearty slap on the back, which Hugh was not + slow to return. + </p> + <p> + ‘No Popery, brother!’ cried the hangman. + </p> + <p> + ‘No Property, brother!’ responded Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Popery, Popery,’ said the secretary with his usual mildness. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s all the same!’ cried Dennis. ‘It’s all right. Down with him, Muster + Gashford. Down with everybody, down with everything! Hurrah for the + Protestant religion! That’s the time of day, Muster Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary regarded them both with a very favourable expression of + countenance, while they gave loose to these and other demonstrations of + their patriotic purpose; and was about to make some remark aloud, when + Dennis, stepping up to him, and shading his mouth with his hand, said, in + a hoarse whisper, as he nudged him with his elbow: + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t split upon a constitutional officer’s profession, Muster Gashford. + There are popular prejudices, you know, and he mightn’t like it. Wait till + he comes to be more intimate with me. He’s a fine-built chap, an’t he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A powerful fellow indeed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did you ever, Muster Gashford,’ whispered Dennis, with a horrible kind of + admiration, such as that with which a cannibal might regard his intimate + friend, when hungry,—‘did you ever—and here he drew still + closer to his ear, and fenced his mouth with both his open hands—‘see + such a throat as his? Do but cast your eye upon it. There’s a neck for + stretching, Muster Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary assented to this proposition with the best grace he could + assume—it is difficult to feign a true professional relish: which is + eccentric sometimes—and after asking the candidate a few unimportant + questions, proceeded to enrol him a member of the Great Protestant + Association of England. If anything could have exceeded Mr Dennis’s joy on + the happy conclusion of this ceremony, it would have been the rapture with + which he received the announcement that the new member could neither read + nor write: those two arts being (as Mr Dennis swore) the greatest possible + curse a civilised community could know, and militating more against the + professional emoluments and usefulness of the great constitutional office + he had the honour to hold, than any adverse circumstances that could + present themselves to his imagination. + </p> + <p> + The enrolment being completed, and Hugh having been informed by Gashford, + in his peculiar manner, of the peaceful and strictly lawful objects + contemplated by the body to which he now belonged—during which + recital Mr Dennis nudged him very much with his elbow, and made divers + remarkable faces—the secretary gave them both to understand that he + desired to be alone. Therefore they took their leaves without delay, and + came out of the house together. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you walking, brother?’ said Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ returned Hugh. ‘Where you will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s social,’ said his new friend. ‘Which way shall we take? Shall we + go and have a look at doors that we shall make a pretty good clattering + at, before long—eh, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh answering in the affirmative, they went slowly down to Westminster, + where both houses of Parliament were then sitting. Mingling in the crowd + of carriages, horses, servants, chairmen, link-boys, porters, and idlers + of all kinds, they lounged about; while Hugh’s new friend pointed out to + him significantly the weak parts of the building, how easy it was to get + into the lobby, and so to the very door of the House of Commons; and how + plainly, when they marched down there in grand array, their roars and + shouts would be heard by the members inside; with a great deal more to the + same purpose, all of which Hugh received with manifest delight. + </p> + <p> + He told him, too, who some of the Lords and Commons were, by name, as they + came in and out; whether they were friendly to the Papists or otherwise; + and bade him take notice of their liveries and equipages, that he might be + sure of them, in case of need. Sometimes he drew him close to the windows + of a passing carriage, that he might see its master’s face by the light of + the lamps; and, both in respect of people and localities, he showed so + much acquaintance with everything around, that it was plain he had often + studied there before; as indeed, when they grew a little more + confidential, he confessed he had. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps the most striking part of all this was, the number of people—never + in groups of more than two or three together—who seemed to be + skulking about the crowd for the same purpose. To the greater part of + these, a slight nod or a look from Hugh’s companion was sufficient + greeting; but, now and then, some man would come and stand beside him in + the throng, and, without turning his head or appearing to communicate with + him, would say a word or two in a low voice, which he would answer in the + same cautious manner. Then they would part, like strangers. Some of these + men often reappeared again unexpectedly in the crowd close to Hugh, and, + as they passed by, pressed his hand, or looked him sternly in the face; + but they never spoke to him, nor he to them; no, not a word. + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable, too, that whenever they happened to stand where there + was any press of people, and Hugh chanced to be looking downward, he was + sure to see an arm stretched out—under his own perhaps, or perhaps + across him—which thrust some paper into the hand or pocket of a + bystander, and was so suddenly withdrawn that it was impossible to tell + from whom it came; nor could he see in any face, on glancing quickly + round, the least confusion or surprise. They often trod upon a paper like + the one he carried in his breast, but his companion whispered him not to + touch it or to take it up,—not even to look towards it,—so + there they let them lie, and passed on. + </p> + <p> + When they had paraded the street and all the avenues of the building in + this manner for near two hours, they turned away, and his friend asked him + what he thought of what he had seen, and whether he was prepared for a + good hot piece of work if it should come to that. ‘The hotter the better,’ + said Hugh, ‘I’m prepared for anything.’—‘So am I,’ said his friend, + ‘and so are many of us; and they shook hands upon it with a great oath, + and with many terrible imprecations on the Papists. + </p> + <p> + As they were thirsty by this time, Dennis proposed that they should repair + together to The Boot, where there was good company and strong liquor. Hugh + yielding a ready assent, they bent their steps that way with no loss of + time. + </p> + <p> + This Boot was a lone house of public entertainment, situated in the fields + at the back of the Foundling Hospital; a very solitary spot at that + period, and quite deserted after dark. The tavern stood at some distance + from any high road, and was approachable only by a dark and narrow lane; + so that Hugh was much surprised to find several people drinking there, and + great merriment going on. He was still more surprised to find among them + almost every face that had caught his attention in the crowd; but his + companion having whispered him outside the door, that it was not + considered good manners at The Boot to appear at all curious about the + company, he kept his own counsel, and made no show of recognition. + </p> + <p> + Before putting his lips to the liquor which was brought for them, Dennis + drank in a loud voice the health of Lord George Gordon, President of the + Great Protestant Association; which toast Hugh pledged likewise, with + corresponding enthusiasm. A fiddler who was present, and who appeared to + act as the appointed minstrel of the company, forthwith struck up a Scotch + reel; and that in tones so invigorating, that Hugh and his friend (who had + both been drinking before) rose from their seats as by previous concert, + and, to the great admiration of the assembled guests, performed an + extemporaneous No-Popery Dance. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0178m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0178m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0178.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0039" id="link2HCH0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 39 + </h2> + <p> + The applause which the performance of Hugh and his new friend elicited + from the company at The Boot, had not yet subsided, and the two dancers + were still panting from their exertions, which had been of a rather + extreme and violent character, when the party was reinforced by the + arrival of some more guests, who, being a detachment of United Bulldogs, + were received with very flattering marks of distinction and respect. + </p> + <p> + The leader of this small party—for, including himself, they were but + three in number—was our old acquaintance, Mr Tappertit, who seemed, + physically speaking, to have grown smaller with years (particularly as to + his legs, which were stupendously little), but who, in a moral point of + view, in personal dignity and self-esteem, had swelled into a giant. Nor + was it by any means difficult for the most unobservant person to detect + this state of feeling in the quondam ‘prentice, for it not only proclaimed + itself impressively and beyond mistake in his majestic walk and kindling + eye, but found a striking means of revelation in his turned-up nose, which + scouted all things of earth with deep disdain, and sought communion with + its kindred skies. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit, as chief or captain of the Bulldogs, was attended by his two + lieutenants; one, the tall comrade of his younger life; the other, a + ‘Prentice Knight in days of yore—Mark Gilbert, bound in the olden + time to Thomas Curzon of the Golden Fleece. These gentlemen, like himself, + were now emancipated from their ‘prentice thraldom, and served as + journeymen; but they were, in humble emulation of his great example, bold + and daring spirits, and aspired to a distinguished state in great + political events. Hence their connection with the Protestant Association + of England, sanctioned by the name of Lord George Gordon; and hence their + present visit to The Boot. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gentlemen!’ said Mr Tappertit, taking off his hat as a great general + might in addressing his troops. ‘Well met. My lord does me and you the + honour to send his compliments per self.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve seen my lord too, have you?’ said Dennis. ‘I see him this + afternoon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My duty called me to the Lobby when our shop shut up; and I saw him + there, sir,’ Mr Tappertit replied, as he and his lieutenants took their + seats. ‘How do YOU do?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lively, master, lively,’ said the fellow. ‘Here’s a new brother, + regularly put down in black and white by Muster Gashford; a credit to the + cause; one of the stick-at-nothing sort; one arter my own heart. D’ye see + him? Has he got the looks of a man that’ll do, do you think?’ he cried, as + he slapped Hugh on the back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Looks or no looks,’ said Hugh, with a drunken flourish of his arm, ‘I’m + the man you want. I hate the Papists, every one of ‘em. They hate me and I + hate them. They do me all the harm they can, and I’ll do them all the harm + I can. Hurrah!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was there ever,’ said Dennis, looking round the room, when the echo of + his boisterous voice had died away; ‘was there ever such a game boy! Why, + I mean to say, brothers, that if Muster Gashford had gone a hundred mile + and got together fifty men of the common run, they wouldn’t have been + worth this one.’ + </p> + <p> + The greater part of the company implicitly subscribed to this opinion, and + testified their faith in Hugh by nods and looks of great significance. Mr + Tappertit sat and contemplated him for a long time in silence, as if he + suspended his judgment; then drew a little nearer to him, and eyed him + over more carefully; then went close up to him, and took him apart into a + dark corner. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,’ he began, with a thoughtful brow, ‘haven’t I seen you before?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s like you may,’ said Hugh, in his careless way. ‘I don’t know; + shouldn’t wonder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, but it’s very easily settled,’ returned Sim. ‘Look at me. Did you + ever see ME before? You wouldn’t be likely to forget it, you know, if you + ever did. Look at me. Don’t be afraid; I won’t do you any harm. Take a + good look—steady now.’ + </p> + <p> + The encouraging way in which Mr Tappertit made this request, and coupled + it with an assurance that he needn’t be frightened, amused Hugh mightily—so + much indeed, that he saw nothing at all of the small man before him, + through closing his eyes in a fit of hearty laughter, which shook his + great broad sides until they ached again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come!’ said Mr Tappertit, growing a little impatient under this + disrespectful treatment. ‘Do you know me, feller?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I,’ cried Hugh. ‘Ha ha ha! Not I! But I should like to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And yet I’d have wagered a seven-shilling piece,’ said Mr Tappertit, + folding his arms, and confronting him with his legs wide apart and firmly + planted on the ground, ‘that you once were hostler at the Maypole.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh opened his eyes on hearing this, and looked at him in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + ‘—And so you were, too,’ said Mr Tappertit, pushing him away with a + condescending playfulness. ‘When did MY eyes ever deceive—unless it + was a young woman! Don’t you know me now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why it an’t—’ Hugh faltered. + </p> + <p> + ‘An’t it?’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Are you sure of that? You remember G. + Varden, don’t you?’ + </p> + <p> + Certainly Hugh did, and he remembered D. Varden too; but that he didn’t + tell him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You remember coming down there, before I was out of my time, to ask after + a vagabond that had bolted off, and left his disconsolate father a prey to + the bitterest emotions, and all the rest of it—don’t you?’ said Mr + Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course I do!’ cried Hugh. ‘And I saw you there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Saw me there!’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Yes, I should think you did see me + there. The place would be troubled to go on without me. Don’t you remember + my thinking you liked the vagabond, and on that account going to quarrel + with you; and then finding you detested him worse than poison, going to + drink with you? Don’t you remember that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be sure!’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! and are you in the same mind now?’ said Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes!’ roared Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak like a man,’ said Mr Tappertit, ‘and I’ll shake hands with + you.’ With these conciliatory expressions he suited the action to the + word; and Hugh meeting his advances readily, they performed the ceremony + with a show of great heartiness. + </p> + <p> + ‘I find,’ said Mr Tappertit, looking round on the assembled guests, ‘that + brother What’s-his-name and I are old acquaintance.—You never heard + anything more of that rascal, I suppose, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not a syllable,’ replied Hugh. ‘I never want to. I don’t believe I ever + shall. He’s dead long ago, I hope.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s to be hoped, for the sake of mankind in general and the happiness of + society, that he is,’ said Mr Tappertit, rubbing his palm upon his legs, + and looking at it between whiles. ‘Is your other hand at all cleaner? Much + the same. Well, I’ll owe you another shake. We’ll suppose it done, if + you’ve no objection.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh laughed again, and with such thorough abandonment to his mad humour, + that his limbs seemed dislocated, and his whole frame in danger of + tumbling to pieces; but Mr Tappertit, so far from receiving this extreme + merriment with any irritation, was pleased to regard it with the utmost + favour, and even to join in it, so far as one of his gravity and station + could, with any regard to that decency and decorum which men in high + places are expected to maintain. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit did not stop here, as many public characters might have done, + but calling up his brace of lieutenants, introduced Hugh to them with high + commendation; declaring him to be a man who, at such times as those in + which they lived, could not be too much cherished. Further, he did him the + honour to remark, that he would be an acquisition of which even the United + Bulldogs might be proud; and finding, upon sounding him, that he was quite + ready and willing to enter the society (for he was not at all particular, + and would have leagued himself that night with anything, or anybody, for + any purpose whatsoever), caused the necessary preliminaries to be gone + into upon the spot. This tribute to his great merit delighted no man more + than Mr Dennis, as he himself proclaimed with several rare and surprising + oaths; and indeed it gave unmingled satisfaction to the whole assembly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Make anything you like of me!’ cried Hugh, flourishing the can he had + emptied more than once. ‘Put me on any duty you please. I’m your man. I’ll + do it. Here’s my captain—here’s my leader. Ha ha ha! Let him give me + the word of command, and I’ll fight the whole Parliament House + single-handed, or set a lighted torch to the King’s Throne itself!’ With + that, he smote Mr Tappertit on the back, with such violence that his + little body seemed to shrink into a mere nothing; and roared again until + the very foundlings near at hand were startled in their beds. + </p> + <p> + In fact, a sense of something whimsical in their companionship seemed to + have taken entire possession of his rude brain. The bare fact of being + patronised by a great man whom he could have crushed with one hand, + appeared in his eyes so eccentric and humorous, that a kind of ferocious + merriment gained the mastery over him, and quite subdued his brutal + nature. He roared and roared again; toasted Mr Tappertit a hundred times; + declared himself a Bulldog to the core; and vowed to be faithful to him to + the last drop of blood in his veins. + </p> + <p> + All these compliments Mr Tappertit received as matters of course—flattering + enough in their way, but entirely attributable to his vast superiority. + His dignified self-possession only delighted Hugh the more; and in a word, + this giant and dwarf struck up a friendship which bade fair to be of long + continuance, as the one held it to be his right to command, and the other + considered it an exquisite pleasantry to obey. Nor was Hugh by any means a + passive follower, who scrupled to act without precise and definite orders; + for when Mr Tappertit mounted on an empty cask which stood by way of + rostrum in the room, and volunteered a speech upon the alarming crisis + then at hand, he placed himself beside the orator, and though he grinned + from ear to ear at every word he said, threw out such expressive hints to + scoffers in the management of his cudgel, that those who were at first the + most disposed to interrupt, became remarkably attentive, and were the + loudest in their approbation. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0181m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0181m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0181.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + It was not all noise and jest, however, at The Boot, nor were the whole + party listeners to the speech. There were some men at the other end of the + room (which was a long, low-roofed chamber) in earnest conversation all + the time; and when any of this group went out, fresh people were sure to + come in soon afterwards and sit down in their places, as though the others + had relieved them on some watch or duty; which it was pretty clear they + did, for these changes took place by the clock, at intervals of half an + hour. These persons whispered very much among themselves, and kept aloof, + and often looked round, as jealous of their speech being overheard; some + two or three among them entered in books what seemed to be reports from + the others; when they were not thus employed one of them would turn to the + newspapers which were strewn upon the table, and from the St James’s + Chronicle, the Herald, Chronicle, or Public Advertiser, would read to the + rest in a low voice some passage having reference to the topic in which + they were all so deeply interested. But the great attraction was a + pamphlet called The Thunderer, which espoused their own opinions, and was + supposed at that time to emanate directly from the Association. This was + always in request; and whether read aloud, to an eager knot of listeners, + or by some solitary man, was certain to be followed by stormy talking and + excited looks. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all his merriment, and admiration of his captain, Hugh was + made sensible by these and other tokens, of the presence of an air of + mystery, akin to that which had so much impressed him out of doors. It was + impossible to discard a sense that something serious was going on, and + that under the noisy revel of the public-house, there lurked unseen and + dangerous matter. Little affected by this, however, he was perfectly + satisfied with his quarters and would have remained there till morning, + but that his conductor rose soon after midnight, to go home; Mr Tappertit + following his example, left him no excuse to stay. So they all three left + the house together: roaring a No-Popery song until the fields resounded + with the dismal noise. + </p> + <p> + ‘Cheer up, captain!’ cried Hugh, when they had roared themselves out of + breath. ‘Another stave!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit, nothing loath, began again; and so the three went staggering + on, arm-in-arm, shouting like madmen, and defying the watch with great + valour. Indeed this did not require any unusual bravery or boldness, as + the watchmen of that time, being selected for the office on account of + excessive age and extraordinary infirmity, had a custom of shutting + themselves up tight in their boxes on the first symptoms of disturbance, + and remaining there until they disappeared. In these proceedings, Mr + Dennis, who had a gruff voice and lungs of considerable power, + distinguished himself very much, and acquired great credit with his two + companions. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a queer fellow you are!’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘You’re so precious sly + and close. Why don’t you ever tell what trade you’re of?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Answer the captain instantly,’ cried Hugh, beating his hat down on his + head; ‘why don’t you ever tell what trade you’re of?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m of as gen-teel a calling, brother, as any man in England—as + light a business as any gentleman could desire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Was you ‘prenticed to it?’ asked Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘No. Natural genius,’ said Mr Dennis. ‘No ‘prenticing. It come by natur’. + Muster Gashford knows my calling. Look at that hand of mine—many and + many a job that hand has done, with a neatness and dexterity, never known + afore. When I look at that hand,’ said Mr Dennis, shaking it in the air, + ‘and remember the helegant bits of work it has turned off, I feel quite + molloncholy to think it should ever grow old and feeble. But sich is + life!’ + </p> + <p> + He heaved a deep sigh as he indulged in these reflections, and putting his + fingers with an absent air on Hugh’s throat, and particularly under his + left ear, as if he were studying the anatomical development of that part + of his frame, shook his head in a despondent manner and actually shed + tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re a kind of artist, I suppose—eh!’ said Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ rejoined Dennis; ‘yes—I may call myself a artist—a + fancy workman—art improves natur’—that’s my motto.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what do you call this?’ said Mr Tappertit taking his stick out of his + hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s my portrait atop,’ Dennis replied; ‘d’ye think it’s like?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why—it’s a little too handsome,’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Who did it? + You?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I!’ repeated Dennis, gazing fondly on his image. ‘I wish I had the + talent. That was carved by a friend of mine, as is now no more. The very + day afore he died, he cut that with his pocket-knife from memory! “I’ll + die game,” says my friend, “and my last moments shall be dewoted to making + Dennis’s picter.” That’s it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That was a queer fancy, wasn’t it?’ said Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘It WAS a queer fancy,’ rejoined the other, breathing on his fictitious + nose, and polishing it with the cuff of his coat, ‘but he was a queer + subject altogether—a kind of gipsy—one of the finest, stand-up + men, you ever see. Ah! He told me some things that would startle you a + bit, did that friend of mine, on the morning when he died.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were with him at the time, were you?’ said Mr Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he answered with a curious look, ‘I was there. Oh! yes certainly, I + was there. He wouldn’t have gone off half as comfortable without me. I had + been with three or four of his family under the same circumstances. They + were all fine fellows.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They must have been fond of you,’ remarked Mr Tappertit, looking at him + sideways. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know that they was exactly fond of me,’ said Dennis, with a + little hesitation, ‘but they all had me near ‘em when they departed. I + come in for their wardrobes too. This very handkecher that you see round + my neck, belonged to him that I’ve been speaking of—him as did that + likeness.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit glanced at the article referred to, and appeared to think + that the deceased’s ideas of dress were of a peculiar and by no means an + expensive kind. He made no remark upon the point, however, and suffered + his mysterious companion to proceed without interruption. + </p> + <p> + ‘These smalls,’ said Dennis, rubbing his legs; ‘these very smalls—they + belonged to a friend of mine that’s left off sich incumbrances for ever: + this coat too—I’ve often walked behind this coat, in the street, and + wondered whether it would ever come to me: this pair of shoes have danced + a hornpipe for another man, afore my eyes, full half-a-dozen times at + least: and as to my hat,’ he said, taking it off, and whirling it round + upon his fist—‘Lord! I’ve seen this hat go up Holborn on the box of + a hackney-coach—ah, many and many a day!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t mean to say their old wearers are ALL dead, I hope?’ said Mr + Tappertit, falling a little distance from him as he spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘Every one of ‘em,’ replied Dennis. ‘Every man Jack!’ + </p> + <p> + There was something so very ghastly in this circumstance, and it appeared + to account, in such a very strange and dismal manner, for his faded dress—which, + in this new aspect, seemed discoloured by the earth from graves—that + Mr Tappertit abruptly found he was going another way, and, stopping short, + bade him good night with the utmost heartiness. As they happened to be + near the Old Bailey, and Mr Dennis knew there were turnkeys in the lodge + with whom he could pass the night, and discuss professional subjects of + common interest among them before a rousing fire, and over a social glass, + he separated from his companions without any great regret, and warmly + shaking hands with Hugh, and making an early appointment for their meeting + at The Boot, left them to pursue their road. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s a strange sort of man,’ said Mr Tappertit, watching the + hackney-coachman’s hat as it went bobbing down the street. ‘I don’t know + what to make of him. Why can’t he have his smalls made to order, or wear + live clothes at any rate?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s a lucky man, captain,’ cried Hugh. ‘I should like to have such + friends as his.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope he don’t get ‘em to make their wills, and then knock ‘em on the + head,’ said Mr Tappertit, musing. ‘But come. The United B.‘s expect me. + On!—What’s the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I quite forgot,’ said Hugh, who had started at the striking of a + neighbouring clock. ‘I have somebody to see to-night—I must turn + back directly. The drinking and singing put it out of my head. It’s well I + remembered it!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit looked at him as though he were about to give utterance to + some very majestic sentiments in reference to this act of desertion, but + as it was clear, from Hugh’s hasty manner, that the engagement was one of + a pressing nature, he graciously forbore, and gave him his permission to + depart immediately, which Hugh acknowledged with a roar of laughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night, captain!’ he cried. ‘I am yours to the death, remember!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Farewell!’ said Mr Tappertit, waving his hand. ‘Be bold and vigilant!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No Popery, captain!’ roared Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘England in blood first!’ cried his desperate leader. Whereat Hugh cheered + and laughed, and ran off like a greyhound. + </p> + <p> + ‘That man will prove a credit to my corps,’ said Simon, turning + thoughtfully upon his heel. ‘And let me see. In an altered state of + society—which must ensue if we break out and are victorious—when + the locksmith’s child is mine, Miggs must be got rid of somehow, or she’ll + poison the tea-kettle one evening when I’m out. He might marry Miggs, if + he was drunk enough. It shall be done. I’ll make a note of it.’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0040" id="link2HCH0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 40 + </h2> + <p> + Little thinking of the plan for his happy settlement in life which had + suggested itself to the teeming brain of his provident commander, Hugh + made no pause until Saint Dunstan’s giants struck the hour above him, when + he worked the handle of a pump which stood hard by, with great vigour, and + thrusting his head under the spout, let the water gush upon him until a + little stream ran down from every uncombed hair, and he was wet to the + waist. Considerably refreshed by this ablution, both in mind and body, and + almost sobered for the time, he dried himself as he best could; then + crossed the road, and plied the knocker of the Middle Temple gate. + </p> + <p> + The night-porter looked through a small grating in the portal with a surly + eye, and cried ‘Halloa!’ which greeting Hugh returned in kind, and bade + him open quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘We don’t sell beer here,’ cried the man; ‘what else do you want?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To come in,’ Hugh replied, with a kick at the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where to go?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Paper Buildings.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose chambers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John Chester’s.’ Each of which answers, he emphasised with another + kick. + </p> + <p> + After a little growling on the other side, the gate was opened, and he + passed in: undergoing a close inspection from the porter as he did so. + </p> + <p> + ‘YOU wanting Sir John, at this time of night!’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ said Hugh. ‘I! What of that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, I must go with you and see that you do, for I don’t believe it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come along then.’ + </p> + <p> + Eyeing him with suspicious looks, the man, with key and lantern, walked on + at his side, and attended him to Sir John Chester’s door, at which Hugh + gave one knock, that echoed through the dark staircase like a ghostly + summons, and made the dull light tremble in the drowsy lamp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think he wants me now?’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + Before the man had time to answer, a footstep was heard within, a light + appeared, and Sir John, in his dressing-gown and slippers, opened the + door. + </p> + <p> + ‘I ask your pardon, Sir John,’ said the porter, pulling off his hat. + ‘Here’s a young man says he wants to speak to you. It’s late for + strangers. I thought it best to see that all was right.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Aha!’ cried Sir John, raising his eyebrows. ‘It’s you, messenger, is it? + Go in. Quite right, friend. I commend your prudence highly. Thank you. God + bless you. Good night.’ + </p> + <p> + To be commended, thanked, God-blessed, and bade good night by one who + carried ‘Sir’ before his name, and wrote himself M.P. to boot, was + something for a porter. He withdrew with much humility and reverence. Sir + John followed his late visitor into the dressing-room, and sitting in his + easy-chair before the fire, and moving it so that he could see him as he + stood, hat in hand, beside the door, looked at him from head to foot. + </p> + <p> + The old face, calm and pleasant as ever; the complexion, quite juvenile in + its bloom and clearness; the same smile; the wonted precision and elegance + of dress; the white, well-ordered teeth; the delicate hands; the composed + and quiet manner; everything as it used to be: no mark of age or passion, + envy, hate, or discontent: all unruffled and serene, and quite delightful + to behold. + </p> + <p> + He wrote himself M.P.—but how? Why, thus. It was a proud family—more + proud, indeed, than wealthy. He had stood in danger of arrest; of + bailiffs, and a jail—a vulgar jail, to which the common people with + small incomes went. Gentlemen of ancient houses have no privilege of + exemption from such cruel laws—unless they are of one great house, + and then they have. A proud man of his stock and kindred had the means of + sending him there. He offered—not indeed to pay his debts, but to + let him sit for a close borough until his own son came of age, which, if + he lived, would come to pass in twenty years. It was quite as good as an + Insolvent Act, and infinitely more genteel. So Sir John Chester was a + member of Parliament. + </p> + <p> + But how Sir John? Nothing so simple, or so easy. One touch with a sword of + state, and the transformation was effected. John Chester, Esquire, M.P., + attended court—went up with an address—headed a deputation. + Such elegance of manner, so many graces of deportment, such powers of + conversation, could never pass unnoticed. Mr was too common for such + merit. A man so gentlemanly should have been—but Fortune is + capricious—born a Duke: just as some dukes should have been born + labourers. He caught the fancy of the king, knelt down a grub, and rose a + butterfly. John Chester, Esquire, was knighted and became Sir John. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thought when you left me this evening, my esteemed acquaintance,’ said + Sir John after a pretty long silence, ‘that you intended to return with + all despatch?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I did, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And so you have?’ he retorted, glancing at his watch. ‘Is that what you + would say?’ + </p> + <p> + Instead of replying, Hugh changed the leg on which he leant, shuffled his + cap from one hand to the other, looked at the ground, the wall, the + ceiling, and finally at Sir John himself; before whose pleasant face he + lowered his eyes again, and fixed them on the floor. + </p> + <p> + ‘And how have you been employing yourself in the meanwhile?’ quoth Sir + John, lazily crossing his legs. ‘Where have you been? what harm have you + been doing?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No harm at all, master,’ growled Hugh, with humility. ‘I have only done + as you ordered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As I WHAT?’ returned Sir John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well then,’ said Hugh uneasily, ‘as you advised, or said I ought, or said + I might, or said that you would do, if you was me. Don’t be so hard upon + me, master.’ + </p> + <p> + Something like an expression of triumph in the perfect control he had + established over this rough instrument appeared in the knight’s face for + an instant; but it vanished directly, as he said—paring his nails + while speaking: + </p> + <p> + ‘When you say I ordered you, my good fellow, you imply that I directed you + to do something for me—something I wanted done—something for + my own ends and purposes—you see? Now I am sure I needn’t enlarge + upon the extreme absurdity of such an idea, however unintentional; so + please—’ and here he turned his eyes upon him—‘to be more + guarded. Will you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I meant to give you no offence,’ said Hugh. ‘I don’t know what to say. + You catch me up so very short.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You will be caught up much shorter, my good friend—infinitely + shorter—one of these days, depend upon it,’ replied his patron + calmly. ‘By-the-bye, instead of wondering why you have been so long, my + wonder should be why you came at all. Why did you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know, master,’ said Hugh, ‘that I couldn’t read the bill I found, and + that supposing it to be something particular from the way it was wrapped + up, I brought it here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And could you ask no one else to read it, Bruin?’ said Sir John. + </p> + <p> + ‘No one that I could trust with secrets, master. Since Barnaby Rudge was + lost sight of for good and all—and that’s five years ago—I + haven’t talked with any one but you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have done me honour, I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have come to and fro, master, all through that time, when there was + anything to tell, because I knew that you’d be angry with me if I stayed + away,’ said Hugh, blurting the words out, after an embarrassed silence; + ‘and because I wished to please you if I could, and not to have you go + against me. There. That’s the true reason why I came to-night. You know + that, master, I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a specious fellow,’ returned Sir John, fixing his eyes upon him, + ‘and carry two faces under your hood, as well as the best. Didn’t you give + me in this room, this evening, any other reason; no dislike of anybody who + has slighted you lately, on all occasions, abused you, treated you with + rudeness; acted towards you, more as if you were a mongrel dog than a man + like himself?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be sure I did!’ cried Hugh, his passion rising, as the other meant it + should; ‘and I say it all over now, again. I’d do anything to have some + revenge on him—anything. And when you told me that he and all the + Catholics would suffer from those who joined together under that handbill, + I said I’d make one of ‘em, if their master was the devil himself. I AM + one of ‘em. See whether I am as good as my word and turn out to be among + the foremost, or no. I mayn’t have much head, master, but I’ve head enough + to remember those that use me ill. You shall see, and so shall he, and so + shall hundreds more, how my spirit backs me when the time comes. My bark + is nothing to my bite. Some that I know had better have a wild lion among + ‘em than me, when I am fairly loose—they had!’ + </p> + <p> + The knight looked at him with a smile of far deeper meaning than ordinary; + and pointing to the old cupboard, followed him with his eyes while he + filled and drank a glass of liquor; and smiled when his back was turned, + with deeper meaning yet. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are in a blustering mood, my friend,’ he said, when Hugh confronted + him again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not I, master!’ cried Hugh. ‘I don’t say half I mean. I can’t. I haven’t + got the gift. There are talkers enough among us; I’ll be one of the + doers.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! you have joined those fellows then?’ said Sir John, with an air of + most profound indifference. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. I went up to the house you told me of; and got put down upon the + muster. There was another man there, named Dennis—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dennis, eh!’ cried Sir John, laughing. ‘Ay, ay! a pleasant fellow, I + believe?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A roaring dog, master—one after my own heart—hot upon the + matter too—red hot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So I have heard,’ replied Sir John, carelessly. ‘You don’t happen to know + his trade, do you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He wouldn’t say,’ cried Hugh. ‘He keeps it secret.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha!’ laughed Sir John. ‘A strange fancy—a weakness with some + persons—you’ll know it one day, I dare swear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We’re intimate already,’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite natural! And have been drinking together, eh?’ pursued Sir John. + ‘Did you say what place you went to in company, when you left Lord + George’s?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh had not said or thought of saying, but he told him; and this inquiry + being followed by a long train of questions, he related all that had + passed both in and out of doors, the kind of people he had seen, their + numbers, state of feeling, mode of conversation, apparent expectations and + intentions. His questioning was so artfully contrived, that he seemed even + in his own eyes to volunteer all this information rather than to have it + wrested from him; and he was brought to this state of feeling so + naturally, that when Mr Chester yawned at length and declared himself + quite wearied out, he made a rough kind of excuse for having talked so + much. + </p> + <p> + ‘There—get you gone,’ said Sir John, holding the door open in his + hand. ‘You have made a pretty evening’s work. I told you not to do this. + You may get into trouble. You’ll have an opportunity of revenging yourself + on your proud friend Haredale, though, and for that, you’d hazard + anything, I suppose?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would,’ retorted Hugh, stopping in his passage out and looking back; + ‘but what do I risk! What do I stand a chance of losing, master? Friends, + home? A fig for ‘em all; I have none; they are nothing to me. Give me a + good scuffle; let me pay off old scores in a bold riot where there are men + to stand by me; and then use me as you like—it don’t matter much to + me what the end is!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have you done with that paper?’ said Sir John. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have it here, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Drop it again as you go along; it’s as well not to keep such things about + you.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh nodded, and touching his cap with an air of as much respect as he + could summon up, departed. + </p> + <p> + Sir John, fastening the doors behind him, went back to his dressing-room, + and sat down once again before the fire, at which he gazed for a long + time, in earnest meditation. + </p> + <p> + ‘This happens fortunately,’ he said, breaking into a smile, ‘and promises + well. Let me see. My relative and I, who are the most Protestant fellows + in the world, give our worst wishes to the Roman Catholic cause; and to + Saville, who introduces their bill, I have a personal objection besides; + but as each of us has himself for the first article in his creed, we + cannot commit ourselves by joining with a very extravagant madman, such as + this Gordon most undoubtedly is. Now really, to foment his disturbances in + secret, through the medium of such a very apt instrument as my savage + friend here, may further our real ends; and to express at all becoming + seasons, in moderate and polite terms, a disapprobation of his + proceedings, though we agree with him in principle, will certainly be to + gain a character for honesty and uprightness of purpose, which cannot fail + to do us infinite service, and to raise us into some importance. Good! So + much for public grounds. As to private considerations, I confess that if + these vagabonds WOULD make some riotous demonstration (which does not + appear impossible), and WOULD inflict some little chastisement on Haredale + as a not inactive man among his sect, it would be extremely agreeable to + my feelings, and would amuse me beyond measure. Good again! Perhaps + better!’ + </p> + <p> + When he came to this point, he took a pinch of snuff; then beginning + slowly to undress, he resumed his meditations, by saying with a smile: + </p> + <p> + ‘I fear, I DO fear exceedingly, that my friend is following fast in the + footsteps of his mother. His intimacy with Mr Dennis is very ominous. But + I have no doubt he must have come to that end any way. If I lend him a + helping hand, the only difference is, that he may, upon the whole, + possibly drink a few gallons, or puncheons, or hogsheads, less in this + life than he otherwise would. It’s no business of mine. It’s a matter of + very small importance!’ + </p> + <p> + So he took another pinch of snuff, and went to bed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0041" id="link2HCH0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 41 + </h2> + <p> + From the workshop of the Golden Key, there issued forth a tinkling sound, + so merry and good-humoured, that it suggested the idea of some one working + blithely, and made quite pleasant music. No man who hammered on at a dull + monotonous duty, could have brought such cheerful notes from steel and + iron; none but a chirping, healthy, honest-hearted fellow, who made the + best of everything, and felt kindly towards everybody, could have done it + for an instant. He might have been a coppersmith, and still been musical. + If he had sat in a jolting waggon, full of rods of iron, it seemed as if + he would have brought some harmony out of it. + </p> + <p> + Tink, tink, tink—clear as a silver bell, and audible at every pause + of the streets’ harsher noises, as though it said, ‘I don’t care; nothing + puts me out; I am resolved to be happy.’ Women scolded, children squalled, + heavy carts went rumbling by, horrible cries proceeded from the lungs of + hawkers; still it struck in again, no higher, no lower, no louder, no + softer; not thrusting itself on people’s notice a bit the more for having + been outdone by louder sounds—tink, tink, tink, tink, tink. + </p> + <p> + It was a perfect embodiment of the still small voice, free from all cold, + hoarseness, huskiness, or unhealthiness of any kind; foot-passengers + slackened their pace, and were disposed to linger near it; neighbours who + had got up splenetic that morning, felt good-humour stealing on them as + they heard it, and by degrees became quite sprightly; mothers danced their + babies to its ringing; still the same magical tink, tink, tink, came gaily + from the workshop of the Golden Key. + </p> + <p> + Who but the locksmith could have made such music! A gleam of sun shining + through the unsashed window, and chequering the dark workshop with a broad + patch of light, fell full upon him, as though attracted by his sunny + heart. There he stood working at his anvil, his face all radiant with + exercise and gladness, his sleeves turned up, his wig pushed off his + shining forehead—the easiest, freest, happiest man in all the world. + Beside him sat a sleek cat, purring and winking in the light, and falling + every now and then into an idle doze, as from excess of comfort. Toby + looked on from a tall bench hard by; one beaming smile, from his broad + nut-brown face down to the slack-baked buckles in his shoes. The very + locks that hung around had something jovial in their rust, and seemed like + gouty gentlemen of hearty natures, disposed to joke on their infirmities. + There was nothing surly or severe in the whole scene. It seemed impossible + that any one of the innumerable keys could fit a churlish strong-box or a + prison-door. Cellars of beer and wine, rooms where there were fires, + books, gossip, and cheering laughter—these were their proper sphere + of action. Places of distrust and cruelty, and restraint, they would have + left quadruple-locked for ever. + </p> + <p> + Tink, tink, tink. The locksmith paused at last, and wiped his brow. The + silence roused the cat, who, jumping softly down, crept to the door, and + watched with tiger eyes a bird-cage in an opposite window. Gabriel lifted + Toby to his mouth, and took a hearty draught. + </p> + <p> + Then, as he stood upright, with his head flung back, and his portly chest + thrown out, you would have seen that Gabriel’s lower man was clothed in + military gear. Glancing at the wall beyond, there might have been espied, + hanging on their several pegs, a cap and feather, broadsword, sash, and + coat of scarlet; which any man learned in such matters would have known + from their make and pattern to be the uniform of a serjeant in the Royal + East London Volunteers. + </p> + <p> + As the locksmith put his mug down, empty, on the bench whence it had + smiled on him before, he glanced at these articles with a laughing eye, + and looking at them with his head a little on one side, as though he would + get them all into a focus, said, leaning on his hammer: + </p> + <p> + ‘Time was, now, I remember, when I was like to run mad with the desire to + wear a coat of that colour. If any one (except my father) had called me a + fool for my pains, how I should have fired and fumed! But what a fool I + must have been, sure-ly!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ sighed Mrs Varden, who had entered unobserved. ‘A fool indeed. A man + at your time of life, Varden, should know better now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what a ridiculous woman you are, Martha,’ said the locksmith, + turning round with a smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly,’ replied Mrs V. with great demureness. ‘Of course I am. I know + that, Varden. Thank you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean—’ began the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said his wife, ‘I know what you mean. You speak quite plain enough + to be understood, Varden. It’s very kind of you to adapt yourself to my + capacity, I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tut, tut, Martha,’ rejoined the locksmith; ‘don’t take offence at + nothing. I mean, how strange it is of you to run down volunteering, when + it’s done to defend you and all the other women, and our own fireside and + everybody else’s, in case of need.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s unchristian,’ cried Mrs Varden, shaking her head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Unchristian!’ said the locksmith. ‘Why, what the devil—’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden looked at the ceiling, as in expectation that the consequence + of this profanity would be the immediate descent of the four-post bedstead + on the second floor, together with the best sitting-room on the first; but + no visible judgment occurring, she heaved a deep sigh, and begged her + husband, in a tone of resignation, to go on, and by all means to blaspheme + as much as possible, because he knew she liked it. + </p> + <p> + The locksmith did for a moment seem disposed to gratify her, but he gave a + great gulp, and mildly rejoined: + </p> + <p> + ‘I was going to say, what on earth do you call it unchristian for? Which + would be most unchristian, Martha—to sit quietly down and let our + houses be sacked by a foreign army, or to turn out like men and drive ‘em + off? Shouldn’t I be a nice sort of a Christian, if I crept into a corner + of my own chimney and looked on while a parcel of whiskered savages bore + off Dolly—or you?’ + </p> + <p> + When he said ‘or you,’ Mrs Varden, despite herself, relaxed into a smile. + There was something complimentary in the idea. ‘In such a state of things + as that, indeed—’ she simpered. + </p> + <p> + ‘As that!’ repeated the locksmith. ‘Well, that would be the state of + things directly. Even Miggs would go. Some black tambourine-player, with a + great turban on, would be bearing HER off, and, unless the + tambourine-player was proof against kicking and scratching, it’s my belief + he’d have the worst of it. Ha ha ha! I’d forgive the tambourine-player. I + wouldn’t have him interfered with on any account, poor fellow.’ And here + the locksmith laughed again so heartily, that tears came into his eyes—much + to Mrs Varden’s indignation, who thought the capture of so sound a + Protestant and estimable a private character as Miggs by a pagan negro, a + circumstance too shocking and awful for contemplation. + </p> + <p> + The picture Gabriel had drawn, indeed, threatened serious consequences, + and would indubitably have led to them, but luckily at that moment a light + footstep crossed the threshold, and Dolly, running in, threw her arms + round her old father’s neck and hugged him tight. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here she is at last!’ cried Gabriel. ‘And how well you look, Doll, and + how late you are, my darling!’ + </p> + <p> + How well she looked? Well? Why, if he had exhausted every laudatory + adjective in the dictionary, it wouldn’t have been praise enough. When and + where was there ever such a plump, roguish, comely, bright-eyed, enticing, + bewitching, captivating, maddening little puss in all this world, as + Dolly! What was the Dolly of five years ago, to the Dolly of that day! How + many coachmakers, saddlers, cabinet-makers, and professors of other useful + arts, had deserted their fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and, most of + all, their cousins, for the love of her! How many unknown gentlemen—supposed + to be of mighty fortunes, if not titles—had waited round the corner + after dark, and tempted Miggs the incorruptible, with golden guineas, to + deliver offers of marriage folded up in love-letters! How many + disconsolate fathers and substantial tradesmen had waited on the locksmith + for the same purpose, with dismal tales of how their sons had lost their + appetites, and taken to shut themselves up in dark bedrooms, and wandering + in desolate suburbs with pale faces, and all because of Dolly Varden’s + loveliness and cruelty! How many young men, in all previous times of + unprecedented steadiness, had turned suddenly wild and wicked for the same + reason, and, in an ecstasy of unrequited love, taken to wrench off + door-knockers, and invert the boxes of rheumatic watchmen! How had she + recruited the king’s service, both by sea and land, through rendering + desperate his loving subjects between the ages of eighteen and + twenty-five! How many young ladies had publicly professed, with tears in + their eyes, that for their tastes she was much too short, too tall, too + bold, too cold, too stout, too thin, too fair, too dark—too + everything but handsome! How many old ladies, taking counsel together, had + thanked Heaven their daughters were not like her, and had hoped she might + come to no harm, and had thought she would come to no good, and had + wondered what people saw in her, and had arrived at the conclusion that + she was ‘going off’ in her looks, or had never come on in them, and that + she was a thorough imposition and a popular mistake! + </p> + <p> + And yet here was this same Dolly Varden, so whimsical and hard to please + that she was Dolly Varden still, all smiles and dimples and pleasant + looks, and caring no more for the fifty or sixty young fellows who at that + very moment were breaking their hearts to marry her, than if so many + oysters had been crossed in love and opened afterwards. + </p> + <p> + Dolly hugged her father as has been already stated, and having hugged her + mother also, accompanied both into the little parlour where the cloth was + already laid for dinner, and where Miss Miggs—a trifle more rigid + and bony than of yore—received her with a sort of hysterical gasp, + intended for a smile. Into the hands of that young virgin, she delivered + her bonnet and walking dress (all of a dreadful, artful, and designing + kind), and then said with a laugh, which rivalled the locksmith’s music, + ‘How glad I always am to be at home again!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And how glad we always are, Doll,’ said her father, putting back the dark + hair from her sparkling eyes, ‘to have you at home. Give me a kiss.’ + </p> + <p> + If there had been anybody of the male kind there to see her do it—but + there was not—it was a mercy. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t like your being at the Warren,’ said the locksmith, ‘I can’t bear + to have you out of my sight. And what is the news over yonder, Doll?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What news there is, I think you know already,’ replied his daughter. ‘I + am sure you do though.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay?’ cried the locksmith. ‘What’s that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come, come,’ said Dolly, ‘you know very well. I want you to tell me why + Mr Haredale—oh, how gruff he is again, to be sure!—has been + away from home for some days past, and why he is travelling about (we know + he IS travelling, because of his letters) without telling his own niece + why or wherefore.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Emma doesn’t want to know, I’ll swear,’ returned the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know that,’ said Dolly; ‘but I do, at any rate. Do tell me. Why + is he so secret, and what is this ghost story, which nobody is to tell + Miss Emma, and which seems to be mixed up with his going away? Now I see + you know by your colouring so.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What the story means, or is, or has to do with it, I know no more than + you, my dear,’ returned the locksmith, ‘except that it’s some foolish fear + of little Solomon’s—which has, indeed, no meaning in it, I suppose. + As to Mr Haredale’s journey, he goes, as I believe—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ said Dolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘As I believe,’ resumed the locksmith, pinching her cheek, ‘on business, + Doll. What it may be, is quite another matter. Read Blue Beard, and don’t + be too curious, pet; it’s no business of yours or mine, depend upon that; + and here’s dinner, which is much more to the purpose.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly might have remonstrated against this summary dismissal of the + subject, notwithstanding the appearance of dinner, but at the mention of + Blue Beard Mrs Varden interposed, protesting she could not find it in her + conscience to sit tamely by, and hear her child recommended to peruse the + adventures of a Turk and Mussulman—far less of a fabulous Turk, + which she considered that potentate to be. She held that, in such stirring + and tremendous times as those in which they lived, it would be much more + to the purpose if Dolly became a regular subscriber to the Thunderer, + where she would have an opportunity of reading Lord George Gordon’s + speeches word for word, which would be a greater comfort and solace to + her, than a hundred and fifty Blue Beards ever could impart. She appealed + in support of this proposition to Miss Miggs, then in waiting, who said + that indeed the peace of mind she had derived from the perusal of that + paper generally, but especially of one article of the very last week as + ever was, entitled ‘Great Britain drenched in gore,’ exceeded all belief; + the same composition, she added, had also wrought such a comforting effect + on the mind of a married sister of hers, then resident at Golden Lion + Court, number twenty-sivin, second bell-handle on the right-hand + door-post, that, being in a delicate state of health, and in fact + expecting an addition to her family, she had been seized with fits + directly after its perusal, and had raved of the Inquisition ever since; + to the great improvement of her husband and friends. Miss Miggs went on to + say that she would recommend all those whose hearts were hardened to hear + Lord George themselves, whom she commended first, in respect of his steady + Protestantism, then of his oratory, then of his eyes, then of his nose, + then of his legs, and lastly of his figure generally, which she looked + upon as fit for any statue, prince, or angel, to which sentiment Mrs + Varden fully subscribed. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden having cut in, looked at a box upon the mantelshelf, painted in + imitation of a very red-brick dwelling-house, with a yellow roof; having + at top a real chimney, down which voluntary subscribers dropped their + silver, gold, or pence, into the parlour; and on the door the counterfeit + presentment of a brass plate, whereon was legibly inscribed ‘Protestant + Association:’—and looking at it, said, that it was to her a source + of poignant misery to think that Varden never had, of all his substance, + dropped anything into that temple, save once in secret—as she + afterwards discovered—two fragments of tobacco-pipe, which she hoped + would not be put down to his last account. That Dolly, she was grieved to + say, was no less backward in her contributions, better loving, as it + seemed, to purchase ribbons and such gauds, than to encourage the great + cause, then in such heavy tribulation; and that she did entreat her (her + father she much feared could not be moved) not to despise, but imitate, + the bright example of Miss Miggs, who flung her wages, as it were, into + the very countenance of the Pope, and bruised his features with her + quarter’s money. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, mim,’ said Miggs, ‘don’t relude to that. I had no intentions, mim, + that nobody should know. Such sacrifices as I can make, are quite a + widder’s mite. It’s all I have,’ cried Miggs with a great burst of tears—for + with her they never came on by degrees—‘but it’s made up to me in + other ways; it’s well made up.’ + </p> + <p> + This was quite true, though not perhaps in the sense that Miggs intended. + As she never failed to keep her self-denial full in Mrs Varden’s view, it + drew forth so many gifts of caps and gowns and other articles of dress, + that upon the whole the red-brick house was perhaps the best investment + for her small capital she could possibly have hit upon; returning her + interest, at the rate of seven or eight per cent in money, and fifty at + least in personal repute and credit. + </p> + <p> + ‘You needn’t cry, Miggs,’ said Mrs Varden, herself in tears; ‘you needn’t + be ashamed of it, though your poor mistress IS on the same side.’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs howled at this remark, in a peculiarly dismal way, and said she + knowed that master hated her. That it was a dreadful thing to live in + families and have dislikes, and not give satisfactions. That to make + divisions was a thing she could not abear to think of, neither could her + feelings let her do it. That if it was master’s wishes as she and him + should part, it was best they should part, and she hoped he might be the + happier for it, and always wished him well, and that he might find + somebody as would meet his dispositions. It would be a hard trial, she + said, to part from such a missis, but she could meet any suffering when + her conscience told her she was in the rights, and therefore she was + willing even to go that lengths. She did not think, she added, that she + could long survive the separations, but, as she was hated and looked upon + unpleasant, perhaps her dying as soon as possible would be the best + endings for all parties. With this affecting conclusion, Miss Miggs shed + more tears, and sobbed abundantly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you bear this, Varden?’ said his wife in a solemn voice, laying down + her knife and fork. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, not very well, my dear,’ rejoined the locksmith, ‘but I try to keep + my temper.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t let there be words on my account, mim,’ sobbed Miggs. ‘It’s much + the best that we should part. I wouldn’t stay—oh, gracious me!—and + make dissensions, not for a annual gold mine, and found in tea and sugar.’ + </p> + <p> + Lest the reader should be at any loss to discover the cause of Miss + Miggs’s deep emotion, it may be whispered apart that, happening to be + listening, as her custom sometimes was, when Gabriel and his wife + conversed together, she had heard the locksmith’s joke relative to the + foreign black who played the tambourine, and bursting with the spiteful + feelings which the taunt awoke in her fair breast, exploded in the manner + we have witnessed. Matters having now arrived at a crisis, the locksmith, + as usual, and for the sake of peace and quietness, gave in. + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you crying for, girl?’ he said. ‘What’s the matter with you? + What are you talking about hatred for? I don’t hate you; I don’t hate + anybody. Dry your eyes and make yourself agreeable, in Heaven’s name, and + let us all be happy while we can.’ + </p> + <p> + The allied powers deeming it good generalship to consider this a + sufficient apology on the part of the enemy, and confession of having been + in the wrong, did dry their eyes and take it in good part. Miss Miggs + observed that she bore no malice, no not to her greatest foe, whom she + rather loved the more indeed, the greater persecution she sustained. Mrs + Varden approved of this meek and forgiving spirit in high terms, and + incidentally declared as a closing article of agreement, that Dolly should + accompany her to the Clerkenwell branch of the association, that very + night. This was an extraordinary instance of her great prudence and + policy; having had this end in view from the first, and entertaining a + secret misgiving that the locksmith (who was bold when Dolly was in + question) would object, she had backed Miss Miggs up to this point, in + order that she might have him at a disadvantage. The manoeuvre succeeded + so well that Gabriel only made a wry face, and with the warning he had + just had, fresh in his mind, did not dare to say one word. + </p> + <p> + The difference ended, therefore, in Miggs being presented with a gown by + Mrs Varden and half-a-crown by Dolly, as if she had eminently + distinguished herself in the paths of morality and goodness. Mrs V., + according to custom, expressed her hope that Varden would take a lesson + from what had passed and learn more generous conduct for the time to come; + and the dinner being now cold and nobody’s appetite very much improved by + what had passed, they went on with it, as Mrs Varden said, ‘like + Christians.’ + </p> + <p> + As there was to be a grand parade of the Royal East London Volunteers that + afternoon, the locksmith did no more work; but sat down comfortably with + his pipe in his mouth, and his arm round his pretty daughter’s waist, + looking lovingly on Mrs V., from time to time, and exhibiting from the + crown of his head to the sole of his foot, one smiling surface of good + humour. And to be sure, when it was time to dress him in his regimentals, + and Dolly, hanging about him in all kinds of graceful winning ways, helped + to button and buckle and brush him up and get him into one of the tightest + coats that ever was made by mortal tailor, he was the proudest father in + all England. + </p> + <p> + ‘What a handy jade it is!’ said the locksmith to Mrs Varden, who stood by + with folded hands—rather proud of her husband too—while Miggs + held his cap and sword at arm’s length, as if mistrusting that the latter + might run some one through the body of its own accord; ‘but never marry a + soldier, Doll, my dear.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0191m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0191m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0191.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Dolly didn’t ask why not, or say a word, indeed, but stooped her head down + very low to tie his sash. + </p> + <p> + ‘I never wear this dress,’ said honest Gabriel, ‘but I think of poor Joe + Willet. I loved Joe; he was always a favourite of mine. Poor Joe!—Dear + heart, my girl, don’t tie me in so tight.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly laughed—not like herself at all—the strangest little + laugh that could be—and held her head down lower still. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor Joe!’ resumed the locksmith, muttering to himself; ‘I always wish he + had come to me. I might have made it up between them, if he had. Ah! old + John made a great mistake in his way of acting by that lad—a great + mistake.—Have you nearly tied that sash, my dear?’ + </p> + <p> + What an ill-made sash it was! There it was, loose again and trailing on + the ground. Dolly was obliged to kneel down, and recommence at the + beginning. + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind young Willet, Varden,’ said his wife frowning; ‘you might find + some one more deserving to talk about, I think.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs gave a great sniff to the same effect. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Martha,’ cried the locksmith, ‘don’t let us bear too hard upon him. + If the lad is dead indeed, we’ll deal kindly by his memory.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A runaway and a vagabond!’ said Mrs Varden. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs expressed her concurrence as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘A runaway, my dear, but not a vagabond,’ returned the locksmith in a + gentle tone. ‘He behaved himself well, did Joe—always—and was + a handsome, manly fellow. Don’t call him a vagabond, Martha.’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden coughed—and so did Miggs. + </p> + <p> + ‘He tried hard to gain your good opinion, Martha, I can tell you,’ said + the locksmith smiling, and stroking his chin. ‘Ah! that he did. It seems + but yesterday that he followed me out to the Maypole door one night, and + begged me not to say how like a boy they used him—say here, at home, + he meant, though at the time, I recollect, I didn’t understand. “And how’s + Miss Dolly, sir?” says Joe,’ pursued the locksmith, musing sorrowfully, + ‘Ah! Poor Joe!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, I declare,’ cried Miggs. ‘Oh! Goodness gracious me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the matter now?’ said Gabriel, turning sharply to her. +</p> + <p> +‘Why, if + here an’t Miss Dolly,’ said the handmaid, stooping down to look into her + face, ‘a-giving way to floods of tears. Oh mim! oh sir. Raly it’s give me + such a turn,’ cried the susceptible damsel, pressing her hand upon her + side to quell the palpitation of her heart, ‘that you might knock me down + with a feather.’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith, after glancing at Miss Miggs as if he could have wished to + have a feather brought straightway, looked on with a broad stare while + Dolly hurried away, followed by that sympathising young woman: then + turning to his wife, stammered out, ‘Is Dolly ill? Have I done anything? + Is it my fault?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your fault!’ cried Mrs V. reproachfully. ‘There—you had better make + haste out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have I done?’ said poor Gabriel. ‘It was agreed that Mr Edward’s + name was never to be mentioned, and I have not spoken of him, have I?’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden merely replied that she had no patience with him, and bounced + off after the other two. The unfortunate locksmith wound his sash about + him, girded on his sword, put on his cap, and walked out. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am not much of a dab at my exercise,’ he said under his breath, ‘but I + shall get into fewer scrapes at that work than at this. Every man came + into the world for something; my department seems to be to make every + woman cry without meaning it. It’s rather hard!’ + </p> + <p> + But he forgot it before he reached the end of the street, and went on with + a shining face, nodding to the neighbours, and showering about his + friendly greetings like mild spring rain. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0042" id="link2HCH0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 42 + </h2> + <p> + The Royal East London Volunteers made a brilliant sight that day: formed + into lines, squares, circles, triangles, and what not, to the beating of + drums, and the streaming of flags; and performed a vast number of complex + evolutions, in all of which Serjeant Varden bore a conspicuous share. + Having displayed their military prowess to the utmost in these warlike + shows, they marched in glittering order to the Chelsea Bun House, and + regaled in the adjacent taverns until dark. Then at sound of drum they + fell in again, and returned amidst the shouting of His Majesty’s lieges to + the place from whence they came. + </p> + <p> + The homeward march being somewhat tardy,—owing to the un-soldierlike + behaviour of certain corporals, who, being gentlemen of sedentary pursuits + in private life and excitable out of doors, broke several windows with + their bayonets, and rendered it imperative on the commanding officer to + deliver them over to a strong guard, with whom they fought at intervals as + they came along,—it was nine o’clock when the locksmith reached + home. A hackney-coach was waiting near his door; and as he passed it, Mr + Haredale looked from the window and called him by his name. + </p> + <p> + ‘The sight of you is good for sore eyes, sir,’ said the locksmith, + stepping up to him. ‘I wish you had walked in though, rather than waited + here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nobody at home, I find,’ Mr Haredale answered; ‘besides, I + desired to be as private as I could.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Humph!’ muttered the locksmith, looking round at his house. ‘Gone with + Simon Tappertit to that precious Branch, no doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale invited him to come into the coach, and, if he were not tired + or anxious to go home, to ride with him a little way that they might have + some talk together. Gabriel cheerfully complied, and the coachman mounting + his box drove off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden,’ said Mr Haredale, after a minute’s pause, ‘you will be amazed to + hear what errand I am on; it will seem a very strange one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have no doubt it’s a reasonable one, sir, and has a meaning in it,’ + replied the locksmith; ‘or it would not be yours at all. Have you just + come back to town, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But half an hour ago.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bringing no news of Barnaby, or his mother?’ said the locksmith + dubiously. ‘Ah! you needn’t shake your head, sir. It was a wild-goose + chase. I feared that, from the first. You exhausted all reasonable means + of discovery when they went away. To begin again after so long a time has + passed is hopeless, sir—quite hopeless.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where are they?’ he returned impatiently. ‘Where can they be? Above + ground?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘God knows,’ rejoined the locksmith, ‘many that I knew above it five years + ago, have their beds under the grass now. And the world is a wide place. + It’s a hopeless attempt, sir, believe me. We must leave the discovery of + this mystery, like all others, to time, and accident, and Heaven’s + pleasure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden, my good fellow,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘I have a deeper meaning in my + present anxiety to find them out, than you can fathom. It is not a mere + whim; it is not the casual revival of my old wishes and desires; but an + earnest, solemn purpose. My thoughts and dreams all tend to it, and fix it + in my mind. I have no rest by day or night; I have no peace or quiet; I am + haunted.’ + </p> + <p> + His voice was so altered from its usual tones, and his manner bespoke so + much emotion, that Gabriel, in his wonder, could only sit and look towards + him in the darkness, and fancy the expression of his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not ask me,’ continued Mr Haredale, ‘to explain myself. If I were to + do so, you would think me the victim of some hideous fancy. It is enough + that this is so, and that I cannot—no, I can not—lie quietly + in my bed, without doing what will seem to you incomprehensible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Since when, sir,’ said the locksmith after a pause, ‘has this uneasy + feeling been upon you?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale hesitated for some moments, and then replied: ‘Since the night + of the storm. In short, since the last nineteenth of March.’ + </p> + <p> + As though he feared that Varden might express surprise, or reason with + him, he hastily went on: + </p> + <p> + ‘You will think, I know, I labour under some delusion. Perhaps I do. But + it is not a morbid one; it is a wholesome action of the mind, reasoning on + actual occurrences. You know the furniture remains in Mrs Rudge’s house, + and that it has been shut up, by my orders, since she went away, save once + a-week or so, when an old neighbour visits it to scare away the rats. I am + on my way there now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For what purpose?’ asked the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘To pass the night there,’ he replied; ‘and not to-night alone, but many + nights. This is a secret which I trust to you in case of any unexpected + emergency. You will not come, unless in case of strong necessity, to me; + from dusk to broad day I shall be there. Emma, your daughter, and the + rest, suppose me out of London, as I have been until within this hour. Do + not undeceive them. This is the errand I am bound upon. I know I may + confide it to you, and I rely upon your questioning me no more at this + time.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, as if to change the theme, he led the astounded locksmith back + to the night of the Maypole highwayman, to the robbery of Edward Chester, + to the reappearance of the man at Mrs Rudge’s house, and to all the + strange circumstances which afterwards occurred. He even asked him + carelessly about the man’s height, his face, his figure, whether he was + like any one he had ever seen—like Hugh, for instance, or any man he + had known at any time—and put many questions of that sort, which the + locksmith, considering them as mere devices to engage his attention and + prevent his expressing the astonishment he felt, answered pretty much at + random. + </p> + <p> + At length, they arrived at the corner of the street in which the house + stood, where Mr Haredale, alighting, dismissed the coach. ‘If you desire + to see me safely lodged,’ he said, turning to the locksmith with a gloomy + smile, ‘you can.’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel, to whom all former marvels had been nothing in comparison with + this, followed him along the narrow pavement in silence. When they reached + the door, Mr Haredale softly opened it with a key he had about him, and + closing it when Varden entered, they were left in thorough darkness. + </p> + <p> + They groped their way into the ground-floor room. Here Mr Haredale struck + a light, and kindled a pocket taper he had brought with him for the + purpose. It was then, when the flame was full upon him, that the locksmith + saw for the first time how haggard, pale, and changed he looked; how worn + and thin he was; how perfectly his whole appearance coincided with all + that he had said so strangely as they rode along. It was not an unnatural + impulse in Gabriel, after what he had heard, to note curiously the + expression of his eyes. It was perfectly collected and rational;—so + much so, indeed, that he felt ashamed of his momentary suspicion, and + drooped his own when Mr Haredale looked towards him, as if he feared they + would betray his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you walk through the house?’ said Mr Haredale, with a glance towards + the window, the crazy shutters of which were closed and fastened. ‘Speak + low.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a kind of awe about the place, which would have rendered it + difficult to speak in any other manner. Gabriel whispered ‘Yes,’ and + followed him upstairs. + </p> + <p> + Everything was just as they had seen it last. There was a sense of + closeness from the exclusion of fresh air, and a gloom and heaviness + around, as though long imprisonment had made the very silence sad. The + homely hangings of the beds and windows had begun to droop; the dust lay + thick upon their dwindling folds; and damps had made their way through + ceiling, wall, and floor. The boards creaked beneath their tread, as if + resenting the unaccustomed intrusion; nimble spiders, paralysed by the + taper’s glare, checked the motion of their hundred legs upon the wall, or + dropped like lifeless things upon the ground; the death-watch ticked; and + the scampering feet of rats and mice rattled behind the wainscot. + </p> + <p> + As they looked about them on the decaying furniture, it was strange to + find how vividly it presented those to whom it had belonged, and with whom + it was once familiar. Grip seemed to perch again upon his high-backed + chair; Barnaby to crouch in his old favourite corner by the fire; the + mother to resume her usual seat, and watch him as of old. Even when they + could separate these objects from the phantoms of the mind which they + invoked, the latter only glided out of sight, but lingered near them + still; for then they seemed to lurk in closets and behind the doors, ready + to start out and suddenly accost them in well-remembered tones. + </p> + <p> + They went downstairs, and again into the room they had just now left. Mr + Haredale unbuckled his sword and laid it on the table, with a pair of + pocket pistols; then told the locksmith he would light him to the door. + </p> + <p> + ‘But this is a dull place, sir,’ said Gabriel lingering; ‘may no one share + your watch?’ + </p> + <p> + He shook his head, and so plainly evinced his wish to be alone, that + Gabriel could say no more. In another moment the locksmith was standing in + the street, whence he could see that the light once more travelled + upstairs, and soon returning to the room below, shone brightly through the + chinks of the shutters. + </p> + <p> + If ever man were sorely puzzled and perplexed, the locksmith was, that + night. Even when snugly seated by his own fireside, with Mrs Varden + opposite in a nightcap and night-jacket, and Dolly beside him (in a most + distracting dishabille) curling her hair, and smiling as if she had never + cried in all her life and never could—even then, with Toby at his + elbow and his pipe in his mouth, and Miggs (but that perhaps was not much) + falling asleep in the background, he could not quite discard his wonder + and uneasiness. So in his dreams—still there was Mr Haredale, + haggard and careworn, listening in the solitary house to every sound that + stirred, with the taper shining through the chinks until the day should + turn it pale and end his lonely watching. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0194m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0194m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0194.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0043" id="link2HCH0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 43 + </h2> + <p> + Next morning brought no satisfaction to the locksmith’s thoughts, nor next + day, nor the next, nor many others. Often after nightfall he entered the + street, and turned his eyes towards the well-known house; and as surely as + he did so, there was the solitary light, still gleaming through the + crevices of the window-shutter, while all within was motionless, + noiseless, cheerless, as a grave. Unwilling to hazard Mr Haredale’s favour + by disobeying his strict injunction, he never ventured to knock at the + door or to make his presence known in any way. But whenever strong + interest and curiosity attracted him to the spot—which was not + seldom—the light was always there. + </p> + <p> + If he could have known what passed within, the knowledge would have + yielded him no clue to this mysterious vigil. At twilight, Mr Haredale + shut himself up, and at daybreak he came forth. He never missed a night, + always came and went alone, and never varied his proceedings in the least + degree. + </p> + <p> + The manner of his watch was this. At dusk, he entered the house in the + same way as when the locksmith bore him company, kindled a light, went + through the rooms, and narrowly examined them. That done, he returned to + the chamber on the ground-floor, and laying his sword and pistols on the + table, sat by it until morning. + </p> + <p> + He usually had a book with him, and often tried to read, but never fixed + his eyes or thoughts upon it for five minutes together. The slightest + noise without doors, caught his ear; a step upon the pavement seemed to + make his heart leap. + </p> + <p> + He was not without some refreshment during the long lonely hours; + generally carrying in his pocket a sandwich of bread and meat, and a small + flask of wine. The latter diluted with large quantities of water, he drank + in a heated, feverish way, as though his throat were dried; but he + scarcely ever broke his fast, by so much as a crumb of bread. + </p> + <p> + If this voluntary sacrifice of sleep and comfort had its origin, as the + locksmith on consideration was disposed to think, in any superstitious + expectation of the fulfilment of a dream or vision connected with the + event on which he had brooded for so many years, and if he waited for some + ghostly visitor who walked abroad when men lay sleeping in their beds, he + showed no trace of fear or wavering. His stern features expressed + inflexible resolution; his brows were puckered, and his lips compressed, + with deep and settled purpose; and when he started at a noise and + listened, it was not with the start of fear but hope, and catching up his + sword as though the hour had come at last, he would clutch it in his + tight-clenched hand, and listen with sparkling eyes and eager looks, until + it died away. + </p> + <p> + These disappointments were numerous, for they ensued on almost every + sound, but his constancy was not shaken. Still, every night he was at his + post, the same stern, sleepless, sentinel; and still night passed, and + morning dawned, and he must watch again. + </p> + <p> + This went on for weeks; he had taken a lodging at Vauxhall in which to + pass the day and rest himself; and from this place, when the tide served, + he usually came to London Bridge from Westminster by water, in order that + he might avoid the busy streets. + </p> + <p> + One evening, shortly before twilight, he came his accustomed road upon the + river’s bank, intending to pass through Westminster Hall into Palace Yard, + and there take boat to London Bridge as usual. There was a pretty large + concourse of people assembled round the Houses of Parliament, looking at + the members as they entered and departed, and giving vent to rather noisy + demonstrations of approval or dislike, according to their known opinions. + As he made his way among the throng, he heard once or twice the No-Popery + cry, which was then becoming pretty familiar to the ears of most men; but + holding it in very slight regard, and observing that the idlers were of + the lowest grade, he neither thought nor cared about it, but made his way + along, with perfect indifference. + </p> + <p> + There were many little knots and groups of persons in Westminster Hall: + some few looking upward at its noble ceiling, and at the rays of evening + light, tinted by the setting sun, which streamed in aslant through its + small windows, and growing dimmer by degrees, were quenched in the + gathering gloom below; some, noisy passengers, mechanics going home from + work, and otherwise, who hurried quickly through, waking the echoes with + their voices, and soon darkening the small door in the distance, as they + passed into the street beyond; some, in busy conference together on + political or private matters, pacing slowly up and down with eyes that + sought the ground, and seeming, by their attitudes, to listen earnestly + from head to foot. Here, a dozen squabbling urchins made a very Babel in + the air; there, a solitary man, half clerk, half mendicant, paced up and + down with hungry dejection in his look and gait; at his elbow passed an + errand-lad, swinging his basket round and round, and with his shrill + whistle riving the very timbers of the roof; while a more observant + schoolboy, half-way through, pocketed his ball, and eyed the distant + beadle as he came looming on. It was that time of evening when, if you + shut your eyes and open them again, the darkness of an hour appears to + have gathered in a second. The smooth-worn pavement, dusty with footsteps, + still called upon the lofty walls to reiterate the shuffle and the tread + of feet unceasingly, save when the closing of some heavy door resounded + through the building like a clap of thunder, and drowned all other noises + in its rolling sound. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale, glancing only at such of these groups as he passed nearest + to, and then in a manner betokening that his thoughts were elsewhere, had + nearly traversed the Hall, when two persons before him caught his + attention. One of these, a gentleman in elegant attire, carried in his + hand a cane, which he twirled in a jaunty manner as he loitered on; the + other, an obsequious, crouching, fawning figure, listened to what he said—at + times throwing in a humble word himself—and, with his shoulders + shrugged up to his ears, rubbed his hands submissively, or answered at + intervals by an inclination of the head, half-way between a nod of + acquiescence, and a bow of most profound respect. + </p> + <p> + In the abstract there was nothing very remarkable in this pair, for + servility waiting on a handsome suit of clothes and a cane—not to + speak of gold and silver sticks, or wands of office—is common + enough. But there was that about the well-dressed man, yes, and about the + other likewise, which struck Mr Haredale with no pleasant feeling. He + hesitated, stopped, and would have stepped aside and turned out of his + path, but at the moment, the other two faced about quickly, and stumbled + upon him before he could avoid them. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman with the cane lifted his hat and had begun to tender an + apology, which Mr Haredale had begun as hastily to acknowledge and walk + away, when he stopped short and cried, ‘Haredale! Gad bless me, this is + strange indeed!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0196m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0196m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0196.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘It is,’ he returned impatiently; ‘yes—a—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend,’ cried the other, detaining him, ‘why such great speed? + One minute, Haredale, for the sake of old acquaintance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am in haste,’ he said. ‘Neither of us has sought this meeting. Let it + be a brief one. Good night!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fie, fie!’ replied Sir John (for it was he), ‘how very churlish! We were + speaking of you. Your name was on my lips—perhaps you heard me + mention it? No? I am sorry for that. I am really sorry.—You know our + friend here, Haredale? This is really a most remarkable meeting!’ + </p> + <p> + The friend, plainly very ill at ease, had made bold to press Sir John’s + arm, and to give him other significant hints that he was desirous of + avoiding this introduction. As it did not suit Sir John’s purpose, + however, that it should be evaded, he appeared quite unconscious of these + silent remonstrances, and inclined his hand towards him, as he spoke, to + call attention to him more particularly. + </p> + <p> + The friend, therefore, had nothing for it, but to muster up the + pleasantest smile he could, and to make a conciliatory bow, as Mr Haredale + turned his eyes upon him. Seeing that he was recognised, he put out his + hand in an awkward and embarrassed manner, which was not mended by its + contemptuous rejection. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Gashford!’ said Haredale, coldly. ‘It is as I have heard then. You + have left the darkness for the light, sir, and hate those whose opinions + you formerly held, with all the bitterness of a renegade. You are an + honour, sir, to any cause. I wish the one you espouse at present, much joy + of the acquisition it has made.’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary rubbed his hands and bowed, as though he would disarm his + adversary by humbling himself before him. Sir John Chester again + exclaimed, with an air of great gaiety, ‘Now, really, this is a most + remarkable meeting!’ and took a pinch of snuff with his usual + self-possession. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Haredale,’ said Gashford, stealthily raising his eyes, and letting + them drop again when they met the other’s steady gaze, ‘is too + conscientious, too honourable, too manly, I am sure, to attach unworthy + motives to an honest change of opinions, even though it implies a doubt of + those he holds himself. Mr Haredale is too just, too generous, too + clear-sighted in his moral vision, to—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir?’ he rejoined with a sarcastic smile, finding the secretary + stopped. ‘You were saying’— + </p> + <p> + Gashford meekly shrugged his shoulders, and looking on the ground again, + was silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, but let us really,’ interposed Sir John at this juncture, ‘let us + really, for a moment, contemplate the very remarkable character of this + meeting. Haredale, my dear friend, pardon me if I think you are not + sufficiently impressed with its singularity. Here we stand, by no previous + appointment or arrangement, three old schoolfellows, in Westminster Hall; + three old boarders in a remarkably dull and shady seminary at Saint + Omer’s, where you, being Catholics and of necessity educated out of + England, were brought up; and where I, being a promising young Protestant + at that time, was sent to learn the French tongue from a native of Paris!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Add to the singularity, Sir John,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘that some of you + Protestants of promise are at this moment leagued in yonder building, to + prevent our having the surpassing and unheard-of privilege of teaching our + children to read and write—here—in this land, where thousands + of us enter your service every year, and to preserve the freedom of which, + we die in bloody battles abroad, in heaps: and that others of you, to the + number of some thousands as I learn, are led on to look on all men of my + creed as wolves and beasts of prey, by this man Gashford. Add to it + besides the bare fact that this man lives in society, walks the streets in + broad day—I was about to say, holds up his head, but that he does + not—and it will be strange, and very strange, I grant you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! you are hard upon our friend,’ replied Sir John, with an engaging + smile. ‘You are really very hard upon our friend!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him go on, Sir John,’ said Gashford, fumbling with his gloves. ‘Let + him go on. I can make allowances, Sir John. I am honoured with your good + opinion, and I can dispense with Mr Haredale’s. Mr Haredale is a sufferer + from the penal laws, and I can’t expect his favour.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have so much of my favour, sir,’ retorted Mr Haredale, with a bitter + glance at the third party in their conversation, ‘that I am glad to see + you in such good company. You are the essence of your great Association, + in yourselves.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, there you mistake,’ said Sir John, in his most benignant way. ‘There—which + is a most remarkable circumstance for a man of your punctuality and + exactness, Haredale—you fall into error. I don’t belong to the body; + I have an immense respect for its members, but I don’t belong to it; + although I am, it is certainly true, the conscientious opponent of your + being relieved. I feel it my duty to be so; it is a most unfortunate + necessity; and cost me a bitter struggle.—Will you try this box? If + you don’t object to a trifling infusion of a very chaste scent, you’ll + find its flavour exquisite.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I ask your pardon, Sir John,’ said Mr Haredale, declining the proffer + with a motion of his hand, ‘for having ranked you among the humble + instruments who are obvious and in all men’s sight. I should have done + more justice to your genius. Men of your capacity plot in secrecy and + safety, and leave exposed posts to the duller wits.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t apologise, for the world,’ replied Sir John sweetly; ‘old friends + like you and I, may be allowed some freedoms, or the deuce is in it.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford, who had been very restless all this time, but had not once + looked up, now turned to Sir John, and ventured to mutter something to the + effect that he must go, or my lord would perhaps be waiting. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t distress yourself, good sir,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘I’ll take my + leave, and put you at your ease—’ which he was about to do without + ceremony, when he was stayed by a buzz and murmur at the upper end of the + hall, and, looking in that direction, saw Lord George Gordon coming in, + with a crowd of people round him. + </p> + <p> + There was a lurking look of triumph, though very differently expressed, in + the faces of his two companions, which made it a natural impulse on Mr + Haredale’s part not to give way before this leader, but to stand there + while he passed. He drew himself up and, clasping his hands behind him, + looked on with a proud and scornful aspect, while Lord George slowly + advanced (for the press was great about him) towards the spot where they + were standing. + </p> + <p> + He had left the House of Commons but that moment, and had come straight + down into the Hall, bringing with him, as his custom was, intelligence of + what had been said that night in reference to the Papists, and what + petitions had been presented in their favour, and who had supported them, + and when the bill was to be brought in, and when it would be advisable to + present their own Great Protestant petition. All this he told the persons + about him in a loud voice, and with great abundance of ungainly gesture. + Those who were nearest him made comments to each other, and vented threats + and murmurings; those who were outside the crowd cried, ‘Silence,’ and + ‘Stand back,’ or closed in upon the rest, endeavouring to make a forcible + exchange of places: and so they came driving on in a very disorderly and + irregular way, as it is the manner of a crowd to do. + </p> + <p> + When they were very near to where the secretary, Sir John, and Mr Haredale + stood, Lord George turned round and, making a few remarks of a + sufficiently violent and incoherent kind, concluded with the usual + sentiment, and called for three cheers to back it. While these were in the + act of being given with great energy, he extricated himself from the + press, and stepped up to Gashford’s side. Both he and Sir John being well + known to the populace, they fell back a little, and left the four standing + together. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Haredale, Lord George,’ said Sir John Chester, seeing that the + nobleman regarded him with an inquisitive look. ‘A Catholic gentleman + unfortunately—most unhappily a Catholic—but an esteemed + acquaintance of mine, and once of Mr Gashford’s. My dear Haredale, this is + Lord George Gordon.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should have known that, had I been ignorant of his lordship’s person,’ + said Mr Haredale. ‘I hope there is but one gentleman in England who, + addressing an ignorant and excited throng, would speak of a large body of + his fellow-subjects in such injurious language as I heard this moment. For + shame, my lord, for shame!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot talk to you, sir,’ replied Lord George in a loud voice, and + waving his hand in a disturbed and agitated manner; ‘we have nothing in + common.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We have much in common—many things—all that the Almighty gave + us,’ said Mr Haredale; ‘and common charity, not to say common sense and + common decency, should teach you to refrain from these proceedings. If + every one of those men had arms in their hands at this moment, as they + have them in their heads, I would not leave this place without telling you + that you disgrace your station.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t hear you, sir,’ he replied in the same manner as before; ‘I can’t + hear you. It is indifferent to me what you say. Don’t retort, Gashford,’ + for the secretary had made a show of wishing to do so; ‘I can hold no + communion with the worshippers of idols.’ + </p> + <p> + As he said this, he glanced at Sir John, who lifted his hands and + eyebrows, as if deploring the intemperate conduct of Mr Haredale, and + smiled in admiration of the crowd and of their leader. + </p> + <p> + ‘HE retort!’ cried Haredale. ‘Look you here, my lord. Do you know this + man?’ + </p> + <p> + Lord George replied by laying his hand upon the shoulder of his cringing + secretary, and viewing him with a smile of confidence. + </p> + <p> + ‘This man,’ said Mr Haredale, eyeing him from top to toe, ‘who in his + boyhood was a thief, and has been from that time to this, a servile, + false, and truckling knave: this man, who has crawled and crept through + life, wounding the hands he licked, and biting those he fawned upon: this + sycophant, who never knew what honour, truth, or courage meant; who robbed + his benefactor’s daughter of her virtue, and married her to break her + heart, and did it, with stripes and cruelty: this creature, who has whined + at kitchen windows for the broken food, and begged for halfpence at our + chapel doors: this apostle of the faith, whose tender conscience cannot + bear the altars where his vicious life was publicly denounced—Do you + know this man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, really—you are very, very hard upon our friend!’ exclaimed Sir + John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let Mr Haredale go on,’ said Gashford, upon whose unwholesome face the + perspiration had broken out during this speech, in blotches of wet; ‘I + don’t mind him, Sir John; it’s quite as indifferent to me what he says, as + it is to my lord. If he reviles my lord, as you have heard, Sir John, how + can I hope to escape?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it not enough, my lord,’ Mr Haredale continued, ‘that I, as good a + gentleman as you, must hold my property, such as it is, by a trick at + which the state connives because of these hard laws; and that we may not + teach our youth in schools the common principles of right and wrong; but + must we be denounced and ridden by such men as this! Here is a man to head + your No-Popery cry! For shame. For shame!’ + </p> + <p> + The infatuated nobleman had glanced more than once at Sir John Chester, as + if to inquire whether there was any truth in these statements concerning + Gashford, and Sir John had as often plainly answered by a shrug or look, + ‘Oh dear me! no.’ He now said, in the same loud key, and in the same + strange manner as before: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have nothing to say, sir, in reply, and no desire to hear anything + more. I beg you won’t obtrude your conversation, or these personal + attacks, upon me. I shall not be deterred from doing my duty to my country + and my countrymen, by any such attempts, whether they proceed from + emissaries of the Pope or not, I assure you. Come, Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + They had walked on a few paces while speaking, and were now at the + Hall-door, through which they passed together. Mr Haredale, without any + leave-taking, turned away to the river stairs, which were close at hand, + and hailed the only boatman who remained there. + </p> + <p> + But the throng of people—the foremost of whom had heard every word + that Lord George Gordon said, and among all of whom the rumour had been + rapidly dispersed that the stranger was a Papist who was bearding him for + his advocacy of the popular cause—came pouring out pell-mell, and, + forcing the nobleman, his secretary, and Sir John Chester on before them, + so that they appeared to be at their head, crowded to the top of the + stairs where Mr Haredale waited until the boat was ready, and there stood + still, leaving him on a little clear space by himself. + </p> + <p> + They were not silent, however, though inactive. At first some indistinct + mutterings arose among them, which were followed by a hiss or two, and + these swelled by degrees into a perfect storm. Then one voice said, ‘Down + with the Papists!’ and there was a pretty general cheer, but nothing more. + After a lull of a few moments, one man cried out, ‘Stone him;’ another, + ‘Duck him;’ another, in a stentorian voice, ‘No Popery!’ This favourite + cry the rest re-echoed, and the mob, which might have been two hundred + strong, joined in a general shout. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale had stood calmly on the brink of the steps, until they made + this demonstration, when he looked round contemptuously, and walked at a + slow pace down the stairs. He was pretty near the boat, when Gashford, as + if without intention, turned about, and directly afterwards a great stone + was thrown by some hand, in the crowd, which struck him on the head, and + made him stagger like a drunken man. + </p> + <p> + The blood sprung freely from the wound, and trickled down his coat. He + turned directly, and rushing up the steps with a boldness and passion + which made them all fall back, demanded: + </p> + <p> + ‘Who did that? Show me the man who hit me.’ + </p> + <p> + Not a soul moved; except some in the rear who slunk off, and, escaping to + the other side of the way, looked on like indifferent spectators. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who did that?’ he repeated. ‘Show me the man who did it. Dog, was it you? + It was your deed, if not your hand—I know you.’ + </p> + <p> + He threw himself on Gashford as he said the words, and hurled him to the + ground. There was a sudden motion in the crowd, and some laid hands upon + him, but his sword was out, and they fell off again. + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord—Sir John,’—he cried, ‘draw, one of you—you are + responsible for this outrage, and I look to you. Draw, if you are + gentlemen.’ With that he struck Sir John upon the breast with the flat of + his weapon, and with a burning face and flashing eyes stood upon his + guard; alone, before them all. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0200m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0200m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0200.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + For an instant, for the briefest space of time the mind can readily + conceive, there was a change in Sir John’s smooth face, such as no man + ever saw there. The next moment, he stepped forward, and laid one hand on + Mr Haredale’s arm, while with the other he endeavoured to appease the + crowd. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear friend, my good Haredale, you are blinded with passion—it’s + very natural, extremely natural—but you don’t know friends from + foes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know them all, sir, I can distinguish well—’ he retorted, almost + mad with rage. ‘Sir John, Lord George—do you hear me? Are you + cowards?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never mind, sir,’ said a man, forcing his way between and pushing him + towards the stairs with friendly violence, ‘never mind asking that. For + God’s sake, get away. What CAN you do against this number? And there are + as many more in the next street, who’ll be round directly,’—indeed + they began to pour in as he said the words—‘you’d be giddy from that + cut, in the first heat of a scuffle. Now do retire, sir, or take my word + for it you’ll be worse used than you would be if every man in the crowd + was a woman, and that woman Bloody Mary. Come, sir, make haste—as + quick as you can.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale, who began to turn faint and sick, felt how sensible this + advice was, and descended the steps with his unknown friend’s assistance. + John Grueby (for John it was) helped him into the boat, and giving her a + shove off, which sent her thirty feet into the tide, bade the waterman + pull away like a Briton; and walked up again as composedly as if he had + just landed. + </p> + <p> + There was at first a slight disposition on the part of the mob to resent + this interference; but John looking particularly strong and cool, and + wearing besides Lord George’s livery, they thought better of it, and + contented themselves with sending a shower of small missiles after the + boat, which plashed harmlessly in the water; for she had by this time + cleared the bridge, and was darting swiftly down the centre of the stream. + </p> + <p> + From this amusement, they proceeded to giving Protestant knocks at the + doors of private houses, breaking a few lamps, and assaulting some stray + constables. But, it being whispered that a detachment of Life Guards had + been sent for, they took to their heels with great expedition, and left + the street quite clear. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0044" id="link2HCH0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 44 + </h2> + <p> + When the concourse separated, and, dividing into chance clusters, drew off + in various directions, there still remained upon the scene of the late + disturbance, one man. This man was Gashford, who, bruised by his late + fall, and hurt in a much greater degree by the indignity he had undergone, + and the exposure of which he had been the victim, limped up and down, + breathing curses and threats of vengeance. + </p> + <p> + It was not the secretary’s nature to waste his wrath in words. While he + vented the froth of his malevolence in those effusions, he kept a steady + eye on two men, who, having disappeared with the rest when the alarm was + spread, had since returned, and were now visible in the moonlight, at no + great distance, as they walked to and fro, and talked together. + </p> + <p> + He made no move towards them, but waited patiently on the dark side of the + street, until they were tired of strolling backwards and forwards and + walked away in company. Then he followed, but at some distance: keeping + them in view, without appearing to have that object, or being seen by + them. + </p> + <p> + They went up Parliament Street, past Saint Martin’s church, and away by + Saint Giles’s to Tottenham Court Road, at the back of which, upon the + western side, was then a place called the Green Lanes. This was a retired + spot, not of the choicest kind, leading into the fields. Great heaps of + ashes; stagnant pools, overgrown with rank grass and duckweed; broken + turnstiles; and the upright posts of palings long since carried off for + firewood, which menaced all heedless walkers with their jagged and rusty + nails; were the leading features of the landscape: while here and there a + donkey, or a ragged horse, tethered to a stake, and cropping off a + wretched meal from the coarse stunted turf, were quite in keeping with the + scene, and would have suggested (if the houses had not done so, + sufficiently, of themselves) how very poor the people were who lived in + the crazy huts adjacent, and how foolhardy it might prove for one who + carried money, or wore decent clothes, to walk that way alone, unless by + daylight. + </p> + <p> + Poverty has its whims and shows of taste, as wealth has. Some of these + cabins were turreted, some had false windows painted on their rotten + walls; one had a mimic clock, upon a crazy tower of four feet high, which + screened the chimney; each in its little patch of ground had a rude seat + or arbour. The population dealt in bones, in rags, in broken glass, in old + wheels, in birds, and dogs. These, in their several ways of stowage, + filled the gardens; and shedding a perfume, not of the most delicious + nature, in the air, filled it besides with yelps, and screams, and + howling. + </p> + <p> + Into this retreat, the secretary followed the two men whom he had held in + sight; and here he saw them safely lodged, in one of the meanest houses, + which was but a room, and that of small dimensions. He waited without, + until the sound of their voices, joined in a discordant song, assured him + they were making merry; and then approaching the door, by means of a + tottering plank which crossed the ditch in front, knocked at it with his + hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Muster Gashford!’ said the man who opened it, taking his pipe from his + mouth, in evident surprise. ‘Why, who’d have thought of this here honour! + Walk in, Muster Gashford—walk in, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford required no second invitation, and entered with a gracious air. + There was a fire in the rusty grate (for though the spring was pretty far + advanced, the nights were cold), and on a stool beside it Hugh sat + smoking. Dennis placed a chair, his only one, for the secretary, in front + of the hearth; and took his seat again upon the stool he had left when he + rose to give the visitor admission. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s in the wind now, Muster Gashford?’ he said, as he resumed his + pipe, and looked at him askew. ‘Any orders from head-quarters? Are we + going to begin? What is it, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nothing, nothing,’ rejoined the secretary, with a friendly nod to + Hugh. ‘We have broken the ice, though. We had a little spurt to-day—eh, + Dennis?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A very little one,’ growled the hangman. ‘Not half enough for me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor me neither!’ cried Hugh. ‘Give us something to do with life in it—with + life in it, master. Ha, ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you wouldn’t,’ said the secretary, with his worst expression of + face, and in his mildest tones, ‘have anything to do, with—with + death in it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know that,’ replied Hugh. ‘I’m open to orders. I don’t care; not + I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor I!’ vociferated Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brave fellows!’ said the secretary, in as pastor-like a voice as if he + were commending them for some uncommon act of valour and generosity. ‘By + the bye’—and here he stopped and warmed his hands: then suddenly + looked up—‘who threw that stone to-day?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis coughed and shook his head, as who should say, ‘A mystery + indeed!’ Hugh sat and smoked in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was well done!’ said the secretary, warming his hands again. ‘I should + like to know that man.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you?’ said Dennis, after looking at his face to assure himself that + he was serious. ‘Would you like to know that man, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I should indeed,’ replied the secretary. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why then, Lord love you,’ said the hangman, in his hoarest chuckle, as he + pointed with his pipe to Hugh, ‘there he sits. That’s the man. My stars + and halters, Muster Gashford,’ he added in a whisper, as he drew his stool + close to him and jogged him with his elbow, ‘what a interesting blade he + is! He wants as much holding in as a thorough-bred bulldog. If it hadn’t + been for me to-day, he’d have had that ‘ere Roman down, and made a riot of + it, in another minute.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why not?’ cried Hugh in a surly voice, as he overheard this last + remark. ‘Where’s the good of putting things off? Strike while the iron’s + hot; that’s what I say.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ retorted Dennis, shaking his head, with a kind of pity for his + friend’s ingenuous youth; ‘but suppose the iron an’t hot, brother! You + must get people’s blood up afore you strike, and have ‘em in the humour. + There wasn’t quite enough to provoke ‘em to-day, I tell you. If you’d had + your way, you’d have spoilt the fun to come, and ruined us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dennis is quite right,’ said Gashford, smoothly. ‘He is perfectly + correct. Dennis has great knowledge of the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I ought to have, Muster Gashford, seeing what a many people I’ve helped + out of it, eh?’ grinned the hangman, whispering the words behind his hand. + </p> + <p> + The secretary laughed at this jest as much as Dennis could desire, and + when he had done, said, turning to Hugh: + </p> + <p> + ‘Dennis’s policy was mine, as you may have observed. You saw, for + instance, how I fell when I was set upon. I made no resistance. I did + nothing to provoke an outbreak. Oh dear no!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, by the Lord Harry!’ cried Dennis with a noisy laugh, ‘you went down + very quiet, Muster Gashford—and very flat besides. I thinks to + myself at the time “it’s all up with Muster Gashford!” I never see a man + lay flatter nor more still—with the life in him—than you did + to-day. He’s a rough ‘un to play with, is that ‘ere Papist, and that’s the + fact.’ + </p> + <p> + The secretary’s face, as Dennis roared with laughter, and turned his + wrinkled eyes on Hugh who did the like, might have furnished a study for + the devil’s picture. He sat quite silent until they were serious again, + and then said, looking round: + </p> + <p> + ‘We are very pleasant here; so very pleasant, Dennis, that but for my + lord’s particular desire that I should sup with him, and the time being + very near at hand, I should be inclined to stay, until it would be hardly + safe to go homeward. I come upon a little business—yes, I do—as + you supposed. It’s very flattering to you; being this. If we ever should + be obliged—and we can’t tell, you know—this is a very + uncertain world’— + </p> + <p> + ‘I believe you, Muster Gashford,’ interposed the hangman with a grave nod. + ‘The uncertainties as I’ve seen in reference to this here state of + existence, the unexpected contingencies as have come about!—Oh my + eye!’ Feeling the subject much too vast for expression, he puffed at his + pipe again, and looked the rest. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,’ resumed the secretary, in a slow, impressive way; ‘we can’t tell + what may come to pass; and if we should be obliged, against our wills, to + have recourse to violence, my lord (who has suffered terribly to-day, as + far as words can go) consigns to you two—bearing in mind my + recommendation of you both, as good staunch men, beyond all doubt and + suspicion—the pleasant task of punishing this Haredale. You may do + as you please with him, or his, provided that you show no mercy, and no + quarter, and leave no two beams of his house standing where the builder + placed them. You may sack it, burn it, do with it as you like, but it must + come down; it must be razed to the ground; and he, and all belonging to + him, left as shelterless as new-born infants whom their mothers have + exposed. Do you understand me?’ said Gashford, pausing, and pressing his + hands together gently. + </p> + <p> + ‘Understand you, master!’ cried Hugh. ‘You speak plain now. Why, this is + hearty!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew you would like it,’ said Gashford, shaking him by the hand; ‘I + thought you would. Good night! Don’t rise, Dennis: I would rather find my + way alone. I may have to make other visits here, and it’s pleasant to come + and go without disturbing you. I can find my way perfectly well. Good + night!’ + </p> + <p> + He was gone, and had shut the door behind him. They looked at each other, + and nodded approvingly: Dennis stirred up the fire. + </p> + <p> + ‘This looks a little more like business!’ he said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, indeed!’ cried Hugh; ‘this suits me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ve heerd it said of Muster Gashford,’ said the hangman, ‘that he’d a + surprising memory and wonderful firmness—that he never forgot, and + never forgave.—Let’s drink his health!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh readily complied—pouring no liquor on the floor when he drank + this toast—and they pledged the secretary as a man after their own + hearts, in a bumper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0045" id="link2HCH0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 45 + </h2> + <p> + While the worst passions of the worst men were thus working in the dark, + and the mantle of religion, assumed to cover the ugliest deformities, + threatened to become the shroud of all that was good and peaceful in + society, a circumstance occurred which once more altered the position of + two persons from whom this history has long been separated, and to whom it + must now return. + </p> + <p> + In a small English country town, the inhabitants of which supported + themselves by the labour of their hands in plaiting and preparing straw + for those who made bonnets and other articles of dress and ornament from + that material,—concealed under an assumed name, and living in a + quiet poverty which knew no change, no pleasures, and few cares but that + of struggling on from day to day in one great toil for bread,—dwelt + Barnaby and his mother. Their poor cottage had known no stranger’s foot + since they sought the shelter of its roof five years before; nor had they + in all that time held any commerce or communication with the old world + from which they had fled. To labour in peace, and devote her labour and + her life to her poor son, was all the widow sought. If happiness can be + said at any time to be the lot of one on whom a secret sorrow preys, she + was happy now. Tranquillity, resignation, and her strong love of him who + needed it so much, formed the small circle of her quiet joys; and while + that remained unbroken, she was contented. + </p> + <p> + For Barnaby himself, the time which had flown by, had passed him like the + wind. The daily suns of years had shed no brighter gleam of reason on his + mind; no dawn had broken on his long, dark night. He would sit sometimes—often + for days together on a low seat by the fire or by the cottage door, busy + at work (for he had learnt the art his mother plied), and listening, God + help him, to the tales she would repeat, as a lure to keep him in her + sight. He had no recollection of these little narratives; the tale of + yesterday was new to him upon the morrow; but he liked them at the moment; + and when the humour held him, would remain patiently within doors, hearing + her stories like a little child, and working cheerfully from sunrise until + it was too dark to see. + </p> + <p> + At other times,—and then their scanty earnings were barely + sufficient to furnish them with food, though of the coarsest sort,—he + would wander abroad from dawn of day until the twilight deepened into + night. Few in that place, even of the children, could be idle, and he had + no companions of his own kind. Indeed there were not many who could have + kept up with him in his rambles, had there been a legion. But there were a + score of vagabond dogs belonging to the neighbours, who served his purpose + quite as well. With two or three of these, or sometimes with a full + half-dozen barking at his heels, he would sally forth on some long + expedition that consumed the day; and though, on their return at + nightfall, the dogs would come home limping and sore-footed, and almost + spent with their fatigue, Barnaby was up and off again at sunrise with + some new attendants of the same class, with whom he would return in like + manner. On all these travels, Grip, in his little basket at his master’s + back, was a constant member of the party, and when they set off in fine + weather and in high spirits, no dog barked louder than the raven. + </p> + <p> + Their pleasures on these excursions were simple enough. A crust of bread + and scrap of meat, with water from the brook or spring, sufficed for their + repast. Barnaby’s enjoyments were, to walk, and run, and leap, till he was + tired; then to lie down in the long grass, or by the growing corn, or in + the shade of some tall tree, looking upward at the light clouds as they + floated over the blue surface of the sky, and listening to the lark as she + poured out her brilliant song. There were wild-flowers to pluck—the + bright red poppy, the gentle harebell, the cowslip, and the rose. There + were birds to watch; fish; ants; worms; hares or rabbits, as they darted + across the distant pathway in the wood and so were gone: millions of + living things to have an interest in, and lie in wait for, and clap hands + and shout in memory of, when they had disappeared. In default of these, or + when they wearied, there was the merry sunlight to hunt out, as it crept + in aslant through leaves and boughs of trees, and hid far down—deep, + deep, in hollow places—like a silver pool, where nodding branches + seemed to bathe and sport; sweet scents of summer air breathing over + fields of beans or clover; the perfume of wet leaves or moss; the life of + waving trees, and shadows always changing. When these or any of them + tired, or in excess of pleasing tempted him to shut his eyes, there was + slumber in the midst of all these soft delights, with the gentle wind + murmuring like music in his ears, and everything around melting into one + delicious dream. + </p> + <p> + Their hut—for it was little more—stood on the outskirts of the + town, at a short distance from the high road, but in a secluded place, + where few chance passengers strayed at any season of the year. It had a + plot of garden-ground attached, which Barnaby, in fits and starts of + working, trimmed, and kept in order. Within doors and without, his mother + laboured for their common good; and hail, rain, snow, or sunshine, found + no difference in her. + </p> + <p> + Though so far removed from the scenes of her past life, and with so little + thought or hope of ever visiting them again, she seemed to have a strange + desire to know what happened in the busy world. Any old newspaper, or + scrap of intelligence from London, she caught at with avidity. The + excitement it produced was not of a pleasurable kind, for her manner at + such times expressed the keenest anxiety and dread; but it never faded in + the least degree. Then, and in stormy winter nights, when the wind blew + loud and strong, the old expression came into her face, and she would be + seized with a fit of trembling, like one who had an ague. But Barnaby + noted little of this; and putting a great constraint upon herself, she + usually recovered her accustomed manner before the change had caught his + observation. + </p> + <p> + Grip was by no means an idle or unprofitable member of the humble + household. Partly by dint of Barnaby’s tuition, and partly by pursuing a + species of self-instruction common to his tribe, and exerting his powers + of observation to the utmost, he had acquired a degree of sagacity which + rendered him famous for miles round. His conversational powers and + surprising performances were the universal theme: and as many persons came + to see the wonderful raven, and none left his exertions unrewarded—when + he condescended to exhibit, which was not always, for genius is capricious—his + earnings formed an important item in the common stock. Indeed, the bird + himself appeared to know his value well; for though he was perfectly free + and unrestrained in the presence of Barnaby and his mother, he maintained + in public an amazing gravity, and never stooped to any other gratuitous + performances than biting the ankles of vagabond boys (an exercise in which + he much delighted), killing a fowl or two occasionally, and swallowing the + dinners of various neighbouring dogs, of whom the boldest held him in + great awe and dread. + </p> + <p> + Time had glided on in this way, and nothing had happened to disturb or + change their mode of life, when, one summer’s night in June, they were in + their little garden, resting from the labours of the day. The widow’s work + was yet upon her knee, and strewn upon the ground about her; and Barnaby + stood leaning on his spade, gazing at the brightness in the west, and + singing softly to himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘A brave evening, mother! If we had, chinking in our pockets, but a few + specks of that gold which is piled up yonder in the sky, we should be rich + for life.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are better as we are,’ returned the widow with a quiet smile. ‘Let us + be contented, and we do not want and need not care to have it, though it + lay shining at our feet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ said Barnaby, resting with crossed arms on his spade, and looking + wistfully at the sunset, ‘that’s well enough, mother; but gold’s a good + thing to have. I wish that I knew where to find it. Grip and I could do + much with gold, be sure of that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you do?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘What! A world of things. We’d dress finely—you and I, I mean; not + Grip—keep horses, dogs, wear bright colours and feathers, do no more + work, live delicately and at our ease. Oh, we’d find uses for it, mother, + and uses that would do us good. I would I knew where gold was buried. How + hard I’d work to dig it up!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not know,’ said his mother, rising from her seat and laying her + hand upon his shoulder, ‘what men have done to win it, and how they have + found, too late, that it glitters brightest at a distance, and turns quite + dim and dull when handled.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay; so you say; so you think,’ he answered, still looking eagerly in + the same direction. ‘For all that, mother, I should like to try.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you not see,’ she said, ‘how red it is? Nothing bears so many stains + of blood, as gold. Avoid it. None have such cause to hate its name as we + have. Do not so much as think of it, dear love. It has brought such misery + and suffering on your head and mine as few have known, and God grant few + may have to undergo. I would rather we were dead and laid down in our + graves, than you should ever come to love it.’ + </p> + <p> + For a moment Barnaby withdrew his eyes and looked at her with wonder. + Then, glancing from the redness in the sky to the mark upon his wrist as + if he would compare the two, he seemed about to question her with + earnestness, when a new object caught his wandering attention, and made + him quite forgetful of his purpose. + </p> + <p> + This was a man with dusty feet and garments, who stood, bare-headed, + behind the hedge that divided their patch of garden from the pathway, and + leant meekly forward as if he sought to mingle with their conversation, + and waited for his time to speak. His face was turned towards the + brightness, too, but the light that fell upon it showed that he was blind, + and saw it not. + </p> + <p> + ‘A blessing on those voices!’ said the wayfarer. ‘I feel the beauty of the + night more keenly, when I hear them. They are like eyes to me. Will they + speak again, and cheer the heart of a poor traveller?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you no guide?’ asked the widow, after a moment’s pause. + </p> + <p> + ‘None but that,’ he answered, pointing with his staff towards the sun; + ‘and sometimes a milder one at night, but she is idle now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you travelled far?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A weary way and long,’ rejoined the traveller as he shook his head. ‘A + weary, weary, way. I struck my stick just now upon the bucket of your well—be + pleased to let me have a draught of water, lady.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you call me lady?’ she returned. ‘I am as poor as you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your speech is soft and gentle, and I judge by that,’ replied the man. + ‘The coarsest stuffs and finest silks, are—apart from the sense of + touch—alike to me. I cannot judge you by your dress.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come round this way,’ said Barnaby, who had passed out at the garden-gate + and now stood close beside him. ‘Put your hand in mine. You’re blind and + always in the dark, eh? Are you frightened in the dark? Do you see great + crowds of faces, now? Do they grin and chatter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Alas!’ returned the other, ‘I see nothing. Waking or sleeping, nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby looked curiously at his eyes, and touching them with his fingers, + as an inquisitive child might, led him towards the house. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have come a long distance,’ said the widow, meeting him at the door. + ‘How have you found your way so far?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Use and necessity are good teachers, as I have heard—the best of + any,’ said the blind man, sitting down upon the chair to which Barnaby had + led him, and putting his hat and stick upon the red-tiled floor. ‘May + neither you nor your son ever learn under them. They are rough masters.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have wandered from the road, too,’ said the widow, in a tone of pity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Maybe, maybe,’ returned the blind man with a sigh, and yet with something + of a smile upon his face, ‘that’s likely. Handposts and milestones are + dumb, indeed, to me. Thank you the more for this rest, and this refreshing + drink!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he raised the mug of water to his mouth. It was clear, and + cold, and sparkling, but not to his taste nevertheless, or his thirst was + not very great, for he only wetted his lips and put it down again. + </p> + <p> + He wore, hanging with a long strap round his neck, a kind of scrip or + wallet, in which to carry food. The widow set some bread and cheese before + him, but he thanked her, and said that through the kindness of the + charitable he had broken his fast once since morning, and was not hungry. + When he had made her this reply, he opened his wallet, and took out a few + pence, which was all it appeared to contain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Might I make bold to ask,’ he said, turning towards where Barnaby stood + looking on, ‘that one who has the gift of sight, would lay this out for me + in bread to keep me on my way? Heaven’s blessing on the young feet that + will bestir themselves in aid of one so helpless as a sightless man!’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby looked at his mother, who nodded assent; in another moment he was + gone upon his charitable errand. The blind man sat listening with an + attentive face, until long after the sound of his retreating footsteps was + inaudible to the widow, and then said, suddenly, and in a very altered + tone: + </p> + <p> + ‘There are various degrees and kinds of blindness, widow. There is the + connubial blindness, ma’am, which perhaps you may have observed in the + course of your own experience, and which is a kind of wilful and + self-bandaging blindness. There is the blindness of party, ma’am, and + public men, which is the blindness of a mad bull in the midst of a + regiment of soldiers clothed in red. There is the blind confidence of + youth, which is the blindness of young kittens, whose eyes have not yet + opened on the world; and there is that physical blindness, ma’am, of which + I am, contrairy to my own desire, a most illustrious example. Added to + these, ma’am, is that blindness of the intellect, of which we have a + specimen in your interesting son, and which, having sometimes glimmerings + and dawnings of the light, is scarcely to be trusted as a total darkness. + Therefore, ma’am, I have taken the liberty to get him out of the way for a + short time, while you and I confer together, and this precaution arising + out of the delicacy of my sentiments towards yourself, you will excuse me, + ma’am, I know.’ + </p> + <p> + Having delivered himself of this speech with many flourishes of manner, he + drew from beneath his coat a flat stone bottle, and holding the cork + between his teeth, qualified his mug of water with a plentiful infusion of + the liquor it contained. He politely drained the bumper to her health, and + the ladies, and setting it down empty, smacked his lips with infinite + relish. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am a citizen of the world, ma’am,’ said the blind man, corking his + bottle, ‘and if I seem to conduct myself with freedom, it is therefore. + You wonder who I am, ma’am, and what has brought me here. Such experience + of human nature as I have, leads me to that conclusion, without the aid of + eyes by which to read the movements of your soul as depicted in your + feminine features. I will satisfy your curiosity immediately, ma’am; + immediately.’ With that he slapped his bottle on its broad back, and + having put it under his garment as before, crossed his legs and folded his + hands, and settled himself in his chair, previous to proceeding any + further. + </p> + <p> + The change in his manner was so unexpected, the craft and wickedness of + his deportment were so much aggravated by his condition—for we are + accustomed to see in those who have lost a human sense, something in its + place almost divine—and this alteration bred so many fears in her + whom he addressed, that she could not pronounce one word. After waiting, + as it seemed, for some remark or answer, and waiting in vain, the visitor + resumed: + </p> + <p> + ‘Madam, my name is Stagg. A friend of mine who has desired the honour of + meeting with you any time these five years past, has commissioned me to + call upon you. I should be glad to whisper that gentleman’s name in your + ear.—Zounds, ma’am, are you deaf? Do you hear me say that I should + be glad to whisper my friend’s name in your ear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You need not repeat it,’ said the widow, with a stifled groan; ‘I see too + well from whom you come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But as a man of honour, ma’am,’ said the blind man, striking himself on + the breast, ‘whose credentials must not be disputed, I take leave to say + that I WILL mention that gentleman’s name. Ay, ay,’ he added, seeming to + catch with his quick ear the very motion of her hand, ‘but not aloud. With + your leave, ma’am, I desire the favour of a whisper.’ + </p> + <p> + She moved towards him, and stooped down. He muttered a word in her ear; + and, wringing her hands, she paced up and down the room like one + distracted. The blind man, with perfect composure, produced his bottle + again, mixed another glassful; put it up as before; and, drinking from + time to time, followed her with his face in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are slow in conversation, widow,’ he said after a time, pausing in + his draught. ‘We shall have to talk before your son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you have me do?’ she answered. ‘What do you want?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We are poor, widow, we are poor,’ he retorted, stretching out his right + hand, and rubbing his thumb upon its palm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Poor!’ she cried. ‘And what am I?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Comparisons are odious,’ said the blind man. ‘I don’t know, I don’t care. + I say that we are poor. My friend’s circumstances are indifferent, and so + are mine. We must have our rights, widow, or we must be bought off. But + you know that, as well as I, so where is the use of talking?’ + </p> + <p> + She still walked wildly to and fro. At length, stopping abruptly before + him, she said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is he near here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is. Close at hand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then I am lost!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not lost, widow,’ said the blind man, calmly; ‘only found. Shall I call + him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not for the world,’ she answered, with a shudder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ he replied, crossing his legs again, for he had made as + though he would rise and walk to the door. ‘As you please, widow. His + presence is not necessary that I know of. But both he and I must live; to + live, we must eat and drink; to eat and drink, we must have money:—I + say no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know how pinched and destitute I am?’ she retorted. ‘I do not + think you do, or can. If you had eyes, and could look around you on this + poor place, you would have pity on me. Oh! let your heart be softened by + your own affliction, friend, and have some sympathy with mine.’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man snapped his fingers as he answered: + </p> + <p> + ‘—Beside the question, ma’am, beside the question. I have the + softest heart in the world, but I can’t live upon it. Many a gentleman + lives well upon a soft head, who would find a heart of the same quality a + very great drawback. Listen to me. This is a matter of business, with + which sympathies and sentiments have nothing to do. As a mutual friend, I + wish to arrange it in a satisfactory manner, if possible; and thus the + case stands.—If you are very poor now, it’s your own choice. You + have friends who, in case of need, are always ready to help you. My friend + is in a more destitute and desolate situation than most men, and, you and + he being linked together in a common cause, he naturally looks to you to + assist him. He has boarded and lodged with me a long time (for as I said + just now, I am very soft-hearted), and I quite approve of his entertaining + this opinion. You have always had a roof over your head; he has always + been an outcast. You have your son to comfort and assist you; he has + nobody at all. The advantages must not be all one side. You are in the + same boat, and we must divide the ballast a little more equally.’ + </p> + <p> + She was about to speak, but he checked her, and went on. + </p> + <p> + ‘The only way of doing this, is by making up a little purse now and then + for my friend; and that’s what I advise. He bears you no malice that I + know of, ma’am: so little, that although you have treated him harshly more + than once, and driven him, I may say, out of doors, he has that regard for + you that I believe even if you disappointed him now, he would consent to + take charge of your son, and to make a man of him.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0207m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0207m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0207.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He laid a great stress on these latter words, and paused as if to find out + what effect they had produced. She only answered by her tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is a likely lad,’ said the blind man, thoughtfully, ‘for many + purposes, and not ill-disposed to try his fortune in a little change and + bustle, if I may judge from what I heard of his talk with you to-night.—Come. + In a word, my friend has pressing necessity for twenty pounds. You, who + can give up an annuity, can get that sum for him. It’s a pity you should + be troubled. You seem very comfortable here, and it’s worth that much to + remain so. Twenty pounds, widow, is a moderate demand. You know where to + apply for it; a post will bring it you.—Twenty pounds!’ + </p> + <p> + She was about to answer him again, but again he stopped her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t say anything hastily; you might be sorry for it. Think of it a + little while. Twenty pounds—of other people’s money—how easy! + Turn it over in your mind. I’m in no hurry. Night’s coming on, and if I + don’t sleep here, I shall not go far. Twenty pounds! Consider of it, + ma’am, for twenty minutes; give each pound a minute; that’s a fair + allowance. I’ll enjoy the air the while, which is very mild and pleasant + in these parts.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0209m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0209m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0209.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + With these words he groped his way to the door, carrying his chair with + him. Then seating himself, under a spreading honeysuckle, and stretching + his legs across the threshold so that no person could pass in or out + without his knowledge, he took from his pocket a pipe, flint, steel and + tinder-box, and began to smoke. It was a lovely evening, of that gentle + kind, and at that time of year, when the twilight is most beautiful. + Pausing now and then to let his smoke curl slowly off, and to sniff the + grateful fragrance of the flowers, he sat there at his ease—as + though the cottage were his proper dwelling, and he had held undisputed + possession of it all his life—waiting for the widow’s answer and for + Barnaby’s return. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0213m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0213m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0213.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0046" id="link2HCH0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 46 + </h2> + <p> + When Barnaby returned with the bread, the sight of the pious old pilgrim + smoking his pipe and making himself so thoroughly at home, appeared to + surprise even him; the more so, as that worthy person, instead of putting + up the loaf in his wallet as a scarce and precious article, tossed it + carelessly on the table, and producing his bottle, bade him sit down and + drink. + </p> + <p> + ‘For I carry some comfort, you see,’ he said. ‘Taste that. Is it good?’ + </p> + <p> + The water stood in Barnaby’s eyes as he coughed from the strength of the + draught, and answered in the affirmative. + </p> + <p> + ‘Drink some more,’ said the blind man; ‘don’t be afraid of it. You don’t + taste anything like that, often, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Often!’ cried Barnaby. ‘Never!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Too poor?’ returned the blind man with a sigh. ‘Ay. That’s bad. Your + mother, poor soul, would be happier if she was richer, Barnaby.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, so I tell her—the very thing I told her just before you came + to-night, when all that gold was in the sky,’ said Barnaby, drawing his + chair nearer to him, and looking eagerly in his face. ‘Tell me. Is there + any way of being rich, that I could find out?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Any way! A hundred ways.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay?’ he returned. ‘Do you say so? What are they?—Nay, mother, + it’s for your sake I ask; not mine;—for yours, indeed. What are + they?’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man turned his face, on which there was a smile of triumph, to + where the widow stood in great distress; and answered, + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, they are not to be found out by stay-at-homes, my good friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By stay-at-homes!’ cried Barnaby, plucking at his sleeve. ‘But I am not + one. Now, there you mistake. I am often out before the sun, and travel + home when he has gone to rest. I am away in the woods before the day has + reached the shady places, and am often there when the bright moon is + peeping through the boughs, and looking down upon the other moon that + lives in the water. As I walk along, I try to find, among the grass and + moss, some of that small money for which she works so hard and used to + shed so many tears. As I lie asleep in the shade, I dream of it—dream + of digging it up in heaps; and spying it out, hidden under bushes; and + seeing it sparkle, as the dew-drops do, among the leaves. But I never find + it. Tell me where it is. I’d go there, if the journey were a whole year + long, because I know she would be happier when I came home and brought + some with me. Speak again. I’ll listen to you if you talk all night.’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man passed his hand lightly over the poor fellow’s face, and + finding that his elbows were planted on the table, that his chin rested on + his two hands, that he leaned eagerly forward, and that his whole manner + expressed the utmost interest and anxiety, paused for a minute as though + he desired the widow to observe this fully, and then made answer: + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s in the world, bold Barnaby, the merry world; not in solitary places + like those you pass your time in, but in crowds, and where there’s noise + and rattle.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good! good!’ cried Barnaby, rubbing his hands. ‘Yes! I love that. Grip + loves it too. It suits us both. That’s brave!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—The kind of places,’ said the blind man, ‘that a young fellow + likes, and in which a good son may do more for his mother, and himself to + boot, in a month, than he could here in all his life—that is, if he + had a friend, you know, and some one to advise with.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear this, mother?’ cried Barnaby, turning to her with delight. + ‘Never tell me we shouldn’t heed it, if it lay shining at our feet. Why do + we heed it so much now? Why do you toil from morning until night?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely,’ said the blind man, ‘surely. Have you no answer, widow? Is your + mind,’ he slowly added, ‘not made up yet?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me speak with you,’ she answered, ‘apart.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lay your hand upon my sleeve,’ said Stagg, arising from the table; ‘and + lead me where you will. Courage, bold Barnaby. We’ll talk more of this: + I’ve a fancy for you. Wait there till I come back. Now, widow.’ + </p> + <p> + She led him out at the door, and into the little garden, where they + stopped. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are a fit agent,’ she said, in a half breathless manner, ‘and well + represent the man who sent you here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell him that you said so,’ Stagg retorted. ‘He has a regard for + you, and will respect me the more (if possible) for your praise. We must + have our rights, widow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Rights! Do you know,’ she said, ‘that a word from me—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why do you stop?’ returned the blind man calmly, after a long pause. ‘Do + I know that a word from you would place my friend in the last position of + the dance of life? Yes, I do. What of that? It will never be spoken, + widow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are sure of that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite—so sure, that I don’t come here to discuss the question. I + say we must have our rights, or we must be bought off. Keep to that point, + or let me return to my young friend, for I have an interest in the lad, + and desire to put him in the way of making his fortune. Bah! you needn’t + speak,’ he added hastily; ‘I know what you would say: you have hinted at + it once already. Have I no feeling for you, because I am blind? No, I have + not. Why do you expect me, being in darkness, to be better than men who + have their sight—why should you? Is the hand of Heaven more manifest + in my having no eyes, than in your having two? It’s the cant of you folks + to be horrified if a blind man robs, or lies, or steals; oh yes, it’s far + worse in him, who can barely live on the few halfpence that are thrown to + him in streets, than in you, who can see, and work, and are not dependent + on the mercies of the world. A curse on you! You who have five senses may + be wicked at your pleasure; we who have four, and want the most important, + are to live and be moral on our affliction. The true charity and justice + of rich to poor, all the world over!’ + </p> + <p> + He paused a moment when he had said these words, and caught the sound of + money, jingling in her hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well?’ he cried, quickly resuming his former manner. ‘That should lead to + something. The point, widow?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘First answer me one question,’ she replied. ‘You say he is close at hand. + Has he left London?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Being close at hand, widow, it would seem he has,’ returned the blind + man. + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean, for good? You know that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, for good. The truth is, widow, that his making a longer stay there + might have had disagreeable consequences. He has come away for that + reason.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen,’ said the widow, telling some money out, upon a bench beside + them. ‘Count.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Six,’ said the blind man, listening attentively. ‘Any more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are the savings,’ she answered, ‘of five years. Six guineas.’ + </p> + <p> + He put out his hand for one of the coins; felt it carefully, put it + between his teeth, rung it on the bench; and nodded to her to proceed. + </p> + <p> + ‘These have been scraped together and laid by, lest sickness or death + should separate my son and me. They have been purchased at the price of + much hunger, hard labour, and want of rest. If you CAN take them—do—on + condition that you leave this place upon the instant, and enter no more + into that room, where he sits now, expecting your return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Six guineas,’ said the blind man, shaking his head, ‘though of the + fullest weight that were ever coined, fall very far short of twenty + pounds, widow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For such a sum, as you know, I must write to a distant part of the + country. To do that, and receive an answer, I must have time.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Two days?’ said Stagg. + </p> + <p> + ‘More.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Four days?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A week. Return on this day week, at the same hour, but not to the house. + Wait at the corner of the lane.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course,’ said the blind man, with a crafty look, ‘I shall find you + there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where else can I take refuge? Is it not enough that you have made a + beggar of me, and that I have sacrificed my whole store, so hardly earned, + to preserve this home?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Humph!’ said the blind man, after some consideration. ‘Set me with my + face towards the point you speak of, and in the middle of the road. Is + this the spot?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On this day week at sunset. And think of him within doors.—For the + present, good night.’ + </p> + <p> + She made him no answer, nor did he stop for any. He went slowly away, + turning his head from time to time, and stopping to listen, as if he were + curious to know whether he was watched by any one. The shadows of night + were closing fast around, and he was soon lost in the gloom. It was not, + however, until she had traversed the lane from end to end, and made sure + that he was gone, that she re-entered the cottage, and hurriedly barred + the door and window. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother!’ said Barnaby. ‘What is the matter? Where is the blind man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is gone.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Gone!’ he cried, starting up. ‘I must have more talk with him. Which way + did he take?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know,’ she answered, folding her arms about him. ‘You must not go + out to-night. There are ghosts and dreams abroad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay?’ said Barnaby, in a frightened whisper. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not safe to stir. We must leave this place to-morrow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This place! This cottage—and the little garden, mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes! To-morrow morning at sunrise. We must travel to London; lose + ourselves in that wide place—there would be some trace of us in any + other town—then travel on again, and find some new abode.’ + </p> + <p> + Little persuasion was required to reconcile Barnaby to anything that + promised change. In another minute, he was wild with delight; in another, + full of grief at the prospect of parting with his friends the dogs; in + another, wild again; then he was fearful of what she had said to prevent + his wandering abroad that night, and full of terrors and strange + questions. His light-heartedness in the end surmounted all his other + feelings, and lying down in his clothes to the end that he might be ready + on the morrow, he soon fell fast asleep before the poor turf fire. + </p> + <p> + His mother did not close her eyes, but sat beside him, watching. Every + breath of wind sounded in her ears like that dreaded footstep at the door, + or like that hand upon the latch, and made the calm summer night, a night + of horror. At length the welcome day appeared. When she had made the + little preparations which were needful for their journey, and had prayed + upon her knees with many tears, she roused Barnaby, who jumped up gaily at + her summons. + </p> + <p> + His clothes were few enough, and to carry Grip was a labour of love. As + the sun shed his earliest beams upon the earth, they closed the door of + their deserted home, and turned away. The sky was blue and bright. The air + was fresh and filled with a thousand perfumes. Barnaby looked upward, and + laughed with all his heart. + </p> + <p> + But it was a day he usually devoted to a long ramble, and one of the dogs—the + ugliest of them all—came bounding up, and jumping round him in the + fulness of his joy. He had to bid him go back in a surly tone, and his + heart smote him while he did so. The dog retreated; turned with a + half-incredulous, half-imploring look; came a little back; and stopped. + </p> + <p> + It was the last appeal of an old companion and a faithful friend—cast + off. Barnaby could bear no more, and as he shook his head and waved his + playmate home, he burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh mother, mother, how mournful he will be when he scratches at the door, + and finds it always shut!’ + </p> + <p> + There was such a sense of home in the thought, that though her own eyes + overflowed she would not have obliterated the recollection of it, either + from her own mind or from his, for the wealth of the whole wide world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0047" id="link2HCH0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 47 + </h2> + <p> + In the exhaustless catalogue of Heaven’s mercies to mankind, the power we + have of finding some germs of comfort in the hardest trials must ever + occupy the foremost place; not only because it supports and upholds us + when we most require to be sustained, but because in this source of + consolation there is something, we have reason to believe, of the divine + spirit; something of that goodness which detects amidst our own evil + doings, a redeeming quality; something which, even in our fallen nature, + we possess in common with the angels; which had its being in the old time + when they trod the earth, and lingers on it yet, in pity. + </p> + <p> + How often, on their journey, did the widow remember with a grateful heart, + that out of his deprivation Barnaby’s cheerfulness and affection sprung! + How often did she call to mind that but for that, he might have been + sullen, morose, unkind, far removed from her—vicious, perhaps, and + cruel! How often had she cause for comfort, in his strength, and hope, and + in his simple nature! Those feeble powers of mind which rendered him so + soon forgetful of the past, save in brief gleams and flashes,—even + they were a comfort now. The world to him was full of happiness; in every + tree, and plant, and flower, in every bird, and beast, and tiny insect + whom a breath of summer wind laid low upon the ground, he had delight. His + delight was hers; and where many a wise son would have made her sorrowful, + this poor light-hearted idiot filled her breast with thankfulness and + love. + </p> + <p> + Their stock of money was low, but from the hoard she had told into the + blind man’s hand, the widow had withheld one guinea. This, with the few + pence she possessed besides, was to two persons of their frugal habits, a + goodly sum in bank. Moreover they had Grip in company; and when they must + otherwise have changed the guinea, it was but to make him exhibit outside + an alehouse door, or in a village street, or in the grounds or gardens of + a mansion of the better sort, and scores who would have given nothing in + charity, were ready to bargain for more amusement from the talking bird. + </p> + <p> + One day—for they moved slowly, and although they had many rides in + carts and waggons, were on the road a week—Barnaby, with Grip upon + his shoulder and his mother following, begged permission at a trim lodge + to go up to the great house, at the other end of the avenue, and show his + raven. The man within was inclined to give them admittance, and was indeed + about to do so, when a stout gentleman with a long whip in his hand, and a + flushed face which seemed to indicate that he had had his morning’s + draught, rode up to the gate, and called in a loud voice and with more + oaths than the occasion seemed to warrant to have it opened directly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who hast thou got here?’ said the gentleman angrily, as the man threw the + gate wide open, and pulled off his hat, ‘who are these? Eh? art a beggar, + woman?’ + </p> + <p> + The widow answered with a curtsey, that they were poor travellers. + </p> + <p> + ‘Vagrants,’ said the gentleman, ‘vagrants and vagabonds. Thee wish to be + made acquainted with the cage, dost thee—the cage, the stocks, and + the whipping-post? Where dost come from?’ + </p> + <p> + She told him in a timid manner,—for he was very loud, hoarse, and + red-faced,—and besought him not to be angry, for they meant no harm, + and would go upon their way that moment. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be too sure of that,’ replied the gentleman, ‘we don’t allow + vagrants to roam about this place. I know what thou want’st—stray + linen drying on hedges, and stray poultry, eh? What hast got in that + basket, lazy hound?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Grip, Grip, Grip—Grip the clever, Grip the wicked, Grip the knowing—Grip, + Grip, Grip,’ cried the raven, whom Barnaby had shut up on the approach of + this stern personage. ‘I’m a devil I’m a devil I’m a devil, Never say die + Hurrah Bow wow wow, Polly put the kettle on we’ll all have tea.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Take the vermin out, scoundrel,’ said the gentleman, ‘and let me see + him.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, thus condescendingly addressed, produced his bird, but not + without much fear and trembling, and set him down upon the ground; which + he had no sooner done than Grip drew fifty corks at least, and then began + to dance; at the same time eyeing the gentleman with surprising insolence + of manner, and screwing his head so much on one side that he appeared + desirous of screwing it off upon the spot. + </p> + <p> + The cork-drawing seemed to make a greater impression on the gentleman’s + mind, than the raven’s power of speech, and was indeed particularly + adapted to his habits and capacity. He desired to have that done again, + but despite his being very peremptory, and notwithstanding that Barnaby + coaxed to the utmost, Grip turned a deaf ear to the request, and preserved + a dead silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Bring him along,’ said the gentleman, pointing to the house. But Grip, + who had watched the action, anticipated his master, by hopping on before + them;—constantly flapping his wings, and screaming ‘cook!’ + meanwhile, as a hint perhaps that there was company coming, and a small + collation would be acceptable. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby and his mother walked on, on either side of the gentleman on + horseback, who surveyed each of them from time to time in a proud and + coarse manner, and occasionally thundered out some question, the tone of + which alarmed Barnaby so much that he could find no answer, and, as a + matter of course, could make him no reply. On one of these occasions, when + the gentleman appeared disposed to exercise his horsewhip, the widow + ventured to inform him in a low voice and with tears in her eyes, that her + son was of weak mind. + </p> + <p> + ‘An idiot, eh?’ said the gentleman, looking at Barnaby as he spoke. ‘And + how long hast thou been an idiot?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She knows,’ was Barnaby’s timid answer, pointing to his mother—‘I—always, + I believe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From his birth,’ said the widow. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t believe it,’ cried the gentleman, ‘not a bit of it. It’s an + excuse not to work. There’s nothing like flogging to cure that disorder. + I’d make a difference in him in ten minutes, I’ll be bound.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Heaven has made none in more than twice ten years, sir,’ said the widow + mildly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Then why don’t you shut him up? we pay enough for county institutions, + damn ‘em. But thou’d rather drag him about to excite charity—of + course. Ay, I know thee.’ + </p> + <p> + Now, this gentleman had various endearing appellations among his intimate + friends. By some he was called ‘a country gentleman of the true school,’ + by some ‘a fine old country gentleman,’ by some ‘a sporting gentleman,’ by + some ‘a thorough-bred Englishman,’ by some ‘a genuine John Bull;’ but they + all agreed in one respect, and that was, that it was a pity there were not + more like him, and that because there were not, the country was going to + rack and ruin every day. He was in the commission of the peace, and could + write his name almost legibly; but his greatest qualifications were, that + he was more severe with poachers, was a better shot, a harder rider, had + better horses, kept better dogs, could eat more solid food, drink more + strong wine, go to bed every night more drunk and get up every morning + more sober, than any man in the county. In knowledge of horseflesh he was + almost equal to a farrier, in stable learning he surpassed his own head + groom, and in gluttony not a pig on his estate was a match for him. He had + no seat in Parliament himself, but he was extremely patriotic, and usually + drove his voters up to the poll with his own hands. He was warmly attached + to church and state, and never appointed to the living in his gift any but + a three-bottle man and a first-rate fox-hunter. He mistrusted the honesty + of all poor people who could read and write, and had a secret jealousy of + his own wife (a young lady whom he had married for what his friends called + ‘the good old English reason,’ that her father’s property adjoined his + own) for possessing those accomplishments in a greater degree than + himself. In short, Barnaby being an idiot, and Grip a creature of mere + brute instinct, it would be very hard to say what this gentleman was. + </p> + <p> + He rode up to the door of a handsome house approached by a great flight of + steps, where a man was waiting to take his horse, and led the way into a + large hall, which, spacious as it was, was tainted with the fumes of last + night’s stale debauch. Greatcoats, riding-whips, bridles, top-boots, + spurs, and such gear, were strewn about on all sides, and formed, with + some huge stags’ antlers, and a few portraits of dogs and horses, its + principal embellishments. + </p> + <p> + Throwing himself into a great chair (in which, by the bye, he often snored + away the night, when he had been, according to his admirers, a finer + country gentleman than usual) he bade the man to tell his mistress to come + down: and presently there appeared, a little flurried, as it seemed, by + the unwonted summons, a lady much younger than himself, who had the + appearance of being in delicate health, and not too happy. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here! Thou’st no delight in following the hounds as an Englishwoman + should have,’ said the gentleman. ‘See to this here. That’ll please thee + perhaps.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0217m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0217m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0217.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The lady smiled, sat down at a little distance from him, and glanced at + Barnaby with a look of pity. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s an idiot, the woman says,’ observed the gentleman, shaking his head; + ‘I don’t believe it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you his mother?’ asked the lady. + </p> + <p> + She answered yes. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the use of asking HER?’ said the gentleman, thrusting his hands + into his breeches pockets. ‘She’ll tell thee so, of course. Most likely + he’s hired, at so much a day. There. Get on. Make him do something.’ + </p> + <p> + Grip having by this time recovered his urbanity, condescended, at + Barnaby’s solicitation, to repeat his various phrases of speech, and to go + through the whole of his performances with the utmost success. The corks, + and the never say die, afforded the gentleman so much delight that he + demanded the repetition of this part of the entertainment, until Grip got + into his basket, and positively refused to say another word, good or bad. + The lady too, was much amused with him; and the closing point of his + obstinacy so delighted her husband that he burst into a roar of laughter, + and demanded his price. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby looked as though he didn’t understand his meaning. Probably he did + not. + </p> + <p> + ‘His price,’ said the gentleman, rattling the money in his pockets, ‘what + dost want for him? How much?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s not to be sold,’ replied Barnaby, shutting up the basket in a great + hurry, and throwing the strap over his shoulder. ‘Mother, come away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Thou seest how much of an idiot he is, book-learner,’ said the gentleman, + looking scornfully at his wife. ‘He can make a bargain. What dost want for + him, old woman?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He is my son’s constant companion,’ said the widow. ‘He is not to be + sold, sir, indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to be sold!’ cried the gentleman, growing ten times redder, hoarser, + and louder than before. ‘Not to be sold!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Indeed no,’ she answered. ‘We have never thought of parting with him, + sir, I do assure you.’ + </p> + <p> + He was evidently about to make a very passionate retort, when a few + murmured words from his wife happening to catch his ear, he turned sharply + round, and said, ‘Eh? What?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We can hardly expect them to sell the bird, against their own desire,’ + she faltered. ‘If they prefer to keep him—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Prefer to keep him!’ he echoed. ‘These people, who go tramping about the + country a-pilfering and vagabondising on all hands, prefer to keep a bird, + when a landed proprietor and a justice asks his price! That old woman’s + been to school. I know she has. Don’t tell me no,’ he roared to the widow, + ‘I say, yes.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby’s mother pleaded guilty to the accusation, and hoped there was no + harm in it. + </p> + <p> + ‘No harm!’ said the gentleman. ‘No. No harm. No harm, ye old rebel, not a + bit of harm. If my clerk was here, I’d set ye in the stocks, I would, or + lay ye in jail for prowling up and down, on the look-out for petty + larcenies, ye limb of a gipsy. Here, Simon, put these pilferers out, shove + ‘em into the road, out with ‘em! Ye don’t want to sell the bird, ye that + come here to beg, don’t ye? If they an’t out in double-quick, set the dogs + upon ‘em!’ + </p> + <p> + They waited for no further dismissal, but fled precipitately, leaving the + gentleman to storm away by himself (for the poor lady had already + retreated), and making a great many vain attempts to silence Grip, who, + excited by the noise, drew corks enough for a city feast as they hurried + down the avenue, and appeared to congratulate himself beyond measure on + having been the cause of the disturbance. When they had nearly reached the + lodge, another servant, emerging from the shrubbery, feigned to be very + active in ordering them off, but this man put a crown into the widow’s + hand, and whispering that his lady sent it, thrust them gently from the + gate. + </p> + <p> + This incident only suggested to the widow’s mind, when they halted at an + alehouse some miles further on, and heard the justice’s character as given + by his friends, that perhaps something more than capacity of stomach and + tastes for the kennel and the stable, were required to form either a + perfect country gentleman, a thoroughbred Englishman, or a genuine John + Bull; and that possibly the terms were sometimes misappropriated, not to + say disgraced. She little thought then, that a circumstance so slight + would ever influence their future fortunes; but time and experience + enlightened her in this respect. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother,’ said Barnaby, as they were sitting next day in a waggon which + was to take them within ten miles of the capital, ‘we’re going to London + first, you said. Shall we see that blind man there?’ + </p> + <p> + She was about to answer ‘Heaven forbid!’ but checked herself, and told him + No, she thought not; why did he ask? + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s a wise man,’ said Barnaby, with a thoughtful countenance. ‘I wish + that we may meet with him again. What was it that he said of crowds? That + gold was to be found where people crowded, and not among the trees and in + such quiet places? He spoke as if he loved it; London is a crowded place; + I think we shall meet him there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But why do you desire to see him, love?’ she asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because,’ said Barnaby, looking wistfully at her, ‘he talked to me about + gold, which is a rare thing, and say what you will, a thing you would like + to have, I know. And because he came and went away so strangely—just + as white-headed old men come sometimes to my bed’s foot in the night, and + say what I can’t remember when the bright day returns. He told me he’d + come back. I wonder why he broke his word!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you never thought of being rich or gay, before, dear Barnaby. You + have always been contented.’ + </p> + <p> + He laughed and bade her say that again, then cried, ‘Ay ay—oh yes,’ + and laughed once more. Then something passed that caught his fancy, and + the topic wandered from his mind, and was succeeded by another just as + fleeting. + </p> + <p> + But it was plain from what he had said, and from his returning to the + point more than once that day, and on the next, that the blind man’s + visit, and indeed his words, had taken strong possession of his mind. + Whether the idea of wealth had occurred to him for the first time on + looking at the golden clouds that evening—and images were often + presented to his thoughts by outward objects quite as remote and distant; + or whether their poor and humble way of life had suggested it, by + contrast, long ago; or whether the accident (as he would deem it) of the + blind man’s pursuing the current of his own remarks, had done so at the + moment; or he had been impressed by the mere circumstance of the man being + blind, and, therefore, unlike any one with whom he had talked before; it + was impossible to tell. She tried every means to discover, but in vain; + and the probability is that Barnaby himself was equally in the dark. + </p> + <p> + It filled her with uneasiness to find him harping on this string, but all + that she could do, was to lead him quickly to some other subject, and to + dismiss it from his brain. To caution him against their visitor, to show + any fear or suspicion in reference to him, would only be, she feared, to + increase that interest with which Barnaby regarded him, and to strengthen + his desire to meet him once again. She hoped, by plunging into the crowd, + to rid herself of her terrible pursuer, and then, by journeying to a + distance and observing increased caution, if that were possible, to live + again unknown, in secrecy and peace. + </p> + <p> + They reached, in course of time, their halting-place within ten miles of + London, and lay there for the night, after bargaining to be carried on for + a trifle next day, in a light van which was returning empty, and was to + start at five o’clock in the morning. The driver was punctual, the road + good—save for the dust, the weather being very hot and dry—and + at seven in the forenoon of Friday the second of June, one thousand seven + hundred and eighty, they alighted at the foot of Westminster Bridge, bade + their conductor farewell, and stood alone, together, on the scorching + pavement. For the freshness which night sheds upon such busy thoroughfares + had already departed, and the sun was shining with uncommon lustre. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0048" id="link2HCH0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 48 + </h2> + <p> + Uncertain where to go next, and bewildered by the crowd of people who were + already astir, they sat down in one of the recesses on the bridge, to + rest. They soon became aware that the stream of life was all pouring one + way, and that a vast throng of persons were crossing the river from the + Middlesex to the Surrey shore, in unusual haste and evident excitement. + They were, for the most part, in knots of two or three, or sometimes + half-a-dozen; they spoke little together—many of them were quite + silent; and hurried on as if they had one absorbing object in view, which + was common to them all. + </p> + <p> + They were surprised to see that nearly every man in this great concourse, + which still came pouring past, without slackening in the least, wore in + his hat a blue cockade; and that the chance passengers who were not so + decorated, appeared timidly anxious to escape observation or attack, and + gave them the wall as if they would conciliate them. This, however, was + natural enough, considering their inferiority in point of numbers; for the + proportion of those who wore blue cockades, to those who were dressed as + usual, was at least forty or fifty to one. There was no quarrelling, + however: the blue cockades went swarming on, passing each other when they + could, and making all the speed that was possible in such a multitude; and + exchanged nothing more than looks, and very often not even those, with + such of the passers-by as were not of their number. + </p> + <p> + At first, the current of people had been confined to the two pathways, and + but a few more eager stragglers kept the road. But after half an hour or + so, the passage was completely blocked up by the great press, which, being + now closely wedged together, and impeded by the carts and coaches it + encountered, moved but slowly, and was sometimes at a stand for five or + ten minutes together. + </p> + <p> + After the lapse of nearly two hours, the numbers began to diminish + visibly, and gradually dwindling away, by little and little, left the + bridge quite clear, save that, now and then, some hot and dusty man, with + the cockade in his hat, and his coat thrown over his shoulder, went + panting by, fearful of being too late, or stopped to ask which way his + friends had taken, and being directed, hastened on again like one + refreshed. In this comparative solitude, which seemed quite strange and + novel after the late crowd, the widow had for the first time an + opportunity of inquiring of an old man who came and sat beside them, what + was the meaning of that great assemblage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where have you come from,’ he returned, ‘that you haven’t heard of + Lord George Gordon’s great association? This is the day that he presents + the petition against the Catholics, God bless him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have all these men to do with that?’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘What have they to do with it!’ the old man replied. ‘Why, how you talk! + Don’t you know his lordship has declared he won’t present it to the house + at all, unless it is attended to the door by forty thousand good and true + men at least? There’s a crowd for you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A crowd indeed!’ said Barnaby. ‘Do you hear that, mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And they’re mustering yonder, as I am told,’ resumed the old man, ‘nigh + upon a hundred thousand strong. Ah! Let Lord George alone. He knows his + power. There’ll be a good many faces inside them three windows over + there,’ and he pointed to where the House of Commons overlooked the river, + ‘that’ll turn pale when good Lord George gets up this afternoon, and with + reason too! Ay, ay. Let his lordship alone. Let him alone. HE knows!’ And + so, with much mumbling and chuckling and shaking of his forefinger, he + rose, with the assistance of his stick, and tottered off. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother!’ said Barnaby, ‘that’s a brave crowd he talks of. Come!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to join it!’ cried his mother. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, yes,’ he answered, plucking at her sleeve. ‘Why not? Come!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t know,’ she urged, ‘what mischief they may do, where they may + lead you, what their meaning is. Dear Barnaby, for my sake—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For your sake!’ he cried, patting her hand. ‘Well! It IS for your sake, + mother. You remember what the blind man said, about the gold. Here’s a + brave crowd! Come! Or wait till I come back—yes, yes, wait here.’ + </p> + <p> + She tried with all the earnestness her fears engendered, to turn him from + his purpose, but in vain. He was stooping down to buckle on his shoe, when + a hackney-coach passed them rather quickly, and a voice inside called to + the driver to stop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Young man,’ said a voice within. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s that?’ cried Barnaby, looking up. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you wear this ornament?’ returned the stranger, holding out a blue + cockade. + </p> + <p> + ‘In Heaven’s name, no. Pray do not give it him!’ exclaimed the widow. + </p> + <p> + ‘Speak for yourself, woman,’ said the man within the coach, coldly. ‘Leave + the young man to his choice; he’s old enough to make it, and to snap your + apron-strings. He knows, without your telling, whether he wears the sign + of a loyal Englishman or not.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, trembling with impatience, cried, ‘Yes! yes, yes, I do,’ as he + had cried a dozen times already. The man threw him a cockade, and crying, + ‘Make haste to St George’s Fields,’ ordered the coachman to drive on fast; + and left them. + </p> + <p> + With hands that trembled with his eagerness to fix the bauble in his hat, + Barnaby was adjusting it as he best could, and hurriedly replying to the + tears and entreaties of his mother, when two gentlemen passed on the + opposite side of the way. Observing them, and seeing how Barnaby was + occupied, they stopped, whispered together for an instant, turned back, + and came over to them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why are you sitting here?’ said one of them, who was dressed in a plain + suit of black, wore long lank hair, and carried a great cane. ‘Why have + you not gone with the rest?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am going, sir,’ replied Barnaby, finishing his task, and putting his + hat on with an air of pride. ‘I shall be there directly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Say “my lord,” young man, when his lordship does you the honour of + speaking to you,’ said the second gentleman mildly. ‘If you don’t know + Lord George Gordon when you see him, it’s high time you should.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, Gashford,’ said Lord George, as Barnaby pulled off his hat again and + made him a low bow, ‘it’s no great matter on a day like this, which every + Englishman will remember with delight and pride. Put on your hat, friend, + and follow us, for you lag behind and are late. It’s past ten now. Didn’t + you know that the hour for assembling was ten o’clock?’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby shook his head and looked vacantly from one to the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘You might have known it, friend,’ said Gashford, ‘it was perfectly + understood. How came you to be so ill informed?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He cannot tell you, sir,’ the widow interposed. ‘It’s of no use to ask + him. We are but this morning come from a long distance in the country, and + know nothing of these matters.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The cause has taken a deep root, and has spread its branches far and + wide,’ said Lord George to his secretary. ‘This is a pleasant hearing. I + thank Heaven for it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Amen!’ cried Gashford with a solemn face. + </p> + <p> + ‘You do not understand me, my lord,’ said the widow. ‘Pardon me, but you + cruelly mistake my meaning. We know nothing of these matters. We have no + desire or right to join in what you are about to do. This is my son, my + poor afflicted son, dearer to me than my own life. In mercy’s name, my + lord, go your way alone, and do not tempt him into danger!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good woman,’ said Gashford, ‘how can you!—Dear me!—What do + you mean by tempting, and by danger? Do you think his lordship is a + roaring lion, going about and seeking whom he may devour? God bless me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, my lord, forgive me,’ implored the widow, laying both her hands + upon his breast, and scarcely knowing what she did, or said, in the + earnestness of her supplication, ‘but there are reasons why you should + hear my earnest, mother’s prayer, and leave my son with me. Oh do! He is + not in his right senses, he is not, indeed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a bad sign of the wickedness of these times,’ said Lord George, + evading her touch, and colouring deeply, ‘that those who cling to the + truth and support the right cause, are set down as mad. Have you the heart + to say this of your own son, unnatural mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am astonished at you!’ said Gashford, with a kind of meek severity. + ‘This is a very sad picture of female depravity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has surely no appearance,’ said Lord George, glancing at Barnaby, and + whispering in his secretary’s ear, ‘of being deranged? And even if he had, + we must not construe any trifling peculiarity into madness. Which of us’—and + here he turned red again—‘would be safe, if that were made the law!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0222m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0222m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0222.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘Not one,’ replied the secretary; ‘in that case, the greater the zeal, the + truth, and talent; the more direct the call from above; the clearer would + be the madness. With regard to this young man, my lord,’ he added, with a + lip that slightly curled as he looked at Barnaby, who stood twirling his + hat, and stealthily beckoning them to come away, ‘he is as sensible and + self-possessed as any one I ever saw.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you desire to make one of this great body?’ said Lord George, + addressing him; ‘and intended to make one, did you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes—yes,’ said Barnaby, with sparkling eyes. ‘To be sure I did! I + told her so myself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I see,’ replied Lord George, with a reproachful glance at the unhappy + mother. ‘I thought so. Follow me and this gentleman, and you shall have + your wish.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby kissed his mother tenderly on the cheek, and bidding her be of + good cheer, for their fortunes were both made now, did as he was desired. + She, poor woman, followed too—with how much fear and grief it would + be hard to tell. + </p> + <p> + They passed quickly through the Bridge Road, where the shops were all shut + up (for the passage of the great crowd and the expectation of their return + had alarmed the tradesmen for their goods and windows), and where, in the + upper stories, all the inhabitants were congregated, looking down into the + street below, with faces variously expressive of alarm, of interest, + expectancy, and indignation. Some of these applauded, and some hissed; but + regardless of these interruptions—for the noise of a vast + congregation of people at a little distance, sounded in his ears like the + roaring of the sea—Lord George Gordon quickened his pace, and + presently arrived before St George’s Fields. + </p> + <p> + They were really fields at that time, and of considerable extent. Here an + immense multitude was collected, bearing flags of various kinds and sizes, + but all of the same colour—blue, like the cockades—some + sections marching to and fro in military array, and others drawn up in + circles, squares, and lines. A large portion, both of the bodies which + paraded the ground, and of those which remained stationary, were occupied + in singing hymns or psalms. With whomsoever this originated, it was well + done; for the sound of so many thousand voices in the air must have + stirred the heart of any man within him, and could not fail to have a + wonderful effect upon enthusiasts, however mistaken. + </p> + <p> + Scouts had been posted in advance of the great body, to give notice of + their leader’s coming. These falling back, the word was quickly passed + through the whole host, and for a short interval there ensued a profound + and deathlike silence, during which the mass was so still and quiet, that + the fluttering of a banner caught the eye, and became a circumstance of + note. Then they burst into a tremendous shout, into another, and another; + and the air seemed rent and shaken, as if by the discharge of cannon. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gashford!’ cried Lord George, pressing his secretary’s arm tight within + his own, and speaking with as much emotion in his voice, as in his altered + face, ‘I am called indeed, now. I feel and know it. I am the leader of a + host. If they summoned me at this moment with one voice to lead them on to + death, I’d do it—Yes, and fall first myself!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a proud sight,’ said the secretary. ‘It is a noble day for England, + and for the great cause throughout the world. Such homage, my lord, as I, + an humble but devoted man, can render—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you doing?’ cried his master, catching him by both hands; for he + had made a show of kneeling at his feet. ‘Do not unfit me, dear Gashford, + for the solemn duty of this glorious day—’ the tears stood in the + eyes of the poor gentleman as he said the words.—‘Let us go among + them; we have to find a place in some division for this new recruit—give + me your hand.’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford slid his cold insidious palm into his master’s grasp, and so, + hand in hand, and followed still by Barnaby and by his mother too, they + mingled with the concourse. + </p> + <p> + They had by this time taken to their singing again, and as their leader + passed between their ranks, they raised their voices to their utmost. Many + of those who were banded together to support the religion of their + country, even unto death, had never heard a hymn or psalm in all their + lives. But these fellows having for the most part strong lungs, and being + naturally fond of singing, chanted any ribaldry or nonsense that occurred + to them, feeling pretty certain that it would not be detected in the + general chorus, and not caring much if it were. Many of these voluntaries + were sung under the very nose of Lord George Gordon, who, quite + unconscious of their burden, passed on with his usual stiff and solemn + deportment, very much edified and delighted by the pious conduct of his + followers. + </p> + <p> + So they went on and on, up this line, down that, round the exterior of + this circle, and on every side of that hollow square; and still there were + lines, and squares, and circles out of number to review. The day being now + intensely hot, and the sun striking down his fiercest rays upon the field, + those who carried heavy banners began to grow faint and weary; most of the + number assembled were fain to pull off their neckcloths, and throw their + coats and waistcoats open; and some, towards the centre, quite overpowered + by the excessive heat, which was of course rendered more unendurable by + the multitude around them, lay down upon the grass, and offered all they + had about them for a drink of water. Still, no man left the ground, not + even of those who were so distressed; still Lord George, streaming from + every pore, went on with Gashford; and still Barnaby and his mother + followed close behind them. + </p> + <p> + They had arrived at the top of a long line of some eight hundred men in + single file, and Lord George had turned his head to look back, when a loud + cry of recognition—in that peculiar and half-stifled tone which a + voice has, when it is raised in the open air and in the midst of a great + concourse of persons—was heard, and a man stepped with a shout of + laughter from the rank, and smote Barnaby on the shoulders with his heavy + hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘How now!’ he cried. ‘Barnaby Rudge! Why, where have you been hiding for + these hundred years?’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby had been thinking within himself that the smell of the trodden + grass brought back his old days at cricket, when he was a young boy and + played on Chigwell Green. Confused by this sudden and boisterous address, + he stared in a bewildered manner at the man, and could scarcely say ‘What! + Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hugh!’ echoed the other; ‘ay, Hugh—Maypole Hugh! You remember my + dog? He’s alive now, and will know you, I warrant. What, you wear the + colour, do you? Well done! Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know this young man, I see,’ said Lord George. + </p> + <p> + ‘Know him, my lord! as well as I know my own right hand. My captain knows + him. We all know him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you take him into your division?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It hasn’t in it a better, nor a nimbler, nor a more active man, than + Barnaby Rudge,’ said Hugh. ‘Show me the man who says it has! Fall in, + Barnaby. He shall march, my lord, between me and Dennis; and he shall + carry,’ he added, taking a flag from the hand of a tired man who tendered + it, ‘the gayest silken streamer in this valiant army.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘In the name of God, no!’ shrieked the widow, darting forward. ‘Barnaby—my + lord—see—he’ll come back—Barnaby—Barnaby!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Women in the field!’ cried Hugh, stepping between them, and holding her + off. ‘Holloa! My captain there!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the matter here?’ cried Simon Tappertit, bustling up in a great + heat. ‘Do you call this order?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing like it, captain,’ answered Hugh, still holding her back with his + outstretched hand. ‘It’s against all orders. Ladies are carrying off our + gallant soldiers from their duty. The word of command, captain! They’re + filing off the ground. Quick!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Close!’ cried Simon, with the whole power of his lungs. ‘Form! March!’ + </p> + <p> + She was thrown to the ground; the whole field was in motion; Barnaby was + whirled away into the heart of a dense mass of men, and she saw him no + more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0049" id="link2HCH0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 49 + </h2> + <p> + The mob had been divided from its first assemblage into four divisions; + the London, the Westminster, the Southwark, and the Scotch. Each of these + divisions being subdivided into various bodies, and these bodies being + drawn up in various forms and figures, the general arrangement was, except + to the few chiefs and leaders, as unintelligible as the plan of a great + battle to the meanest soldier in the field. It was not without its method, + however; for, in a very short space of time after being put in motion, the + crowd had resolved itself into three great parties, and were prepared, as + had been arranged, to cross the river by different bridges, and make for + the House of Commons in separate detachments. + </p> + <p> + At the head of that division which had Westminster Bridge for its approach + to the scene of action, Lord George Gordon took his post; with Gashford at + his right hand, and sundry ruffians, of most unpromising appearance, + forming a kind of staff about him. The conduct of a second party, whose + route lay by Blackfriars, was entrusted to a committee of management, + including perhaps a dozen men: while the third, which was to go by London + Bridge, and through the main streets, in order that their numbers and + their serious intentions might be the better known and appreciated by the + citizens, were led by Simon Tappertit (assisted by a few subalterns, + selected from the Brotherhood of United Bulldogs), Dennis the hangman, + Hugh, and some others. + </p> + <p> + The word of command being given, each of these great bodies took the road + assigned to it, and departed on its way, in perfect order and profound + silence. That which went through the City greatly exceeded the others in + number, and was of such prodigious extent that when the rear began to + move, the front was nearly four miles in advance, notwithstanding that the + men marched three abreast and followed very close upon each other. + </p> + <p> + At the head of this party, in the place where Hugh, in the madness of his + humour, had stationed him, and walking between that dangerous companion + and the hangman, went Barnaby; as many a man among the thousands who + looked on that day afterwards remembered well. Forgetful of all other + things in the ecstasy of the moment, his face flushed and his eyes + sparkling with delight, heedless of the weight of the great banner he + carried, and mindful only of its flashing in the sun and rustling in the + summer breeze, on he went, proud, happy, elated past all telling:—the + only light-hearted, undesigning creature, in the whole assembly. + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you think of this?’ asked Hugh, as they passed through the + crowded streets, and looked up at the windows which were thronged with + spectators. ‘They have all turned out to see our flags and streamers? Eh, + Barnaby? Why, Barnaby’s the greatest man of all the pack! His flag’s the + largest of the lot, the brightest too. There’s nothing in the show, like + Barnaby. All eyes are turned on him. Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t make that din, brother,’ growled the hangman, glancing with no very + approving eyes at Barnaby as he spoke: ‘I hope he don’t think there’s + nothing to be done, but carrying that there piece of blue rag, like a boy + at a breaking up. You’re ready for action I hope, eh? You, I mean,’ he + added, nudging Barnaby roughly with his elbow. ‘What are you staring at? + Why don’t you speak?’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby had been gazing at his flag, and looked vacantly from his + questioner to Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘He don’t understand your way,’ said the latter. ‘Here, I’ll explain it to + him. Barnaby old boy, attend to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll attend,’ said Barnaby, looking anxiously round; ‘but I wish I could + see her somewhere.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘See who?’ demanded Dennis in a gruff tone. ‘You an’t in love I hope, + brother? That an’t the sort of thing for us, you know. We mustn’t have no + love here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘She would be proud indeed to see me now, eh Hugh?’ said Barnaby. + ‘Wouldn’t it make her glad to see me at the head of this large show? She’d + cry for joy, I know she would. Where CAN she be? She never sees me at my + best, and what do I care to be gay and fine if SHE’S not by?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, what palaver’s this?’ asked Mr Dennis with supreme disdain. ‘We an’t + got no sentimental members among us, I hope.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be uneasy, brother,’ cried Hugh, ‘he’s only talking of his mother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of his what?’ said Mr Dennis with a strong oath. + </p> + <p> + ‘His mother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And have I combined myself with this here section, and turned out on this + here memorable day, to hear men talk about their mothers!’ growled Mr + Dennis with extreme disgust. ‘The notion of a man’s sweetheart’s bad + enough, but a man’s mother!’—and here his disgust was so extreme + that he spat upon the ground, and could say no more. + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby’s right,’ cried Hugh with a grin, ‘and I say it. Lookee, bold + lad. If she’s not here to see, it’s because I’ve provided for her, and + sent half-a-dozen gentlemen, every one of ‘em with a blue flag (but not + half as fine as yours), to take her, in state, to a grand house all hung + round with gold and silver banners, and everything else you please, where + she’ll wait till you come, and want for nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ said Barnaby, his face beaming with delight: ‘have you indeed? + That’s a good hearing. That’s fine! Kind Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But nothing to what will come, bless you,’ retorted Hugh, with a wink at + Dennis, who regarded his new companion in arms with great astonishment. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, indeed?’ cried Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing at all,’ said Hugh. ‘Money, cocked hats and feathers, red coats + and gold lace; all the fine things there are, ever were, or will be; will + belong to us if we are true to that noble gentleman—the best man in + the world—carry our flags for a few days, and keep ‘em safe. That’s + all we’ve got to do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ cried Barnaby with glistening eyes, as he clutched his pole + the tighter; ‘I warrant you I keep this one safe, then. You have put it in + good hands. You know me, Hugh. Nobody shall wrest this flag away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well said!’ cried Hugh. ‘Ha ha! Nobly said! That’s the old stout Barnaby, + that I have climbed and leaped with, many and many a day—I knew I + was not mistaken in Barnaby.—Don’t you see, man,’ he added in a + whisper, as he slipped to the other side of Dennis, ‘that the lad’s a + natural, and can be got to do anything, if you take him the right way? + Letting alone the fun he is, he’s worth a dozen men, in earnest, as you’d + find if you tried a fall with him. Leave him to me. You shall soon see + whether he’s of use or not.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis received these explanatory remarks with many nods and winks, and + softened his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment. Hugh, laying his + finger on his nose, stepped back into his former place, and they proceeded + in silence. + </p> + <p> + It was between two and three o’clock in the afternoon when the three great + parties met at Westminster, and, uniting into one huge mass, raised a + tremendous shout. This was not only done in token of their presence, but + as a signal to those on whom the task devolved, that it was time to take + possession of the lobbies of both Houses, and of the various avenues of + approach, and of the gallery stairs. To the last-named place, Hugh and + Dennis, still with their pupil between them, rushed straightway; Barnaby + having given his flag into the hands of one of their own party, who kept + them at the outer door. Their followers pressing on behind, they were + borne as on a great wave to the very doors of the gallery, whence it was + impossible to retreat, even if they had been so inclined, by reason of the + throng which choked up the passages. It is a familiar expression in + describing a great crowd, that a person might have walked upon the + people’s heads. In this case it was actually done; for a boy who had by + some means got among the concourse, and was in imminent danger of + suffocation, climbed to the shoulders of a man beside him and walked upon + the people’s hats and heads into the open street; traversing in his + passage the whole length of two staircases and a long gallery. Nor was the + swarm without less dense; for a basket which had been tossed into the + crowd, was jerked from head to head, and shoulder to shoulder, and went + spinning and whirling on above them, until it was lost to view, without + ever once falling in among them or coming near the ground. + </p> + <p> + Through this vast throng, sprinkled doubtless here and there with honest + zealots, but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuse of + London, whose growth was fostered by bad criminal laws, bad prison + regulations, and the worst conceivable police, such of the members of both + Houses of Parliament as had not taken the precaution to be already at + their posts, were compelled to fight and force their way. Their carriages + were stopped and broken; the wheels wrenched off; the glasses shivered to + atoms; the panels beaten in; drivers, footmen, and masters, pulled from + their seats and rolled in the mud. Lords, commoners, and reverend bishops, + with little distinction of person or party, were kicked and pinched and + hustled; passed from hand to hand through various stages of ill-usage; and + sent to their fellow-senators at last with their clothes hanging in + ribands about them, their bagwigs torn off, themselves speechless and + breathless, and their persons covered with the powder which had been + cuffed and beaten out of their hair. One lord was so long in the hands of + the populace, that the Peers as a body resolved to sally forth and rescue + him, and were in the act of doing so, when he happily appeared among them + covered with dirt and bruises, and hardly to be recognised by those who + knew him best. The noise and uproar were on the increase every moment. The + air was filled with execrations, hoots, and howlings. The mob raged and + roared, like a mad monster as it was, unceasingly, and each new outrage + served to swell its fury. + </p> + <p> + Within doors, matters were even yet more threatening. Lord George—preceded + by a man who carried the immense petition on a porter’s knot through the + lobby to the door of the House of Commons, where it was received by two + officers of the house who rolled it up to the table ready for presentation—had + taken his seat at an early hour, before the Speaker went to prayers. His + followers pouring in at the same time, the lobby and all the avenues were + immediately filled, as we have seen. Thus the members were not only + attacked in their passage through the streets, but were set upon within + the very walls of Parliament; while the tumult, both within and without, + was so great, that those who attempted to speak could scarcely hear their + own voices: far less, consult upon the course it would be wise to take in + such extremity, or animate each other to dignified and firm resistance. So + sure as any member, just arrived, with dress disordered and dishevelled + hair, came struggling through the crowd in the lobby, it yelled and + screamed in triumph; and when the door of the House, partially and + cautiously opened by those within for his admission, gave them a momentary + glimpse of the interior, they grew more wild and savage, like beasts at + the sight of prey, and made a rush against the portal which strained its + locks and bolts in their staples, and shook the very beams. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0227m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0227m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0227.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The strangers’ gallery, which was immediately above the door of the House, + had been ordered to be closed on the first rumour of disturbance, and was + empty; save that now and then Lord George took his seat there, for the + convenience of coming to the head of the stairs which led to it, and + repeating to the people what had passed within. It was on these stairs + that Barnaby, Hugh, and Dennis were posted. There were two flights, short, + steep, and narrow, running parallel to each other, and leading to two + little doors communicating with a low passage which opened on the gallery. + Between them was a kind of well, or unglazed skylight, for the admission + of light and air into the lobby, which might be some eighteen or twenty + feet below. + </p> + <p> + Upon one of these little staircases—not that at the head of which + Lord George appeared from time to time, but the other—Gashford stood + with his elbow on the bannister, and his cheek resting on his hand, with + his usual crafty aspect. Whenever he varied this attitude in the slightest + degree—so much as by the gentlest motion of his arm—the uproar + was certain to increase, not merely there, but in the lobby below; from + which place no doubt, some man who acted as fugleman to the rest, was + constantly looking up and watching him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Order!’ cried Hugh, in a voice which made itself heard even above the + roar and tumult, as Lord George appeared at the top of the staircase. + ‘News! News from my lord!’ + </p> + <p> + The noise continued, notwithstanding his appearance, until Gashford looked + round. There was silence immediately—even among the people in the + passages without, and on the other staircases, who could neither see nor + hear, but to whom, notwithstanding, the signal was conveyed with + marvellous rapidity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gentlemen,’ said Lord George, who was very pale and agitated, ‘we must be + firm. They talk of delays, but we must have no delays. They talk of taking + your petition into consideration next Tuesday, but we must have it + considered now. Present appearances look bad for our success, but we must + succeed and will!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We must succeed and will!’ echoed the crowd. And so among their shouts + and cheers and other cries, he bowed to them and retired, and presently + came back again. There was another gesture from Gashford, and a dead + silence directly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am afraid,’ he said, this time, ‘that we have little reason, gentlemen, + to hope for any redress from the proceedings of Parliament. But we must + redress our own grievances, we must meet again, we must put our trust in + Providence, and it will bless our endeavours.’ + </p> + <p> + This speech being a little more temperate than the last, was not so + favourably received. When the noise and exasperation were at their height, + he came back once more, and told them that the alarm had gone forth for + many miles round; that when the King heard of their assembling together in + that great body, he had no doubt, His Majesty would send down private + orders to have their wishes complied with; and—with the manner of + his speech as childish, irresolute, and uncertain as his matter—was + proceeding in this strain, when two gentlemen suddenly appeared at the + door where he stood, and pressing past him and coming a step or two lower + down upon the stairs, confronted the people. + </p> + <p> + The boldness of this action quite took them by surprise. They were not the + less disconcerted, when one of the gentlemen, turning to Lord George, + spoke thus—in a loud voice that they might hear him well, but quite + coolly and collectedly: + </p> + <p> + ‘You may tell these people, if you please, my lord, that I am General + Conway of whom they have heard; and that I oppose this petition, and all + their proceedings, and yours. I am a soldier, you may tell them, and I + will protect the freedom of this place with my sword. You see, my lord, + that the members of this House are all in arms to-day; you know that the + entrance to it is a narrow one; you cannot be ignorant that there are men + within these walls who are determined to defend that pass to the last, and + before whom many lives must fall if your adherents persevere. Have a care + what you do.’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0230m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0230m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0230.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘And my Lord George,’ said the other gentleman, addressing him in like + manner, ‘I desire them to hear this, from me—Colonel Gordon—your + near relation. If a man among this crowd, whose uproar strikes us deaf, + crosses the threshold of the House of Commons, I swear to run my sword + that moment—not into his, but into your body!’ + </p> + <p> + With that, they stepped back again, keeping their faces towards the crowd; + took each an arm of the misguided nobleman; drew him into the passage, and + shut the door; which they directly locked and fastened on the inside. + </p> + <p> + This was so quickly done, and the demeanour of both gentlemen—who + were not young men either—was so gallant and resolute, that the + crowd faltered and stared at each other with irresolute and timid looks. + Many tried to turn towards the door; some of the faintest-hearted cried + they had best go back, and called to those behind to give way; and the + panic and confusion were increasing rapidly, when Gashford whispered Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘What now!’ Hugh roared aloud, turning towards them. ‘Why go back? Where + can you do better than here, boys! One good rush against these doors and + one below at the same time, will do the business. Rush on, then! As to the + door below, let those stand back who are afraid. Let those who are not + afraid, try who shall be the first to pass it. Here goes! Look out down + there!’ + </p> + <p> + Without the delay of an instant, he threw himself headlong over the + bannisters into the lobby below. He had hardly touched the ground when + Barnaby was at his side. The chaplain’s assistant, and some members who + were imploring the people to retire, immediately withdrew; and then, with + a great shout, both crowds threw themselves against the doors pell-mell, + and besieged the House in earnest. + </p> + <p> + At that moment, when a second onset must have brought them into collision + with those who stood on the defensive within, in which case great loss of + life and bloodshed would inevitably have ensued,—the hindmost + portion of the crowd gave way, and the rumour spread from mouth to mouth + that a messenger had been despatched by water for the military, who were + forming in the street. Fearful of sustaining a charge in the narrow + passages in which they were so closely wedged together, the throng poured + out as impetuously as they had flocked in. As the whole stream turned at + once, Barnaby and Hugh went with it: and so, fighting and struggling and + trampling on fallen men and being trampled on in turn themselves, they and + the whole mass floated by degrees into the open street, where a large + detachment of the Guards, both horse and foot, came hurrying up; clearing + the ground before them so rapidly that the people seemed to melt away as + they advanced. + </p> + <p> + The word of command to halt being given, the soldiers formed across the + street; the rioters, breathless and exhausted with their late exertions, + formed likewise, though in a very irregular and disorderly manner. The + commanding officer rode hastily into the open space between the two + bodies, accompanied by a magistrate and an officer of the House of + Commons, for whose accommodation a couple of troopers had hastily + dismounted. The Riot Act was read, but not a man stirred. + </p> + <p> + In the first rank of the insurgents, Barnaby and Hugh stood side by side. + Somebody had thrust into Barnaby’s hands when he came out into the street, + his precious flag; which, being now rolled up and tied round the pole, + looked like a giant quarter-staff as he grasped it firmly and stood upon + his guard. If ever man believed with his whole heart and soul that he was + engaged in a just cause, and that he was bound to stand by his leader to + the last, poor Barnaby believed it of himself and Lord George Gordon. + </p> + <p> + After an ineffectual attempt to make himself heard, the magistrate gave + the word and the Horse Guards came riding in among the crowd. But, even + then, he galloped here and there, exhorting the people to disperse; and, + although heavy stones were thrown at the men, and some were desperately + cut and bruised, they had no orders but to make prisoners of such of the + rioters as were the most active, and to drive the people back with the + flat of their sabres. As the horses came in among them, the throng gave + way at many points, and the Guards, following up their advantage, were + rapidly clearing the ground, when two or three of the foremost, who were + in a manner cut off from the rest by the people closing round them, made + straight towards Barnaby and Hugh, who had no doubt been pointed out as + the two men who dropped into the lobby: laying about them now with some + effect, and inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents, a few + slight flesh wounds, under the influence of which a man dropped, here and + there, into the arms of his fellows, amid much groaning and confusion. + </p> + <p> + At the sight of gashed and bloody faces, seen for a moment in the crowd, + then hidden by the press around them, Barnaby turned pale and sick. But he + stood his ground, and grasping his pole more firmly yet, kept his eye + fixed upon the nearest soldier—nodding his head meanwhile, as Hugh, + with a scowling visage, whispered in his ear. + </p> + <p> + The soldier came spurring on, making his horse rear as the people pressed + about him, cutting at the hands of those who would have grasped his rein + and forced his charger back, and waving to his comrades to follow—and + still Barnaby, without retreating an inch, waited for his coming. Some + called to him to fly, and some were in the very act of closing round him, + to prevent his being taken, when the pole swept into the air above the + people’s heads, and the man’s saddle was empty in an instant. + </p> + <p> + Then, he and Hugh turned and fled, the crowd opening to let them pass, and + closing up again so quickly that there was no clue to the course they had + taken. Panting for breath, hot, dusty, and exhausted with fatigue, they + reached the riverside in safety, and getting into a boat with all despatch + were soon out of any immediate danger. + </p> + <p> + As they glided down the river, they plainly heard the people cheering; and + supposing they might have forced the soldiers to retreat, lay upon their + oars for a few minutes, uncertain whether to return or not. But the crowd + passing along Westminster Bridge, soon assured them that the populace were + dispersing; and Hugh rightly guessed from this, that they had cheered the + magistrate for offering to dismiss the military on condition of their + immediate departure to their several homes, and that he and Barnaby were + better where they were. He advised, therefore, that they should proceed to + Blackfriars, and, going ashore at the bridge, make the best of their way + to The Boot; where there was not only good entertainment and safe lodging, + but where they would certainly be joined by many of their late companions. + Barnaby assenting, they decided on this course of action, and pulled for + Blackfriars accordingly. + </p> + <p> + They landed at a critical time, and fortunately for themselves at the + right moment. For, coming into Fleet Street, they found it in an unusual + stir; and inquiring the cause, were told that a body of Horse Guards had + just galloped past, and that they were escorting some rioters whom they + had made prisoners, to Newgate for safety. Not at all ill-pleased to have + so narrowly escaped the cavalcade, they lost no more time in asking + questions, but hurried to The Boot with as much speed as Hugh considered + it prudent to make, without appearing singular or attracting an + inconvenient share of public notice. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0050" id="link2HCH0050"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 50 + </h2> + <p> + They were among the first to reach the tavern, but they had not been there + many minutes, when several groups of men who had formed part of the crowd, + came straggling in. Among them were Simon Tappertit and Mr Dennis; both of + whom, but especially the latter, greeted Barnaby with the utmost warmth, + and paid him many compliments on the prowess he had shown. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which,’ said Dennis, with an oath, as he rested his bludgeon in a corner + with his hat upon it, and took his seat at the same table with them, ‘it + does me good to think of. There was a opportunity! But it led to nothing. + For my part, I don’t know what would. There’s no spirit among the people + in these here times. Bring something to eat and drink here. I’m disgusted + with humanity.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On what account?’ asked Mr Tappertit, who had been quenching his fiery + face in a half-gallon can. ‘Don’t you consider this a good beginning, + mister?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me security that it an’t a ending,’ rejoined the hangman. ‘When that + soldier went down, we might have made London ours; but no;—we stand, + and gape, and look on—the justice (I wish he had had a bullet in + each eye, as he would have had, if we’d gone to work my way) says, “My + lads, if you’ll give me your word to disperse, I’ll order off the + military,” our people sets up a hurrah, throws up the game with the + winning cards in their hands, and skulks away like a pack of tame curs as + they are. Ah,’ said the hangman, in a tone of deep disgust, ‘it makes me + blush for my feller creeturs. I wish I had been born a ox, I do!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’d have been quite as agreeable a character if you had been, I think,’ + returned Simon Tappertit, going out in a lofty manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be too sure of that,’ rejoined the hangman, calling after him; ‘if + I was a horned animal at the present moment, with the smallest grain of + sense, I’d toss every man in this company, excepting them two,’ meaning + Hugh and Barnaby, ‘for his manner of conducting himself this day.’ + </p> + <p> + With which mournful review of their proceedings, Mr Dennis sought + consolation in cold boiled beef and beer; but without at all relaxing the + grim and dissatisfied expression of his face, the gloom of which was + rather deepened than dissipated by their grateful influence. + </p> + <p> + The company who were thus libelled might have retaliated by strong words, + if not by blows, but they were dispirited and worn out. The greater part + of them had fasted since morning; all had suffered extremely from the + excessive heat; and between the day’s shouting, exertion, and excitement, + many had quite lost their voices, and so much of their strength that they + could hardly stand. Then they were uncertain what to do next, fearful of + the consequences of what they had done already, and sensible that after + all they had carried no point, but had indeed left matters worse than they + had found them. Of those who had come to The Boot, many dropped off within + an hour; such of them as were really honest and sincere, never, after the + morning’s experience, to return, or to hold any communication with their + late companions. Others remained but to refresh themselves, and then went + home desponding; others who had theretofore been regular in their + attendance, avoided the place altogether. The half-dozen prisoners whom + the Guards had taken, were magnified by report into half-a-hundred at + least; and their friends, being faint and sober, so slackened in their + energy, and so drooped beneath these dispiriting influences, that by eight + o’clock in the evening, Dennis, Hugh, and Barnaby, were left alone. Even + they were fast asleep upon the benches, when Gashford’s entrance roused + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! you ARE here then?’ said the Secretary. ‘Dear me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, where should we be, Muster Gashford!’ Dennis rejoined as he rose + into a sitting posture. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh nowhere, nowhere,’ he returned with excessive mildness. ‘The streets + are filled with blue cockades. I rather thought you might have been among + them. I am glad you are not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have orders for us, master, then?’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear, no. Not I. No orders, my good fellow. What orders should I have? + You are not in my service.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Muster Gashford,’ remonstrated Dennis, ‘we belong to the cause, don’t + we?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The cause!’ repeated the secretary, looking at him in a sort of + abstraction. ‘There is no cause. The cause is lost.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lost!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh yes. You have heard, I suppose? The petition is rejected by a hundred + and ninety-two, to six. It’s quite final. We might have spared ourselves + some trouble. That, and my lord’s vexation, are the only circumstances I + regret. I am quite satisfied in all other respects.’ + </p> + <p> + As he said this, he took a penknife from his pocket, and putting his hat + upon his knee, began to busy himself in ripping off the blue cockade which + he had worn all day; at the same time humming a psalm tune which had been + very popular in the morning, and dwelling on it with a gentle regret. + </p> + <p> + His two adherents looked at each other, and at him, as if they were at a + loss how to pursue the subject. At length Hugh, after some elbowing and + winking between himself and Mr Dennis, ventured to stay his hand, and to + ask him why he meddled with that riband in his hat. + </p> + <p> + ‘Because,’ said the secretary, looking up with something between a snarl + and a smile; ‘because to sit still and wear it, or to fall asleep and wear + it, is a mockery. That’s all, friend.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you have us do, master!’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ returned Gashford, shrugging his shoulders, ‘nothing. When my + lord was reproached and threatened for standing by you, I, as a prudent + man, would have had you do nothing. When the soldiers were trampling you + under their horses’ feet, I would have had you do nothing. When one of + them was struck down by a daring hand, and I saw confusion and dismay in + all their faces, I would have had you do nothing—just what you did, + in short. This is the young man who had so little prudence and so much + boldness. Ah! I am sorry for him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sorry, master!’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sorry, Muster Gashford!’ echoed Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘In case there should be a proclamation out to-morrow, offering five + hundred pounds, or some such trifle, for his apprehension; and in case it + should include another man who dropped into the lobby from the stairs + above,’ said Gashford, coldly; ‘still, do nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Fire and fury, master!’ cried Hugh, starting up. ‘What have we done, that + you should talk to us like this!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing,’ returned Gashford with a sneer. ‘If you are cast into prison; + if the young man—’ here he looked hard at Barnaby’s attentive face—‘is + dragged from us and from his friends; perhaps from people whom he loves, + and whom his death would kill; is thrown into jail, brought out and hanged + before their eyes; still, do nothing. You’ll find it your best policy, I + have no doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come on!’ cried Hugh, striding towards the door. ‘Dennis—Barnaby—come + on!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where? To do what?’ said Gashford, slipping past him, and standing with + his back against it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Anywhere! Anything!’ cried Hugh. ‘Stand aside, master, or the window will + serve our turn as well. Let us out!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha! You are of such—of such an impetuous nature,’ said + Gashford, changing his manner for one of the utmost good fellowship and + the pleasantest raillery; ‘you are such an excitable creature—but + you’ll drink with me before you go?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, yes—certainly,’ growled Dennis, drawing his sleeve across his + thirsty lips. ‘No malice, brother. Drink with Muster Gashford!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh wiped his heated brow, and relaxed into a smile. The artful secretary + laughed outright. + </p> + <p> + ‘Some liquor here! Be quick, or he’ll not stop, even for that. He is a man + of such desperate ardour!’ said the smooth secretary, whom Mr Dennis + corroborated with sundry nods and muttered oaths—‘Once roused, he is + a fellow of such fierce determination!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh poised his sturdy arm aloft, and clapping Barnaby on the back, bade + him fear nothing. They shook hands together—poor Barnaby evidently + possessed with the idea that he was among the most virtuous and + disinterested heroes in the world—and Gashford laughed again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear,’ he said smoothly, as he stood among them with a great measure of + liquor in his hand, and filled their glasses as quickly and as often as + they chose, ‘I hear—but I cannot say whether it be true or false—that + the men who are loitering in the streets to-night are half disposed to + pull down a Romish chapel or two, and that they only want leaders. I even + heard mention of those in Duke Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and in + Warwick Street, Golden Square; but common report, you know—You are + not going?’ + </p> + <p> + —‘To do nothing, master, eh?’ cried Hugh. ‘No jails and halter for + Barnaby and me. They must be frightened out of that. Leaders are wanted, + are they? Now boys!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A most impetuous fellow!’ cried the secretary. ‘Ha ha! A courageous, + boisterous, most vehement fellow! A man who—’ + </p> + <p> + There was no need to finish the sentence, for they had rushed out of the + house, and were far beyond hearing. He stopped in the middle of a laugh, + listened, drew on his gloves, and, clasping his hands behind him, paced + the deserted room for a long time, then bent his steps towards the busy + town, and walked into the streets. + </p> + <p> + They were filled with people, for the rumour of that day’s proceedings had + made a great noise. Those persons who did not care to leave home, were at + their doors or windows, and one topic of discourse prevailed on every + side. Some reported that the riots were effectually put down; others that + they had broken out again: some said that Lord George Gordon had been sent + under a strong guard to the Tower; others that an attempt had been made + upon the King’s life, that the soldiers had been again called out, and + that the noise of musketry in a distant part of the town had been plainly + heard within an hour. As it grew darker, these stories became more direful + and mysterious; and often, when some frightened passenger ran past with + tidings that the rioters were not far off, and were coming up, the doors + were shut and barred, lower windows made secure, and as much consternation + engendered, as if the city were invaded by a foreign army. + </p> + <p> + Gashford walked stealthily about, listening to all he heard, and diffusing + or confirming, whenever he had an opportunity, such false intelligence as + suited his own purpose; and, busily occupied in this way, turned into + Holborn for the twentieth time, when a great many women and children came + flying along the street—often panting and looking back—and the + confused murmur of numerous voices struck upon his ear. Assured by these + tokens, and by the red light which began to flash upon the houses on + either side, that some of his friends were indeed approaching, he begged a + moment’s shelter at a door which opened as he passed, and running with + some other persons to an upper window, looked out upon the crowd. + </p> + <p> + They had torches among them, and the chief faces were distinctly visible. + That they had been engaged in the destruction of some building was + sufficiently apparent, and that it was a Catholic place of worship was + evident from the spoils they bore as trophies, which were easily + recognisable for the vestments of priests, and rich fragments of altar + furniture. Covered with soot, and dirt, and dust, and lime; their garments + torn to rags; their hair hanging wildly about them; their hands and faces + jagged and bleeding with the wounds of rusty nails; Barnaby, Hugh, and + Dennis hurried on before them all, like hideous madmen. After them, the + dense throng came fighting on: some singing; some shouting in triumph; + some quarrelling among themselves; some menacing the spectators as they + passed; some with great wooden fragments, on which they spent their rage + as if they had been alive, rending them limb from limb, and hurling the + scattered morsels high into the air; some in a drunken state, unconscious + of the hurts they had received from falling bricks, and stones, and beams; + one borne upon a shutter, in the very midst, covered with a dingy cloth, a + senseless, ghastly heap. Thus—a vision of coarse faces, with here + and there a blot of flaring, smoky light; a dream of demon heads and + savage eyes, and sticks and iron bars uplifted in the air, and whirled + about; a bewildering horror, in which so much was seen, and yet so little, + which seemed so long, and yet so short, in which there were so many + phantoms, not to be forgotten all through life, and yet so many things + that could not be observed in one distracting glimpse—it flitted + onward, and was gone. + </p> + <p> + As it passed away upon its work of wrath and ruin, a piercing scream was + heard. A knot of persons ran towards the spot; Gashford, who just then + emerged into the street, among them. He was on the outskirts of the little + concourse, and could not see or hear what passed within; but one who had a + better place, informed him that a widow woman had descried her son among + the rioters. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ said the secretary, turning his face homewards. ‘Well! I + think this looks a little more like business!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0051" id="link2HCH0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 51 + </h2> + <p> + Promising as these outrages were to Gashford’s view, and much like + business as they looked, they extended that night no farther. The soldiers + were again called out, again they took half-a-dozen prisoners, and again + the crowd dispersed after a short and bloodless scuffle. Hot and drunken + though they were, they had not yet broken all bounds and set all law and + government at defiance. Something of their habitual deference to the + authority erected by society for its own preservation yet remained among + them, and had its majesty been vindicated in time, the secretary would + have had to digest a bitter disappointment. + </p> + <p> + By midnight, the streets were clear and quiet, and, save that there stood + in two parts of the town a heap of nodding walls and pile of rubbish, + where there had been at sunset a rich and handsome building, everything + wore its usual aspect. Even the Catholic gentry and tradesmen, of whom + there were many resident in different parts of the City and its suburbs, + had no fear for their lives or property, and but little indignation for + the wrong they had already sustained in the plunder and destruction of + their temples of worship. An honest confidence in the government under + whose protection they had lived for many years, and a well-founded + reliance on the good feeling and right thinking of the great mass of the + community, with whom, notwithstanding their religious differences, they + were every day in habits of confidential, affectionate, and friendly + intercourse, reassured them, even under the excesses that had been + committed; and convinced them that they who were Protestants in anything + but the name, were no more to be considered as abettors of these + disgraceful occurrences, than they themselves were chargeable with the + uses of the block, the rack, the gibbet, and the stake in cruel Mary’s + reign. + </p> + <p> + The clock was on the stroke of one, when Gabriel Varden, with his lady and + Miss Miggs, sat waiting in the little parlour. This fact; the toppling + wicks of the dull, wasted candles; the silence that prevailed; and, above + all, the nightcaps of both maid and matron, were sufficient evidence that + they had been prepared for bed some time ago, and had some reason for + sitting up so far beyond their usual hour. + </p> + <p> + If any other corroborative testimony had been required, it would have been + abundantly furnished in the actions of Miss Miggs, who, having arrived at + that restless state and sensitive condition of the nervous system which + are the result of long watching, did, by a constant rubbing and tweaking + of her nose, a perpetual change of position (arising from the sudden + growth of imaginary knots and knobs in her chair), a frequent friction of + her eyebrows, the incessant recurrence of a small cough, a small groan, a + gasp, a sigh, a sniff, a spasmodic start, and by other demonstrations of + that nature, so file down and rasp, as it were, the patience of the + locksmith, that after looking at her in silence for some time, he at last + broke out into this apostrophe:— + </p> + <p> + ‘Miggs, my good girl, go to bed—do go to bed. You’re really worse + than the dripping of a hundred water-butts outside the window, or the + scratching of as many mice behind the wainscot. I can’t bear it. Do go to + bed, Miggs. To oblige me—do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You haven’t got nothing to untie, sir,’ returned Miss Miggs, ‘and + therefore your requests does not surprise me. But missis has—and + while you sit up, mim’—she added, turning to the locksmith’s wife, + ‘I couldn’t, no, not if twenty times the quantity of cold water was + aperiently running down my back at this moment, go to bed with a quiet + spirit.’ + </p> + <p> + Having spoken these words, Miss Miggs made divers efforts to rub her + shoulders in an impossible place, and shivered from head to foot; thereby + giving the beholders to understand that the imaginary cascade was still in + full flow, but that a sense of duty upheld her under that and all other + sufferings, and nerved her to endurance. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden being too sleepy to speak, and Miss Miggs having, as the phrase + is, said her say, the locksmith had nothing for it but to sigh and be as + quiet as he could. + </p> + <p> + But to be quiet with such a basilisk before him was impossible. If he + looked another way, it was worse to feel that she was rubbing her cheek, + or twitching her ear, or winking her eye, or making all kinds of + extraordinary shapes with her nose, than to see her do it. If she was for + a moment free from any of these complaints, it was only because of her + foot being asleep, or of her arm having got the fidgets, or of her leg + being doubled up with the cramp, or of some other horrible disorder which + racked her whole frame. If she did enjoy a moment’s ease, then with her + eyes shut and her mouth wide open, she would be seen to sit very stiff and + upright in her chair; then to nod a little way forward, and stop with a + jerk; then to nod a little farther forward, and stop with another jerk; + then to recover herself; then to come forward again—lower—lower—lower—by + very slow degrees, until, just as it seemed impossible that she could + preserve her balance for another instant, and the locksmith was about to + call out in an agony, to save her from dashing down upon her forehead and + fracturing her skull, then all of a sudden and without the smallest + notice, she would come upright and rigid again with her eyes open, and in + her countenance an expression of defiance, sleepy but yet most obstinate, + which plainly said, ‘I’ve never once closed ‘em since I looked at you + last, and I’ll take my oath of it!’ + </p> + <p> + At length, after the clock had struck two, there was a sound at the street + door, as if somebody had fallen against the knocker by accident. Miss + Miggs immediately jumping up and clapping her hands, cried with a drowsy + mingling of the sacred and profane, ‘Ally Looyer, mim! there’s Simmuns’s + knock!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s there?’ said Gabriel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Me!’ cried the well-known voice of Mr Tappertit. Gabriel opened the door, + and gave him admission. + </p> + <p> + He did not cut a very insinuating figure, for a man of his stature suffers + in a crowd; and having been active in yesterday morning’s work, his dress + was literally crushed from head to foot: his hat being beaten out of all + shape, and his shoes trodden down at heel like slippers. His coat + fluttered in strips about him, the buckles were torn away both from his + knees and feet, half his neckerchief was gone, and the bosom of his shirt + was rent to tatters. Yet notwithstanding all these personal disadvantages; + despite his being very weak from heat and fatigue; and so begrimed with + mud and dust that he might have been in a case, for anything of the real + texture (either of his skin or apparel) that the eye could discern; he + stalked haughtily into the parlour, and throwing himself into a chair, and + endeavouring to thrust his hands into the pockets of his small-clothes, + which were turned inside out and displayed upon his legs, like tassels, + surveyed the household with a gloomy dignity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Simon,’ said the locksmith gravely, ‘how comes it that you return home at + this time of night, and in this condition? Give me an assurance that you + have not been among the rioters, and I am satisfied.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ replied Mr Tappertit, with a contemptuous look, ‘I wonder at YOUR + assurance in making such demands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have been drinking,’ said the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘As a general principle, and in the most offensive sense of the words, + sir,’ returned his journeyman with great self-possession, ‘I consider you + a liar. In that last observation you have unintentionally—unintentionally, + sir,—struck upon the truth.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Martha,’ said the locksmith, turning to his wife, and shaking his head + sorrowfully, while a smile at the absurd figure beside him still played + upon his open face, ‘I trust it may turn out that this poor lad is not the + victim of the knaves and fools we have so often had words about, and who + have done so much harm to-day. If he has been at Warwick Street or Duke + Street to-night—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has been at neither, sir,’ cried Mr Tappertit in a loud voice, which + he suddenly dropped into a whisper as he repeated, with eyes fixed upon + the locksmith, ‘he has been at neither.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am glad of it, with all my heart,’ said the locksmith in a serious + tone; ‘for if he had been, and it could be proved against him, Martha, + your Great Association would have been to him the cart that draws men to + the gallows and leaves them hanging in the air. It would, as sure as we’re + alive!’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden was too much scared by Simon’s altered manner and appearance, + and by the accounts of the rioters which had reached her ears that night, + to offer any retort, or to have recourse to her usual matrimonial policy. + Miss Miggs wrung her hands, and wept. + </p> + <p> + ‘He was not at Duke Street, or at Warwick Street, G. Varden,’ said Simon, + sternly; ‘but he WAS at Westminster. Perhaps, sir, he kicked a county + member, perhaps, sir, he tapped a lord—you may stare, sir, I repeat + it—blood flowed from noses, and perhaps he tapped a lord. Who knows? + This,’ he added, putting his hand into his waistcoat-pocket, and taking + out a large tooth, at the sight of which both Miggs and Mrs Varden + screamed, ‘this was a bishop’s. Beware, G. Varden!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, I would rather,’ said the locksmith hastily, ‘have paid five hundred + pounds, than had this come to pass. You idiot, do you know what peril you + stand in?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know it, sir,’ replied his journeyman, ‘and it is my glory. I was + there, everybody saw me there. I was conspicuous, and prominent. I will + abide the consequences.’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith, really disturbed and agitated, paced to and fro in silence—glancing + at his former ‘prentice every now and then—and at length stopping + before him, said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Get to bed, and sleep for a couple of hours that you may wake penitent, + and with some of your senses about you. Be sorry for what you have done, + and we will try to save you. If I call him by five o’clock,’ said Varden, + turning hurriedly to his wife, and he washes himself clean and changes his + dress, he may get to the Tower Stairs, and away by the Gravesend + tide-boat, before any search is made for him. From there he can easily get + on to Canterbury, where your cousin will give him work till this storm has + blown over. I am not sure that I do right in screening him from the + punishment he deserves, but he has lived in this house, man and boy, for a + dozen years, and I should be sorry if for this one day’s work he made a + miserable end. Lock the front-door, Miggs, and show no light towards the + street when you go upstairs. Quick, Simon! Get to bed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And do you suppose, sir,’ retorted Mr Tappertit, with a thickness and + slowness of speech which contrasted forcibly with the rapidity and + earnestness of his kind-hearted master—‘and do you suppose, sir, + that I am base and mean enough to accept your servile proposition?—Miscreant!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whatever you please, Sim, but get to bed. Every minute is of consequence. + The light here, Miggs!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes yes, oh do! Go to bed directly,’ cried the two women together. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit stood upon his feet, and pushing his chair away to show that + he needed no assistance, answered, swaying himself to and fro, and + managing his head as if it had no connection whatever with his body: + </p> + <p> + ‘You spoke of Miggs, sir—Miggs may be smothered!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Simmun!’ ejaculated that young lady in a faint voice. ‘Oh mim! Oh sir! + Oh goodness gracious, what a turn he has give me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This family may ALL be smothered, sir,’ returned Mr Tappertit, after + glancing at her with a smile of ineffable disdain, ‘excepting Mrs V. I + have come here, sir, for her sake, this night. Mrs Varden, take this piece + of paper. It’s a protection, ma’am. You may need it.’ + </p> + <p> + With these words he held out at arm’s length, a dirty, crumpled scrap of + writing. The locksmith took it from him, opened it, and read as follows: + </p> + <p> + ‘All good friends to our cause, I hope will be particular, and do no + injury to the property of any true Protestant. I am well assured that the + proprietor of this house is a staunch and worthy friend to the cause. + </p> + <p> + GEORGE GORDON.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s this!’ said the locksmith, with an altered face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Something that’ll do you good service, young feller,’ replied his + journeyman, ‘as you’ll find. Keep that safe, and where you can lay your + hand upon it in an instant. And chalk “No Popery” on your door to-morrow + night, and for a week to come—that’s all.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This is a genuine document,’ said the locksmith, ‘I know, for I have seen + the hand before. What threat does it imply? What devil is abroad?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A fiery devil,’ retorted Sim; ‘a flaming, furious devil. Don’t you put + yourself in its way, or you’re done for, my buck. Be warned in time, G. + Varden. Farewell!’ + </p> + <p> + But here the two women threw themselves in his way—especially Miss + Miggs, who fell upon him with such fervour that she pinned him against the + wall—and conjured him in moving words not to go forth till he was + sober; to listen to reason; to think of it; to take some rest, and then + determine. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you,’ said Mr Tappertit, ‘that my mind is made up. My bleeding + country calls me and I go! Miggs, if you don’t get out of the way, I’ll + pinch you.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, still clinging to the rebel, screamed once vociferously—but + whether in the distraction of her mind, or because of his having executed + his threat, is uncertain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Release me,’ said Simon, struggling to free himself from her chaste, but + spider-like embrace. ‘Let me go! I have made arrangements for you in an + altered state of society, and mean to provide for you comfortably in life—there! + Will that satisfy you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Simmun!’ cried Miss Miggs. ‘Oh my blessed Simmun! Oh mim! what are my + feelings at this conflicting moment!’ + </p> + <p> + Of a rather turbulent description, it would seem; for her nightcap had + been knocked off in the scuffle, and she was on her knees upon the floor, + making a strange revelation of blue and yellow curl-papers, straggling + locks of hair, tags of staylaces, and strings of it’s impossible to say + what; panting for breath, clasping her hands, turning her eyes upwards, + shedding abundance of tears, and exhibiting various other symptoms of the + acutest mental suffering. + </p> + <p> + ‘I leave,’ said Simon, turning to his master, with an utter disregard of + Miggs’s maidenly affliction, ‘a box of things upstairs. Do what you like + with ‘em. I don’t want ‘em. I’m never coming back here, any more. Provide + yourself, sir, with a journeyman; I’m my country’s journeyman; + henceforward that’s MY line of business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Be what you like in two hours’ time, but now go up to bed,’ returned the + locksmith, planting himself in the doorway. ‘Do you hear me? Go to bed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear you, and defy you, Varden,’ rejoined Simon Tappertit. ‘This night, + sir, I have been in the country, planning an expedition which shall fill + your bell-hanging soul with wonder and dismay. The plot demands my utmost + energy. Let me pass!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll knock you down if you come near the door,’ replied the locksmith. + ‘You had better go to bed!’ + </p> + <p> + Simon made no answer, but gathering himself up as straight as he could, + plunged head foremost at his old master, and the two went driving out into + the workshop together, plying their hands and feet so briskly that they + looked like half-a-dozen, while Miggs and Mrs Varden screamed for twelve. + </p> + <p> + It would have been easy for Varden to knock his old ‘prentice down, and + bind him hand and foot; but as he was loth to hurt him in his then + defenceless state, he contented himself with parrying his blows when he + could, taking them in perfect good part when he could not, and keeping + between him and the door, until a favourable opportunity should present + itself for forcing him to retreat up-stairs, and shutting him up in his + own room. But, in the goodness of his heart, he calculated too much upon + his adversary’s weakness, and forgot that drunken men who have lost the + power of walking steadily, can often run. Watching his time, Simon + Tappertit made a cunning show of falling back, staggered unexpectedly + forward, brushed past him, opened the door (he knew the trick of that lock + well), and darted down the street like a mad dog. The locksmith paused for + a moment in the excess of his astonishment, and then gave chase. + </p> + <p> + It was an excellent season for a run, for at that silent hour the streets + were deserted, the air was cool, and the flying figure before him + distinctly visible at a great distance, as it sped away, with a long gaunt + shadow following at its heels. But the short-winded locksmith had no + chance against a man of Sim’s youth and spare figure, though the day had + been when he could have run him down in no time. The space between them + rapidly increased, and as the rays of the rising sun streamed upon Simon + in the act of turning a distant corner, Gabriel Varden was fain to give + up, and sit down on a doorstep to fetch his breath. Simon meanwhile, + without once stopping, fled at the same degree of swiftness to The Boot, + where, as he well knew, some of his company were lying, and at which + respectable hostelry—for he had already acquired the distinction of + being in great peril of the law—a friendly watch had been expecting + him all night, and was even now on the look-out for his coming. + </p> + <p> + ‘Go thy ways, Sim, go thy ways,’ said the locksmith, as soon as he could + speak. ‘I have done my best for thee, poor lad, and would have saved thee, + but the rope is round thy neck, I fear.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, and shaking his head in a very sorrowful and disconsolate + manner, he turned back, and soon re-entered his own house, where Mrs + Varden and the faithful Miggs had been anxiously expecting his return. + </p> + <p> + Now Mrs Varden (and by consequence Miss Miggs likewise) was impressed with + a secret misgiving that she had done wrong; that she had, to the utmost of + her small means, aided and abetted the growth of disturbances, the end of + which it was impossible to foresee; that she had led remotely to the scene + which had just passed; and that the locksmith’s time for triumph and + reproach had now arrived indeed. And so strongly did Mrs Varden feel this, + and so crestfallen was she in consequence, that while her husband was + pursuing their lost journeyman, she secreted under her chair the little + red-brick dwelling-house with the yellow roof, lest it should furnish new + occasion for reference to the painful theme; and now hid the same still + more, with the skirts of her dress. + </p> + <p> + But it happened that the locksmith had been thinking of this very article + on his way home, and that, coming into the room and not seeing it, he at + once demanded where it was. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden had no resource but to produce it, which she did with many + tears, and broken protestations that if she could have known— + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, yes,’ said Varden, ‘of course—I know that. I don’t mean to + reproach you, my dear. But recollect from this time that all good things + perverted to evil purposes, are worse than those which are naturally bad. + A thoroughly wicked woman, is wicked indeed. When religion goes wrong, she + is very wrong, for the same reason. Let us say no more about it, my dear.’ + </p> + <p> + So he dropped the red-brick dwelling-house on the floor, and setting his + heel upon it, crushed it into pieces. The halfpence, and sixpences, and + other voluntary contributions, rolled about in all directions, but nobody + offered to touch them, or to take them up. + </p> + <p> + ‘That,’ said the locksmith, ‘is easily disposed of, and I would to Heaven + that everything growing out of the same society could be settled as + easily.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It happens very fortunately, Varden,’ said his wife, with her + handkerchief to her eyes, ‘that in case any more disturbances should + happen—which I hope not; I sincerely hope not—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope so too, my dear.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—That in case any should occur, we have the piece of paper which + that poor misguided young man brought.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, to be sure,’ said the locksmith, turning quickly round. ‘Where is + that piece of paper?’ + </p> + <p> + Mrs Varden stood aghast as he took it from her outstretched hand, tore it + into fragments, and threw them under the grate. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not use it?’ she said. + </p> + <p> + ‘Use it!’ cried the locksmith. No! Let them come and pull the roof about + our ears; let them burn us out of house and home; I’d neither have the + protection of their leader, nor chalk their howl upon my door, though, for + not doing it, they shot me on my own threshold. Use it! Let them come and + do their worst. The first man who crosses my doorstep on such an errand as + theirs, had better be a hundred miles away. Let him look to it. The others + may have their will. I wouldn’t beg or buy them off, if, instead of every + pound of iron in the place, there was a hundred weight of gold. Get you to + bed, Martha. I shall take down the shutters and go to work.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So early!’ said his wife. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ replied the locksmith cheerily, ‘so early. Come when they may, they + shall not find us skulking and hiding, as if we feared to take our portion + of the light of day, and left it all to them. So pleasant dreams to you, + my dear, and cheerful sleep!’ + </p> + <p> + With that he gave his wife a hearty kiss, and bade her delay no longer, or + it would be time to rise before she lay down to rest. Mrs Varden quite + amiably and meekly walked upstairs, followed by Miggs, who, although a + good deal subdued, could not refrain from sundry stimulative coughs and + sniffs by the way, or from holding up her hands in astonishment at the + daring conduct of master. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0052" id="link2HCH0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 52 + </h2> + <p> + A mob is usually a creature of very mysterious existence, particularly in + a large city. Where it comes from or whither it goes, few men can tell. + Assembling and dispersing with equal suddenness, it is as difficult to + follow to its various sources as the sea itself; nor does the parallel + stop here, for the ocean is not more fickle and uncertain, more terrible + when roused, more unreasonable, or more cruel. + </p> + <p> + The people who were boisterous at Westminster upon the Friday morning, and + were eagerly bent upon the work of devastation in Duke Street and Warwick + Street at night, were, in the mass, the same. Allowing for the chance + accessions of which any crowd is morally sure in a town where there must + always be a large number of idle and profligate persons, one and the same + mob was at both places. Yet they spread themselves in various directions + when they dispersed in the afternoon, made no appointment for + reassembling, had no definite purpose or design, and indeed, for anything + they knew, were scattered beyond the hope of future union. + </p> + <p> + At The Boot, which, as has been shown, was in a manner the head-quarters + of the rioters, there were not, upon this Friday night, a dozen people. + Some slept in the stable and outhouses, some in the common room, some two + or three in beds. The rest were in their usual homes or haunts. Perhaps + not a score in all lay in the adjacent fields and lanes, and under + haystacks, or near the warmth of brick-kilns, who had not their accustomed + place of rest beneath the open sky. As to the public ways within the town, + they had their ordinary nightly occupants, and no others; the usual amount + of vice and wretchedness, but no more. + </p> + <p> + The experience of one evening, however, had taught the reckless leaders of + disturbance, that they had but to show themselves in the streets, to be + immediately surrounded by materials which they could only have kept + together when their aid was not required, at great risk, expense, and + trouble. Once possessed of this secret, they were as confident as if + twenty thousand men, devoted to their will, had been encamped about them, + and assumed a confidence which could not have been surpassed, though that + had really been the case. All day, Saturday, they remained quiet. On + Sunday, they rather studied how to keep their men within call, and in full + hope, than to follow out, by any fierce measure, their first day’s + proceedings. + </p> + <p> + ‘I hope,’ said Dennis, as, with a loud yawn, he raised his body from a + heap of straw on which he had been sleeping, and supporting his head upon + his hand, appealed to Hugh on Sunday morning, ‘that Muster Gashford allows + some rest? Perhaps he’d have us at work again already, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s not his way to let matters drop, you may be sure of that,’ growled + Hugh in answer. ‘I’m in no humour to stir yet, though. I’m as stiff as a + dead body, and as full of ugly scratches as if I had been fighting all day + yesterday with wild cats.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve so much enthusiasm, that’s it,’ said Dennis, looking with great + admiration at the uncombed head, matted beard, and torn hands and face of + the wild figure before him; ‘you’re such a devil of a fellow. You hurt + yourself a hundred times more than you need, because you will be foremost + in everything, and will do more than the rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘For the matter of that,’ returned Hugh, shaking back his ragged hair and + glancing towards the door of the stable in which they lay; ‘there’s one + yonder as good as me. What did I tell you about him? Did I say he was + worth a dozen, when you doubted him?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis rolled lazily over upon his breast, and resting his chin upon + his hand in imitation of the attitude in which Hugh lay, said, as he too + looked towards the door: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay, you knew him, brother, you knew him. But who’d suppose to look at + that chap now, that he could be the man he is! Isn’t it a thousand cruel + pities, brother, that instead of taking his nat’ral rest and qualifying + himself for further exertions in this here honourable cause, he should be + playing at soldiers like a boy? And his cleanliness too!’ said Mr Dennis, + who certainly had no reason to entertain a fellow feeling with anybody who + was particular on that score; ‘what weaknesses he’s guilty of; with + respect to his cleanliness! At five o’clock this morning, there he was at + the pump, though any one would think he had gone through enough, the day + before yesterday, to be pretty fast asleep at that time. But no—when + I woke for a minute or two, there he was at the pump, and if you’d seen + him sticking them peacock’s feathers into his hat when he’d done washing—ah! + I’m sorry he’s such a imperfect character, but the best on us is + incomplete in some pint of view or another.’ + </p> + <p> + The subject of this dialogue and of these concluding remarks, which were + uttered in a tone of philosophical meditation, was, as the reader will + have divined, no other than Barnaby, who, with his flag in hand, stood + sentry in the little patch of sunlight at the distant door, or walked to + and fro outside, singing softly to himself; and keeping time to the music + of some clear church bells. Whether he stood still, leaning with both + hands on the flagstaff, or, bearing it upon his shoulder, paced slowly up + and down, the careful arrangement of his poor dress, and his erect and + lofty bearing, showed how high a sense he had of the great importance of + his trust, and how happy and how proud it made him. To Hugh and his + companion, who lay in a dark corner of the gloomy shed, he, and the + sunlight, and the peaceful Sabbath sound to which he made response, seemed + like a bright picture framed by the door, and set off by the stable’s + blackness. The whole formed such a contrast to themselves, as they lay + wallowing, like some obscene animals, in their squalor and wickedness on + the two heaps of straw, that for a few moments they looked on without + speaking, and felt almost ashamed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ said Hugh at length, carrying it off with a laugh: ‘He’s a rare + fellow is Barnaby, and can do more, with less rest, or meat, or drink, + than any of us. As to his soldiering, I put him on duty there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then there was a object in it, and a proper good one too, I’ll be sworn,’ + retorted Dennis with a broad grin, and an oath of the same quality. ‘What + was it, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you see,’ said Hugh, crawling a little nearer to him, ‘that our + noble captain yonder, came in yesterday morning rather the worse for + liquor, and was—like you and me—ditto last night.’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis looked to where Simon Tappertit lay coiled upon a truss of hay, + snoring profoundly, and nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘And our noble captain,’ continued Hugh with another laugh, ‘our noble + captain and I, have planned for to-morrow a roaring expedition, with good + profit in it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Again the Papists?’ asked Dennis, rubbing his hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, against the Papists—against one of ‘em at least, that some of + us, and I for one, owe a good heavy grudge to.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not Muster Gashford’s friend that he spoke to us about in my house, eh?’ + said Dennis, brimfull of pleasant expectation. + </p> + <p> + ‘The same man,’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s your sort,’ cried Mr Dennis, gaily shaking hands with him, ‘that’s + the kind of game. Let’s have revenges and injuries, and all that, and we + shall get on twice as fast. Now you talk, indeed!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha! The captain,’ added Hugh, ‘has thoughts of carrying off a woman + in the bustle, and—ha ha ha!—and so have I!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis received this part of the scheme with a wry face, observing that + as a general principle he objected to women altogether, as being unsafe + and slippery persons on whom there was no calculating with any certainty, + and who were never in the same mind for four-and-twenty hours at a + stretch. He might have expatiated on this suggestive theme at much greater + length, but that it occurred to him to ask what connection existed between + the proposed expedition and Barnaby’s being posted at the stable-door as + sentry; to which Hugh cautiously replied in these words: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, the people we mean to visit, were friends of his, once upon a time, + and I know that much of him to feel pretty sure that if he thought we were + going to do them any harm, he’d be no friend to our side, but would lend a + ready hand to the other. So I’ve persuaded him (for I know him of old) + that Lord George has picked him out to guard this place to-morrow while + we’re away, and that it’s a great honour—and so he’s on duty now, + and as proud of it as if he was a general. Ha ha! What do you say to me + for a careful man as well as a devil of a one?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis exhausted himself in compliments, and then added, + </p> + <p> + ‘But about the expedition itself—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘About that,’ said Hugh, ‘you shall hear all particulars from me and the + great captain conjointly and both together—for see, he’s waking up. + Rouse yourself, lion-heart. Ha ha! Put a good face upon it, and drink + again. Another hair of the dog that bit you, captain! Call for drink! + There’s enough of gold and silver cups and candlesticks buried underneath + my bed,’ he added, rolling back the straw, and pointing to where the + ground was newly turned, ‘to pay for it, if it was a score of casks full. + Drink, captain!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit received these jovial promptings with a very bad grace, being + much the worse, both in mind and body, for his two nights of debauch, and + but indifferently able to stand upon his legs. With Hugh’s assistance, + however, he contrived to stagger to the pump; and having refreshed himself + with an abundant draught of cold water, and a copious shower of the same + refreshing liquid on his head and face, he ordered some rum and milk to be + served; and upon that innocent beverage and some biscuits and cheese made + a pretty hearty meal. That done, he disposed himself in an easy attitude + on the ground beside his two companions (who were carousing after their + own tastes), and proceeded to enlighten Mr Dennis in reference to + to-morrow’s project. + </p> + <p> + That their conversation was an interesting one, was rendered manifest by + its length, and by the close attention of all three. That it was not of an + oppressively grave character, but was enlivened by various pleasantries + arising out of the subject, was clear from their loud and frequent roars + of laughter, which startled Barnaby on his post, and made him wonder at + their levity. But he was not summoned to join them, until they had eaten, + and drunk, and slept, and talked together for some hours; not, indeed, + until the twilight; when they informed him that they were about to make a + slight demonstration in the streets—just to keep the people’s hands + in, as it was Sunday night, and the public might otherwise be disappointed—and + that he was free to accompany them if he would. + </p> + <p> + Without the slightest preparation, saving that they carried clubs and wore + the blue cockade, they sallied out into the streets; and, with no more + settled design than that of doing as much mischief as they could, paraded + them at random. Their numbers rapidly increasing, they soon divided into + parties; and agreeing to meet by-and-by, in the fields near Welbeck + Street, scoured the town in various directions. The largest body, and that + which augmented with the greatest rapidity, was the one to which Hugh and + Barnaby belonged. This took its way towards Moorfields, where there was a + rich chapel, and in which neighbourhood several Catholic families were + known to reside. + </p> + <p> + Beginning with the private houses so occupied, they broke open the doors + and windows; and while they destroyed the furniture and left but the bare + walls, made a sharp search for tools and engines of destruction, such as + hammers, pokers, axes, saws, and such like instruments. Many of the + rioters made belts of cord, of handkerchiefs, or any material they found + at hand, and wore these weapons as openly as pioneers upon a field-day. + There was not the least disguise or concealment—indeed, on this + night, very little excitement or hurry. From the chapels, they tore down + and took away the very altars, benches, pulpits, pews, and flooring; from + the dwelling-houses, the very wainscoting and stairs. This Sunday + evening’s recreation they pursued like mere workmen who had a certain task + to do, and did it. Fifty resolute men might have turned them at any + moment; a single company of soldiers could have scattered them like dust; + but no man interposed, no authority restrained them, and, except by the + terrified persons who fled from their approach, they were as little heeded + as if they were pursuing their lawful occupations with the utmost sobriety + and good conduct. + </p> + <p> + In the same manner, they marched to the place of rendezvous agreed upon, + made great fires in the fields, and reserving the most valuable of their + spoils, burnt the rest. Priestly garments, images of saints, rich stuffs + and ornaments, altar-furniture and household goods, were cast into the + flames, and shed a glare on the whole country round; but they danced and + howled, and roared about these fires till they were tired, and were never + for an instant checked. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0241m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0241m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0241.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + As the main body filed off from this scene of action, and passed down + Welbeck Street, they came upon Gashford, who had been a witness of their + proceedings, and was walking stealthily along the pavement. Keeping up + with him, and yet not seeming to speak, Hugh muttered in his ear: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this better, master?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Gashford. ‘It is not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What would you have?’ said Hugh. ‘Fevers are never at their height at + once. They must get on by degrees.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would have you,’ said Gashford, pinching his arm with such malevolence + that his nails seemed to meet in the skin; ‘I would have you put some + meaning into your work. Fools! Can you make no better bonfires than of + rags and scraps? Can you burn nothing whole?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A little patience, master,’ said Hugh. ‘Wait but a few hours, and you + shall see. Look for a redness in the sky, to-morrow night.’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he fell back into his place beside Barnaby; and when the + secretary looked after him, both were lost in the crowd. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0248m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0248m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0248.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0053" id="link2HCH0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 53 + </h2> + <p> + The next day was ushered in by merry peals of bells, and by the firing of + the Tower guns; flags were hoisted on many of the church-steeples; the + usual demonstrations were made in honour of the anniversary of the King’s + birthday; and every man went about his pleasure or business as if the city + were in perfect order, and there were no half-smouldering embers in its + secret places, which, on the approach of night, would kindle up again and + scatter ruin and dismay abroad. The leaders of the riot, rendered still + more daring by the success of last night and by the booty they had + acquired, kept steadily together, and only thought of implicating the mass + of their followers so deeply that no hope of pardon or reward might tempt + them to betray their more notorious confederates into the hands of + justice. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, the sense of having gone too far to be forgiven, held the timid + together no less than the bold. Many who would readily have pointed out + the foremost rioters and given evidence against them, felt that escape by + that means was hopeless, when their every act had been observed by scores + of people who had taken no part in the disturbances; who had suffered in + their persons, peace, or property, by the outrages of the mob; who would + be most willing witnesses; and whom the government would, no doubt, prefer + to any King’s evidence that might be offered. Many of this class had + deserted their usual occupations on the Saturday morning; some had been + seen by their employers active in the tumult; others knew they must be + suspected, and that they would be discharged if they returned; others had + been desperate from the beginning, and comforted themselves with the + homely proverb, that, being hanged at all, they might as well be hanged + for a sheep as a lamb. They all hoped and believed, in a greater or less + degree, that the government they seemed to have paralysed, would, in its + terror, come to terms with them in the end, and suffer them to make their + own conditions. The least sanguine among them reasoned with himself that, + at the worst, they were too many to be all punished, and that he had as + good a chance of escape as any other man. The great mass never reasoned or + thought at all, but were stimulated by their own headlong passions, by + poverty, by ignorance, by the love of mischief, and the hope of plunder. + </p> + <p> + One other circumstance is worthy of remark; and that is, that from the + moment of their first outbreak at Westminster, every symptom of order or + preconcerted arrangement among them vanished. When they divided into + parties and ran to different quarters of the town, it was on the + spontaneous suggestion of the moment. Each party swelled as it went along, + like rivers as they roll towards the sea; new leaders sprang up as they + were wanted, disappeared when the necessity was over, and reappeared at + the next crisis. Each tumult took shape and form from the circumstances of + the moment; sober workmen, going home from their day’s labour, were seen + to cast down their baskets of tools and become rioters in an instant; mere + boys on errands did the like. In a word, a moral plague ran through the + city. The noise, and hurry, and excitement, had for hundreds and hundreds + an attraction they had no firmness to resist. The contagion spread like a + dread fever: an infectious madness, as yet not near its height, seized on + new victims every hour, and society began to tremble at their ravings. + </p> + <p> + It was between two and three o’clock in the afternoon when Gashford looked + into the lair described in the last chapter, and seeing only Barnaby and + Dennis there, inquired for Hugh. + </p> + <p> + He was out, Barnaby told him; had gone out more than an hour ago; and had + not yet returned. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dennis!’ said the smiling secretary, in his smoothest voice, as he sat + down cross-legged on a barrel, ‘Dennis!’ + </p> + <p> + The hangman struggled into a sitting posture directly, and with his eyes + wide open, looked towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you do, Dennis?’ said Gashford, nodding. ‘I hope you have suffered + no inconvenience from your late exertions, Dennis?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I always will say of you, Muster Gashford,’ returned the hangman, staring + at him, ‘that that ‘ere quiet way of yours might almost wake a dead man. + It is,’ he added, with a muttered oath—still staring at him in a + thoughtful manner—‘so awful sly!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So distinct, eh Dennis?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Distinct!’ he answered, scratching his head, and keeping his eyes upon + the secretary’s face; ‘I seem to hear it, Muster Gashford, in my wery + bones.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am very glad your sense of hearing is so sharp, and that I succeed in + making myself so intelligible,’ said Gashford, in his unvarying, even + tone. ‘Where is your friend?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis looked round as in expectation of beholding him asleep upon his + bed of straw; then remembering he had seen him go out, replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘I can’t say where he is, Muster Gashford, I expected him back afore now. + I hope it isn’t time that we was busy, Muster Gashford?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said the secretary, ‘who should know that as well as you? How can I + tell you, Dennis? You are perfect master of your own actions, you know, + and accountable to nobody—except sometimes to the law, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis, who was very much baffled by the cool matter-of-course manner of + this reply, recovered his self-possession on his professional pursuits + being referred to, and pointing towards Barnaby, shook his head and + frowned. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ cried Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Do hush about that, Muster Gashford,’ said the hangman in a low + voice, ‘pop’lar prejudices—you always forget—well, Barnaby, my + lad, what’s the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I hear him coming,’ he answered: ‘Hark! Do you mark that? That’s his + foot! Bless you, I know his step, and his dog’s too. Tramp, tramp, + pit-pat, on they come together, and, ha ha ha!—and here they are!’ + he cried, joyfully welcoming Hugh with both hands, and then patting him + fondly on the back, as if instead of being the rough companion he was, he + had been one of the most prepossessing of men. ‘Here he is, and safe too! + I am glad to see him back again, old Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m a Turk if he don’t give me a warmer welcome always than any man of + sense,’ said Hugh, shaking hands with him with a kind of ferocious + friendship, strange enough to see. ‘How are you, boy?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hearty!’ cried Barnaby, waving his hat. ‘Ha ha ha! And merry too, Hugh! + And ready to do anything for the good cause, and the right, and to help + the kind, mild, pale-faced gentleman—the lord they used so ill—eh, + Hugh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ returned his friend, dropping his hand, and looking at Gashford for + an instant with a changed expression before he spoke to him. ‘Good day, + master!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And good day to you,’ replied the secretary, nursing his leg. + </p> + <p> + ‘And many good days—whole years of them, I hope. You are heated.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So would you have been, master,’ said Hugh, wiping his face, ‘if you’d + been running here as fast as I have.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know the news, then? Yes, I supposed you would have heard it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘News! what news?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t?’ cried Gashford, raising his eyebrows with an exclamation of + surprise. ‘Dear me! Come; then I AM the first to make you acquainted with + your distinguished position, after all. Do you see the King’s Arms a-top?’ + he smilingly asked, as he took a large paper from his pocket, unfolded it, + and held it out for Hugh’s inspection. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ said Hugh. ‘What’s that to me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much. A great deal,’ replied the secretary. ‘Read it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I told you, the first time I saw you, that I couldn’t read,’ said Hugh, + impatiently. ‘What in the Devil’s name’s inside of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a proclamation from the King in Council,’ said Gashford, ‘dated + to-day, and offering a reward of five hundred pounds—five hundred + pounds is a great deal of money, and a large temptation to some people—to + any one who will discover the person or persons most active in demolishing + those chapels on Saturday night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is that all?’ cried Hugh, with an indifferent air. ‘I knew of that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Truly I might have known you did,’ said Gashford, smiling, and folding up + the document again. ‘Your friend, I might have guessed—indeed I did + guess—was sure to tell you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My friend!’ stammered Hugh, with an unsuccessful effort to appear + surprised. ‘What friend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tut tut—do you suppose I don’t know where you have been?’ retorted + Gashford, rubbing his hands, and beating the back of one on the palm of + the other, and looking at him with a cunning eye. ‘How dull you think me! + Shall I say his name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ said Hugh, with a hasty glance towards Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have also heard from him, no doubt,’ resumed the secretary, after a + moment’s pause, ‘that the rioters who have been taken (poor fellows) are + committed for trial, and that some very active witnesses have had the + temerity to appear against them. Among others—’ and here he clenched + his teeth, as if he would suppress by force some violent words that rose + upon his tongue; and spoke very slowly. ‘Among others, a gentleman who saw + the work going on in Warwick Street; a Catholic gentleman; one Haredale.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh would have prevented his uttering the word, but it was out already. + Hearing the name, Barnaby turned swiftly round. + </p> + <p> + ‘Duty, duty, bold Barnaby!’ cried Hugh, assuming his wildest and most + rapid manner, and thrusting into his hand his staff and flag which leant + against the wall. ‘Mount guard without loss of time, for we are off upon + our expedition. Up, Dennis, and get ready! Take care that no one turns the + straw upon my bed, brave Barnaby; we know what’s underneath it—eh? + Now, master, quick! What you have to say, say speedily, for the little + captain and a cluster of ‘em are in the fields, and only waiting for us. + Sharp’s the word, and strike’s the action. Quick!’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby was not proof against this bustle and despatch. The look of + mingled astonishment and anger which had appeared in his face when he + turned towards them, faded from it as the words passed from his memory, + like breath from a polished mirror; and grasping the weapon which Hugh + forced upon him, he proudly took his station at the door, beyond their + hearing. + </p> + <p> + ‘You might have spoiled our plans, master,’ said Hugh. ‘YOU, too, of all + men!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who would have supposed that HE would be so quick?’ urged Gashford. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s as quick sometimes—I don’t mean with his hands, for that you + know, but with his head—as you or any man,’ said Hugh. ‘Dennis, it’s + time we were going; they’re waiting for us; I came to tell you. Reach me + my stick and belt. Here! Lend a hand, master. Fling this over my shoulder, + and buckle it behind, will you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Brisk as ever!’ said the secretary, adjusting it for him as he desired. + </p> + <p> + ‘A man need be brisk to-day; there’s brisk work a-foot.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is, is there?’ said Gashford. He said it with such a provoking + assumption of ignorance, that Hugh, looking over his shoulder and angrily + down upon him, replied: + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there! You know there is! Who knows better than you, master, that the + first great step to be taken is to make examples of these witnesses, and + frighten all men from appearing against us or any of our body, any more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There’s one we know of,’ returned Gashford, with an expressive smile, + ‘who is at least as well informed upon that subject as you or I.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If we mean the same gentleman, as I suppose we do,’ Hugh rejoined softly, + ‘I tell you this—he’s as good and quick information about everything + as—’ here he paused and looked round, as if to make sure that the + person in question was not within hearing, ‘as Old Nick himself. Have you + done that, master? How slow you are!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s quite fast now,’ said Gashford, rising. ‘I say—you didn’t find + that your friend disapproved of to-day’s little expedition? Ha ha ha! It + is fortunate it jumps so well with the witness policy; for, once planned, + it must have been carried out. And now you are going, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now we are going, master!’ Hugh replied. ‘Any parting words?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear, no,’ said Gashford sweetly. ‘None!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re sure?’ cried Hugh, nudging the grinning Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite sure, eh, Muster Gashford?’ chuckled the hangman. + </p> + <p> + Gashford paused a moment, struggling with his caution and his malice; then + putting himself between the two men, and laying a hand upon the arm of + each, said, in a cramped whisper: + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not, my good friends—I am sure you will not—forget our + talk one night—in your house, Dennis—about this person. No + mercy, no quarter, no two beams of his house to be left standing where the + builder placed them! Fire, the saying goes, is a good servant, but a bad + master. Make it <i>his</i> master; he deserves no better. But I am sure you will + be firm, I am sure you will be very resolute, I am sure you will remember + that he thirsts for your lives, and those of all your brave companions. If + you ever acted like staunch fellows, you will do so to-day. Won’t you, + Dennis—won’t you, Hugh?’ + </p> + <p> + The two looked at him, and at each other; then bursting into a roar of + laughter, brandished their staves above their heads, shook hands, and + hurried out. + </p> + <p> + When they had been gone a little time, Gashford followed. They were yet in + sight, and hastening to that part of the adjacent fields in which their + fellows had already mustered; Hugh was looking back, and flourishing his + hat to Barnaby, who, delighted with his trust, replied in the same way, + and then resumed his pacing up and down before the stable-door, where his + feet had worn a path already. And when Gashford himself was far distant, + and looked back for the last time, he was still walking to and fro, with + the same measured tread; the most devoted and the blithest champion that + ever maintained a post, and felt his heart lifted up with a brave sense of + duty, and determination to defend it to the last. + </p> + <p> + Smiling at the simplicity of the poor idiot, Gashford betook himself to + Welbeck Street by a different path from that which he knew the rioters + would take, and sitting down behind a curtain in one of the upper windows + of Lord George Gordon’s house, waited impatiently for their coming. They + were so long, that although he knew it had been settled they should come + that way, he had a misgiving they must have changed their plans and taken + some other route. But at length the roar of voices was heard in the + neighbouring fields, and soon afterwards they came thronging past, in a + great body. + </p> + <p> + However, they were not all, nor nearly all, in one body, but were, as he + soon found, divided into four parties, each of which stopped before the + house to give three cheers, and then went on; the leaders crying out in + what direction they were going, and calling on the spectators to join + them. The first detachment, carrying, by way of banners, some relics of + the havoc they had made in Moorfields, proclaimed that they were on their + way to Chelsea, whence they would return in the same order, to make of the + spoil they bore, a great bonfire, near at hand. The second gave out that + they were bound for Wapping, to destroy a chapel; the third, that their + place of destination was East Smithfield, and their object the same. All + this was done in broad, bright, summer day. Gay carriages and chairs + stopped to let them pass, or turned back to avoid them; people on foot + stood aside in doorways, or perhaps knocked and begged permission to stand + at a window, or in the hall, until the rioters had passed: but nobody + interfered with them; and when they had gone by, everything went on as + usual. + </p> + <p> + There still remained the fourth body, and for that the secretary looked + with a most intense eagerness. At last it came up. It was numerous, and + composed of picked men; for as he gazed down among them, he recognised + many upturned faces which he knew well—those of Simon Tappertit, + Hugh, and Dennis in the front, of course. They halted and cheered, as the + others had done; but when they moved again, they did not, like them, + proclaim what design they had. Hugh merely raised his hat upon the + bludgeon he carried, and glancing at a spectator on the opposite side of + the way, was gone. + </p> + <p> + Gashford followed the direction of his glance instinctively, and saw, + standing on the pavement, and wearing the blue cockade, Sir John Chester. + He held his hat an inch or two above his head, to propitiate the mob; and, + resting gracefully on his cane, smiling pleasantly, and displaying his + dress and person to the very best advantage, looked on in the most + tranquil state imaginable. For all that, and quick and dexterous as he + was, Gashford had seen him recognise Hugh with the air of a patron. He had + no longer any eyes for the crowd, but fixed his keen regards upon Sir + John. + </p> + <p> + He stood in the same place and posture until the last man in the concourse + had turned the corner of the street; then very deliberately took the blue + cockade out of his hat; put it carefully in his pocket, ready for the next + emergency; refreshed himself with a pinch of snuff; put up his box; and + was walking slowly off, when a passing carriage stopped, and a lady’s hand + let down the glass. Sir John’s hat was off again immediately. After a + minute’s conversation at the carriage-window, in which it was apparent + that he was vastly entertaining on the subject of the mob, he stepped + lightly in, and was driven away. + </p> + <p> + The secretary smiled, but he had other thoughts to dwell upon, and soon + dismissed the topic. Dinner was brought him, but he sent it down untasted; + and, in restless pacings up and down the room, and constant glances at the + clock, and many futile efforts to sit down and read, or go to sleep, or + look out of the window, consumed four weary hours. When the dial told him + thus much time had crept away, he stole upstairs to the top of the house, + and coming out upon the roof sat down, with his face towards the east. + </p> + <p> + Heedless of the fresh air that blew upon his heated brow, of the pleasant + meadows from which he turned, of the piles of roofs and chimneys upon + which he looked, of the smoke and rising mist he vainly sought to pierce, + of the shrill cries of children at their evening sports, the distant hum + and turmoil of the town, the cheerful country breath that rustled past to + meet it, and to droop, and die; he watched, and watched, till it was dark + save for the specks of light that twinkled in the streets below and far + away—and, as the darkness deepened, strained his gaze and grew more + eager yet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing but gloom in that direction, still!’ he muttered restlessly. + ‘Dog! where is the redness in the sky, you promised me!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0054" id="link2HCH0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 54 + </h2> + <p> + Rumours of the prevailing disturbances had, by this time, begun to be + pretty generally circulated through the towns and villages round London, + and the tidings were everywhere received with that appetite for the + marvellous and love of the terrible which have probably been among the + natural characteristics of mankind since the creation of the world. These + accounts, however, appeared, to many persons at that day—as they + would to us at the present, but that we know them to be matter of history—so + monstrous and improbable, that a great number of those who were resident + at a distance, and who were credulous enough on other points, were really + unable to bring their minds to believe that such things could be; and + rejected the intelligence they received on all hands, as wholly fabulous + and absurd. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet—not so much, perhaps, on account of his having argued and + settled the matter with himself, as by reason of his constitutional + obstinacy—was one of those who positively refused to entertain the + current topic for a moment. On this very evening, and perhaps at the very + time when Gashford kept his solitary watch, old John was so red in the + face with perpetually shaking his head in contradiction of his three + ancient cronies and pot companions, that he was quite a phenomenon to + behold, and lighted up the Maypole Porch wherein they sat together, like a + monstrous carbuncle in a fairy tale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think, sir,’ said Mr Willet, looking hard at Solomon Daisy—for + it was his custom in cases of personal altercation to fasten upon the + smallest man in the party—‘do you think, sir, that I’m a born fool?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, Johnny,’ returned Solomon, looking round upon the little circle + of which he formed a part: ‘We all know better than that. You’re no fool, + Johnny. No, no!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Cobb and Mr Parkes shook their heads in unison, muttering, ‘No, no, + Johnny, not you!’ But as such compliments had usually the effect of making + Mr Willet rather more dogged than before, he surveyed them with a look of + deep disdain, and returned for answer: + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what do you mean by coming here, and telling me that this evening + you’re a-going to walk up to London together—you three—you—and + have the evidence of your own senses? An’t,’ said Mr Willet, putting his + pipe in his mouth with an air of solemn disgust, ‘an’t the evidence of MY + senses enough for you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But we haven’t got it, Johnny,’ pleaded Parkes, humbly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You haven’t got it, sir?’ repeated Mr Willet, eyeing him from top to toe. + ‘You haven’t got it, sir? You HAVE got it, sir. Don’t I tell you that His + blessed Majesty King George the Third would no more stand a rioting and + rollicking in his streets, than he’d stand being crowed over by his own + Parliament?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Johnny, but that’s your sense—not your senses,’ said the + adventurous Mr Parkes. + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you know?’ retorted John with great dignity. ‘You’re a + contradicting pretty free, you are, sir. How do YOU know which it is? I’m + not aware I ever told you, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Parkes, finding himself in the position of having got into metaphysics + without exactly seeing his way out of them, stammered forth an apology and + retreated from the argument. There then ensued a silence of some ten + minutes or a quarter of an hour, at the expiration of which period Mr + Willet was observed to rumble and shake with laughter, and presently + remarked, in reference to his late adversary, ‘that he hoped he had + tackled him enough.’ Thereupon Messrs Cobb and Daisy laughed, and nodded, + and Parkes was looked upon as thoroughly and effectually put down. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you suppose if all this was true, that Mr Haredale would be constantly + away from home, as he is?’ said John, after another silence. ‘Do you think + he wouldn’t be afraid to leave his house with them two young women in it, + and only a couple of men, or so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, but then you know,’ returned Solomon Daisy, ‘his house is a goodish + way out of London, and they do say that the rioters won’t go more than two + miles, or three at the farthest, off the stones. Besides, you know, some + of the Catholic gentlefolks have actually sent trinkets and suchlike down + here for safety—at least, so the story goes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The story goes!’ said Mr Willet testily. ‘Yes, sir. The story goes that + you saw a ghost last March. But nobody believes it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ said Solomon, rising, to divert the attention of his two friends, + who tittered at this retort: ‘believed or disbelieved, it’s true; and true + or not, if we mean to go to London, we must be going at once. So shake + hands, Johnny, and good night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall shake hands,’ returned the landlord, putting his into his + pockets, ‘with no man as goes to London on such nonsensical errands.’ + </p> + <p> + The three cronies were therefore reduced to the necessity of shaking his + elbows; having performed that ceremony, and brought from the house their + hats, and sticks, and greatcoats, they bade him good night and departed; + promising to bring him on the morrow full and true accounts of the real + state of the city, and if it were quiet, to give him the full merit of his + victory. + </p> + <p> + John Willet looked after them, as they plodded along the road in the rich + glow of a summer evening; and knocking the ashes out of his pipe, laughed + inwardly at their folly, until his sides were sore. When he had quite + exhausted himself—which took some time, for he laughed as slowly as + he thought and spoke—he sat himself comfortably with his back to the + house, put his legs upon the bench, then his apron over his face, and fell + sound asleep. + </p> + <p> + How long he slept, matters not; but it was for no brief space, for when he + awoke, the rich light had faded, the sombre hues of night were falling + fast upon the landscape, and a few bright stars were already twinkling + overhead. The birds were all at roost, the daisies on the green had closed + their fairy hoods, the honeysuckle twining round the porch exhaled its + perfume in a twofold degree, as though it lost its coyness at that silent + time and loved to shed its fragrance on the night; the ivy scarcely + stirred its deep green leaves. How tranquil, and how beautiful it was! + </p> + <p> + Was there no sound in the air, besides the gentle rustling of the trees + and the grasshopper’s merry chirp? Hark! Something very faint and distant, + not unlike the murmuring in a sea-shell. Now it grew louder, fainter now, + and now it altogether died away. Presently, it came again, subsided, came + once more, grew louder, fainter—swelled into a roar. It was on the + road, and varied with its windings. All at once it burst into a distinct + sound—the voices, and the tramping feet of many men. + </p> + <p> + It is questionable whether old John Willet, even then, would have thought + of the rioters but for the cries of his cook and housemaid, who ran + screaming upstairs and locked themselves into one of the old garrets,—shrieking + dismally when they had done so, by way of rendering their place of refuge + perfectly secret and secure. These two females did afterwards depone that + Mr Willet in his consternation uttered but one word, and called that up + the stairs in a stentorian voice, six distinct times. But as this word was + a monosyllable, which, however inoffensive when applied to the quadruped + it denotes, is highly reprehensible when used in connection with females + of unimpeachable character, many persons were inclined to believe that the + young women laboured under some hallucination caused by excessive fear; + and that their ears deceived them. + </p> + <p> + Be this as it may, John Willet, in whom the very uttermost extent of + dull-headed perplexity supplied the place of courage, stationed himself in + the porch, and waited for their coming up. Once, it dimly occurred to him + that there was a kind of door to the house, which had a lock and bolts; + and at the same time some shadowy ideas of shutters to the lower windows, + flitted through his brain. But he stood stock still, looking down the road + in the direction in which the noise was rapidly advancing, and did not so + much as take his hands out of his pockets. + </p> + <p> + He had not to wait long. A dark mass, looming through a cloud of dust, + soon became visible; the mob quickened their pace; shouting and whooping + like savages, they came rushing on pell mell; and in a few seconds he was + bandied from hand to hand, in the heart of a crowd of men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa!’ cried a voice he knew, as the man who spoke came cleaving + through the throng. ‘Where is he? Give him to me. Don’t hurt him. How now, + old Jack! Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet looked at him, and saw it was Hugh; but he said nothing, and + thought nothing. + </p> + <p> + ‘These lads are thirsty and must drink!’ cried Hugh, thrusting him back + towards the house. ‘Bustle, Jack, bustle. Show us the best—the very + best—the over-proof that you keep for your own drinking, Jack!’ + </p> + <p> + John faintly articulated the words, ‘Who’s to pay?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He says “Who’s to pay?”’ cried Hugh, with a roar of laughter which was + loudly echoed by the crowd. Then turning to John, he added, ‘Pay! Why, + nobody.’ + </p> + <p> + John stared round at the mass of faces—some grinning, some fierce, + some lighted up by torches, some indistinct, some dusky and shadowy: some + looking at him, some at his house, some at each other—and while he + was, as he thought, in the very act of doing so, found himself, without + any consciousness of having moved, in the bar; sitting down in an + arm-chair, and watching the destruction of his property, as if it were + some queer play or entertainment, of an astonishing and stupefying nature, + but having no reference to himself—that he could make out—at + all. + </p> + <p> + Yes. Here was the bar—the bar that the boldest never entered without + special invitation—the sanctuary, the mystery, the hallowed ground: + here it was, crammed with men, clubs, sticks, torches, pistols; filled + with a deafening noise, oaths, shouts, screams, hootings; changed all at + once into a bear-garden, a madhouse, an infernal temple: men darting in + and out, by door and window, smashing the glass, turning the taps, + drinking liquor out of China punchbowls, sitting astride of casks, smoking + private and personal pipes, cutting down the sacred grove of lemons, + hacking and hewing at the celebrated cheese, breaking open inviolable + drawers, putting things in their pockets which didn’t belong to them, + dividing his own money before his own eyes, wantonly wasting, breaking, + pulling down and tearing up: nothing quiet, nothing private: men + everywhere—above, below, overhead, in the bedrooms, in the kitchen, + in the yard, in the stables—clambering in at windows when there were + doors wide open; dropping out of windows when the stairs were handy; + leaping over the bannisters into chasms of passages: new faces and figures + presenting themselves every instant—some yelling, some singing, some + fighting, some breaking glass and crockery, some laying the dust with the + liquor they couldn’t drink, some ringing the bells till they pulled them + down, others beating them with pokers till they beat them into fragments: + more men still—more, more, more—swarming on like insects: + noise, smoke, light, darkness, frolic, anger, laughter, groans, plunder, + fear, and ruin! + </p> + <p> + Nearly all the time while John looked on at this bewildering scene, Hugh + kept near him; and though he was the loudest, wildest, most destructive + villain there, he saved his old master’s bones a score of times. Nay, even + when Mr Tappertit, excited by liquor, came up, and in assertion of his + prerogative politely kicked John Willet on the shins, Hugh bade him return + the compliment; and if old John had had sufficient presence of mind to + understand this whispered direction, and to profit by it, he might no + doubt, under Hugh’s protection, have done so with impunity. + </p> + <p> + At length the band began to reassemble outside the house, and to call to + those within, to join them, for they were losing time. These murmurs + increasing, and attaining a high pitch, Hugh, and some of those who yet + lingered in the bar, and who plainly were the leaders of the troop, took + counsel together, apart, as to what was to be done with John, to keep him + quiet until their Chigwell work was over. Some proposed to set the house + on fire and leave him in it; others, that he should be reduced to a state + of temporary insensibility, by knocking on the head; others, that he + should be sworn to sit where he was until to-morrow at the same hour; + others again, that he should be gagged and taken off with them, under a + sufficient guard. All these propositions being overruled, it was + concluded, at last, to bind him in his chair, and the word was passed for + Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look’ee here, Jack!’ said Hugh, striding up to him: ‘We are going to tie + you, hand and foot, but otherwise you won’t be hurt. D’ye hear?’ + </p> + <p> + John Willet looked at another man, as if he didn’t know which was the + speaker, and muttered something about an ordinary every Sunday at two + o’clock. + </p> + <p> + ‘You won’t be hurt I tell you, Jack—do you hear me?’ roared Hugh, + impressing the assurance upon him by means of a heavy blow on the back. + ‘He’s so dead scared, he’s woolgathering, I think. Give him a drop of + something to drink here. Hand over, one of you.’ + </p> + <p> + A glass of liquor being passed forward, Hugh poured the contents down old + John’s throat. Mr Willet feebly smacked his lips, thrust his hand into his + pocket, and inquired what was to pay; adding, as he looked vacantly round, + that he believed there was a trifle of broken glass— + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s out of his senses for the time, it’s my belief,’ said Hugh, after + shaking him, without any visible effect upon his system, until his keys + rattled in his pocket. ‘Where’s that Dennis?’ + </p> + <p> + The word was again passed, and presently Mr Dennis, with a long cord bound + about his middle, something after the manner of a friar, came hurrying in, + attended by a body-guard of half-a-dozen of his men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Come! Be alive here!’ cried Hugh, stamping his foot upon the ground. + ‘Make haste!’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis, with a wink and a nod, unwound the cord from about his person, and + raising his eyes to the ceiling, looked all over it, and round the walls + and cornice, with a curious eye; then shook his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Move, man, can’t you!’ cried Hugh, with another impatient stamp of his + foot. ‘Are we to wait here, till the cry has gone for ten miles round, and + our work’s interrupted?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s all very fine talking, brother,’ answered Dennis, stepping towards + him; ‘but unless—’ and here he whispered in his ear—‘unless we + do it over the door, it can’t be done at all in this here room.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What can’t?’ Hugh demanded. + </p> + <p> + ‘What can’t!’ retorted Dennis. ‘Why, the old man can’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you weren’t going to hang him!’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, brother?’ returned the hangman with a stare. ‘What else?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh made no answer, but snatching the rope from his companion’s hand, + proceeded to bind old John himself; but his very first move was so + bungling and unskilful, that Mr Dennis entreated, almost with tears in his + eyes, that he might be permitted to perform the duty. Hugh consenting, he + achieved it in a twinkling. + </p> + <p> + ‘There,’ he said, looking mournfully at John Willet, who displayed no more + emotion in his bonds than he had shown out of them. ‘That’s what I call + pretty and workmanlike. He’s quite a picter now. But, brother, just a word + with you—now that he’s ready trussed, as one may say, wouldn’t it be + better for all parties if we was to work him off? It would read uncommon + well in the newspapers, it would indeed. The public would think a great + deal more on us!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh, inferring what his companion meant, rather from his gestures than + his technical mode of expressing himself (to which, as he was ignorant of + his calling, he wanted the clue), rejected this proposition for the second + time, and gave the word ‘Forward!’ which was echoed by a hundred voices + from without. + </p> + <p> + ‘To the Warren!’ shouted Dennis as he ran out, followed by the rest. ‘A + witness’s house, my lads!’ + </p> + <p> + A loud yell followed, and the whole throng hurried off, mad for pillage + and destruction. Hugh lingered behind for a few moments to stimulate + himself with more drink, and to set all the taps running, a few of which + had accidentally been spared; then, glancing round the despoiled and + plundered room, through whose shattered window the rioters had thrust the + Maypole itself,—for even that had been sawn down,—lighted a + torch, clapped the mute and motionless John Willet on the back, and waving + his light above his head, and uttering a fierce shout, hastened after his + companions. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0055" id="link2HCH0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 55 + </h2> + <p> + John Willet, left alone in his dismantled bar, continued to sit staring + about him; awake as to his eyes, certainly, but with all his powers of + reason and reflection in a sound and dreamless sleep. He looked round upon + the room which had been for years, and was within an hour ago, the pride + of his heart; and not a muscle of his face was moved. The night, without, + looked black and cold through the dreary gaps in the casement; the + precious liquids, now nearly leaked away, dripped with a hollow sound upon + the floor; the Maypole peered ruefully in through the broken window, like + the bowsprit of a wrecked ship; the ground might have been the bottom of + the sea, it was so strewn with precious fragments. Currents of air rushed + in, as the old doors jarred and creaked upon their hinges; the candles + flickered and guttered down, and made long winding-sheets; the cheery + deep-red curtains flapped and fluttered idly in the wind; even the stout + Dutch kegs, overthrown and lying empty in dark corners, seemed the mere + husks of good fellows whose jollity had departed, and who could kindle + with a friendly glow no more. John saw this desolation, and yet saw it + not. He was perfectly contented to sit there, staring at it, and felt no + more indignation or discomfort in his bonds than if they had been robes of + honour. So far as he was personally concerned, old Time lay snoring, and + the world stood still. + </p> + <p> + Save for the dripping from the barrels, the rustling of such light + fragments of destruction as the wind affected, and the dull creaking of + the open doors, all was profoundly quiet: indeed, these sounds, like the + ticking of the death-watch in the night, only made the silence they + invaded deeper and more apparent. But quiet or noisy, it was all one to + John. If a train of heavy artillery could have come up and commenced ball + practice outside the window, it would have been all the same to him. He + was a long way beyond surprise. A ghost couldn’t have overtaken him. + </p> + <p> + By and by he heard a footstep—a hurried, and yet cautious footstep—coming + on towards the house. It stopped, advanced again, then seemed to go quite + round it. Having done that, it came beneath the window, and a head looked + in. + </p> + <p> + It was strongly relieved against the darkness outside by the glare of the + guttering candles. A pale, worn, withered face; the eyes—but that + was owing to its gaunt condition—unnaturally large and bright; the + hair, a grizzled black. It gave a searching glance all round the room, and + a deep voice said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you alone in this house?’ + </p> + <p> + John made no sign, though the question was repeated twice, and he heard it + distinctly. After a moment’s pause, the man got in at the window. John was + not at all surprised at this, either. There had been so much getting in + and out of window in the course of the last hour or so, that he had quite + forgotten the door, and seemed to have lived among such exercises from + infancy. + </p> + <p> + The man wore a large, dark, faded cloak, and a slouched hat; he walked up + close to John, and looked at him. John returned the compliment with + interest. + </p> + <p> + ‘How long have you been sitting thus?’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + John considered, but nothing came of it. + </p> + <p> + ‘Which way have the party gone?’ + </p> + <p> + Some wandering speculations relative to the fashion of the stranger’s + boots, got into Mr Willet’s mind by some accident or other, but they got + out again in a hurry, and left him in his former state. + </p> + <p> + ‘You would do well to speak,’ said the man; ‘you may keep a whole skin, + though you have nothing else left that can be hurt. Which way have the + party gone?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That!’ said John, finding his voice all at once, and nodding with perfect + good faith—he couldn’t point; he was so tightly bound—in + exactly the opposite direction to the right one. + </p> + <p> + ‘You lie!’ said the man angrily, and with a threatening gesture. ‘I came + that way. You would betray me.’ + </p> + <p> + It was so evident that John’s imperturbability was not assumed, but was + the result of the late proceedings under his roof, that the man stayed his + hand in the very act of striking him, and turned away. + </p> + <p> + John looked after him without so much as a twitch in a single nerve of his + face. He seized a glass, and holding it under one of the little casks + until a few drops were collected, drank them greedily off; then throwing + it down upon the floor impatiently, he took the vessel in his hands and + drained it into his throat. Some scraps of bread and meat were scattered + about, and on these he fell next; eating them with voracity, and pausing + every now and then to listen for some fancied noise outside. When he had + refreshed himself in this manner with violent haste, and raised another + barrel to his lips, he pulled his hat upon his brow as though he were + about to leave the house, and turned to John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where are your servants?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet indistinctly remembered to have heard the rioters calling to + them to throw the key of the room in which they were, out of window, for + their keeping. He therefore replied, ‘Locked up.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well for them if they remain quiet, and well for you if you do the like,’ + said the man. ‘Now show me the way the party went.’ + </p> + <p> + This time Mr Willet indicated it correctly. The man was hurrying to the + door, when suddenly there came towards them on the wind, the loud and + rapid tolling of an alarm-bell, and then a bright and vivid glare streamed + up, which illumined, not only the whole chamber, but all the country. + </p> + <p> + It was not the sudden change from darkness to this dreadful light, it was + not the sound of distant shrieks and shouts of triumph, it was not this + dread invasion of the serenity and peace of night, that drove the man back + as though a thunderbolt had struck him. It was the Bell. If the ghastliest + shape the human mind has ever pictured in its wildest dreams had risen up + before him, he could not have staggered backward from its touch, as he did + from the first sound of that loud iron voice. With eyes that started from + his head, his limbs convulsed, his face most horrible to see, he raised + one arm high up into the air, and holding something visionary back and + down, with his other hand, drove at it as though he held a knife and + stabbed it to the heart. He clutched his hair, and stopped his ears, and + travelled madly round and round; then gave a frightful cry, and with it + rushed away: still, still, the Bell tolled on and seemed to follow him—louder + and louder, hotter and hotter yet. The glare grew brighter, the roar of + voices deeper; the crash of heavy bodies falling, shook the air; bright + streams of sparks rose up into the sky; but louder than them all—rising + faster far, to Heaven—a million times more fierce and furious—pouring + forth dreadful secrets after its long silence—speaking the language + of the dead—the Bell—the Bell! + </p> + <p> + What hunt of spectres could surpass that dread pursuit and flight! Had + there been a legion of them on his track, he could have better borne it. + They would have had a beginning and an end, but here all space was full. + The one pursuing voice was everywhere: it sounded in the earth, the air; + shook the long grass, and howled among the trembling trees. The echoes + caught it up, the owls hooted as it flew upon the breeze, the nightingale + was silent and hid herself among the thickest boughs: it seemed to goad + and urge the angry fire, and lash it into madness; everything was steeped + in one prevailing red; the glow was everywhere; nature was drenched in + blood: still the remorseless crying of that awful voice—the Bell, + the Bell! + </p> + <p> + It ceased; but not in his ears. The knell was at his heart. No work of man + had ever voice like that which sounded there, and warned him that it cried + unceasingly to Heaven. Who could hear that bell, and not know what it + said! There was murder in its every note—cruel, relentless, savage + murder—the murder of a confiding man, by one who held his every + trust. Its ringing summoned phantoms from their graves. What face was + that, in which a friendly smile changed to a look of half incredulous + horror, which stiffened for a moment into one of pain, then changed again + into an imploring glance at Heaven, and so fell idly down with upturned + eyes, like the dead stags’ he had often peeped at when a little child: + shrinking and shuddering—there was a dreadful thing to think of now!—and + clinging to an apron as he looked! He sank upon the ground, and grovelling + down as if he would dig himself a place to hide in, covered his face and + ears: but no, no, no,—a hundred walls and roofs of brass would not + shut out that bell, for in it spoke the wrathful voice of God, and from + that voice, the whole wide universe could not afford a refuge! + </p> + <p> + While he rushed up and down, not knowing where to turn, and while he lay + crouching there, the work went briskly on indeed. When they left the + Maypole, the rioters formed into a solid body, and advanced at a quick + pace towards the Warren. Rumour of their approach having gone before, they + found the garden-doors fast closed, the windows made secure, and the house + profoundly dark: not a light being visible in any portion of the building. + After some fruitless ringing at the bells, and beating at the iron gates, + they drew off a few paces to reconnoitre, and confer upon the course it + would be best to take. + </p> + <p> + Very little conference was needed, when all were bent upon one desperate + purpose, infuriated with liquor, and flushed with successful riot. The + word being given to surround the house, some climbed the gates, or dropped + into the shallow trench and scaled the garden wall, while others pulled + down the solid iron fence, and while they made a breach to enter by, made + deadly weapons of the bars. The house being completely encircled, a small + number of men were despatched to break open a tool-shed in the garden; and + during their absence on this errand, the remainder contented themselves + with knocking violently at the doors, and calling to those within, to come + down and open them on peril of their lives. + </p> + <p> + No answer being returned to this repeated summons, and the detachment who + had been sent away, coming back with an accession of pickaxes, spades, and + hoes, they,—together with those who had such arms already, or + carried (as many did) axes, poles, and crowbars,—struggled into the + foremost rank, ready to beset the doors and windows. They had not at this + time more than a dozen lighted torches among them; but when these + preparations were completed, flaming links were distributed and passed + from hand to hand with such rapidity, that, in a minute’s time, at least + two-thirds of the whole roaring mass bore, each man in his hand, a blazing + brand. Whirling these about their heads they raised a loud shout, and fell + to work upon the doors and windows. + </p> + <p> + Amidst the clattering of heavy blows, the rattling of broken glass, the + cries and execrations of the mob, and all the din and turmoil of the + scene, Hugh and his friends kept together at the turret-door where Mr + Haredale had last admitted him and old John Willet; and spent their united + force on that. It was a strong old oaken door, guarded by good bolts and a + heavy bar, but it soon went crashing in upon the narrow stairs behind, and + made, as it were, a platform to facilitate their tearing up into the rooms + above. Almost at the same moment, a dozen other points were forced, and at + every one the crowd poured in like water. + </p> + <p> + A few armed servant-men were posted in the hall, and when the rioters + forced an entrance there, they fired some half-a-dozen shots. But these + taking no effect, and the concourse coming on like an army of devils, they + only thought of consulting their own safety, and retreated, echoing their + assailants’ cries, and hoping in the confusion to be taken for rioters + themselves; in which stratagem they succeeded, with the exception of one + old man who was never heard of again, and was said to have had his brains + beaten out with an iron bar (one of his fellows reported that he had seen + the old man fall), and to have been afterwards burnt in the flames. + </p> + <p> + The besiegers being now in complete possession of the house, spread + themselves over it from garret to cellar, and plied their demon labours + fiercely. While some small parties kindled bonfires underneath the + windows, others broke up the furniture and cast the fragments down to feed + the flames below; where the apertures in the wall (windows no longer) were + large enough, they threw out tables, chests of drawers, beds, mirrors, + pictures, and flung them whole into the fire; while every fresh addition + to the blazing masses was received with shouts, and howls, and yells, + which added new and dismal terrors to the conflagration. Those who had + axes and had spent their fury on the movables, chopped and tore down the + doors and window frames, broke up the flooring, hewed away the rafters, + and buried men who lingered in the upper rooms, in heaps of ruins. Some + searched the drawers, the chests, the boxes, writing-desks, and closets, + for jewels, plate, and money; while others, less mindful of gain and more + mad for destruction, cast their whole contents into the courtyard without + examination, and called to those below, to heap them on the blaze. Men who + had been into the cellars, and had staved the casks, rushed to and fro + stark mad, setting fire to all they saw—often to the dresses of + their own friends—and kindling the building in so many parts that + some had no time for escape, and were seen, with drooping hands and + blackened faces, hanging senseless on the window-sills to which they had + crawled, until they were sucked and drawn into the burning gulf. The more + the fire crackled and raged, the wilder and more cruel the men grew; as + though moving in that element they became fiends, and changed their + earthly nature for the qualities that give delight in hell. + </p> + <p> + The burning pile, revealing rooms and passages red hot, through gaps made + in the crumbling walls; the tributary fires that licked the outer bricks + and stones, with their long forked tongues, and ran up to meet the glowing + mass within; the shining of the flames upon the villains who looked on and + fed them; the roaring of the angry blaze, so bright and high that it + seemed in its rapacity to have swallowed up the very smoke; the living + flakes the wind bore rapidly away and hurried on with, like a storm of + fiery snow; the noiseless breaking of great beams of wood, which fell like + feathers on the heap of ashes, and crumbled in the very act to sparks and + powder; the lurid tinge that overspread the sky, and the darkness, very + deep by contrast, which prevailed around; the exposure to the coarse, + common gaze, of every little nook which usages of home had made a sacred + place, and the destruction by rude hands of every little household + favourite which old associations made a dear and precious thing: all this + taking place—not among pitying looks and friendly murmurs of + compassion, but brutal shouts and exultations, which seemed to make the + very rats who stood by the old house too long, creatures with some claim + upon the pity and regard of those its roof had sheltered:—combined + to form a scene never to be forgotten by those who saw it and were not + actors in the work, so long as life endured. + </p> + <p> + And who were they? The alarm-bell rang—and it was pulled by no faint + or hesitating hands—for a long time; but not a soul was seen. Some + of the insurgents said that when it ceased, they heard the shrieks of + women, and saw some garments fluttering in the air, as a party of men bore + away no unresisting burdens. No one could say that this was true or false, + in such an uproar; but where was Hugh? Who among them had seen him, since + the forcing of the doors? The cry spread through the body. Where was Hugh! + </p> + <p> + ‘Here!’ he hoarsely cried, appearing from the darkness; out of breath, and + blackened with the smoke. ‘We have done all we can; the fire is burning + itself out; and even the corners where it hasn’t spread, are nothing but + heaps of ruins. Disperse, my lads, while the coast’s clear; get back by + different ways; and meet as usual!’ With that, he disappeared again,—contrary + to his wont, for he was always first to advance, and last to go away,—leaving + them to follow homewards as they would. + </p> + <p> + It was not an easy task to draw off such a throng. If Bedlam gates had + been flung wide open, there would not have issued forth such maniacs as + the frenzy of that night had made. There were men there, who danced and + trampled on the beds of flowers as though they trod down human enemies, + and wrenched them from the stalks, like savages who twisted human necks. + There were men who cast their lighted torches in the air, and suffered + them to fall upon their heads and faces, blistering the skin with deep + unseemly burns. There were men who rushed up to the fire, and paddled in + it with their hands as if in water; and others who were restrained by + force from plunging in, to gratify their deadly longing. On the skull of + one drunken lad—not twenty, by his looks—who lay upon the + ground with a bottle to his mouth, the lead from the roof came streaming + down in a shower of liquid fire, white hot; melting his head like wax. + When the scattered parties were collected, men—living yet, but + singed as with hot irons—were plucked out of the cellars, and + carried off upon the shoulders of others, who strove to wake them as they + went along, with ribald jokes, and left them, dead, in the passages of + hospitals. But of all the howling throng not one learnt mercy from, or + sickened at, these sights; nor was the fierce, besotted, senseless rage of + one man glutted. + </p> + <p> + Slowly, and in small clusters, with hoarse hurrahs and repetitions of + their usual cry, the assembly dropped away. The last few red-eyed + stragglers reeled after those who had gone before; the distant noise of + men calling to each other, and whistling for others whom they missed, grew + fainter and fainter; at length even these sounds died away, and silence + reigned alone. + </p> + <p> + Silence indeed! The glare of the flames had sunk into a fitful, flashing + light; and the gentle stars, invisible till now, looked down upon the + blackening heap. A dull smoke hung upon the ruin, as though to hide it + from those eyes of Heaven; and the wind forbore to move it. Bare walls, + roof open to the sky—chambers, where the beloved dead had, many and + many a fair day, risen to new life and energy; where so many dear ones had + been sad and merry; which were connected with so many thoughts and hopes, + regrets and changes—all gone. Nothing left but a dull and dreary + blank—a smouldering heap of dust and ashes—the silence and + solitude of utter desolation. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0056" id="link2HCH0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 56 + </h2> + <p> + The Maypole cronies, little dreaming of the change so soon to come upon + their favourite haunt, struck through the Forest path upon their way to + London; and avoiding the main road, which was hot and dusty, kept to the + by-paths and the fields. As they drew nearer to their destination, they + began to make inquiries of the people whom they passed, concerning the + riots, and the truth or falsehood of the stories they had heard. The + answers went far beyond any intelligence that had spread to quiet + Chigwell. One man told them that that afternoon the Guards, conveying to + Newgate some rioters who had been re-examined, had been set upon by the + mob and compelled to retreat; another, that the houses of two witnesses + near Clare Market were about to be pulled down when he came away; another, + that Sir George Saville’s house in Leicester Fields was to be burned that + night, and that it would go hard with Sir George if he fell into the + people’s hands, as it was he who had brought in the Catholic bill. All + accounts agreed that the mob were out, in stronger numbers and more + numerous parties than had yet appeared; that the streets were unsafe; that + no man’s house or life was worth an hour’s purchase; that the public + consternation was increasing every moment; and that many families had + already fled the city. One fellow who wore the popular colour, damned them + for not having cockades in their hats, and bade them set a good watch + to-morrow night upon their prison doors, for the locks would have a + straining; another asked if they were fire-proof, that they walked abroad + without the distinguishing mark of all good and true men;—and a + third who rode on horseback, and was quite alone, ordered them to throw + each man a shilling, in his hat, towards the support of the rioters. + Although they were afraid to refuse compliance with this demand, and were + much alarmed by these reports, they agreed, having come so far, to go + forward, and see the real state of things with their own eyes. So they + pushed on quicker, as men do who are excited by portentous news; and + ruminating on what they had heard, spoke little to each other. + </p> + <p> + It was now night, and as they came nearer to the city they had dismal + confirmation of this intelligence in three great fires, all close + together, which burnt fiercely and were gloomily reflected in the sky. + Arriving in the immediate suburbs, they found that almost every house had + chalked upon its door in large characters ‘No Popery,’ that the shops were + shut, and that alarm and anxiety were depicted in every face they passed. + </p> + <p> + Noting these things with a degree of apprehension which neither of the + three cared to impart, in its full extent, to his companions, they came to + a turnpike-gate, which was shut. They were passing through the turnstile + on the path, when a horseman rode up from London at a hard gallop, and + called to the toll-keeper in a voice of great agitation, to open quickly + in the name of God. + </p> + <p> + The adjuration was so earnest and vehement, that the man, with a lantern + in his hand, came running out—toll-keeper though he was—and + was about to throw the gate open, when happening to look behind him, he + exclaimed, ‘Good Heaven, what’s that! Another fire!’ + </p> + <p> + At this, the three turned their heads, and saw in the distance—straight + in the direction whence they had come—a broad sheet of flame, + casting a threatening light upon the clouds, which glimmered as though the + conflagration were behind them, and showed like a wrathful sunset. + </p> + <p> + ‘My mind misgives me,’ said the horseman, ‘or I know from what far + building those flames come. Don’t stand aghast, my good fellow. Open the + gate!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir,’ cried the man, laying his hand upon his horse’s bridle as he let + him through: ‘I know you now, sir; be advised by me; do not go on. I saw + them pass, and know what kind of men they are. You will be murdered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So be it!’ said the horseman, looking intently towards the fire, and not + at him who spoke. + </p> + <p> + ‘But sir—sir,’ cried the man, grasping at his rein more tightly yet, + ‘if you do go on, wear the blue riband. Here, sir,’ he added, taking one + from his own hat, ‘it’s necessity, not choice, that makes me wear it; it’s + love of life and home, sir. Wear it for this one night, sir; only for this + one night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do!’ cried the three friends, pressing round his horse. ‘Mr Haredale—worthy + sir—good gentleman—pray be persuaded.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s that?’ cried Mr Haredale, stooping down to look. ‘Did I hear + Daisy’s voice?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You did, sir,’ cried the little man. ‘Do be persuaded, sir. This + gentleman says very true. Your life may hang upon it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you,’ said Mr Haredale abruptly, ‘afraid to come with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I, sir?—N-n-no.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Put that riband in your hat. If we meet the rioters, swear that I took + you prisoner for wearing it. I will tell them so with my own lips; for as + I hope for mercy when I die, I will take no quarter from them, nor shall + they have quarter from me, if we come hand to hand to-night. Up here—behind + me—quick! Clasp me tight round the body, and fear nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + In an instant they were riding away, at full gallop, in a dense cloud of + dust, and speeding on, like hunters in a dream. + </p> + <p> + It was well the good horse knew the road he traversed, for never once—no, + never once in all the journey—did Mr Haredale cast his eyes upon the + ground, or turn them, for an instant, from the light towards which they + sped so madly. Once he said in a low voice, ‘It is my house,’ but that was + the only time he spoke. When they came to dark and doubtful places, he + never forgot to put his hand upon the little man to hold him more securely + in his seat, but he kept his head erect and his eyes fixed on the fire, + then, and always. + </p> + <p> + The road was dangerous enough, for they went the nearest way—headlong—far + from the highway—by lonely lanes and paths, where waggon-wheels had + worn deep ruts; where hedge and ditch hemmed in the narrow strip of + ground; and tall trees, arching overhead, made it profoundly dark. But on, + on, on, with neither stop nor stumble, till they reached the Maypole door, + and could plainly see that the fire began to fade, as if for want of fuel. + </p> + <p> + ‘Down—for one moment—for but one moment,’ said Mr Haredale, + helping Daisy to the ground, and following himself. ‘Willet—Willet—where + are my niece and servants—Willet!’ + </p> + <p> + Crying to him distractedly, he rushed into the bar.—The landlord + bound and fastened to his chair; the place dismantled, stripped, and + pulled about his ears;—nobody could have taken shelter here. + </p> + <p> + He was a strong man, accustomed to restrain himself, and suppress his + strong emotions; but this preparation for what was to follow—though + he had seen that fire burning, and knew that his house must be razed to + the ground—was more than he could bear. He covered his face with his + hands for a moment, and turned away his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘Johnny, Johnny,’ said Solomon—and the simple-hearted fellow cried + outright, and wrung his hands—‘Oh dear old Johnny, here’s a change! + That the Maypole bar should come to this, and we should live to see it! + The old Warren too, Johnny—Mr Haredale—oh, Johnny, what a + piteous sight this is!’ + </p> + <p> + Pointing to Mr Haredale as he said these words, little Solomon Daisy put + his elbows on the back of Mr Willet’s chair, and fairly blubbered on his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + While Solomon was speaking, old John sat, mute as a stock-fish, staring at + him with an unearthly glare, and displaying, by every possible symptom, + entire and complete unconsciousness. But when Solomon was silent again, + John followed with his great round eyes the direction of his looks, and + did appear to have some dawning distant notion that somebody had come to + see him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You know us, don’t you, Johnny?’ said the little clerk, rapping himself + on the breast. ‘Daisy, you know—Chigwell Church—bell-ringer—little + desk on Sundays—eh, Johnny?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet reflected for a few moments, and then muttered, as it were + mechanically: ‘Let us sing to the praise and glory of—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, to be sure,’ cried the little man, hastily; ‘that’s it—that’s + me, Johnny. You’re all right now, an’t you? Say you’re all right, Johnny.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All right?’ pondered Mr Willet, as if that were a matter entirely between + himself and his conscience. ‘All right? Ah!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They haven’t been misusing you with sticks, or pokers, or any other blunt + instruments—have they, Johnny?’ asked Solomon, with a very anxious + glance at Mr Willet’s head. ‘They didn’t beat you, did they?’ + </p> + <p> + John knitted his brow; looked downwards, as if he were mentally engaged in + some arithmetical calculation; then upwards, as if the total would not + come at his call; then at Solomon Daisy, from his eyebrow to his + shoe-buckle; then very slowly round the bar. And then a great, round, + leaden-looking, and not at all transparent tear, came rolling out of each + eye, and he said, as he shook his head: + </p> + <p> + ‘If they’d only had the goodness to murder me, I’d have thanked ‘em + kindly.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no, no, don’t say that, Johnny,’ whimpered his little friend. ‘It’s + very, very bad, but not quite so bad as that. No, no!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Look’ee here, sir!’ cried John, turning his rueful eyes on Mr Haredale, + who had dropped on one knee, and was hastily beginning to untie his bonds. + ‘Look’ee here, sir! The very Maypole—the old dumb Maypole—stares + in at the winder, as if it said, “John Willet, John Willet, let’s go and + pitch ourselves in the nighest pool of water as is deep enough to hold us; + for our day is over!”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t, Johnny, don’t,’ cried his friend: no less affected with this + mournful effort of Mr Willet’s imagination, than by the sepulchral tone in + which he had spoken of the Maypole. ‘Please don’t, Johnny!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your loss is great, and your misfortune a heavy one,’ said Mr Haredale, + looking restlessly towards the door: ‘and this is not a time to comfort + you. If it were, I am in no condition to do so. Before I leave you, tell + me one thing, and try to tell me plainly, I implore you. Have you seen, or + heard of Emma?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ said Mr Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nor any one but these bloodhounds?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They rode away, I trust in Heaven, before these dreadful scenes began,’ + said Mr Haredale, who, between his agitation, his eagerness to mount his + horse again, and the dexterity with which the cords were tied, had + scarcely yet undone one knot. ‘A knife, Daisy!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You didn’t,’ said John, looking about, as though he had lost his + pocket-handkerchief, or some such slight article—‘either of you + gentlemen—see a—a coffin anywheres, did you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Willet!’ cried Mr Haredale. Solomon dropped the knife, and instantly + becoming limp from head to foot, exclaimed ‘Good gracious!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—Because,’ said John, not at all regarding them, ‘a dead man called + a little time ago, on his way yonder. I could have told you what name was + on the plate, if he had brought his coffin with him, and left it behind. + If he didn’t, it don’t signify.’ + </p> + <p> + His landlord, who had listened to these words with breathless attention, + started that moment to his feet; and, without a word, drew Solomon Daisy + to the door, mounted his horse, took him up behind again, and flew rather + than galloped towards the pile of ruins, which that day’s sun had shone + upon, a stately house. Mr Willet stared after them, listened, looked down + upon himself to make quite sure that he was still unbound, and, without + any manifestation of impatience, disappointment, or surprise, gently + relapsed into the condition from which he had so imperfectly recovered. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale tied his horse to the trunk of a tree, and grasping his + companion’s arm, stole softly along the footpath, and into what had been + the garden of his house. He stopped for an instant to look upon its + smoking walls, and at the stars that shone through roof and floor upon the + heap of crumbling ashes. Solomon glanced timidly in his face, but his lips + were tightly pressed together, a resolute and stern expression sat upon + his brow, and not a tear, a look, or gesture indicating grief, escaped + him. + </p> + <p> + He drew his sword; felt for a moment in his breast, as though he carried + other arms about him; then grasping Solomon by the wrist again, went with + a cautious step all round the house. He looked into every doorway and gap + in the wall; retraced his steps at every rustling of the air among the + leaves; and searched in every shadowed nook with outstretched hands. Thus + they made the circuit of the building: but they returned to the spot from + which they had set out, without encountering any human being, or finding + the least trace of any concealed straggler. + </p> + <p> + After a short pause, Mr Haredale shouted twice or thrice. Then cried + aloud, ‘Is there any one in hiding here, who knows my voice! There is + nothing to fear now. If any of my people are near, I entreat them to + answer!’ He called them all by name; his voice was echoed in many mournful + tones; then all was silent as before. + </p> + <p> + They were standing near the foot of the turret, where the alarm-bell hung. + The fire had raged there, and the floors had been sawn, and hewn, and + beaten down, besides. It was open to the night; but a part of the + staircase still remained, winding upward from a great mound of dust and + cinders. Fragments of the jagged and broken steps offered an insecure and + giddy footing here and there, and then were lost again, behind protruding + angles of the wall, or in the deep shadows cast upon it by other portions + of the ruin; for by this time the moon had risen, and shone brightly. + </p> + <p> + As they stood here, listening to the echoes as they died away, and hoping + in vain to hear a voice they knew, some of the ashes in this turret + slipped and rolled down. Startled by the least noise in that melancholy + place, Solomon looked up in his companion’s face, and saw that he had + turned towards the spot, and that he watched and listened keenly. + </p> + <p> + He covered the little man’s mouth with his hand, and looked again. + Instantly, with kindling eyes, he bade him on his life keep still, and + neither speak nor move. Then holding his breath, and stooping down, he + stole into the turret, with his drawn sword in his hand, and disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Terrified to be left there by himself, under such desolate circumstances, + and after all he had seen and heard that night, Solomon would have + followed, but there had been something in Mr Haredale’s manner and his + look, the recollection of which held him spellbound. He stood rooted to + the spot; and scarcely venturing to breathe, looked up with mingled fear + and wonder. + </p> + <p> + Again the ashes slipped and rolled—very, very softly—again—and + then again, as though they crumbled underneath the tread of a stealthy + foot. And now a figure was dimly visible; climbing very softly; and often + stopping to look down; now it pursued its difficult way; and now it was + hidden from the view again. + </p> + <p> + It emerged once more, into the shadowy and uncertain light—higher + now, but not much, for the way was steep and toilsome, and its progress + very slow. What phantom of the brain did he pursue; and why did he look + down so constantly? He knew he was alone. Surely his mind was not affected + by that night’s loss and agony. He was not about to throw himself headlong + from the summit of the tottering wall. Solomon turned sick, and clasped + his hands. His limbs trembled beneath him, and a cold sweat broke out upon + his pallid face. + </p> + <p> + If he complied with Mr Haredale’s last injunction now, it was because he + had not the power to speak or move. He strained his gaze, and fixed it on + a patch of moonlight, into which, if he continued to ascend, he must soon + emerge. When he appeared there, he would try to call to him. + </p> + <p> + Again the ashes slipped and crumbled; some stones rolled down, and fell + with a dull, heavy sound upon the ground below. He kept his eyes upon the + piece of moonlight. The figure was coming on, for its shadow was already + thrown upon the wall. Now it appeared—and now looked round at him—and + now— + </p> + <p> + The horror-stricken clerk uttered a scream that pierced the air, and + cried, ‘The ghost! The ghost!’ + </p> + <p> + Long before the echo of his cry had died away, another form rushed out + into the light, flung itself upon the foremost one, knelt down upon its + breast, and clutched its throat with both hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Villain!’ cried Mr Haredale, in a terrible voice—for it was he. + ‘Dead and buried, as all men supposed through your infernal arts, but + reserved by Heaven for this—at last—at last I have you. You, + whose hands are red with my brother’s blood, and that of his faithful + servant, shed to conceal your own atrocious guilt—You, Rudge, double + murderer and monster, I arrest you in the name of God, who has delivered + you into my hands. No. Though you had the strength of twenty men,’ he + added, as the murderer writhed and struggled, ‘you could not escape me or + loosen my grasp to-night!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0057" id="link2HCH0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 57 + </h2> + <p> + Barnaby, armed as we have seen, continued to pace up and down before the + stable-door; glad to be alone again, and heartily rejoicing in the + unaccustomed silence and tranquillity. After the whirl of noise and riot + in which the last two days had been passed, the pleasures of solitude and + peace were enhanced a thousandfold. He felt quite happy; and as he leaned + upon his staff and mused, a bright smile overspread his face, and none but + cheerful visions floated into his brain. + </p> + <p> + Had he no thoughts of her, whose sole delight he was, and whom he had + unconsciously plunged in such bitter sorrow and such deep affliction? Oh, + yes. She was at the heart of all his cheerful hopes and proud reflections. + It was she whom all this honour and distinction were to gladden; the joy + and profit were for her. What delight it gave her to hear of the bravery + of her poor boy! Ah! He would have known that, without Hugh’s telling him. + And what a precious thing it was to know she lived so happily, and heard + with so much pride (he pictured to himself her look when they told her) + that he was in such high esteem: bold among the boldest, and trusted + before them all! And when these frays were over, and the good lord had + conquered his enemies, and they were all at peace again, and he and she + were rich, what happiness they would have in talking of these troubled + times when he was a great soldier: and when they sat alone together in the + tranquil twilight, and she had no longer reason to be anxious for the + morrow, what pleasure would he have in the reflection that this was his + doing—his—poor foolish Barnaby’s; and in patting her on the + cheek, and saying with a merry laugh, ‘Am I silly now, mother—am I + silly now?’ + </p> + <p> + With a lighter heart and step, and eyes the brighter for the happy tear + that dimmed them for a moment, Barnaby resumed his walk; and singing gaily + to himself, kept guard upon his quiet post. + </p> + <p> + His comrade Grip, the partner of his watch, though fond of basking in the + sunshine, preferred to-day to walk about the stable; having a great deal + to do in the way of scattering the straw, hiding under it such small + articles as had been casually left about, and haunting Hugh’s bed, to + which he seemed to have taken a particular attachment. Sometimes Barnaby + looked in and called him, and then he came hopping out; but he merely did + this as a concession to his master’s weakness, and soon returned again to + his own grave pursuits: peering into the straw with his bill, and rapidly + covering up the place, as if, Midas-like, he were whispering secrets to + the earth and burying them; constantly busying himself upon the sly; and + affecting, whenever Barnaby came past, to look up in the clouds and have + nothing whatever on his mind: in short, conducting himself, in many + respects, in a more than usually thoughtful, deep, and mysterious manner. + </p> + <p> + As the day crept on, Barnaby, who had no directions forbidding him to eat + and drink upon his post, but had been, on the contrary, supplied with a + bottle of beer and a basket of provisions, determined to break his fast, + which he had not done since morning. To this end, he sat down on the + ground before the door, and putting his staff across his knees in case of + alarm or surprise, summoned Grip to dinner. + </p> + <p> + This call, the bird obeyed with great alacrity; crying, as he sidled up to + his master, ‘I’m a devil, I’m a Polly, I’m a kettle, I’m a Protestant, No + Popery!’ Having learnt this latter sentiment from the gentry among whom he + had lived of late, he delivered it with uncommon emphasis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well said, Grip!’ cried his master, as he fed him with the daintiest + bits. ‘Well said, old boy!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never say die, bow wow wow, keep up your spirits, Grip Grip Grip, Holloa! + We’ll all have tea, I’m a Protestant kettle, No Popery!’ cried the raven. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gordon for ever, Grip!’ cried Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + The raven, placing his head upon the ground, looked at his master + sideways, as though he would have said, ‘Say that again!’ Perfectly + understanding his desire, Barnaby repeated the phrase a great many times. + The bird listened with profound attention; sometimes repeating the popular + cry in a low voice, as if to compare the two, and try if it would at all + help him to this new accomplishment; sometimes flapping his wings, or + barking; and sometimes in a kind of desperation drawing a multitude of + corks, with extraordinary viciousness. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby was so intent upon his favourite, that he was not at first aware + of the approach of two persons on horseback, who were riding at a + foot-pace, and coming straight towards his post. When he perceived them, + however, which he did when they were within some fifty yards of him, he + jumped hastily up, and ordering Grip within doors, stood with both hands + on his staff, waiting until he should know whether they were friends or + foes. + </p> + <p> + He had hardly done so, when he observed that those who advanced were a + gentleman and his servant; almost at the same moment he recognised Lord + George Gordon, before whom he stood uncovered, with his eyes turned + towards the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good day!’ said Lord George, not reining in his horse until he was close + beside him. ‘Well!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All quiet, sir, all safe!’ cried Barnaby. ‘The rest are away—they + went by that path—that one. A grand party!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay?’ said Lord George, looking thoughtfully at him. ‘And you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! They left me here to watch—to mount guard—to keep + everything secure till they come back. I’ll do it, sir, for your sake. + You’re a good gentleman; a kind gentleman—ay, you are. There are + many against you, but we’ll be a match for them, never fear!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s that?’ said Lord George—pointing to the raven who was + peeping out of the stable-door—but still looking thoughtfully, and + in some perplexity, it seemed, at Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, don’t you know!’ retorted Barnaby, with a wondering laugh. ‘Not know + what HE is! A bird, to be sure. My bird—my friend—Grip.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A devil, a kettle, a Grip, a Polly, a Protestant, no Popery!’ cried the + raven. + </p> + <p> + ‘Though, indeed,’ added Barnaby, laying his hand upon the neck of Lord + George’s horse, and speaking softly: ‘you had good reason to ask me what + he is, for sometimes it puzzles me—and I am used to him—to + think he’s only a bird. He’s my brother, Grip is—always with me—always + talking—always merry—eh, Grip?’ + </p> + <p> + The raven answered by an affectionate croak, and hopping on his master’s + arm, which he held downward for that purpose, submitted with an air of + perfect indifference to be fondled, and turned his restless, curious eye, + now upon Lord George, and now upon his man. + </p> + <p> + Lord George, biting his nails in a discomfited manner, regarded Barnaby + for some time in silence; then beckoning to his servant, said: + </p> + <p> + ‘Come hither, John.’ + </p> + <p> + John Grueby touched his hat, and came. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you ever seen this young man before?’ his master asked in a low + voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Twice, my lord,’ said John. ‘I saw him in the crowd last night and + Saturday.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Did—did it seem to you that his manner was at all wild or strange?’ + Lord George demanded, faltering. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mad,’ said John, with emphatic brevity. + </p> + <p> + ‘And why do you think him mad, sir?’ said his master, speaking in a + peevish tone. ‘Don’t use that word too freely. Why do you think him mad?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ John Grueby answered, ‘look at his dress, look at his eyes, + look at his restless way, hear him cry “No Popery!” Mad, my lord.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So because one man dresses unlike another,’ returned his angry master, + glancing at himself; ‘and happens to differ from other men in his carriage + and manner, and to advocate a great cause which the corrupt and + irreligious desert, he is to be accounted mad, is he?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stark, staring, raving, roaring mad, my lord,’ returned the unmoved John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you say this to my face?’ cried his master, turning sharply upon him. + </p> + <p> + ‘To any man, my lord, who asks me,’ answered John. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Gashford, I find, was right,’ said Lord George; ‘I thought him + prejudiced, though I ought to have known a man like him better than to + have supposed it possible!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall never have Mr Gashford’s good word, my lord,’ replied John, + touching his hat respectfully, ‘and I don’t covet it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are an ill-conditioned, most ungrateful fellow,’ said Lord George: ‘a + spy, for anything I know. Mr Gashford is perfectly correct, as I might + have felt convinced he was. I have done wrong to retain you in my service. + It is a tacit insult to him as my choice and confidential friend to do so, + remembering the cause you sided with, on the day he was maligned at + Westminster. You will leave me to-night—nay, as soon as we reach + home. The sooner the better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If it comes to that, I say so too, my lord. Let Mr Gashford have his + will. As to my being a spy, my lord, you know me better than to believe + it, I am sure. I don’t know much about causes. My cause is the cause of + one man against two hundred; and I hope it always will be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have said quite enough,’ returned Lord George, motioning him to go + back. ‘I desire to hear no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’ll let me have another word, my lord,’ returned John Grueby, ‘I’d + give this silly fellow a caution not to stay here by himself. The + proclamation is in a good many hands already, and it’s well known that he + was concerned in the business it relates to. He had better get to a place + of safety if he can, poor creature.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear what this man says?’ cried Lord George, addressing Barnaby, who + had looked on and wondered while this dialogue passed. ‘He thinks you may + be afraid to remain upon your post, and are kept here perhaps against your + will. What do you say?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think, young man,’ said John, in explanation, ‘that the soldiers may + turn out and take you; and that if they do, you will certainly be hung by + the neck till you’re dead—dead—dead. And I think you had + better go from here, as fast as you can. That’s what I think.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’s a coward, Grip, a coward!’ cried Barnaby, putting the raven on the + ground, and shouldering his staff. ‘Let them come! Gordon for ever! Let + them come!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ said Lord George, ‘let them! Let us see who will venture to attack a + power like ours; the solemn league of a whole people. THIS a madman! You + have said well, very well. I am proud to be the leader of such men as + you.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby’s heart swelled within his bosom as he heard these words. He took + Lord George’s hand and carried it to his lips; patted his horse’s crest, + as if the affection and admiration he had conceived for the man extended + to the animal he rode; then unfurling his flag, and proudly waving it, + resumed his pacing up and down. + </p> + <p> + Lord George, with a kindling eye and glowing cheek, took off his hat, and + flourishing it above his head, bade him exultingly Farewell!—then + cantered off at a brisk pace; after glancing angrily round to see that his + servant followed. Honest John set spurs to his horse and rode after his + master, but not before he had again warned Barnaby to retreat, with many + significant gestures, which indeed he continued to make, and Barnaby to + resist, until the windings of the road concealed them from each other’s + view. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself again with a still higher sense of the importance of his + post, and stimulated to enthusiasm by the special notice and encouragement + of his leader, Barnaby walked to and fro in a delicious trance rather than + as a waking man. The sunshine which prevailed around was in his mind. He + had but one desire ungratified. If she could only see him now! + </p> + <p> + The day wore on; its heat was gently giving place to the cool of evening; + a light wind sprung up, fanning his long hair, and making the banner + rustle pleasantly above his head. There was a freedom and freshness in the + sound and in the time, which chimed exactly with his mood. He was happier + than ever. + </p> + <p> + He was leaning on his staff looking towards the declining sun, and + reflecting with a smile that he stood sentinel at that moment over buried + gold, when two or three figures appeared in the distance, making towards + the house at a rapid pace, and motioning with their hands as though they + urged its inmates to retreat from some approaching danger. As they drew + nearer, they became more earnest in their gestures; and they were no + sooner within hearing, than the foremost among them cried that the + soldiers were coming up. + </p> + <p> + At these words, Barnaby furled his flag, and tied it round the pole. His + heart beat high while he did so, but he had no more fear or thought of + retreating than the pole itself. The friendly stragglers hurried past him, + after giving him notice of his danger, and quickly passed into the house, + where the utmost confusion immediately prevailed. As those within hastily + closed the windows and the doors, they urged him by looks and signs to fly + without loss of time, and called to him many times to do so; but he only + shook his head indignantly in answer, and stood the firmer on his post. + Finding that he was not to be persuaded, they took care of themselves; and + leaving the place with only one old woman in it, speedily withdrew. + </p> + <p> + As yet there had been no symptom of the news having any better foundation + than in the fears of those who brought it, but The Boot had not been + deserted five minutes, when there appeared, coming across the fields, a + body of men who, it was easy to see, by the glitter of their arms and + ornaments in the sun, and by their orderly and regular mode of advancing—for + they came on as one man—were soldiers. In a very little time, + Barnaby knew that they were a strong detachment of the Foot Guards, having + along with them two gentlemen in private clothes, and a small party of + Horse; the latter brought up the rear, and were not in number more than + six or eight. + </p> + <p> + They advanced steadily; neither quickening their pace as they came nearer, + nor raising any cry, nor showing the least emotion or anxiety. Though this + was a matter of course in the case of regular troops, even to Barnaby, + there was something particularly impressive and disconcerting in it to one + accustomed to the noise and tumult of an undisciplined mob. For all that, + he stood his ground not a whit the less resolutely, and looked on + undismayed. + </p> + <p> + Presently, they marched into the yard, and halted. The commanding-officer + despatched a messenger to the horsemen, one of whom came riding back. Some + words passed between them, and they glanced at Barnaby; who well + remembered the man he had unhorsed at Westminster, and saw him now before + his eyes. The man being speedily dismissed, saluted, and rode back to his + comrades, who were drawn up apart at a short distance. + </p> + <p> + The officer then gave the word to prime and load. The heavy ringing of the + musket-stocks upon the ground, and the sharp and rapid rattling of the + ramrods in their barrels, were a kind of relief to Barnaby, deadly though + he knew the purport of such sounds to be. When this was done, other + commands were given, and the soldiers instantaneously formed in single + file all round the house and stables; completely encircling them in every + part, at a distance, perhaps, of some half-dozen yards; at least that + seemed in Barnaby’s eyes to be about the space left between himself and + those who confronted him. The horsemen remained drawn up by themselves as + before. + </p> + <p> + The two gentlemen in private clothes who had kept aloof, now rode forward, + one on either side the officer. The proclamation having been produced and + read by one of them, the officer called on Barnaby to surrender. + </p> + <p> + He made no answer, but stepping within the door, before which he had kept + guard, held his pole crosswise to protect it. In the midst of a profound + silence, he was again called upon to yield. + </p> + <p> + Still he offered no reply. Indeed he had enough to do, to run his eye + backward and forward along the half-dozen men who immediately fronted him, + and settle hurriedly within himself at which of them he would strike + first, when they pressed on him. He caught the eye of one in the centre, + and resolved to hew that fellow down, though he died for it. + </p> + <p> + Again there was a dead silence, and again the same voice called upon him + to deliver himself up. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0260m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0260m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0260.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Next moment he was back in the stable, dealing blows about him like a + madman. Two of the men lay stretched at his feet: the one he had marked, + dropped first—he had a thought for that, even in the hot blood and + hurry of the struggle. Another blow—another! Down, mastered, wounded + in the breast by a heavy blow from the butt-end of a gun (he saw the + weapon in the act of falling)—breathless—and a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + An exclamation of surprise from the officer recalled him, in some degree, + to himself. He looked round. Grip, after working in secret all the + afternoon, and with redoubled vigour while everybody’s attention was + distracted, had plucked away the straw from Hugh’s bed, and turned up the + loose ground with his iron bill. The hole had been recklessly filled to + the brim, and was merely sprinkled with earth. Golden cups, spoons, + candlesticks, coined guineas—all the riches were revealed. + </p> + <p> + They brought spades and a sack; dug up everything that was hidden there; + and carried away more than two men could lift. They handcuffed him and + bound his arms, searched him, and took away all he had. Nobody questioned + or reproached him, or seemed to have much curiosity about him. The two men + he had stunned, were carried off by their companions in the same + business-like way in which everything else was done. Finally, he was left + under a guard of four soldiers with fixed bayonets, while the officer + directed in person the search of the house and the other buildings + connected with it. + </p> + <p> + This was soon completed. The soldiers formed again in the yard; he was + marched out, with his guard about him; and ordered to fall in, where a + space was left. The others closed up all round, and so they moved away, + with the prisoner in the centre. + </p> + <p> + When they came into the streets, he felt he was a sight; and looking up as + they passed quickly along, could see people running to the windows a + little too late, and throwing up the sashes to look after him. Sometimes + he met a staring face beyond the heads about him, or under the arms of his + conductors, or peering down upon him from a waggon-top or coach-box; but + this was all he saw, being surrounded by so many men. The very noises of + the streets seemed muffled and subdued; and the air came stale and hot + upon him, like the sickly breath of an oven. + </p> + <p> + Tramp, tramp. Tramp, tramp. Heads erect, shoulders square, every man + stepping in exact time—all so orderly and regular—nobody + looking at him—nobody seeming conscious of his presence,—he + could hardly believe he was a Prisoner. But at the word, though only + thought, not spoken, he felt the handcuffs galling his wrists, the cord + pressing his arms to his sides: the loaded guns levelled at his head; and + those cold, bright, sharp, shining points turned towards him: the mere + looking down at which, now that he was bound and helpless, made the warm + current of his life run cold. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0058" id="link2HCH0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 58 + </h2> + <p> + They were not long in reaching the barracks, for the officer who commanded + the party was desirous to avoid rousing the people by the display of + military force in the streets, and was humanely anxious to give as little + opportunity as possible for any attempt at rescue; knowing that it must + lead to bloodshed and loss of life, and that if the civil authorities by + whom he was accompanied, empowered him to order his men to fire, many + innocent persons would probably fall, whom curiosity or idleness had + attracted to the spot. He therefore led the party briskly on, avoiding + with a merciful prudence the more public and crowded thoroughfares, and + pursuing those which he deemed least likely to be infested by disorderly + persons. This wise proceeding not only enabled them to gain their quarters + without any interruption, but completely baffled a body of rioters who had + assembled in one of the main streets, through which it was considered + certain they would pass, and who remained gathered together for the + purpose of releasing the prisoner from their hands, long after they had + deposited him in a place of security, closed the barrack-gates, and set a + double guard at every entrance for its better protection. + </p> + <p> + Arrived at this place, poor Barnaby was marched into a stone-floored room, + where there was a very powerful smell of tobacco, a strong thorough + draught of air, and a great wooden bedstead, large enough for a score of + men. Several soldiers in undress were lounging about, or eating from tin + cans; military accoutrements dangled on rows of pegs along the whitewashed + wall; and some half-dozen men lay fast asleep upon their backs, snoring in + concert. After remaining here just long enough to note these things, he + was marched out again, and conveyed across the parade-ground to another + portion of the building. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps a man never sees so much at a glance as when he is in a situation + of extremity. The chances are a hundred to one, that if Barnaby had + lounged in at the gate to look about him, he would have lounged out again + with a very imperfect idea of the place, and would have remembered very + little about it. But as he was taken handcuffed across the gravelled area, + nothing escaped his notice. The dry, arid look of the dusty square, and of + the bare brick building; the clothes hanging at some of the windows; and + the men in their shirt-sleeves and braces, lolling with half their bodies + out of the others; the green sun-blinds at the officers’ quarters, and the + little scanty trees in front; the drummer-boys practising in a distant + courtyard; the men at drill on the parade; the two soldiers carrying a + basket between them, who winked to each other as he went by, and slily + pointed to their throats; the spruce serjeant who hurried past with a cane + in his hand, and under his arm a clasped book with a vellum cover; the + fellows in the ground-floor rooms, furbishing and brushing up their + different articles of dress, who stopped to look at him, and whose voices + as they spoke together echoed loudly through the empty galleries and + passages;—everything, down to the stand of muskets before the + guard-house, and the drum with a pipe-clayed belt attached, in one corner, + impressed itself upon his observation, as though he had noticed them in + the same place a hundred times, or had been a whole day among them, in + place of one brief hurried minute. + </p> + <p> + He was taken into a small paved back yard, and there they opened a great + door, plated with iron, and pierced some five feet above the ground with a + few holes to let in air and light. Into this dungeon he was walked + straightway; and having locked him up there, and placed a sentry over him, + they left him to his meditations. + </p> + <p> + The cell, or black hole, for it had those words painted on the door, was + very dark, and having recently accommodated a drunken deserter, by no + means clean. Barnaby felt his way to some straw at the farther end, and + looking towards the door, tried to accustom himself to the gloom, which, + coming from the bright sunshine out of doors, was not an easy task. + </p> + <p> + There was a kind of portico or colonnade outside, and this obstructed even + the little light that at the best could have found its way through the + small apertures in the door. The footsteps of the sentinel echoed + monotonously as he paced its stone pavement to and fro (reminding Barnaby + of the watch he had so lately kept himself); and as he passed and repassed + the door, he made the cell for an instant so black by the interposition of + his body, that his going away again seemed like the appearance of a new + ray of light, and was quite a circumstance to look for. + </p> + <p> + When the prisoner had sat sometime upon the ground, gazing at the chinks, + and listening to the advancing and receding footsteps of his guard, the + man stood still upon his post. Barnaby, quite unable to think, or to + speculate on what would be done with him, had been lulled into a kind of + doze by his regular pace; but his stopping roused him; and then he became + aware that two men were in conversation under the colonnade, and very near + the door of his cell. + </p> + <p> + How long they had been talking there, he could not tell, for he had fallen + into an unconsciousness of his real position, and when the footsteps + ceased, was answering aloud some question which seemed to have been put to + him by Hugh in the stable, though of the fancied purport, either of + question or reply, notwithstanding that he awoke with the latter on his + lips, he had no recollection whatever. The first words that reached his + ears, were these: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why is he brought here then, if he has to be taken away again so soon?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why where would you have him go! Damme, he’s not as safe anywhere as + among the king’s troops, is he? What WOULD you do with him? Would you hand + him over to a pack of cowardly civilians, that shake in their shoes till + they wear the soles out, with trembling at the threats of the ragamuffins + he belongs to?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s true enough.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘True enough!—I’ll tell you what. I wish, Tom Green, that I was a + commissioned instead of a non-commissioned officer, and that I had the + command of two companies—only two companies—of my own + regiment. Call me out to stop these riots—give me the needful + authority, and half-a-dozen rounds of ball cartridge—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ said the other voice. ‘That’s all very well, but they won’t give the + needful authority. If the magistrate won’t give the word, what’s the + officer to do?’ + </p> + <p> + Not very well knowing, as it seemed, how to overcome this difficulty, the + other man contented himself with damning the magistrates. + </p> + <p> + ‘With all my heart,’ said his friend. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where’s the use of a magistrate?’ returned the other voice. ‘What’s a + magistrate in this case, but an impertinent, unnecessary, unconstitutional + sort of interference? Here’s a proclamation. Here’s a man referred to in + that proclamation. Here’s proof against him, and a witness on the spot. + Damme! Take him out and shoot him, sir. Who wants a magistrate?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When does he go before Sir John Fielding?’ asked the man who had spoken + first. + </p> + <p> + ‘To-night at eight o’clock,’ returned the other. ‘Mark what follows. The + magistrate commits him to Newgate. Our people take him to Newgate. The + rioters pelt our people. Our people retire before the rioters. Stones are + thrown, insults are offered, not a shot’s fired. Why? Because of the + magistrates. Damn the magistrates!’ + </p> + <p> + When he had in some degree relieved his mind by cursing the magistrates in + various other forms of speech, the man was silent, save for a low + growling, still having reference to those authorities, which from time to + time escaped him. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, who had wit enough to know that this conversation concerned, and + very nearly concerned, himself, remained perfectly quiet until they ceased + to speak, when he groped his way to the door, and peeping through the + air-holes, tried to make out what kind of men they were, to whom he had + been listening. + </p> + <p> + The one who condemned the civil power in such strong terms, was a serjeant—engaged + just then, as the streaming ribands in his cap announced, on the + recruiting service. He stood leaning sideways against a pillar nearly + opposite the door, and as he growled to himself, drew figures on the + pavement with his cane. The other man had his back towards the dungeon, + and Barnaby could only see his form. To judge from that, he was a gallant, + manly, handsome fellow, but he had lost his left arm. It had been taken + off between the elbow and the shoulder, and his empty coat-sleeve hung + across his breast. + </p> + <p> + It was probably this circumstance which gave him an interest beyond any + that his companion could boast of, and attracted Barnaby’s attention. + There was something soldierly in his bearing, and he wore a jaunty cap and + jacket. Perhaps he had been in the service at one time or other. If he + had, it could not have been very long ago, for he was but a young fellow + now. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, well,’ he said thoughtfully; ‘let the fault be where it may, it + makes a man sorrowful to come back to old England, and see her in this + condition.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose the pigs will join ‘em next,’ said the serjeant, with an + imprecation on the rioters, ‘now that the birds have set ‘em the example.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The birds!’ repeated Tom Green. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah—birds,’ said the serjeant testily; ‘that’s English, an’t it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know what you mean.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go to the guard-house, and see. You’ll find a bird there, that’s got + their cry as pat as any of ‘em, and bawls “No Popery,” like a man—or + like a devil, as he says he is. I shouldn’t wonder. The devil’s loose in + London somewhere. Damme if I wouldn’t twist his neck round, on the chance, + if I had MY way.’ + </p> + <p> + The young man had taken two or three steps away, as if to go and see this + creature, when he was arrested by the voice of Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s mine,’ he called out, half laughing and half weeping—‘my pet, + my friend Grip. Ha ha ha! Don’t hurt him, he has done no harm. I taught + him; it’s my fault. Let me have him, if you please. He’s the only friend I + have left now. He’ll not dance, or talk, or whistle for you, I know; but + he will for me, because he knows me and loves me—though you wouldn’t + think it—very well. You wouldn’t hurt a bird, I’m sure. You’re a + brave soldier, sir, and wouldn’t harm a woman or a child—no, no, nor + a poor bird, I’m certain.’ + </p> + <p> + This latter adjuration was addressed to the serjeant, whom Barnaby judged + from his red coat to be high in office, and able to seal Grip’s destiny by + a word. But that gentleman, in reply, surlily damned him for a thief and + rebel as he was, and with many disinterested imprecations on his own eyes, + liver, blood, and body, assured him that if it rested with him to decide, + he would put a final stopper on the bird, and his master too. + </p> + <p> + ‘You talk boldly to a caged man,’ said Barnaby, in anger. ‘If I was on the + other side of the door and there were none to part us, you’d change your + note—ay, you may toss your head—you would! Kill the bird—do. + Kill anything you can, and so revenge yourself on those who with their + bare hands untied could do as much to you!’ + </p> + <p> + Having vented his defiance, he flung himself into the furthest corner of + his prison, and muttering, ‘Good bye, Grip—good bye, dear old Grip!’ + shed tears for the first time since he had been taken captive; and hid his + face in the straw. + </p> + <p> + He had had some fancy at first, that the one-armed man would help him, or + would give him a kind word in answer. He hardly knew why, but he hoped and + thought so. The young fellow had stopped when he called out, and checking + himself in the very act of turning round, stood listening to every word he + said. Perhaps he built his feeble trust on this; perhaps on his being + young, and having a frank and honest manner. However that might be, he + built on sand. The other went away directly he had finished speaking, and + neither answered him, nor returned. No matter. They were all against him + here: he might have known as much. Good bye, old Grip, good bye! + </p> + <p> + After some time, they came and unlocked the door, and called to him to + come out. He rose directly, and complied, for he would not have THEM think + he was subdued or frightened. He walked out like a man, and looked from + face to face. + </p> + <p> + None of them returned his gaze or seemed to notice it. They marched him + back to the parade by the way they had brought him, and there they halted, + among a body of soldiers, at least twice as numerous as that which had + taken him prisoner in the afternoon. The officer he had seen before, bade + him in a few brief words take notice that if he attempted to escape, no + matter how favourable a chance he might suppose he had, certain of the men + had orders to fire upon him, that moment. They then closed round him as + before, and marched him off again. + </p> + <p> + In the same unbroken order they arrived at Bow Street, followed and beset + on all sides by a crowd which was continually increasing. Here he was + placed before a blind gentleman, and asked if he wished to say anything. + Not he. What had he got to tell them? After a very little talking, which + he was careless of and quite indifferent to, they told him he was to go to + Newgate, and took him away. + </p> + <p> + He went out into the street, so surrounded and hemmed in on every side by + soldiers, that he could see nothing; but he knew there was a great crowd + of people, by the murmur; and that they were not friendly to the soldiers, + was soon rendered evident by their yells and hisses. How often and how + eagerly he listened for the voice of Hugh! There was not a voice he knew + among them all. Was Hugh a prisoner too? Was there no hope! + </p> + <p> + As they came nearer and nearer to the prison, the hootings of the people + grew more violent; stones were thrown; and every now and then, a rush was + made against the soldiers, which they staggered under. One of them, close + before him, smarting under a blow upon the temple, levelled his musket, + but the officer struck it upwards with his sword, and ordered him on peril + of his life to desist. This was the last thing he saw with any + distinctness, for directly afterwards he was tossed about, and beaten to + and fro, as though in a tempestuous sea. But go where he would, there were + the same guards about him. Twice or thrice he was thrown down, and so were + they; but even then, he could not elude their vigilance for a moment. They + were up again, and had closed about him, before he, with his wrists so + tightly bound, could scramble to his feet. Fenced in, thus, he felt + himself hoisted to the top of a low flight of steps, and then for a moment + he caught a glimpse of the fighting in the crowd, and of a few red coats + sprinkled together, here and there, struggling to rejoin their fellows. + Next moment, everything was dark and gloomy, and he was standing in the + prison lobby; the centre of a group of men. + </p> + <p> + A smith was speedily in attendance, who riveted upon him a set of heavy + irons. Stumbling on as well as he could, beneath the unusual burden of + these fetters, he was conducted to a strong stone cell, where, fastening + the door with locks, and bolts, and chains, they left him, well secured; + having first, unseen by him, thrust in Grip, who, with his head drooping + and his deep black plumes rough and rumpled, appeared to comprehend and to + partake, his master’s fallen fortunes. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0059" id="link2HCH0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 59 + </h2> + <p> + It is necessary at this juncture to return to Hugh, who, having, as we + have seen, called to the rioters to disperse from about the Warren, and + meet again as usual, glided back into the darkness from which he had + emerged, and reappeared no more that night. + </p> + <p> + He paused in the copse which sheltered him from the observation of his mad + companions, and waited to ascertain whether they drew off at his bidding, + or still lingered and called to him to join them. Some few, he saw, were + indisposed to go away without him, and made towards the spot where he + stood concealed as though they were about to follow in his footsteps, and + urge him to come back; but these men, being in their turn called to by + their friends, and in truth not greatly caring to venture into the dark + parts of the grounds, where they might be easily surprised and taken, if + any of the neighbours or retainers of the family were watching them from + among the trees, soon abandoned the idea, and hastily assembling such men + as they found of their mind at the moment, straggled off. + </p> + <p> + When he was satisfied that the great mass of the insurgents were imitating + this example, and that the ground was rapidly clearing, he plunged into + the thickest portion of the little wood; and, crashing the branches as he + went, made straight towards a distant light: guided by that, and by the + sullen glow of the fire behind him. + </p> + <p> + As he drew nearer and nearer to the twinkling beacon towards which he bent + his course, the red glare of a few torches began to reveal itself, and the + voices of men speaking together in a subdued tone broke the silence which, + save for a distant shouting now and then, already prevailed. At length he + cleared the wood, and, springing across a ditch, stood in a dark lane, + where a small body of ill-looking vagabonds, whom he had left there some + twenty minutes before, waited his coming with impatience. + </p> + <p> + They were gathered round an old post-chaise or chariot, driven by one of + themselves, who sat postilion-wise upon the near horse. The blinds were + drawn up, and Mr Tappertit and Dennis kept guard at the two windows. The + former assumed the command of the party, for he challenged Hugh as he + advanced towards them; and when he did so, those who were resting on the + ground about the carriage rose to their feet and clustered round him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ said Simon, in a low voice; ‘is all right?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Right enough,’ replied Hugh, in the same tone. ‘They’re dispersing now—had + begun before I came away.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And is the coast clear?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Clear enough before our men, I take it,’ said Hugh. ‘There are not many + who, knowing of their work over yonder, will want to meddle with ‘em + to-night.—Who’s got some drink here?’ + </p> + <p> + Everybody had some plunder from the cellar; half-a-dozen flasks and + bottles were offered directly. He selected the largest, and putting it to + his mouth, sent the wine gurgling down his throat. Having emptied it, he + threw it down, and stretched out his hand for another, which he emptied + likewise, at a draught. Another was given him, and this he half emptied + too. Reserving what remained to finish with, he asked: + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you got anything to eat, any of you? I’m as ravenous as a hungry + wolf. Which of you was in the larder—come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I was, brother,’ said Dennis, pulling off his hat, and fumbling in the + crown. ‘There’s a matter of cold venison pasty somewhere or another here, + if that’ll do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do!’ cried Hugh, seating himself on the pathway. ‘Bring it out! Quick! + Show a light here, and gather round! Let me sup in state, my lads! Ha ha + ha!’ + </p> + <p> + Entering into his boisterous humour, for they all had drunk deeply, and + were as wild as he, they crowded about him, while two of their number who + had torches, held them up, one on either side of him, that his banquet + might not be despatched in the dark. Mr Dennis, having by this time + succeeded in extricating from his hat a great mass of pasty, which had + been wedged in so tightly that it was not easily got out, put it before + him; and Hugh, having borrowed a notched and jagged knife from one of the + company, fell to work upon it vigorously. + </p> + <p> + ‘I should recommend you to swallow a little fire every day, about an hour + afore dinner, brother,’ said Dennis, after a pause. ‘It seems to agree + with you, and to stimulate your appetite.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh looked at him, and at the blackened faces by which he was surrounded, + and, stopping for a moment to flourish his knife above his head, answered + with a roar of laughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘Keep order, there, will you?’ said Simon Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, isn’t a man allowed to regale himself, noble captain,’ retorted his + lieutenant, parting the men who stood between them, with his knife, that + he might see him,—‘to regale himself a little bit after such work as + mine? What a hard captain! What a strict captain! What a tyrannical + captain! Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish one of you fellers would hold a bottle to his mouth to keep him + quiet,’ said Simon, ‘unless you want the military to be down upon us.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what if they are down upon us!’ retorted Hugh. ‘Who cares? Who’s + afraid? Let ‘em come, I say, let ‘em come. The more, the merrier. Give me + bold Barnaby at my side, and we two will settle the military, without + troubling any of you. Barnaby’s the man for the military. Barnaby’s + health!’ + </p> + <p> + But as the majority of those present were by no means anxious for a second + engagement that night, being already weary and exhausted, they sided with + Mr Tappertit, and pressed him to make haste with his supper, for they had + already delayed too long. Knowing, even in the height of his frenzy, that + they incurred great danger by lingering so near the scene of the late + outrages, Hugh made an end of his meal without more remonstrance, and + rising, stepped up to Mr Tappertit, and smote him on the back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now then,’ he cried, ‘I’m ready. There are brave birds inside this cage, + eh? Delicate birds,—tender, loving, little doves. I caged ‘em—I + caged ‘em—one more peep!’ + </p> + <p> + He thrust the little man aside as he spoke, and mounting on the steps, + which were half let down, pulled down the blind by force, and stared into + the chaise like an ogre into his larder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha! and did you scratch, and pinch, and struggle, pretty mistress?’ + he cried, as he grasped a little hand that sought in vain to free itself + from his grip: ‘you, so bright-eyed, and cherry-lipped, and daintily made? + But I love you better for it, mistress. Ay, I do. You should stab me and + welcome, so that it pleased you, and you had to cure me afterwards. I love + to see you proud and scornful. It makes you handsomer than ever; and who + so handsome as you at any time, my pretty one!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Come!’ said Mr Tappertit, who had waited during this speech with + considerable impatience. ‘There’s enough of that. Come down.’ + </p> + <p> + The little hand seconded this admonition by thrusting Hugh’s great head + away with all its force, and drawing up the blind, amidst his noisy + laughter, and vows that he must have another look, for the last glimpse of + that sweet face had provoked him past all bearing. However, as the + suppressed impatience of the party now broke out into open murmurs, he + abandoned this design, and taking his seat upon the bar, contented himself + with tapping at the front windows of the carriage, and trying to steal a + glance inside; Mr Tappertit, mounting the steps and hanging on by the + door, issued his directions to the driver with a commanding voice and + attitude; the rest got up behind, or ran by the side of the carriage, as + they could; some, in imitation of Hugh, endeavoured to see the face he had + praised so highly, and were reminded of their impertinence by hints from + the cudgel of Mr Tappertit. Thus they pursued their journey by circuitous + and winding roads; preserving, except when they halted to take breath, or + to quarrel about the best way of reaching London, pretty good order and + tolerable silence. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time, Dolly—beautiful, bewitching, captivating little + Dolly—her hair dishevelled, her dress torn, her dark eyelashes wet + with tears, her bosom heaving—her face, now pale with fear, now + crimsoned with indignation—her whole self a hundred times more + beautiful in this heightened aspect than ever she had been before—vainly + strove to comfort Emma Haredale, and to impart to her the consolation of + which she stood in so much need herself. The soldiers were sure to come; + they must be rescued; it would be impossible to convey them through the + streets of London when they set the threats of their guards at defiance, + and shrieked to the passengers for help. If they did this when they came + into the more frequented ways, she was certain—she was quite certain—they + must be released. So poor Dolly said, and so poor Dolly tried to think; + but the invariable conclusion of all such arguments was, that Dolly burst + into tears; cried, as she wrung her hands, what would they do or think, or + who would comfort them, at home, at the Golden Key; and sobbed most + piteously. + </p> + <p> + Miss Haredale, whose feelings were usually of a quieter kind than Dolly’s, + and not so much upon the surface, was dreadfully alarmed, and indeed had + only just recovered from a swoon. She was very pale, and the hand which + Dolly held was quite cold; but she bade her, nevertheless, remember that, + under Providence, much must depend upon their own discretion; that if they + remained quiet and lulled the vigilance of the ruffians into whose hands + they had fallen, the chances of their being able to procure assistance + when they reached the town, were very much increased; that unless society + were quite unhinged, a hot pursuit must be immediately commenced; and that + her uncle, she might be sure, would never rest until he had found them out + and rescued them. But as she said these latter words, the idea that he had + fallen in a general massacre of the Catholics that night—no very + wild or improbable supposition after what they had seen and undergone—struck + her dumb; and, lost in the horrors they had witnessed, and those they + might be yet reserved for, she sat incapable of thought, or speech, or + outward show of grief: as rigid, and almost as white and cold, as marble. + </p> + <p> + Oh, how many, many times, in that long ride, did Dolly think of her old + lover,—poor, fond, slighted Joe! How many, many times, did she + recall that night when she ran into his arms from the very man now + projecting his hateful gaze into the darkness where she sat, and leering + through the glass in monstrous admiration! And when she thought of Joe, + and what a brave fellow he was, and how he would have rode boldly up, and + dashed in among these villains now, yes, though they were double the + number—and here she clenched her little hand, and pressed her foot + upon the ground—the pride she felt for a moment in having won his + heart, faded in a burst of tears, and she sobbed more bitterly than ever. + </p> + <p> + As the night wore on, and they proceeded by ways which were quite unknown + to them—for they could recognise none of the objects of which they + sometimes caught a hurried glimpse—their fears increased; nor were + they without good foundation; it was not difficult for two beautiful young + women to find, in their being borne they knew not whither by a band of + daring villains who eyed them as some among these fellows did, reasons for + the worst alarm. When they at last entered London, by a suburb with which + they were wholly unacquainted, it was past midnight, and the streets were + dark and empty. Nor was this the worst, for the carriage stopping in a + lonely spot, Hugh suddenly opened the door, jumped in, and took his seat + between them. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain they cried for help. He put his arm about the neck of each, + and swore to stifle them with kisses if they were not as silent as the + grave. + </p> + <p> + ‘I come here to keep you quiet,’ he said, ‘and that’s the means I shall + take. So don’t be quiet, pretty mistresses—make a noise—do—and + I shall like it all the better.’ + </p> + <p> + They were proceeding at a rapid pace, and apparently with fewer attendants + than before, though it was so dark (the torches being extinguished) that + this was mere conjecture. They shrunk from his touch, each into the + farthest corner of the carriage; but shrink as Dolly would, his arm + encircled her waist, and held her fast. She neither cried nor spoke, for + terror and disgust deprived her of the power; but she plucked at his hand + as though she would die in the effort to disengage herself; and crouching + on the ground, with her head averted and held down, repelled him with a + strength she wondered at as much as he. The carriage stopped again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lift this one out,’ said Hugh to the man who opened the door, as he took + Miss Haredale’s hand, and felt how heavily it fell. ‘She’s fainted.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘So much the better,’ growled Dennis—it was that amiable gentleman. + ‘She’s quiet. I always like ‘em to faint, unless they’re very tender and + composed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Can you take her by yourself?’ asked Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know till I try. I ought to be able to; I’ve lifted up a good + many in my time,’ said the hangman. ‘Up then! She’s no small weight, + brother; none of these here fine gals are. Up again! Now we have her.’ + </p> + <p> + Having by this time hoisted the young lady into his arms, he staggered off + with his burden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look ye, pretty bird,’ said Hugh, drawing Dolly towards him. ‘Remember + what I told you—a kiss for every cry. Scream, if you love me, + darling. Scream once, mistress. Pretty mistress, only once, if you love + me.’ + </p> + <p> + Thrusting his face away with all her force, and holding down her head, + Dolly submitted to be carried out of the chaise, and borne after Miss + Haredale into a miserable cottage, where Hugh, after hugging her to his + breast, set her gently down upon the floor. + </p> + <p> + Poor Dolly! Do what she would, she only looked the better for it, and + tempted them the more. When her eyes flashed angrily, and her ripe lips + slightly parted, to give her rapid breathing vent, who could resist it? + When she wept and sobbed as though her heart would break, and bemoaned her + miseries in the sweetest voice that ever fell upon a listener’s ear, who + could be insensible to the little winning pettishness which now and then + displayed itself, even in the sincerity and earnestness of her grief? + When, forgetful for a moment of herself, as she was now, she fell on her + knees beside her friend, and bent over her, and laid her cheek to hers, + and put her arms about her, what mortal eyes could have avoided wandering + to the delicate bodice, the streaming hair, the neglected dress, the + perfect abandonment and unconsciousness of the blooming little beauty? Who + could look on and see her lavish caresses and endearments, and not desire + to be in Emma Haredale’s place; to be either her or Dolly; either the + hugging or the hugged? Not Hugh. Not Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you what it is, young women,’ said Mr Dennis, ‘I an’t much of a + lady’s man myself, nor am I a party in the present business further than + lending a willing hand to my friends: but if I see much more of this here + sort of thing, I shall become a principal instead of a accessory. I tell + you candid.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you brought us here?’ said Emma. ‘Are we to be murdered?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Murdered!’ cried Dennis, sitting down upon a stool, and regarding her + with great favour. ‘Why, my dear, who’d murder sich chickabiddies as you? + If you was to ask me, now, whether you was brought here to be married, + there might be something in it.’ + </p> + <p> + And here he exchanged a grin with Hugh, who removed his eyes from Dolly + for the purpose. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, no,’ said Dennis, ‘there’ll be no murdering, my pets. Nothing of that + sort. Quite the contrairy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are an older man than your companion, sir,’ said Emma, trembling. + ‘Have you no pity for us? Do you not consider that we are women?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I do indeed, my dear,’ retorted Dennis. ‘It would be very hard not to, + with two such specimens afore my eyes. Ha ha! Oh yes, I consider that. We + all consider that, miss.’ + </p> + <p> + He shook his head waggishly, leered at Hugh again, and laughed very much, + as if he had said a noble thing, and rather thought he was coming out. + </p> + <p> + ‘There’ll be no murdering, my dear. Not a bit on it. I tell you what + though, brother,’ said Dennis, cocking his hat for the convenience of + scratching his head, and looking gravely at Hugh, ‘it’s worthy of notice, + as a proof of the amazing equalness and dignity of our law, that it don’t + make no distinction between men and women. I’ve heerd the judge say, + sometimes, to a highwayman or housebreaker as had tied the ladies neck and + heels—you’ll excuse me making mention of it, my darlings—and + put ‘em in a cellar, that he showed no consideration to women. Now, I say + that there judge didn’t know his business, brother; and that if I had been + that there highwayman or housebreaker, I should have made answer: “What + are you a talking of, my lord? I showed the women as much consideration as + the law does, and what more would you have me do?” If you was to count up + in the newspapers the number of females as have been worked off in this + here city alone, in the last ten year,’ said Mr Dennis thoughtfully, + ‘you’d be surprised at the total—quite amazed, you would. There’s a + dignified and equal thing; a beautiful thing! But we’ve no security for + its lasting. Now that they’ve begun to favour these here Papists, I + shouldn’t wonder if they went and altered even THAT, one of these days. + Upon my soul, I shouldn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + The subject, perhaps from being of too exclusive and professional a + nature, failed to interest Hugh as much as his friend had anticipated. But + he had no time to pursue it, for at this crisis Mr Tappertit entered + precipitately; at sight of whom Dolly uttered a scream of joy, and fairly + threw herself into his arms. + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew it, I was sure of it!’ cried Dolly. ‘My dear father’s at the door. + Thank God, thank God! Bless you, Sim. Heaven bless you for this!’ + </p> + <p> + Simon Tappertit, who had at first implicitly believed that the locksmith’s + daughter, unable any longer to suppress her secret passion for himself, + was about to give it full vent in its intensity, and to declare that she + was his for ever, looked extremely foolish when she said these words;—the + more so, as they were received by Hugh and Dennis with a loud laugh, which + made her draw back, and regard him with a fixed and earnest look. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss Haredale,’ said Sim, after a very awkward silence, ‘I hope you’re as + comfortable as circumstances will permit of. Dolly Varden, my darling—my + own, my lovely one—I hope YOU’RE pretty comfortable likewise.’ + </p> + <p> + Poor little Dolly! She saw how it was; hid her face in her hands; and + sobbed more bitterly than ever. + </p> + <p> + ‘You meet in me, Miss V.,’ said Simon, laying his hand upon his breast, + ‘not a ‘prentice, not a workman, not a slave, not the wictim of your + father’s tyrannical behaviour, but the leader of a great people, the + captain of a noble band, in which these gentlemen are, as I may say, + corporals and serjeants. You behold in me, not a private individual, but a + public character; not a mender of locks, but a healer of the wounds of his + unhappy country. Dolly V., sweet Dolly V., for how many years have I + looked forward to this present meeting! For how many years has it been my + intention to exalt and ennoble you! I redeem it. Behold in me, your + husband. Yes, beautiful Dolly—charmer—enslaver—S. + Tappertit is all your own!’ + </p> + <p> + As he said these words he advanced towards her. Dolly retreated till she + could go no farther, and then sank down upon the floor. Thinking it very + possible that this might be maiden modesty, Simon essayed to raise her; on + which Dolly, goaded to desperation, wound her hands in his hair, and + crying out amidst her tears that he was a dreadful little wretch, and + always had been, shook, and pulled, and beat him, until he was fain to + call for help, most lustily. Hugh had never admired her half so much as at + that moment. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0267m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0267m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0267.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + ‘She’s in an excited state to-night,’ said Simon, as he smoothed his + rumpled feathers, ‘and don’t know when she’s well off. Let her be by + herself till to-morrow, and that’ll bring her down a little. Carry her + into the next house!’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh had her in his arms directly. It might be that Mr Tappertit’s heart + was really softened by her distress, or it might be that he felt it in + some degree indecorous that his intended bride should be struggling in the + grasp of another man. He commanded him, on second thoughts, to put her + down again, and looked moodily on as she flew to Miss Haredale’s side, and + clinging to her dress, hid her flushed face in its folds. + </p> + <p> + ‘They shall remain here together till to-morrow,’ said Simon, who had now + quite recovered his dignity—‘till to-morrow. Come away!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ cried Hugh. ‘Come away, captain. Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What are you laughing at?’ demanded Simon sternly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing, captain, nothing,’ Hugh rejoined; and as he spoke, and clapped + his hand upon the shoulder of the little man, he laughed again, for some + unknown reason, with tenfold violence. + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit surveyed him from head to foot with lofty scorn (this only + made him laugh the more), and turning to the prisoners, said: + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ll take notice, ladies, that this place is well watched on every + side, and that the least noise is certain to be attended with unpleasant + consequences. You’ll hear—both of you—more of our intentions + to-morrow. In the mean time, don’t show yourselves at the window, or + appeal to any of the people you may see pass it; for if you do, it’ll be + known directly that you come from a Catholic house, and all the exertions + our men can make, may not be able to save your lives.’ + </p> + <p> + With this last caution, which was true enough, he turned to the door, + followed by Hugh and Dennis. They paused for a moment, going out, to look + at them clasped in each other’s arms, and then left the cottage; fastening + the door, and setting a good watch upon it, and indeed all round the + house. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,’ growled Dennis, as they walked away in company, ‘that’s a dainty + pair. Muster Gashford’s one is as handsome as the other, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ said Hugh, hastily. ‘Don’t you mention names. It’s a bad habit.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wouldn’t like to be HIM, then (as you don’t like names), when he breaks + it out to her; that’s all,’ said Dennis. ‘She’s one of them fine, + black-eyed, proud gals, as I wouldn’t trust at such times with a knife too + near ‘em. I’ve seen some of that sort, afore now. I recollect one that was + worked off, many year ago—and there was a gentleman in that case too—that + says to me, with her lip a trembling, but her hand as steady as ever I see + one: “Dennis, I’m near my end, but if I had a dagger in these fingers, and + he was within my reach, I’d strike him dead afore me;”—ah, she did—and + she’d have done it too!’ + </p> + <p> + Strike who dead?’ demanded Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘How should I know, brother?’ answered Dennis. ‘SHE never said; not she.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh looked, for a moment, as though he would have made some further + inquiry into this incoherent recollection; but Simon Tappertit, who had + been meditating deeply, gave his thoughts a new direction. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hugh!’ said Sim. ‘You have done well to-day. You shall be rewarded. So + have you, Dennis.—There’s no young woman YOU want to carry off, is + there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘N—no,’ returned that gentleman, stroking his grizzly beard, which + was some two inches long. ‘None in partickler, I think.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very good,’ said Sim; ‘then we’ll find some other way of making it up to + you. As to you, old boy’—he turned to Hugh—‘you shall have + Miggs (her that I promised you, you know) within three days. Mind. I pass + my word for it.’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh thanked him heartily; and as he did so, his laughing fit returned + with such violence that he was obliged to hold his side with one hand, and + to lean with the other on the shoulder of his small captain, without whose + support he would certainly have rolled upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0060" id="link2HCH0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 60 + </h2> + <p> + The three worthies turned their faces towards The Boot, with the intention + of passing the night in that place of rendezvous, and of seeking the + repose they so much needed in the shelter of their old den; for now that + the mischief and destruction they had purposed were achieved, and their + prisoners were safely bestowed for the night, they began to be conscious + of exhaustion, and to feel the wasting effects of the madness which had + led to such deplorable results. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the lassitude and fatigue which oppressed him now, in + common with his two companions, and indeed with all who had taken an + active share in that night’s work, Hugh’s boisterous merriment broke out + afresh whenever he looked at Simon Tappertit, and vented itself—much + to that gentleman’s indignation—in such shouts of laughter as bade + fair to bring the watch upon them, and involve them in a skirmish, to + which in their present worn-out condition they might prove by no means + equal. Even Mr Dennis, who was not at all particular on the score of + gravity or dignity, and who had a great relish for his young friend’s + eccentric humours, took occasion to remonstrate with him on this imprudent + behaviour, which he held to be a species of suicide, tantamount to a man’s + working himself off without being overtaken by the law, than which he + could imagine nothing more ridiculous or impertinent. + </p> + <p> + Not abating one jot of his noisy mirth for these remonstrances, Hugh + reeled along between them, having an arm of each, until they hove in sight + of The Boot, and were within a field or two of that convenient tavern. He + happened by great good luck to have roared and shouted himself into + silence by this time. They were proceeding onward without noise, when a + scout who had been creeping about the ditches all night, to warn any + stragglers from encroaching further on what was now such dangerous ground, + peeped cautiously from his hiding-place, and called to them to stop. + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop! and why?’ said Hugh. + </p> + <p> + Because (the scout replied) the house was filled with constables and + soldiers; having been surprised that afternoon. The inmates had fled or + been taken into custody, he could not say which. He had prevented a great + many people from approaching nearer, and he believed they had gone to the + markets and such places to pass the night. He had seen the distant fires, + but they were all out now. He had heard the people who passed and + repassed, speaking of them too, and could report that the prevailing + opinion was one of apprehension and dismay. He had not heard a word of + Barnaby—didn’t even know his name—but it had been said in his + hearing that some man had been taken and carried off to Newgate. Whether + this was true or false, he could not affirm. + </p> + <p> + The three took counsel together, on hearing this, and debated what it + might be best to do. Hugh, deeming it possible that Barnaby was in the + hands of the soldiers, and at that moment under detention at The Boot, was + for advancing stealthily, and firing the house; but his companions, who + objected to such rash measures unless they had a crowd at their backs, + represented that if Barnaby were taken he had assuredly been removed to a + stronger prison; they would never have dreamed of keeping him all night in + a place so weak and open to attack. Yielding to this reasoning, and to + their persuasions, Hugh consented to turn back and to repair to Fleet + Market; for which place, it seemed, a few of their boldest associates had + shaped their course, on receiving the same intelligence. + </p> + <p> + Feeling their strength recruited and their spirits roused, now that there + was a new necessity for action, they hurried away, quite forgetful of the + fatigue under which they had been sinking but a few minutes before; and + soon arrived at their new place of destination. + </p> + <p> + Fleet Market, at that time, was a long irregular row of wooden sheds and + penthouses, occupying the centre of what is now called Farringdon Street. + They were jumbled together in a most unsightly fashion, in the middle of + the road; to the great obstruction of the thoroughfare and the annoyance + of passengers, who were fain to make their way, as they best could, among + carts, baskets, barrows, trucks, casks, bulks, and benches, and to jostle + with porters, hucksters, waggoners, and a motley crowd of buyers, sellers, + pick-pockets, vagrants, and idlers. The air was perfumed with the stench + of rotten leaves and faded fruit; the refuse of the butchers’ stalls, and + offal and garbage of a hundred kinds. It was indispensable to most public + conveniences in those days, that they should be public nuisances likewise; + and Fleet Market maintained the principle to admiration. + </p> + <p> + To this place, perhaps because its sheds and baskets were a tolerable + substitute for beds, or perhaps because it afforded the means of a hasty + barricade in case of need, many of the rioters had straggled, not only + that night, but for two or three nights before. It was now broad day, but + the morning being cold, a group of them were gathered round a fire in a + public-house, drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes, and planning new + schemes for to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + Hugh and his two friends being known to most of these men, were received + with signal marks of approbation, and inducted into the most honourable + seats. The room-door was closed and fastened to keep intruders at a + distance, and then they proceeded to exchange news. + </p> + <p> + ‘The soldiers have taken possession of The Boot, I hear,’ said Hugh. ‘Who + knows anything about it?’ + </p> + <p> + Several cried that they did; but the majority of the company having been + engaged in the assault upon the Warren, and all present having been + concerned in one or other of the night’s expeditions, it proved that they + knew no more than Hugh himself; having been merely warned by each other, + or by the scout, and knowing nothing of their own knowledge. + </p> + <p> + ‘We left a man on guard there to-day,’ said Hugh, looking round him, ‘who + is not here. You know who it is—Barnaby, who brought the soldier + down, at Westminster. Has any man seen or heard of him?’ + </p> + <p> + They shook their heads, and murmured an answer in the negative, as each + man looked round and appealed to his fellow; when a noise was heard + without, and a man was heard to say that he wanted Hugh—that he must + see Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘He is but one man,’ cried Hugh to those who kept the door; ‘let him come + in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, ay!’ muttered the others. ‘Let him come in. Let him come in.’ + </p> + <p> + The door was accordingly unlocked and opened. A one-armed man, with his + head and face tied up with a bloody cloth, as though he had been severely + beaten, his clothes torn, and his remaining hand grasping a thick stick, + rushed in among them, and panting for breath, demanded which was Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Here he is,’ replied the person he inquired for. ‘I am Hugh. What do you + want with me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a message for you,’ said the man. ‘You know one Barnaby.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What of him? Did he send the message?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes. He’s taken. He’s in one of the strong cells in Newgate. He defended + himself as well as he could, but was overpowered by numbers. That’s his + message.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When did you see him?’ asked Hugh, hastily. + </p> + <p> + ‘On his way to prison, where he was taken by a party of soldiers. They + took a by-road, and not the one we expected. I was one of the few who + tried to rescue him, and he called to me, and told me to tell Hugh where + he was. We made a good struggle, though it failed. Look here!’ + </p> + <p> + He pointed to his dress and to his bandaged head, and still panting for + breath, glanced round the room; then faced towards Hugh again. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know you by sight,’ he said, ‘for I was in the crowd on Friday, and on + Saturday, and yesterday, but I didn’t know your name. You’re a bold + fellow, I know. So is he. He fought like a lion tonight, but it was of no + use. I did my best, considering that I want this limb.’ + </p> + <p> + Again he glanced inquisitively round the room or seemed to do so, for his + face was nearly hidden by the bandage—and again facing sharply + towards Hugh, grasped his stick as if he half expected to be set upon, and + stood on the defensive. + </p> + <p> + If he had any such apprehension, however, he was speedily reassured by the + demeanour of all present. None thought of the bearer of the tidings. He + was lost in the news he brought. Oaths, threats, and execrations, were + vented on all sides. Some cried that if they bore this tamely, another day + would see them all in jail; some, that they should have rescued the other + prisoners, and this would not have happened. One man cried in a loud + voice, ‘Who’ll follow me to Newgate!’ and there was a loud shout and + general rush towards the door. + </p> + <p> + But Hugh and Dennis stood with their backs against it, and kept them back, + until the clamour had so far subsided that their voices could be heard, + when they called to them together that to go now, in broad day, would be + madness; and that if they waited until night and arranged a plan of + attack, they might release, not only their own companions, but all the + prisoners, and burn down the jail. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not that jail alone,’ cried Hugh, ‘but every jail in London. They shall + have no place to put their prisoners in. We’ll burn them all down; make + bonfires of them every one! Here!’ he cried, catching at the hangman’s + hand. ‘Let all who’re men here, join with us. Shake hands upon it. Barnaby + out of jail, and not a jail left standing! Who joins?’ + </p> + <p> + Every man there. And they swore a great oath to release their friends from + Newgate next night; to force the doors and burn the jail; or perish in the + fire themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0061" id="link2HCH0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 61 + </h2> + <p> + On that same night—events so crowd upon each other in convulsed and + distracted times, that more than the stirring incidents of a whole life + often become compressed into the compass of four-and-twenty hours—on + that same night, Mr Haredale, having strongly bound his prisoner, with the + assistance of the sexton, and forced him to mount his horse, conducted him + to Chigwell; bent upon procuring a conveyance to London from that place, + and carrying him at once before a justice. The disturbed state of the town + would be, he knew, a sufficient reason for demanding the murderer’s + committal to prison before daybreak, as no man could answer for the + security of any of the watch-houses or ordinary places of detention; and + to convey a prisoner through the streets when the mob were again abroad, + would not only be a task of great danger and hazard, but would be to + challenge an attempt at rescue. Directing the sexton to lead the horse, he + walked close by the murderer’s side, and in this order they reached the + village about the middle of the night. + </p> + <p> + The people were all awake and up, for they were fearful of being burnt in + their beds, and sought to comfort and assure each other by watching in + company. A few of the stoutest-hearted were armed and gathered in a body + on the green. To these, who knew him well, Mr Haredale addressed himself, + briefly narrating what had happened, and beseeching them to aid in + conveying the criminal to London before the dawn of day. + </p> + <p> + But not a man among them dared to help him by so much as the motion of a + finger. The rioters, in their passage through the village, had menaced + with their fiercest vengeance, any person who should aid in extinguishing + the fire, or render the least assistance to him, or any Catholic + whomsoever. Their threats extended to their lives and all they possessed. + They were assembled for their own protection, and could not endanger + themselves by lending any aid to him. This they told him, not without + hesitation and regret, as they kept aloof in the moonlight and glanced + fearfully at the ghostly rider, who, with his head drooping on his breast + and his hat slouched down upon his brow, neither moved nor spoke. + </p> + <p> + Finding it impossible to persuade them, and indeed hardly knowing how to + do so after what they had seen of the fury of the crowd, Mr Haredale + besought them that at least they would leave him free to act for himself, + and would suffer him to take the only chaise and pair of horses that the + place afforded. This was not acceded to without some difficulty, but in + the end they told him to do what he would, and go away from them in + heaven’s name. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the sexton at the horse’s bridle, he drew out the chaise with his + own hands, and would have harnessed the horses, but that the post-boy of + the village—a soft-hearted, good-for-nothing, vagabond kind of + fellow—was moved by his earnestness and passion, and, throwing down + a pitchfork with which he was armed, swore that the rioters might cut him + into mincemeat if they liked, but he would not stand by and see an honest + gentleman who had done no wrong, reduced to such extremity, without doing + what he could to help him. Mr Haredale shook him warmly by the hand, and + thanked him from his heart. In five minutes’ time the chaise was ready, + and this good scapegrace in his saddle. The murderer was put inside, the + blinds were drawn up, the sexton took his seat upon the bar, Mr Haredale + mounted his horse and rode close beside the door; and so they started in + the dead of night, and in profound silence, for London. + </p> + <p> + The consternation was so extreme that even the horses which had escaped + the flames at the Warren, could find no friends to shelter them. They + passed them on the road, browsing on the stunted grass; and the driver + told them, that the poor beasts had wandered to the village first, but had + been driven away, lest they should bring the vengeance of the crowd on any + of the inhabitants. + </p> + <p> + Nor was this feeling confined to such small places, where the people were + timid, ignorant, and unprotected. When they came near London they met, in + the grey light of morning, more than one poor Catholic family who, + terrified by the threats and warnings of their neighbours, were quitting + the city on foot, and who told them they could hire no cart or horse for + the removal of their goods, and had been compelled to leave them behind, + at the mercy of the crowd. Near Mile End they passed a house, the master + of which, a Catholic gentleman of small means, having hired a waggon to + remove his furniture by midnight, had had it all brought down into the + street, to wait the vehicle’s arrival, and save time in the packing. But + the man with whom he made the bargain, alarmed by the fires that night, + and by the sight of the rioters passing his door, had refused to keep it: + and the poor gentleman, with his wife and servant and their little + children, were sitting trembling among their goods in the open street, + dreading the arrival of day and not knowing where to turn or what to do. + </p> + <p> + It was the same, they heard, with the public conveyances. The panic was so + great that the mails and stage-coaches were afraid to carry passengers who + professed the obnoxious religion. If the drivers knew them, or they + admitted that they held that creed, they would not take them, no, though + they offered large sums; and yesterday, people had been afraid to + recognise Catholic acquaintance in the streets, lest they should be marked + by spies, and burnt out, as it was called, in consequence. One mild old + man—a priest, whose chapel was destroyed; a very feeble, patient, + inoffensive creature—who was trudging away, alone, designing to walk + some distance from town, and then try his fortune with the coaches, told + Mr Haredale that he feared he might not find a magistrate who would have + the hardihood to commit a prisoner to jail, on his complaint. But + notwithstanding these discouraging accounts they went on, and reached the + Mansion House soon after sunrise. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale threw himself from his horse, but he had no need to knock at + the door, for it was already open, and there stood upon the step a portly + old man, with a very red, or rather purple face, who with an anxious + expression of countenance, was remonstrating with some unseen personage + upstairs, while the porter essayed to close the door by degrees and get + rid of him. With the intense impatience and excitement natural to one in + his condition, Mr Haredale thrust himself forward and was about to speak, + when the fat old gentleman interposed: + </p> + <p> + ‘My good sir,’ said he, ‘pray let me get an answer. This is the sixth time + I have been here. I was here five times yesterday. My house is threatened + with destruction. It is to be burned down to-night, and was to have been + last night, but they had other business on their hands. Pray let me get an + answer.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good sir,’ returned Mr Haredale, shaking his head, ‘my house is burned + to the ground. But heaven forbid that yours should be. Get your answer. Be + brief, in mercy to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, you hear this, my lord?’—said the old gentleman, calling up + the stairs, to where the skirt of a dressing-gown fluttered on the + landing-place. ‘Here is a gentleman here, whose house was actually burnt + down last night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear me, dear me,’ replied a testy voice, ‘I am very sorry for it, but + what am I to do? I can’t build it up again. The chief magistrate of the + city can’t go and be a rebuilding of people’s houses, my good sir. Stuff + and nonsense!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But the chief magistrate of the city can prevent people’s houses from + having any need to be rebuilt, if the chief magistrate’s a man, and not a + dummy—can’t he, my lord?’ cried the old gentleman in a choleric + manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are disrespectable, sir,’ said the Lord Mayor—‘leastways, + disrespectful I mean.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Disrespectful, my lord!’ returned the old gentleman. ‘I was respectful + five times yesterday. I can’t be respectful for ever. Men can’t stand on + being respectful when their houses are going to be burnt over their heads, + with them in ‘em. What am I to do, my lord? AM I to have any protection!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I told you yesterday, sir,’ said the Lord Mayor, ‘that you might have an + alderman in your house, if you could get one to come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What the devil’s the good of an alderman?’ returned the choleric old + gentleman. + </p> + <p> + ‘—To awe the crowd, sir,’ said the Lord Mayor. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh Lord ha’ mercy!’ whimpered the old gentleman, as he wiped his forehead + in a state of ludicrous distress, ‘to think of sending an alderman to awe + a crowd! Why, my lord, if they were even so many babies, fed on mother’s + milk, what do you think they’d care for an alderman! Will YOU come?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I!’ said the Lord Mayor, most emphatically: ‘Certainly not.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Then what,’ returned the old gentleman, ‘what am I to do? Am I a citizen + of England? Am I to have the benefit of the laws? Am I to have any return + for the King’s taxes?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know, I am sure,’ said the Lord Mayor; ‘what a pity it is you’re + a Catholic! Why couldn’t you be a Protestant, and then you wouldn’t have + got yourself into such a mess? I’m sure I don’t know what’s to be done.—There + are great people at the bottom of these riots.—Oh dear me, what a + thing it is to be a public character!—You must look in again in the + course of the day.—Would a javelin-man do?—Or there’s Philips + the constable,—HE’S disengaged,—he’s not very old for a man at + his time of life, except in his legs, and if you put him up at a window + he’d look quite young by candle-light, and might frighten ‘em very much.—Oh + dear!—well!—we’ll see about it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ cried Mr Haredale, pressing the door open as the porter strove to + shut it, and speaking rapidly, ‘My Lord Mayor, I beg you not to go away. I + have a man here, who committed a murder eight-and-twenty years ago. + Half-a-dozen words from me, on oath, will justify you in committing him to + prison for re-examination. I only seek, just now, to have him consigned to + a place of safety. The least delay may involve his being rescued by the + rioters.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear me!’ cried the Lord Mayor. ‘God bless my soul—and body—oh + Lor!—well I!—there are great people at the bottom of these + riots, you know.—You really mustn’t.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My lord,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘the murdered gentleman was my brother; I + succeeded to his inheritance; there were not wanting slanderous tongues at + that time, to whisper that the guilt of this most foul and cruel deed was + mine—mine, who loved him, as he knows, in Heaven, dearly. The time + has come, after all these years of gloom and misery, for avenging him, and + bringing to light a crime so artful and so devilish that it has no + parallel. Every second’s delay on your part loosens this man’s bloody + hands again, and leads to his escape. My lord, I charge you hear me, and + despatch this matter on the instant.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh dear me!’ cried the chief magistrate; ‘these an’t business hours, you + know—I wonder at you—how ungentlemanly it is of you—you + mustn’t—you really mustn’t.—And I suppose you are a Catholic + too?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am,’ said Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘God bless my soul, I believe people turn Catholics a’purpose to vex and + worrit me,’ cried the Lord Mayor. ‘I wish you wouldn’t come here; they’ll + be setting the Mansion House afire next, and we shall have you to thank + for it. You must lock your prisoner up, sir—give him to a watchman—and—call + again at a proper time. Then we’ll see about it!’ + </p> + <p> + Before Mr Haredale could answer, the sharp closing of a door and drawing + of its bolts, gave notice that the Lord Mayor had retreated to his + bedroom, and that further remonstrance would be unavailing. The two + clients retreated likewise, and the porter shut them out into the street. + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s the way he puts me off,’ said the old gentleman, ‘I can get no + redress and no help. What are you going to do, sir?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To try elsewhere,’ answered Mr Haredale, who was by this time on + horseback. + </p> + <p> + ‘I feel for you, I assure you—and well I may, for we are in a common + cause,’ said the old gentleman. ‘I may not have a house to offer you + to-night; let me tender it while I can. On second thoughts though,’ he + added, putting up a pocket-book he had produced while speaking, ‘I’ll not + give you a card, for if it was found upon you, it might get you into + trouble. Langdale—that’s my name—vintner and distiller—Holborn + Hill—you’re heartily welcome, if you’ll come.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale bowed, and rode off, close beside the chaise as before; + determining to repair to the house of Sir John Fielding, who had the + reputation of being a bold and active magistrate, and fully resolved, in + case the rioters should come upon them, to do execution on the murderer + with his own hands, rather than suffer him to be released. + </p> + <p> + They arrived at the magistrate’s dwelling, however, without molestation + (for the mob, as we have seen, were then intent on deeper schemes), and + knocked at the door. As it had been pretty generally rumoured that Sir + John was proscribed by the rioters, a body of thief-takers had been + keeping watch in the house all night. To one of them Mr Haredale stated + his business, which appearing to the man of sufficient moment to warrant + his arousing the justice, procured him an immediate audience. + </p> + <p> + No time was lost in committing the murderer to Newgate; then a new + building, recently completed at a vast expense, and considered to be of + enormous strength. The warrant being made out, three of the thief-takers + bound him afresh (he had been struggling, it seemed, in the chaise, and + had loosened his manacles); gagged him lest they should meet with any of + the mob, and he should call to them for help; and seated themselves, along + with him, in the carriage. These men being all well armed, made a + formidable escort; but they drew up the blinds again, as though the + carriage were empty, and directed Mr Haredale to ride forward, that he + might not attract attention by seeming to belong to it. + </p> + <p> + The wisdom of this proceeding was sufficiently obvious, for as they + hurried through the city they passed among several groups of men, who, if + they had not supposed the chaise to be quite empty, would certainly have + stopped it. But those within keeping quite close, and the driver tarrying + to be asked no questions, they reached the prison without interruption, + and, once there, had him out, and safe within its gloomy walls, in a + twinkling. + </p> + <p> + With eager eyes and strained attention, Mr Haredale saw him chained, and + locked and barred up in his cell. Nay, when he had left the jail, and + stood in the free street, without, he felt the iron plates upon the doors, + with his hands, and drew them over the stone wall, to assure himself that + it was real; and to exult in its being so strong, and rough, and cold. It + was not until he turned his back upon the jail, and glanced along the + empty streets, so lifeless and quiet in the bright morning, that he felt + the weight upon his heart; that he knew he was tortured by anxiety for + those he had left at home; and that home itself was but another bead in + the long rosary of his regrets. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0062" id="link2HCH0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 62 + </h2> + <p> + The prisoner, left to himself, sat down upon his bedstead: and resting his + elbows on his knees, and his chin upon his hands, remained in that + attitude for hours. It would be hard to say, of what nature his + reflections were. They had no distinctness, and, saving for some flashes + now and then, no reference to his condition or the train of circumstances + by which it had been brought about. The cracks in the pavement of his + cell, the chinks in the wall where stone was joined to stone, the bars in + the window, the iron ring upon the floor,—such things as these, + subsiding strangely into one another, and awakening an indescribable kind + of interest and amusement, engrossed his whole mind; and although at the + bottom of his every thought there was an uneasy sense of guilt, and dread + of death, he felt no more than that vague consciousness of it, which a + sleeper has of pain. It pursues him through his dreams, gnaws at the heart + of all his fancied pleasures, robs the banquet of its taste, music of its + sweetness, makes happiness itself unhappy, and yet is no bodily sensation, + but a phantom without shape, or form, or visible presence; pervading + everything, but having no existence; recognisable everywhere, but nowhere + seen, or touched, or met with face to face, until the sleep is past, and + waking agony returns. + </p> + <p> + After a long time the door of his cell opened. He looked up; saw the blind + man enter; and relapsed into his former position. + </p> + <p> + Guided by his breathing, the visitor advanced to where he sat; and + stopping beside him, and stretching out his hand to assure himself that he + was right, remained, for a good space, silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is bad, Rudge. This is bad,’ he said at length. + </p> + <p> + The prisoner shuffled with his feet upon the ground in turning his body + from him, but made no other answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘How were you taken?’ he asked. ‘And where? You never told me more than + half your secret. No matter; I know it now. How was it, and where, eh?’ he + asked again, coming still nearer to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘At Chigwell,’ said the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘At Chigwell! How came you there?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I went there to avoid the man I stumbled on,’ he answered. + ‘Because I was chased and driven there, by him and Fate. Because I was + urged to go there, by something stronger than my own will. When I found + him watching in the house she used to live in, night after night, I knew I + never could escape him—never! and when I heard the Bell—’ + </p> + <p> + He shivered; muttered that it was very cold; paced quickly up and down the + narrow cell; and sitting down again, fell into his old posture. + </p> + <p> + ‘You were saying,’ said the blind man, after another pause, ‘that when you + heard the Bell—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Let it be, will you?’ he retorted in a hurried voice. ‘It hangs there + yet.’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man turned a wistful and inquisitive face towards him, but he + continued to speak, without noticing him. + </p> + <p> + ‘I went to Chigwell, in search of the mob. I have been so hunted and beset + by this man, that I knew my only hope of safety lay in joining them. They + had gone on before; I followed them when it left off.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When what left off?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The Bell. They had quitted the place. I hoped that some of them might be + still lingering among the ruins, and was searching for them when I heard—’ + he drew a long breath, and wiped his forehead with his sleeve—‘his + voice.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Saying what?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter what. I don’t know. I was then at the foot of the turret, where + I did the—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ said the blind man, nodding his head with perfect composure, ‘I + understand.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I climbed the stair, or so much of it as was left; meaning to hide till + he had gone. But he heard me; and followed almost as soon as I set foot + upon the ashes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You might have hidden in the wall, and thrown him down, or stabbed him,’ + said the blind man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Might I? Between that man and me, was one who led him on—I saw it, + though he did not—and raised above his head a bloody hand. It was in + the room above that HE and I stood glaring at each other on the night of + the murder, and before he fell he raised his hand like that, and fixed his + eyes on me. I knew the chase would end there.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have a strong fancy,’ said the blind man, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + ‘Strengthen yours with blood, and see what it will come to.’ + </p> + <p> + He groaned, and rocked himself, and looking up for the first time, said, + in a low, hollow voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘Eight-and-twenty years! Eight-and-twenty years! He has never changed in + all that time, never grown older, nor altered in the least degree. He has + been before me in the dark night, and the broad sunny day; in the + twilight, the moonlight, the sunlight, the light of fire, and lamp, and + candle; and in the deepest gloom. Always the same! In company, in + solitude, on land, on shipboard; sometimes leaving me alone for months, + and sometimes always with me. I have seen him, at sea, come gliding in the + dead of night along the bright reflection of the moon in the calm water; + and I have seen him, on quays and market-places, with his hand uplifted, + towering, the centre of a busy crowd, unconscious of the terrible form + that had its silent stand among them. Fancy! Are you real? Am I? Are these + iron fetters, riveted on me by the smith’s hammer, or are they fancies I + can shatter at a blow?’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man listened in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fancy! Do I fancy that I killed him? Do I fancy that as I left the + chamber where he lay, I saw the face of a man peeping from a dark door, + who plainly showed me by his fearful looks that he suspected what I had + done? Do I remember that I spoke fairly to him—that I drew nearer—nearer + yet—with the hot knife in my sleeve? Do I fancy how HE died? Did he + stagger back into the angle of the wall into which I had hemmed him, and, + bleeding inwardly, stand, not fall, a corpse before me? Did I see him, for + an instant, as I see you now, erect and on his feet—but dead!’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man, who knew that he had risen, motioned him to sit down again + upon his bedstead; but he took no notice of the gesture. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was then I thought, for the first time, of fastening the murder upon + him. It was then I dressed him in my clothes, and dragged him down the + back-stairs to the piece of water. Do I remember listening to the bubbles + that came rising up when I had rolled him in? Do I remember wiping the + water from my face, and because the body splashed it there, in its + descent, feeling as if it MUST be blood? + </p> + <p> + ‘Did I go home when I had done? And oh, my God! how long it took to do! + Did I stand before my wife, and tell her? Did I see her fall upon the + ground; and, when I stooped to raise her, did she thrust me back with a + force that cast me off as if I had been a child, staining the hand with + which she clasped my wrist? Is THAT fancy? + </p> + <p> + ‘Did she go down upon her knees, and call on Heaven to witness that she + and her unborn child renounced me from that hour; and did she, in words so + solemn that they turned me cold—me, fresh from the horrors my own + hands had made—warn me to fly while there was time; for though she + would be silent, being my wretched wife, she would not shelter me? Did I + go forth that night, abjured of God and man, and anchored deep in hell, to + wander at my cable’s length about the earth, and surely be drawn down at + last?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you return? said the blind man. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why is blood red? I could no more help it, than I could live without + breath. I struggled against the impulse, but I was drawn back, through + every difficult and adverse circumstance, as by a mighty engine. Nothing + could stop me. The day and hour were none of my choice. Sleeping and + waking, I had been among the old haunts for years—had visited my own + grave. Why did I come back? Because this jail was gaping for me, and he + stood beckoning at the door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You were not known?’ said the blind man. + </p> + <p> + ‘I was a man who had been twenty-two years dead. No. I was not known.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You should have kept your secret better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘MY secret? MINE? It was a secret, any breath of air could whisper at its + will. The stars had it in their twinkling, the water in its flowing, the + leaves in their rustling, the seasons in their return. It lurked in + strangers’ faces, and their voices. Everything had lips on which it always + trembled.—MY secret!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was revealed by your own act at any rate,’ said the blind man. + </p> + <p> + ‘The act was not mine. I did it, but it was not mine. I was forced at + times to wander round, and round, and round that spot. If you had chained + me up when the fit was on me, I should have broken away, and gone there. + As truly as the loadstone draws iron towards it, so he, lying at the + bottom of his grave, could draw me near him when he would. Was that fancy? + Did I like to go there, or did I strive and wrestle with the power that + forced me?’ + </p> + <p> + The blind man shrugged his shoulders, and smiled incredulously. The + prisoner again resumed his old attitude, and for a long time both were + mute. + </p> + <p> + ‘I suppose then,’ said his visitor, at length breaking silence, ‘that you + are penitent and resigned; that you desire to make peace with everybody + (in particular, with your wife who has brought you to this); and that you + ask no greater favour than to be carried to Tyburn as soon as possible? + That being the case, I had better take my leave. I am not good enough to + be company for you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Have I not told you,’ said the other fiercely, ‘that I have striven and + wrestled with the power that brought me here? Has my whole life, for + eight-and-twenty years, been one perpetual struggle and resistance, and do + you think I want to lie down and die? Do all men shrink from death—I + most of all!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s better said. That’s better spoken, Rudge—but I’ll not call + you that again—than anything you have said yet,’ returned the blind + man, speaking more familiarly, and laying his hands upon his arm. ‘Lookye,—I + never killed a man myself, for I have never been placed in a position that + made it worth my while. Farther, I am not an advocate for killing men, and + I don’t think I should recommend it or like it—for it’s very + hazardous—under any circumstances. But as you had the misfortune to + get into this trouble before I made your acquaintance, and as you have + been my companion, and have been of use to me for a long time now, I + overlook that part of the matter, and am only anxious that you shouldn’t + die unnecessarily. Now, I do not consider that, at present, it is at all + necessary.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What else is left me?’ returned the prisoner. ‘To eat my way through + these walls with my teeth?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Something easier than that,’ returned his friend. ‘Promise me that you + will talk no more of these fancies of yours—idle, foolish things, + quite beneath a man—and I’ll tell you what I mean.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell me,’ said the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your worthy lady with the tender conscience; your scrupulous, virtuous, + punctilious, but not blindly affectionate wife—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What of her?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is now in London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A curse upon her, be she where she may!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s natural enough. If she had taken her annuity as usual, you would + not have been here, and we should have been better off. But that’s apart + from the business. She’s in London. Scared, as I suppose, and have no + doubt, by my representation when I waited upon her, that you were close at + hand (which I, of course, urged only as an inducement to compliance, + knowing that she was not pining to see you), she left that place, and + travelled up to London.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How do you know?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘From my friend the noble captain—the illustrious general—the + bladder, Mr Tappertit. I learnt from him the last time I saw him, which + was yesterday, that your son who is called Barnaby—not after his + father, I suppose—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Death! does that matter now!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—You are impatient,’ said the blind man, calmly; ‘it’s a good sign, + and looks like life—that your son Barnaby had been lured away from + her by one of his companions who knew him of old, at Chigwell; and that he + is now among the rioters.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And what is that to me? If father and son be hanged together, what + comfort shall I find in that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay—stay, my friend,’ returned the blind man, with a cunning look, + ‘you travel fast to journeys’ ends. Suppose I track my lady out, and say + thus much: “You want your son, ma’am—good. I, knowing those who + tempt him to remain among them, can restore him to you, ma’am—good. + You must pay a price, ma’am, for his restoration—good again. The + price is small, and easy to be paid—dear ma’am, that’s best of + all.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What mockery is this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Very likely, she may reply in those words. “No mockery at all,” I answer: + “Madam, a person said to be your husband (identity is difficult of proof + after the lapse of many years) is in prison, his life in peril—the + charge against him, murder. Now, ma’am, your husband has been dead a long, + long time. The gentleman never can be confounded with him, if you will + have the goodness to say a few words, on oath, as to when he died, and + how; and that this person (who I am told resembles him in some degree) is + no more he than I am. Such testimony will set the question quite at rest. + Pledge yourself to me to give it, ma’ am, and I will undertake to keep + your son (a fine lad) out of harm’s way until you have done this trifling + service, when he shall be delivered up to you, safe and sound. On the + other hand, if you decline to do so, I fear he will be betrayed, and + handed over to the law, which will assuredly sentence him to suffer death. + It is, in fact, a choice between his life and death. If you refuse, he + swings. If you comply, the timber is not grown, nor the hemp sown, that + shall do him any harm.”’ + </p> + <p> + ‘There is a gleam of hope in this!’ cried the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + ‘A gleam!’ returned his friend, ‘a noon-blaze; a full and glorious + daylight. Hush! I hear the tread of distant feet. Rely on me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When shall I hear more?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘As soon as I do. I should hope, to-morrow. They are coming to say that + our time for talk is over. I hear the jingling of the keys. Not another + word of this just now, or they may overhear us.’ + </p> + <p> + As he said these words, the lock was turned, and one of the prison + turnkeys appearing at the door, announced that it was time for visitors to + leave the jail. + </p> + <p> + ‘So soon!’ said Stagg, meekly. ‘But it can’t be helped. Cheer up, friend. + This mistake will soon be set at rest, and then you are a man again! If + this charitable gentleman will lead a blind man (who has nothing in return + but prayers) to the prison-porch, and set him with his face towards the + west, he will do a worthy deed. Thank you, good sir. I thank you very + kindly.’ + </p> + <p> + So saying, and pausing for an instant at the door to turn his grinning + face towards his friend, he departed. + </p> + <p> + When the officer had seen him to the porch, he returned, and again + unlocking and unbarring the door of the cell, set it wide open, informing + its inmate that he was at liberty to walk in the adjacent yard, if he + thought proper, for an hour. + </p> + <p> + The prisoner answered with a sullen nod; and being left alone again, sat + brooding over what he had heard, and pondering upon the hopes the recent + conversation had awakened; gazing abstractedly, the while he did so, on + the light without, and watching the shadows thrown by one wall on another, + and on the stone-paved ground. + </p> + <p> + It was a dull, square yard, made cold and gloomy by high walls, and + seeming to chill the very sunlight. The stone, so bare, and rough, and + obdurate, filled even him with longing thoughts of meadow-land and trees; + and with a burning wish to be at liberty. As he looked, he rose, and + leaning against the door-post, gazed up at the bright blue sky, smiling + even on that dreary home of crime. He seemed, for a moment, to remember + lying on his back in some sweet-scented place, and gazing at it through + moving branches, long ago. + </p> + <p> + His attention was suddenly attracted by a clanking sound—he knew + what it was, for he had startled himself by making the same noise in + walking to the door. Presently a voice began to sing, and he saw the + shadow of a figure on the pavement. It stopped—was silent all at + once, as though the person for a moment had forgotten where he was, but + soon remembered—and so, with the same clanking noise, the shadow + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + He walked out into the court and paced it to and fro; startling the + echoes, as he went, with the harsh jangling of his fetters. There was a + door near his, which, like his, stood ajar. + </p> + <p> + He had not taken half-a-dozen turns up and down the yard, when, standing + still to observe this door, he heard the clanking sound again. A face + looked out of the grated window—he saw it very dimly, for the cell + was dark and the bars were heavy—and directly afterwards, a man + appeared, and came towards him. + </p> + <p> + For the sense of loneliness he had, he might have been in jail a year. + Made eager by the hope of companionship, he quickened his pace, and + hastened to meet the man half way— + </p> + <p> + What was this! His son! + </p> + <p> + They stood face to face, staring at each other. He shrinking and cowed, + despite himself; Barnaby struggling with his imperfect memory, and + wondering where he had seen that face before. He was not uncertain long, + for suddenly he laid hands upon him, and striving to bear him to the + ground, cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! I know! You are the robber!’ + </p> + <p> + He said nothing in reply at first, but held down his head, and struggled + with him silently. Finding the younger man too strong for him, he raised + his face, looked close into his eyes, and said, + </p> + <p> + ‘I am your father.’ + </p> + <p> + God knows what magic the name had for his ears; but Barnaby released his + hold, fell back, and looked at him aghast. Suddenly he sprung towards him, + put his arms about his neck, and pressed his head against his cheek. + </p> + <p> + Yes, yes, he was; he was sure he was. But where had he been so long, and + why had he left his mother by herself, or worse than by herself, with her + poor foolish boy? And had she really been as happy as they said? And where + was she? Was she near there? She was not happy now, and he in jail? Ah, + no. + </p> + <p> + Not a word was said in answer; but Grip croaked loudly, and hopped about + them, round and round, as if enclosing them in a magic circle, and + invoking all the powers of mischief. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0277m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0277m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0277.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0063" id="link2HCH0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 63 + </h2> + <p> + During the whole of this day, every regiment in or near the metropolis was + on duty in one or other part of the town; and the regulars and militia, in + obedience to the orders which were sent to every barrack and station + within twenty-four hours’ journey, began to pour in by all the roads. But + the disturbance had attained to such a formidable height, and the rioters + had grown, with impunity, to be so audacious, that the sight of this great + force, continually augmented by new arrivals, instead of operating as a + check, stimulated them to outrages of greater hardihood than any they had + yet committed; and helped to kindle a flame in London, the like of which + had never been beheld, even in its ancient and rebellious times. + </p> + <p> + All yesterday, and on this day likewise, the commander-in-chief + endeavoured to arouse the magistrates to a sense of their duty, and in + particular the Lord Mayor, who was the faintest-hearted and most timid of + them all. With this object, large bodies of the soldiery were several + times despatched to the Mansion House to await his orders: but as he + could, by no threats or persuasions, be induced to give any, and as the + men remained in the open street, fruitlessly for any good purpose, and + thrivingly for a very bad one; these laudable attempts did harm rather + than good. For the crowd, becoming speedily acquainted with the Lord + Mayor’s temper, did not fail to take advantage of it by boasting that even + the civil authorities were opposed to the Papists, and could not find it + in their hearts to molest those who were guilty of no other offence. These + vaunts they took care to make within the hearing of the soldiers; and + they, being naturally loth to quarrel with the people, received their + advances kindly enough: answering, when they were asked if they desired to + fire upon their countrymen, ‘No, they would be damned if they did;’ and + showing much honest simplicity and good nature. The feeling that the + military were No-Popery men, and were ripe for disobeying orders and + joining the mob, soon became very prevalent in consequence. Rumours of + their disaffection, and of their leaning towards the popular cause, spread + from mouth to mouth with astonishing rapidity; and whenever they were + drawn up idly in the streets or squares, there was sure to be a crowd + about them, cheering and shaking hands, and treating them with a great + show of confidence and affection. + </p> + <p> + By this time, the crowd was everywhere; all concealment and disguise were + laid aside, and they pervaded the whole town. If any man among them wanted + money, he had but to knock at the door of a dwelling-house, or walk into a + shop, and demand it in the rioters name; and his demand was instantly + complied with. The peaceable citizens being afraid to lay hands upon them, + singly and alone, it may be easily supposed that when gathered together in + bodies, they were perfectly secure from interruption. They assembled in + the streets, traversed them at their will and pleasure, and publicly + concerted their plans. Business was quite suspended; the greater part of + the shops were closed; most of the houses displayed a blue flag in token + of their adherence to the popular side; and even the Jews in Houndsditch, + Whitechapel, and those quarters, wrote upon their doors or + window-shutters, ‘This House is a True Protestant.’ The crowd was the law, + and never was the law held in greater dread, or more implicitly obeyed. + </p> + <p> + It was about six o’clock in the evening, when a vast mob poured into + Lincoln’s Inn Fields by every avenue, and divided—evidently in + pursuance of a previous design—into several parties. It must not be + understood that this arrangement was known to the whole crowd, but that it + was the work of a few leaders; who, mingling with the men as they came + upon the ground, and calling to them to fall into this or that parry, + effected it as rapidly as if it had been determined on by a council of the + whole number, and every man had known his place. + </p> + <p> + It was perfectly notorious to the assemblage that the largest body, which + comprehended about two-thirds of the whole, was designed for the attack on + Newgate. It comprehended all the rioters who had been conspicuous in any + of their former proceedings; all those whom they recommended as daring + hands and fit for the work; all those whose companions had been taken in + the riots; and a great number of people who were relatives or friends of + felons in the jail. This last class included, not only the most desperate + and utterly abandoned villains in London, but some who were comparatively + innocent. There was more than one woman there, disguised in man’s attire, + and bent upon the rescue of a child or brother. There were the two sons of + a man who lay under sentence of death, and who was to be executed along + with three others, on the next day but one. There was a great party of + boys whose fellow-pickpockets were in the prison; and at the skirts of + all, a score of miserable women, outcasts from the world, seeking to + release some other fallen creature as miserable as themselves, or moved by + a general sympathy perhaps—God knows—with all who were without + hope, and wretched. + </p> + <p> + Old swords, and pistols without ball or powder; sledge-hammers, knives, + axes, saws, and weapons pillaged from the butchers’ shops; a forest of + iron bars and wooden clubs; long ladders for scaling the walls, each + carried on the shoulders of a dozen men; lighted torches; tow smeared with + pitch, and tar, and brimstone; staves roughly plucked from fence and + paling; and even crutches taken from crippled beggars in the streets; + composed their arms. When all was ready, Hugh and Dennis, with Simon + Tappertit between them, led the way. Roaring and chafing like an angry + sea, the crowd pressed after them. + </p> + <p> + Instead of going straight down Holborn to the jail, as all expected, their + leaders took the way to Clerkenwell, and pouring down a quiet street, + halted before a locksmith’s house—the Golden Key. + </p> + <p> + ‘Beat at the door,’ cried Hugh to the men about him. ‘We want one of his + craft to-night. Beat it in, if no one answers.’ + </p> + <p> + The shop was shut. Both door and shutters were of a strong and sturdy + kind, and they knocked without effect. But the impatient crowd raising a + cry of ‘Set fire to the house!’ and torches being passed to the front, an + upper window was thrown open, and the stout old locksmith stood before + them. + </p> + <p> + ‘What now, you villains!’ he demanded. ‘Where is my daughter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ask no questions of us, old man,’ retorted Hugh, waving his comrades to + be silent, ‘but come down, and bring the tools of your trade. We want + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Want me!’ cried the locksmith, glancing at the regimental dress he wore: + ‘Ay, and if some that I could name possessed the hearts of mice, ye should + have had me long ago. Mark me, my lad—and you about him do the same. + There are a score among ye whom I see now and know, who are dead men from + this hour. Begone! and rob an undertaker’s while you can! You’ll want some + coffins before long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you come down?’ cried Hugh. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you give me my daughter, ruffian?’ cried the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘I know nothing of her,’ Hugh rejoined. ‘Burn the door!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stop!’ cried the locksmith, in a voice that made them falter—presenting, + as he spoke, a gun. ‘Let an old man do that. You can spare him better.’ + </p> + <p> + The young fellow who held the light, and who was stooping down before the + door, rose hastily at these words, and fell back. The locksmith ran his + eye along the upturned faces, and kept the weapon levelled at the + threshold of his house. It had no other rest than his shoulder, but was as + steady as the house itself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let the man who does it, take heed to his prayers,’ he said firmly; ‘I + warn him.’ + </p> + <p> + Snatching a torch from one who stood near him, Hugh was stepping forward + with an oath, when he was arrested by a shrill and piercing shriek, and, + looking upward, saw a fluttering garment on the house-top. + </p> + <p> + There was another shriek, and another, and then a shrill voice cried, ‘Is + Simmun below!’ At the same moment a lean neck was stretched over the + parapet, and Miss Miggs, indistinctly seen in the gathering gloom of + evening, screeched in a frenzied manner, ‘Oh! dear gentlemen, let me hear + Simmuns’s answer from his own lips. Speak to me, Simmun. Speak to me!’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Tappertit, who was not at all flattered by this compliment, looked up, + and bidding her hold her peace, ordered her to come down and open the + door, for they wanted her master, and would take no denial. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh good gentlemen!’ cried Miss Miggs. ‘Oh my own precious, precious + Simmun—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold your nonsense, will you!’ retorted Mr Tappertit; ‘and come down and + open the door.—G. Varden, drop that gun, or it will be worse for + you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t mind his gun,’ screamed Miggs. ‘Simmun and gentlemen, I poured a + mug of table-beer right down the barrel.’ + </p> + <p> + The crowd gave a loud shout, which was followed by a roar of laughter. + </p> + <p> + ‘It wouldn’t go off, not if you was to load it up to the muzzle,’ screamed + Miggs. ‘Simmun and gentlemen, I’m locked up in the front attic, through + the little door on the right hand when you think you’ve got to the very + top of the stairs—and up the flight of corner steps, being careful + not to knock your heads against the rafters, and not to tread on one side + in case you should fall into the two-pair bedroom through the lath and + plasture, which do not bear, but the contrairy. Simmun and gentlemen, I’ve + been locked up here for safety, but my endeavours has always been, and + always will be, to be on the right side—the blessed side and to + prenounce the Pope of Babylon, and all her inward and her outward + workings, which is Pagin. My sentiments is of little consequences, I + know,’ cried Miggs, with additional shrillness, ‘for my positions is but a + servant, and as sich, of humilities, still I gives expressions to my + feelings, and places my reliances on them which entertains my own + opinions!’ + </p> + <p> + Without taking much notice of these outpourings of Miss Miggs after she + had made her first announcement in relation to the gun, the crowd raised a + ladder against the window where the locksmith stood, and notwithstanding + that he closed, and fastened, and defended it manfully, soon forced an + entrance by shivering the glass and breaking in the frames. After dealing + a few stout blows about him, he found himself defenceless, in the midst of + a furious crowd, which overflowed the room and softened off in a confused + heap of faces at the door and window. + </p> + <p> + They were very wrathful with him (for he had wounded two men), and even + called out to those in front, to bring him forth and hang him on a + lamp-post. But Gabriel was quite undaunted, and looked from Hugh and + Dennis, who held him by either arm, to Simon Tappertit, who confronted + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have robbed me of my daughter,’ said the locksmith, ‘who is far + dearer to me than my life; and you may take my life, if you will. I bless + God that I have been enabled to keep my wife free of this scene; and that + He has made me a man who will not ask mercy at such hands as yours.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And a wery game old gentleman you are,’ said Mr Dennis, approvingly; ‘and + you express yourself like a man. What’s the odds, brother, whether it’s a + lamp-post to-night, or a feather-bed ten year to come, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith glanced at him disdainfully, but returned no other answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘For my part,’ said the hangman, who particularly favoured the lamp-post + suggestion, ‘I honour your principles. They’re mine exactly. In such + sentiments as them,’ and here he emphasised his discourse with an oath, + ‘I’m ready to meet you or any man halfway.—Have you got a bit of + cord anywheres handy? Don’t put yourself out of the way, if you haven’t. A + handkecher will do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t be a fool, master,’ whispered Hugh, seizing Varden roughly by the + shoulder; ‘but do as you’re bid. You’ll soon hear what you’re wanted for. + Do it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll do nothing at your request, or that of any scoundrel here,’ returned + the locksmith. ‘If you want any service from me, you may spare yourselves + the pains of telling me what it is. I tell you, beforehand, I’ll do + nothing for you.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis was so affected by this constancy on the part of the staunch old + man, that he protested—almost with tears in his eyes—that to + baulk his inclinations would be an act of cruelty and hard dealing to + which he, for one, never could reconcile his conscience. The gentleman, he + said, had avowed in so many words that he was ready for working off; such + being the case, he considered it their duty, as a civilised and + enlightened crowd, to work him off. It was not often, he observed, that + they had it in their power to accommodate themselves to the wishes of + those from whom they had the misfortune to differ. Having now found an + individual who expressed a desire which they could reasonably indulge (and + for himself he was free to confess that in his opinion that desire did + honour to his feelings), he hoped they would decide to accede to his + proposition before going any further. It was an experiment which, + skilfully and dexterously performed, would be over in five minutes, with + great comfort and satisfaction to all parties; and though it did not + become him (Mr Dennis) to speak well of himself he trusted he might be + allowed to say that he had practical knowledge of the subject, and, being + naturally of an obliging and friendly disposition, would work the + gentleman off with a deal of pleasure. + </p> + <p> + These remarks, which were addressed in the midst of a frightful din and + turmoil to those immediately about him, were received with great favour; + not so much, perhaps, because of the hangman’s eloquence, as on account of + the locksmith’s obstinacy. Gabriel was in imminent peril, and he knew it; + but he preserved a steady silence; and would have done so, if they had + been debating whether they should roast him at a slow fire. + </p> + <p> + As the hangman spoke, there was some stir and confusion on the ladder; and + directly he was silent—so immediately upon his holding his peace, + that the crowd below had no time to learn what he had been saying, or to + shout in response—some one at the window cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘He has a grey head. He is an old man: Don’t hurt him!’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith turned, with a start, towards the place from which the words + had come, and looked hurriedly at the people who were hanging on the + ladder and clinging to each other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pay no respect to my grey hair, young man,’ he said, answering the voice + and not any one he saw. ‘I don’t ask it. My heart is green enough to scorn + and despise every man among you, band of robbers that you are!’ + </p> + <p> + This incautious speech by no means tended to appease the ferocity of the + crowd. They cried again to have him brought out; and it would have gone + hard with the honest locksmith, but that Hugh reminded them, in answer, + that they wanted his services, and must have them. + </p> + <p> + ‘So, tell him what we want,’ he said to Simon Tappertit, ‘and quickly. And + open your ears, master, if you would ever use them after to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel folded his arms, which were now at liberty, and eyed his old + ‘prentice in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lookye, Varden,’ said Sim, ‘we’re bound for Newgate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I know you are,’ returned the locksmith. ‘You never said a truer word + than that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To burn it down, I mean,’ said Simon, ‘and force the gates, and set the + prisoners at liberty. You helped to make the lock of the great door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did,’ said the locksmith. ‘You owe me no thanks for that—as + you’ll find before long.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Maybe,’ returned his journeyman, ‘but you must show us how to force it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Must I!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes; for you know, and I don’t. You must come along with us, and pick it + with your own hands.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When I do,’ said the locksmith quietly, ‘my hands shall drop off at the + wrists, and you shall wear them, Simon Tappertit, on your shoulders for + epaulettes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We’ll see that,’ cried Hugh, interposing, as the indignation of the crowd + again burst forth. ‘You fill a basket with the tools he’ll want, while I + bring him downstairs. Open the doors below, some of you. And light the + great captain, others! Is there no business afoot, my lads, that you can + do nothing but stand and grumble?’ + </p> + <p> + They looked at one another, and quickly dispersing, swarmed over the + house, plundering and breaking, according to their custom, and carrying + off such articles of value as happened to please their fancy. They had no + great length of time for these proceedings, for the basket of tools was + soon prepared and slung over a man’s shoulders. The preparations being now + completed, and everything ready for the attack, those who were pillaging + and destroying in the other rooms were called down to the workshop. They + were about to issue forth, when the man who had been last upstairs, + stepped forward, and asked if the young woman in the garret (who was + making a terrible noise, he said, and kept on screaming without the least + cessation) was to be released? + </p> + <p> + For his own part, Simon Tappertit would certainly have replied in the + negative, but the mass of his companions, mindful of the good service she + had done in the matter of the gun, being of a different opinion, he had + nothing for it but to answer, Yes. The man, accordingly, went back again + to the rescue, and presently returned with Miss Miggs, limp and doubled + up, and very damp from much weeping. + </p> + <p> + As the young lady had given no tokens of consciousness on their way + downstairs, the bearer reported her either dead or dying; and being at + some loss what to do with her, was looking round for a convenient bench or + heap of ashes on which to place her senseless form, when she suddenly came + upon her feet by some mysterious means, thrust back her hair, stared + wildly at Mr Tappertit, cried, ‘My Simmuns’s life is not a wictim!’ and + dropped into his arms with such promptitude that he staggered and reeled + some paces back, beneath his lovely burden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh bother!’ said Mr Tappertit. ‘Here. Catch hold of her, somebody. Lock + her up again; she never ought to have been let out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My Simmun!’ cried Miss Miggs, in tears, and faintly. ‘My for ever, ever + blessed Simmun!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold up, will you,’ said Mr Tappertit, in a very unresponsive tone, ‘I’ll + let you fall if you don’t. What are you sliding your feet off the ground + for?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My angel Simmuns!’ murmured Miggs—‘he promised—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Promised! Well, and I’ll keep my promise,’ answered Simon, testily. ‘I + mean to provide for you, don’t I? Stand up!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where am I to go? What is to become of me after my actions of this + night!’ cried Miggs. ‘What resting-places now remains but in the silent + tombses!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wish you was in the silent tombses, I do,’ cried Mr Tappertit, ‘and + boxed up tight, in a good strong one. Here,’ he cried to one of the + bystanders, in whose ear he whispered for a moment: ‘Take her off, will + you. You understand where?’ + </p> + <p> + The fellow nodded; and taking her in his arms, notwithstanding her broken + protestations, and her struggles (which latter species of opposition, + involving scratches, was much more difficult of resistance), carried her + away. They who were in the house poured out into the street; the locksmith + was taken to the head of the crowd, and required to walk between his two + conductors; the whole body was put in rapid motion; and without any shouts + or noise they bore down straight on Newgate, and halted in a dense mass + before the prison-gate. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0064" id="link2HCH0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 64 + </h2> + <p> + Breaking the silence they had hitherto preserved, they raised a great cry + as soon as they were ranged before the jail, and demanded to speak to the + governor. This visit was not wholly unexpected, for his house, which + fronted the street, was strongly barricaded, the wicket-gate of the prison + was closed up, and at no loophole or grating was any person to be seen. + Before they had repeated their summons many times, a man appeared upon the + roof of the governor’s house, and asked what it was they wanted. + </p> + <p> + Some said one thing, some another, and some only groaned and hissed. It + being now nearly dark, and the house high, many persons in the throng were + not aware that any one had come to answer them, and continued their + clamour until the intelligence was gradually diffused through the whole + concourse. Ten minutes or more elapsed before any one voice could be heard + with tolerable distinctness; during which interval the figure remained + perched alone, against the summer-evening sky, looking down into the + troubled street. + </p> + <p> + ‘Are you,’ said Hugh at length, ‘Mr Akerman, the head jailer here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Of course he is, brother,’ whispered Dennis. But Hugh, without minding + him, took his answer from the man himself. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I am.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have got some friends of ours in your custody, master.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have a good many people in my custody.’ He glanced downward, as he + spoke, into the jail: and the feeling that he could see into the different + yards, and that he overlooked everything which was hidden from their view + by the rugged walls, so lashed and goaded the mob, that they howled like + wolves. + </p> + <p> + ‘Deliver up our friends,’ said Hugh, ‘and you may keep the rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s my duty to keep them all. I shall do my duty.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you don’t throw the doors open, we shall break ‘em down,’ said Hugh; + ‘for we will have the rioters out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All I can do, good people,’ Akerman replied, ‘is to exhort you to + disperse; and to remind you that the consequences of any disturbance in + this place, will be very severe, and bitterly repented by most of you, + when it is too late.’ + </p> + <p> + He made as though he would retire when he said these words, but he was + checked by the voice of the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Akerman,’ cried Gabriel, ‘Mr Akerman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will hear no more from any of you,’ replied the governor, turning + towards the speaker, and waving his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I am not one of them,’ said Gabriel. ‘I am an honest man, Mr Akerman; + a respectable tradesman—Gabriel Varden, the locksmith. You know me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You among the crowd!’ cried the governor in an altered voice. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brought here by force—brought here to pick the lock of the great + door for them,’ rejoined the locksmith. ‘Bear witness for me, Mr Akerman, + that I refuse to do it; and that I will not do it, come what may of my + refusal. If any violence is done to me, please to remember this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is there no way of helping you?’ said the governor. + </p> + <p> + ‘None, Mr Akerman. You’ll do your duty, and I’ll do mine. Once again, you + robbers and cut-throats,’ said the locksmith, turning round upon them, ‘I + refuse. Ah! Howl till you’re hoarse. I refuse.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay—stay!’ said the jailer, hastily. ‘Mr Varden, I know you for a + worthy man, and one who would do no unlawful act except upon compulsion—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Upon compulsion, sir,’ interposed the locksmith, who felt that the tone + in which this was said, conveyed the speaker’s impression that he had + ample excuse for yielding to the furious multitude who beset and hemmed + him in, on every side, and among whom he stood, an old man, quite alone; + ‘upon compulsion, sir, I’ll do nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Where is that man,’ said the keeper, anxiously, ‘who spoke to me just + now?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Here!’ Hugh replied. + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you know what the guilt of murder is, and that by keeping that honest + tradesman at your side you endanger his life!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We know it very well,’ he answered, ‘for what else did we bring him here? + Let’s have our friends, master, and you shall have your friend. Is that + fair, lads?’ + </p> + <p> + The mob replied to him with a loud Hurrah! + </p> + <p> + ‘You see how it is, sir?’ cried Varden. ‘Keep ‘em out, in King George’s + name. Remember what I have said. Good night!’ + </p> + <p> + There was no more parley. A shower of stones and other missiles compelled + the keeper of the jail to retire; and the mob, pressing on, and swarming + round the walls, forced Gabriel Varden close up to the door. + </p> + <p> + In vain the basket of tools was laid upon the ground before him, and he + was urged in turn by promises, by blows, by offers of reward, and threats + of instant death, to do the office for which they had brought him there. + ‘No,’ cried the sturdy locksmith, ‘I will not!’ + </p> + <p> + He had never loved his life so well as then, but nothing could move him. + The savage faces that glared upon him, look where he would; the cries of + those who thirsted, like wild animals, for his blood; the sight of men + pressing forward, and trampling down their fellows, as they strove to + reach him, and struck at him above the heads of other men, with axes and + with iron bars; all failed to daunt him. He looked from man to man, and + face to face, and still, with quickened breath and lessening colour, cried + firmly, ‘I will not!’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis dealt him a blow upon the face which felled him to the ground. He + sprung up again like a man in the prime of life, and with blood upon his + forehead, caught him by the throat. + </p> + <p> + ‘You cowardly dog!’ he said: ‘Give me my daughter. Give me my daughter.’ + </p> + <p> + They struggled together. Some cried ‘Kill him,’ and some (but they were + not near enough) strove to trample him to death. Tug as he would at the + old man’s wrists, the hangman could not force him to unclench his hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this all the return you make me, you ungrateful monster?’ he + articulated with great difficulty, and with many oaths. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me my daughter!’ cried the locksmith, who was now as fierce as those + who gathered round him: ‘Give me my daughter!’ + </p> + <p> + He was down again, and up, and down once more, and buffeting with a score + of them, who bandied him from hand to hand, when one tall fellow, fresh + from a slaughter-house, whose dress and great thigh-boots smoked hot with + grease and blood, raised a pole-axe, and swearing a horrible oath, aimed + it at the old man’s uncovered head. At that instant, and in the very act, + he fell himself, as if struck by lightning, and over his body a one-armed + man came darting to the locksmith’s side. Another man was with him, and + both caught the locksmith roughly in their grasp. + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave him to us!’ they cried to Hugh—struggling, as they spoke, to + force a passage backward through the crowd. ‘Leave him to us. Why do you + waste your whole strength on such as he, when a couple of men can finish + him in as many minutes! You lose time. Remember the prisoners! remember + Barnaby!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0284m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0284m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0284.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The cry ran through the mob. Hammers began to rattle on the walls; and + every man strove to reach the prison, and be among the foremost rank. + Fighting their way through the press and struggle, as desperately as if + they were in the midst of enemies rather than their own friends, the two + men retreated with the locksmith between them, and dragged him through the + very heart of the concourse. + </p> + <p> + And now the strokes began to fall like hail upon the gate, and on the + strong building; for those who could not reach the door, spent their + fierce rage on anything—even on the great blocks of stone, which + shivered their weapons into fragments, and made their hands and arms to + tingle as if the walls were active in their stout resistance, and dealt + them back their blows. The clash of iron ringing upon iron, mingled with + the deafening tumult and sounded high above it, as the great + sledge-hammers rattled on the nailed and plated door: the sparks flew off + in showers; men worked in gangs, and at short intervals relieved each + other, that all their strength might be devoted to the work; but there + stood the portal still, as grim and dark and strong as ever, and, saving + for the dints upon its battered surface, quite unchanged. + </p> + <p> + While some brought all their energies to bear upon this toilsome task; and + some, rearing ladders against the prison, tried to clamber to the summit + of the walls they were too short to scale; and some again engaged a body + of police a hundred strong, and beat them back and trod them under foot by + force of numbers; others besieged the house on which the jailer had + appeared, and driving in the door, brought out his furniture, and piled it + up against the prison-gate, to make a bonfire which should burn it down. + As soon as this device was understood, all those who had laboured + hitherto, cast down their tools and helped to swell the heap; which + reached half-way across the street, and was so high, that those who threw + more fuel on the top, got up by ladders. When all the keeper’s goods were + flung upon this costly pile, to the last fragment, they smeared it with + the pitch, and tar, and rosin they had brought, and sprinkled it with + turpentine. To all the woodwork round the prison-doors they did the like, + leaving not a joist or beam untouched. This infernal christening + performed, they fired the pile with lighted matches and with blazing tow, + and then stood by, awaiting the result. + </p> + <p> + The furniture being very dry, and rendered more combustible by wax and + oil, besides the arts they had used, took fire at once. The flames roared + high and fiercely, blackening the prison-wall, and twining up its loftly + front like burning serpents. At first they crowded round the blaze, and + vented their exultation only in their looks: but when it grew hotter and + fiercer—when it crackled, leaped, and roared, like a great furnace—when + it shone upon the opposite houses, and lighted up not only the pale and + wondering faces at the windows, but the inmost corners of each habitation—when + through the deep red heat and glow, the fire was seen sporting and toying + with the door, now clinging to its obdurate surface, now gliding off with + fierce inconstancy and soaring high into the sky, anon returning to fold + it in its burning grasp and lure it to its ruin—when it shone and + gleamed so brightly that the church clock of St Sepulchre’s so often + pointing to the hour of death, was legible as in broad day, and the vane + upon its steeple-top glittered in the unwonted light like something richly + jewelled—when blackened stone and sombre brick grew ruddy in the + deep reflection, and windows shone like burnished gold, dotting the + longest distance in the fiery vista with their specks of brightness—when + wall and tower, and roof and chimney-stack, seemed drunk, and in the + flickering glare appeared to reel and stagger—when scores of + objects, never seen before, burst out upon the view, and things the most + familiar put on some new aspect—then the mob began to join the + whirl, and with loud yells, and shouts, and clamour, such as happily is + seldom heard, bestirred themselves to feed the fire, and keep it at its + height. + </p> + <p> + Although the heat was so intense that the paint on the houses over against + the prison, parched and crackled up, and swelling into boils, as it were + from excess of torture, broke and crumbled away; although the glass fell + from the window-sashes, and the lead and iron on the roofs blistered the + incautious hand that touched them, and the sparrows in the eaves took + wing, and rendered giddy by the smoke, fell fluttering down upon the + blazing pile; still the fire was tended unceasingly by busy hands, and + round it, men were going always. They never slackened in their zeal, or + kept aloof, but pressed upon the flames so hard, that those in front had + much ado to save themselves from being thrust in; if one man swooned or + dropped, a dozen struggled for his place, and that although they knew the + pain, and thirst, and pressure to be unendurable. Those who fell down in + fainting-fits, and were not crushed or burnt, were carried to an inn-yard + close at hand, and dashed with water from a pump; of which buckets full + were passed from man to man among the crowd; but such was the strong + desire of all to drink, and such the fighting to be first, that, for the + most part, the whole contents were spilled upon the ground, without the + lips of one man being moistened. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, and in the midst of all the roar and outcry, those who were + nearest to the pile, heaped up again the burning fragments that came + toppling down, and raked the fire about the door, which, although a sheet + of flame, was still a door fast locked and barred, and kept them out. + Great pieces of blazing wood were passed, besides, above the people’s + heads to such as stood about the ladders, and some of these, climbing up + to the topmost stave, and holding on with one hand by the prison wall, + exerted all their skill and force to cast these fire-brands on the roof, + or down into the yards within. In many instances their efforts were + successful; which occasioned a new and appalling addition to the horrors + of the scene: for the prisoners within, seeing from between their bars + that the fire caught in many places and thrived fiercely, and being all + locked up in strong cells for the night, began to know that they were in + danger of being burnt alive. This terrible fear, spreading from cell to + cell and from yard to yard, vented itself in such dismal cries and + wailings, and in such dreadful shrieks for help, that the whole jail + resounded with the noise; which was loudly heard even above the shouting + of the mob and roaring of the flames, and was so full of agony and + despair, that it made the boldest tremble. + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable that these cries began in that quarter of the jail which + fronted Newgate Street, where, it was well known, the men who were to + suffer death on Thursday were confined. And not only were these four who + had so short a time to live, the first to whom the dread of being burnt + occurred, but they were, throughout, the most importunate of all: for they + could be plainly heard, notwithstanding the great thickness of the walls, + crying that the wind set that way, and that the flames would shortly reach + them; and calling to the officers of the jail to come and quench the fire + from a cistern which was in their yard, and full of water. Judging from + what the crowd outside the walls could hear from time to time, these four + doomed wretches never ceased to call for help; and that with as much + distraction, and in as great a frenzy of attachment to existence, as + though each had an honoured, happy life before him, instead of + eight-and-forty hours of miserable imprisonment, and then a violent and + shameful death. + </p> + <p> + But the anguish and suffering of the two sons of one of these men, when + they heard, or fancied that they heard, their father’s voice, is past + description. After wringing their hands and rushing to and fro as if they + were stark mad, one mounted on the shoulders of his brother, and tried to + clamber up the face of the high wall, guarded at the top with spikes and + points of iron. And when he fell among the crowd, he was not deterred by + his bruises, but mounted up again, and fell again, and, when he found the + feat impossible, began to beat the stones and tear them with his hands, as + if he could that way make a breach in the strong building, and force a + passage in. At last, they cleft their way among the mob about the door, + though many men, a dozen times their match, had tried in vain to do so, + and were seen, in—yes, in—the fire, striving to prize it down, + with crowbars. + </p> + <p> + Nor were they alone affected by the outcry from within the prison. The + women who were looking on, shrieked loudly, beat their hands together, + stopped their ears; and many fainted: the men who were not near the walls + and active in the siege, rather than do nothing, tore up the pavement of + the street, and did so with a haste and fury they could not have surpassed + if that had been the jail, and they were near their object. Not one living + creature in the throng was for an instant still. The whole great mass were + mad. + </p> + <p> + A shout! Another! Another yet, though few knew why, or what it meant. But + those around the gate had seen it slowly yield, and drop from its topmost + hinge. It hung on that side by but one, but it was upright still, because + of the bar, and its having sunk, of its own weight, into the heap of ashes + at its foot. There was now a gap at the top of the doorway, through which + could be descried a gloomy passage, cavernous and dark. Pile up the fire! + </p> + <p> + It burnt fiercely. The door was red-hot, and the gap wider. They vainly + tried to shield their faces with their hands, and standing as if in + readiness for a spring, watched the place. Dark figures, some crawling on + their hands and knees, some carried in the arms of others, were seen to + pass along the roof. It was plain the jail could hold out no longer. The + keeper, and his officers, and their wives and children, were escaping. + Pile up the fire! + </p> + <p> + The door sank down again: it settled deeper in the cinders—tottered—yielded—was + down! + </p> + <p> + As they shouted again, they fell back, for a moment, and left a clear + space about the fire that lay between them and the jail entry. Hugh leapt + upon the blazing heap, and scattering a train of sparks into the air, and + making the dark lobby glitter with those that hung upon his dress, dashed + into the jail. + </p> + <p> + The hangman followed. And then so many rushed upon their track, that the + fire got trodden down and thinly strewn about the street; but there was no + need of it now, for, inside and out, the prison was in flames. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0065" id="link2HCH0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 65 + </h2> + <p> + During the whole course of the terrible scene which was now at its height, + one man in the jail suffered a degree of fear and mental torment which had + no parallel in the endurance, even of those who lay under sentence of + death. + </p> + <p> + When the rioters first assembled before the building, the murderer was + roused from sleep—if such slumbers as his may have that blessed name—by + the roar of voices, and the struggling of a great crowd. He started up as + these sounds met his ear, and, sitting on his bedstead, listened. + </p> + <p> + After a short interval of silence the noise burst out again. Still + listening attentively, he made out, in course of time, that the jail was + besieged by a furious multitude. His guilty conscience instantly arrayed + these men against himself, and brought the fear upon him that he would be + singled out, and torn to pieces. + </p> + <p> + Once impressed with the terror of this conceit, everything tended to + confirm and strengthen it. His double crime, the circumstances under which + it had been committed, the length of time that had elapsed, and its + discovery in spite of all, made him, as it were, the visible object of the + Almighty’s wrath. In all the crime and vice and moral gloom of the great + pest-house of the capital, he stood alone, marked and singled out by his + great guilt, a Lucifer among the devils. The other prisoners were a host, + hiding and sheltering each other—a crowd like that without the + walls. He was one man against the whole united concourse; a single, + solitary, lonely man, from whom the very captives in the jail fell off and + shrunk appalled. + </p> + <p> + It might be that the intelligence of his capture having been bruited + abroad, they had come there purposely to drag him out and kill him in the + street; or it might be that they were the rioters, and, in pursuance of an + old design, had come to sack the prison. But in either case he had no + belief or hope that they would spare him. Every shout they raised, and + every sound they made, was a blow upon his heart. As the attack went on, + he grew more wild and frantic in his terror: tried to pull away the bars + that guarded the chimney and prevented him from climbing up: called loudly + on the turnkeys to cluster round the cell and save him from the fury of + the rabble; or put him in some dungeon underground, no matter of what + depth, how dark it was, or loathsome, or beset with rats and creeping + things, so that it hid him and was hard to find. + </p> + <p> + But no one came, or answered him. Fearful, even while he cried to them, of + attracting attention, he was silent. By and bye, he saw, as he looked from + his grated window, a strange glimmering on the stone walls and pavement of + the yard. It was feeble at first, and came and went, as though some + officers with torches were passing to and fro upon the roof of the prison. + Soon it reddened, and lighted brands came whirling down, spattering the + ground with fire, and burning sullenly in corners. One rolled beneath a + wooden bench, and set it in a blaze; another caught a water-spout, and so + went climbing up the wall, leaving a long straight track of fire behind + it. After a time, a slow thick shower of burning fragments, from some + upper portion of the prison which was blazing nigh, began to fall before + his door. Remembering that it opened outwards, he knew that every spark + which fell upon the heap, and in the act lost its bright life, and died an + ugly speck of dust and rubbish, helped to entomb him in a living grave. + Still, though the jail resounded with shrieks and cries for help,—though + the fire bounded up as if each separate flame had had a tiger’s life, and + roared as though, in every one, there were a hungry voice—though the + heat began to grow intense, and the air suffocating, and the clamour + without increased, and the danger of his situation even from one merciless + element was every moment more extreme,—still he was afraid to raise + his voice again, lest the crowd should break in, and should, of their own + ears or from the information given them by the other prisoners, get the + clue to his place of confinement. Thus fearful alike, of those within the + prison and of those without; of noise and silence; light and darkness; of + being released, and being left there to die; he was so tortured and + tormented, that nothing man has ever done to man in the horrible caprice + of power and cruelty, exceeds his self-inflicted punishment. + </p> + <p> + Now, now, the door was down. Now they came rushing through the jail, + calling to each other in the vaulted passages; clashing the iron gates + dividing yard from yard; beating at the doors of cells and wards; + wrenching off bolts and locks and bars; tearing down the door-posts to get + men out; endeavouring to drag them by main force through gaps and windows + where a child could scarcely pass; whooping and yelling without a moment’s + rest; and running through the heat and flames as if they were cased in + metal. By their legs, their arms, the hair upon their heads, they dragged + the prisoners out. Some threw themselves upon the captives as they got + towards the door, and tried to file away their irons; some danced about + them with a frenzied joy, and rent their clothes, and were ready, as it + seemed, to tear them limb from limb. Now a party of a dozen men came + darting through the yard into which the murderer cast fearful glances from + his darkened window; dragging a prisoner along the ground whose dress they + had nearly torn from his body in their mad eagerness to set him free, and + who was bleeding and senseless in their hands. Now a score of prisoners + ran to and fro, who had lost themselves in the intricacies of the prison, + and were so bewildered with the noise and glare that they knew not where + to turn or what to do, and still cried out for help, as loudly as before. + Anon some famished wretch whose theft had been a loaf of bread, or scrap + of butcher’s meat, came skulking past, barefooted—going slowly away + because that jail, his house, was burning; not because he had any other, + or had friends to meet, or old haunts to revisit, or any liberty to gain, + but liberty to starve and die. And then a knot of highwaymen went trooping + by, conducted by the friends they had among the crowd, who muffled their + fetters as they went along, with handkerchiefs and bands of hay, and + wrapped them in coats and cloaks, and gave them drink from bottles, and + held it to their lips, because of their handcuffs which there was no time + to remove. All this, and Heaven knows how much more, was done amidst a + noise, a hurry, and distraction, like nothing that we know of, even in our + dreams; which seemed for ever on the rise, and never to decrease for the + space of a single instant. + </p> + <p> + He was still looking down from his window upon these things, when a band + of men with torches, ladders, axes, and many kinds of weapons, poured into + the yard, and hammering at his door, inquired if there were any prisoner + within. He left the window when he saw them coming, and drew back into the + remotest corner of the cell; but although he returned them no answer, they + had a fancy that some one was inside, for they presently set ladders + against it, and began to tear away the bars at the casement; not only + that, indeed, but with pickaxes to hew down the very stones in the wall. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they had made a breach at the window, large enough for the + admission of a man’s head, one of them thrust in a torch and looked all + round the room. He followed this man’s gaze until it rested on himself, + and heard him demand why he had not answered, but made him no reply. + </p> + <p> + In the general surprise and wonder, they were used to this; without saying + anything more, they enlarged the breach until it was large enough to admit + the body of a man, and then came dropping down upon the floor, one after + another, until the cell was full. They caught him up among them, handed + him to the window, and those who stood upon the ladders passed him down + upon the pavement of the yard. Then the rest came out, one after another, + and, bidding him fly, and lose no time, or the way would be choked up, + hurried away to rescue others. + </p> + <p> + It seemed not a minute’s work from first to last. He staggered to his + feet, incredulous of what had happened, when the yard was filled again, + and a crowd rushed on, hurrying Barnaby among them. In another minute—not + so much: another minute! the same instant, with no lapse or interval + between!—he and his son were being passed from hand to hand, through + the dense crowd in the street, and were glancing backward at a burning + pile which some one said was Newgate. + </p> + <p> + From the moment of their first entrance into the prison, the crowd + dispersed themselves about it, and swarmed into every chink and crevice, + as if they had a perfect acquaintance with its innermost parts, and bore + in their minds an exact plan of the whole. For this immediate knowledge of + the place, they were, no doubt, in a great degree, indebted to the + hangman, who stood in the lobby, directing some to go this way, some that, + and some the other; and who materially assisted in bringing about the + wonderful rapidity with which the release of the prisoners was effected. + </p> + <p> + But this functionary of the law reserved one important piece of + intelligence, and kept it snugly to himself. When he had issued his + instructions relative to every other part of the building, and the mob + were dispersed from end to end, and busy at their work, he took a bundle + of keys from a kind of cupboard in the wall, and going by a kind of + passage near the chapel (it joined the governors house, and was then on + fire), betook himself to the condemned cells, which were a series of + small, strong, dismal rooms, opening on a low gallery, guarded, at the end + at which he entered, by a strong iron wicket, and at its opposite + extremity by two doors and a thick grate. Having double locked the wicket, + and assured himself that the other entrances were well secured, he sat + down on a bench in the gallery, and sucked the head of his stick with the + utmost complacency, tranquillity, and contentment. + </p> + <p> + It would have been strange enough, a man’s enjoying himself in this quiet + manner, while the prison was burning, and such a tumult was cleaving the + air, though he had been outside the walls. But here, in the very heart of + the building, and moreover with the prayers and cries of the four men + under sentence sounding in his ears, and their hands, stretched out + through the gratings in their cell-doors, clasped in frantic entreaty + before his very eyes, it was particularly remarkable. Indeed, Mr Dennis + appeared to think it an uncommon circumstance, and to banter himself upon + it; for he thrust his hat on one side as some men do when they are in a + waggish humour, sucked the head of his stick with a higher relish, and + smiled as though he would say, ‘Dennis, you’re a rum dog; you’re a queer + fellow; you’re capital company, Dennis, and quite a character!’ + </p> + <p> + He sat in this way for some minutes, while the four men in the cells, who + were certain that somebody had entered the gallery, but could not see who, + gave vent to such piteous entreaties as wretches in their miserable + condition may be supposed to have been inspired with: urging, whoever it + was, to set them at liberty, for the love of Heaven; and protesting, with + great fervour, and truly enough, perhaps, for the time, that if they + escaped, they would amend their ways, and would never, never, never again + do wrong before God or man, but would lead penitent and sober lives, and + sorrowfully repent the crimes they had committed. The terrible energy with + which they spoke, would have moved any person, no matter how good or just + (if any good or just person could have strayed into that sad place that + night), to have set them at liberty: and, while he would have left any + other punishment to its free course, to have saved them from this last + dreadful and repulsive penalty; which never turned a man inclined to evil, + and has hardened thousands who were half inclined to good. + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis, who had been bred and nurtured in the good old school, and had + administered the good old laws on the good old plan, always once and + sometimes twice every six weeks, for a long time, bore these appeals with + a deal of philosophy. Being at last, however, rather disturbed in his + pleasant reflection by their repetition, he rapped at one of the doors + with his stick, and cried: + </p> + <p> + ‘Hold your noise there, will you?’ + </p> + <p> + At this they all cried together that they were to be hanged on the next + day but one; and again implored his aid. + </p> + <p> + ‘Aid! For what!’ said Mr Dennis, playfully rapping the knuckles of the + hand nearest him. + </p> + <p> + ‘To save us!’ they cried. + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, certainly,’ said Mr Dennis, winking at the wall in the absence of any + friend with whom he could humour the joke. ‘And so you’re to be worked + off, are you, brothers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Unless we are released to-night,’ one of them cried, ‘we are dead men!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you what it is,’ said the hangman, gravely; ‘I’m afraid, my + friend, that you’re not in that ‘ere state of mind that’s suitable to your + condition, then; you’re not a-going to be released: don’t think it—Will + you leave off that ‘ere indecent row? I wonder you an’t ashamed of + yourselves, I do.’ + </p> + <p> + He followed up this reproof by rapping every set of knuckles one after the + other, and having done so, resumed his seat again with a cheerful + countenance. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’ve had law,’ he said, crossing his legs and elevating his eyebrows: + ‘laws have been made a’ purpose for you; a wery handsome prison’s been + made a’ purpose for you; a parson’s kept a purpose for you; a + constitootional officer’s appointed a’ purpose for you; carts is + maintained a’ purpose for you—and yet you’re not contented!—WILL + you hold that noise, you sir in the furthest?’ + </p> + <p> + A groan was the only answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘So well as I can make out,’ said Mr Dennis, in a tone of mingled badinage + and remonstrance, ‘there’s not a man among you. I begin to think I’m on + the opposite side, and among the ladies; though for the matter of that, + I’ve seen a many ladies face it out, in a manner that did honour to the + sex.—You in number two, don’t grind them teeth of yours. Worse + manners,’ said the hangman, rapping at the door with his stick, ‘I never + see in this place afore. I’m ashamed of you. You’re a disgrace to the + Bailey.’ + </p> + <p> + After pausing for a moment to hear if anything could be pleaded in + justification, Mr Dennis resumed in a sort of coaxing tone: + </p> + <p> + ‘Now look’ee here, you four. I’m come here to take care of you, and see + that you an’t burnt, instead of the other thing. It’s no use your making + any noise, for you won’t be found out by them as has broken in, and you’ll + only be hoarse when you come to the speeches,—which is a pity. What + I say in respect to the speeches always is, “Give it mouth.” That’s my + maxim. Give it mouth. I’ve heerd,’ said the hangman, pulling off his hat + to take his handkerchief from the crown and wipe his face, and then + putting it on again a little more on one side than before, ‘I’ve heerd a + eloquence on them boards—you know what boards I mean—and have + heerd a degree of mouth given to them speeches, that they was as clear as + a bell, and as good as a play. There’s a pattern! And always, when a thing + of this natur’s to come off, what I stand up for, is, a proper frame of + mind. Let’s have a proper frame of mind, and we can go through with it, + creditable—pleasant—sociable. Whatever you do (and I address + myself in particular, to you in the furthest), never snivel. I’d sooner by + half, though I lose by it, see a man tear his clothes a’ purpose to spile + ‘em before they come to me, than find him snivelling. It’s ten to one a + better frame of mind, every way!’ + </p> + <p> + While the hangman addressed them to this effect, in the tone and with the + air of a pastor in familiar conversation with his flock, the noise had + been in some degree subdued; for the rioters were busy in conveying the + prisoners to the Sessions House, which was beyond the main walls of the + prison, though connected with it, and the crowd were busy too, in passing + them from thence along the street. But when he had got thus far in his + discourse, the sound of voices in the yard showed plainly that the mob had + returned and were coming that way; and directly afterwards a violent + crashing at the grate below, gave note of their attack upon the cells (as + they were called) at last. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain the hangman ran from door to door, and covered the grates, + one after another, with his hat, in futile efforts to stifle the cries of + the four men within; it was in vain he dogged their outstretched hands, + and beat them with his stick, or menaced them with new and lingering pains + in the execution of his office; the place resounded with their cries. + These, together with the feeling that they were now the last men in the + jail, so worked upon and stimulated the besiegers, that in an incredibly + short space of time they forced the strong grate down below, which was + formed of iron rods two inches square, drove in the two other doors, as if + they had been but deal partitions, and stood at the end of the gallery + with only a bar or two between them and the cells. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa!’ cried Hugh, who was the first to look into the dusky passage: + ‘Dennis before us! Well done, old boy. Be quick, and open here, for we + shall be suffocated in the smoke, going out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Go out at once, then,’ said Dennis. ‘What do you want here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Want!’ echoed Hugh. ‘The four men.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Four devils!’ cried the hangman. ‘Don’t you know they’re left for death + on Thursday? Don’t you respect the law—the constitootion—nothing? + Let the four men be.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is this a time for joking?’ cried Hugh. ‘Do you hear ‘em? Pull away these + bars that have got fixed between the door and the ground; and let us in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother,’ said the hangman, in a low voice, as he stooped under pretence + of doing what Hugh desired, but only looked up in his face, ‘can’t you + leave these here four men to me, if I’ve the whim! You do what you like, + and have what you like of everything for your share,—give me my + share. I want these four men left alone, I tell you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Pull the bars down, or stand out of the way,’ was Hugh’s reply. + </p> + <p> + ‘You can turn the crowd if you like, you know that well enough, brother,’ + said the hangman, slowly. ‘What! You WILL come in, will you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You won’t let these men alone, and leave ‘em to me? You’ve no respect for + nothing—haven’t you?’ said the hangman, retreating to the door by + which he had entered, and regarding his companion with a scowl. ‘You WILL + come in, will you, brother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I tell you, yes. What the devil ails you? Where are you going?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No matter where I’m going,’ rejoined the hangman, looking in again at the + iron wicket, which he had nearly shut upon himself, and held ajar. + ‘Remember where you’re coming. That’s all!’ + </p> + <p> + With that, he shook his likeness at Hugh, and giving him a grin, compared + with which his usual smile was amiable, disappeared, and shut the door. + </p> + <p> + Hugh paused no longer, but goaded alike by the cries of the convicts, and + by the impatience of the crowd, warned the man immediately behind him—the + way was only wide enough for one abreast—to stand back, and wielded + a sledge-hammer with such strength, that after a few blows the iron bent + and broke, and gave them free admittance. + </p> + <p> + If the two sons of one of these men, of whom mention has been made, were + furious in their zeal before, they had now the wrath and vigour of lions. + Calling to the man within each cell, to keep as far back as he could, lest + the axes crashing through the door should wound him, a party went to work + upon each one, to beat it in by sheer strength, and force the bolts and + staples from their hold. But although these two lads had the weakest + party, and the worst armed, and did not begin until after the others, + having stopped to whisper to him through the grate, that door was the + first open, and that man was the first out. As they dragged him into the + gallery to knock off his irons, he fell down among them, a mere heap of + chains, and was carried out in that state on men’s shoulders, with no sign + of life. + </p> + <p> + The release of these four wretched creatures, and conveying them, + astounded and bewildered, into the streets so full of life—a + spectacle they had never thought to see again, until they emerged from + solitude and silence upon that last journey, when the air should be heavy + with the pent-up breath of thousands, and the streets and houses should be + built and roofed with human faces, not with bricks and tiles and stones—was + the crowning horror of the scene. Their pale and haggard looks and hollow + eyes; their staggering feet, and hands stretched out as if to save + themselves from falling; their wandering and uncertain air; the way they + heaved and gasped for breath, as though in water, when they were first + plunged into the crowd; all marked them for the men. No need to say ‘this + one was doomed to die;’ for there were the words broadly stamped and + branded on his face. The crowd fell off, as if they had been laid out for + burial, and had risen in their shrouds; and many were seen to shudder, as + though they had been actually dead men, when they chanced to touch or + brush against their garments. + </p> + <p> + At the bidding of the mob, the houses were all illuminated that night—lighted + up from top to bottom as at a time of public gaiety and joy. Many years + afterwards, old people who lived in their youth near this part of the + city, remembered being in a great glare of light, within doors and + without, and as they looked, timid and frightened children, from the + windows, seeing a FACE go by. Though the whole great crowd and all its + other terrors had faded from their recollection, this one object remained; + alone, distinct, and well remembered. Even in the unpractised minds of + infants, one of these doomed men darting past, and but an instant seen, + was an image of force enough to dim the whole concourse; to find itself an + all-absorbing place, and hold it ever after. + </p> + <p> + When this last task had been achieved, the shouts and cries grew fainter; + the clank of fetters, which had resounded on all sides as the prisoners + escaped, was heard no more; all the noises of the crowd subsided into a + hoarse and sullen murmur as it passed into the distance; and when the + human tide had rolled away, a melancholy heap of smoking ruins marked the + spot where it had lately chafed and roared. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0066" id="link2HCH0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 66 + </h2> + <p> + Although he had had no rest upon the previous night, and had watched with + little intermission for some weeks past, sleeping only in the day by + starts and snatches, Mr Haredale, from the dawn of morning until sunset, + sought his niece in every place where he deemed it possible she could have + taken refuge. All day long, nothing, save a draught of water, passed his + lips; though he prosecuted his inquiries far and wide, and never so much + as sat down, once. + </p> + <p> + In every quarter he could think of; at Chigwell and in London; at the + houses of the tradespeople with whom he dealt, and of the friends he knew; + he pursued his search. A prey to the most harrowing anxieties and + apprehensions, he went from magistrate to magistrate, and finally to the + Secretary of State. The only comfort he received was from this minister, + who assured him that the Government, being now driven to the exercise of + the extreme prerogatives of the Crown, were determined to exert them; that + a proclamation would probably be out upon the morrow, giving to the + military, discretionary and unlimited power in the suppression of the + riots; that the sympathies of the King, the Administration, and both + Houses of Parliament, and indeed of all good men of every religious + persuasion, were strongly with the injured Catholics; and that justice + should be done them at any cost or hazard. He told him, moreover, that + other persons whose houses had been burnt, had for a time lost sight of + their children or their relatives, but had, in every case, within his + knowledge, succeeded in discovering them; that his complaint should be + remembered, and fully stated in the instructions given to the officers in + command, and to all the inferior myrmidons of justice; and that everything + that could be done to help him, should be done, with a goodwill and in + good faith. + </p> + <p> + Grateful for this consolation, feeble as it was in its reference to the + past, and little hope as it afforded him in connection with the subject of + distress which lay nearest to his heart; and really thankful for the + interest the minister expressed, and seemed to feel, in his condition; Mr + Haredale withdrew. He found himself, with the night coming on, alone in + the streets; and destitute of any place in which to lay his head. + </p> + <p> + He entered an hotel near Charing Cross, and ordered some refreshment and a + bed. He saw that his faint and worn appearance attracted the attention of + the landlord and his waiters; and thinking that they might suppose him to + be penniless, took out his purse, and laid it on the table. It was not + that, the landlord said, in a faltering voice. If he were one of those who + had suffered by the rioters, he durst not give him entertainment. He had a + family of children, and had been twice warned to be careful in receiving + guests. He heartily prayed his forgiveness, but what could he do? + </p> + <p> + Nothing. No man felt that more sincerely than Mr Haredale. He told the man + as much, and left the house. + </p> + <p> + Feeling that he might have anticipated this occurrence, after what he had + seen at Chigwell in the morning, where no man dared to touch a spade, + though he offered a large reward to all who would come and dig among the + ruins of his house, he walked along the Strand; too proud to expose + himself to another refusal, and of too generous a spirit to involve in + distress or ruin any honest tradesman who might be weak enough to give him + shelter. He wandered into one of the streets by the side of the river, and + was pacing in a thoughtful manner up and down, thinking of things that had + happened long ago, when he heard a servant-man at an upper window call to + another on the opposite side of the street, that the mob were setting fire + to Newgate. + </p> + <p> + To Newgate! where that man was! His failing strength returned, his + energies came back with tenfold vigour, on the instant. If it were + possible—if they should set the murderer free—was he, after + all he had undergone, to die with the suspicion of having slain his own + brother, dimly gathering about him— + </p> + <p> + He had no consciousness of going to the jail; but there he stood, before + it. There was the crowd wedged and pressed together in a dense, dark, + moving mass; and there were the flames soaring up into the air. His head + turned round and round, lights flashed before his eyes, and he struggled + hard with two men. + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, nay,’ said one. ‘Be more yourself, my good sir. We attract attention + here. Come away. What can you do among so many men?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The gentleman’s always for doing something,’ said the other, forcing him + along as he spoke. ‘I like him for that. I do like him for that.’ + </p> + <p> + They had by this time got him into a court, hard by the prison. He looked + from one to the other, and as he tried to release himself, felt that he + tottered on his feet. He who had spoken first, was the old gentleman whom + he had seen at the Lord Mayor’s. The other was John Grueby, who had stood + by him so manfully at Westminster. + </p> + <p> + ‘What does this mean?’ he asked them faintly. ‘How came we together?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On the skirts of the crowd,’ returned the distiller; ‘but come with us. + Pray come with us. You seem to know my friend here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Surely,’ said Mr Haredale, looking in a kind of stupor at John. + </p> + <p> + ‘He’ll tell you then,’ returned the old gentleman, ‘that I am a man to be + trusted. He’s my servant. He was lately (as you know, I have no doubt) in + Lord George Gordon’s service; but he left it, and brought, in pure + goodwill to me and others, who are marked by the rioters, such + intelligence as he had picked up, of their designs.’ + </p> + <p> + —‘On one condition, please, sir,’ said John, touching his hat. No + evidence against my lord—a misled man—a kind-hearted man, sir. + My lord never intended this.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The condition will be observed, of course,’ rejoined the old distiller. + ‘It’s a point of honour. But come with us, sir; pray come with us.’ + </p> + <p> + John Grueby added no entreaties, but he adopted a different kind of + persuasion, by putting his arm through one of Mr Haredale’s, while his + master took the other, and leading him away with all speed. + </p> + <p> + Sensible, from a strange lightness in his head, and a difficulty in fixing + his thoughts on anything, even to the extent of bearing his companions in + his mind for a minute together without looking at them, that his brain was + affected by the agitation and suffering through which he had passed, and + to which he was still a prey, Mr Haredale let them lead him where they + would. As they went along, he was conscious of having no command over what + he said or thought, and that he had a fear of going mad. + </p> + <p> + The distiller lived, as he had told him when they first met, on Holborn + Hill, where he had great storehouses and drove a large trade. They + approached his house by a back entrance, lest they should attract the + notice of the crowd, and went into an upper room which faced towards the + street; the windows, however, in common with those of every other room in + the house, were boarded up inside, in order that, out of doors, all might + appear quite dark. + </p> + <p> + They laid him on a sofa in this chamber, perfectly insensible; but John + immediately fetching a surgeon, who took from him a large quantity of + blood, he gradually came to himself. As he was, for the time, too weak to + walk, they had no difficulty in persuading him to remain there all night, + and got him to bed without loss of a minute. That done, they gave him + cordial and some toast, and presently a pretty strong composing-draught, + under the influence of which he soon fell into a lethargy, and, for a + time, forgot his troubles. + </p> + <p> + The vintner, who was a very hearty old fellow and a worthy man, had no + thoughts of going to bed himself, for he had received several threatening + warnings from the rioters, and had indeed gone out that evening to try and + gather from the conversation of the mob whether his house was to be the + next attacked. He sat all night in an easy-chair in the same room—dozing + a little now and then—and received from time to time the reports of + John Grueby and two or three other trustworthy persons in his employ, who + went out into the streets as scouts; and for whose entertainment an ample + allowance of good cheer (which the old vintner, despite his anxiety, now + and then attacked himself) was set forth in an adjoining chamber. + </p> + <p> + These accounts were of a sufficiently alarming nature from the first; but + as the night wore on, they grew so much worse, and involved such a fearful + amount of riot and destruction, that in comparison with these new tidings + all the previous disturbances sunk to nothing. + </p> + <p> + The first intelligence that came, was of the taking of Newgate, and the + escape of all the prisoners, whose track, as they made up Holborn and into + the adjacent streets, was proclaimed to those citizens who were shut up in + their houses, by the rattling of their chains, which formed a dismal + concert, and was heard in every direction, as though so many forges were + at work. The flames too, shone so brightly through the vintner’s + skylights, that the rooms and staircases below were nearly as light as in + broad day; while the distant shouting of the mob seemed to shake the very + walls and ceilings. + </p> + <p> + At length they were heard approaching the house, and some minutes of + terrible anxiety ensued. They came close up, and stopped before it; but + after giving three loud yells, went on. And although they returned several + times that night, creating new alarms each time, they did nothing there; + having their hands full. Shortly after they had gone away for the first + time, one of the scouts came running in with the news that they had + stopped before Lord Mansfield’s house in Bloomsbury Square. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards there came another, and another, and then the first + returned again, and so, by little and little, their tale was this:—That + the mob gathering round Lord Mansfield’s house, had called on those within + to open the door, and receiving no reply (for Lord and Lady Mansfield were + at that moment escaping by the backway), forced an entrance according to + their usual custom. That they then began to demolish the house with great + fury, and setting fire to it in several parts, involved in a common ruin + the whole of the costly furniture, the plate and jewels, a beautiful + gallery of pictures, the rarest collection of manuscripts ever possessed + by any one private person in the world, and worse than all, because + nothing could replace this loss, the great Law Library, on almost every + page of which were notes in the Judge’s own hand, of inestimable value,—being + the results of the study and experience of his whole life. That while they + were howling and exulting round the fire, a troop of soldiers, with a + magistrate among them, came up, and being too late (for the mischief was + by that time done), began to disperse the crowd. That the Riot Act being + read, and the crowd still resisting, the soldiers received orders to fire, + and levelling their muskets shot dead at the first discharge six men and a + woman, and wounded many persons; and loading again directly, fired another + volley, but over the people’s heads it was supposed, as none were seen to + fall. That thereupon, and daunted by the shrieks and tumult, the crowd + began to disperse, and the soldiers went away, leaving the killed and + wounded on the ground: which they had no sooner done than the rioters came + back again, and taking up the dead bodies, and the wounded people, formed + into a rude procession, having the bodies in the front. That in this order + they paraded off with a horrible merriment; fixing weapons in the dead + men’s hands to make them look as if alive; and preceded by a fellow + ringing Lord Mansfield’s dinner-bell with all his might. + </p> + <p> + The scouts reported further, that this party meeting with some others who + had been at similar work elsewhere, they all united into one, and drafting + off a few men with the killed and wounded, marched away to Lord + Mansfield’s country seat at Caen Wood, between Hampstead and Highgate; + bent upon destroying that house likewise, and lighting up a great fire + there, which from that height should be seen all over London. But in this, + they were disappointed, for a party of horse having arrived before them, + they retreated faster than they went, and came straight back to town. + </p> + <p> + There being now a great many parties in the streets, each went to work + according to its humour, and a dozen houses were quickly blazing, + including those of Sir John Fielding and two other justices, and four in + Holborn—one of the greatest thoroughfares in London—which were + all burning at the same time, and burned until they went out of + themselves, for the people cut the engine hose, and would not suffer the + firemen to play upon the flames. At one house near Moorfields, they found + in one of the rooms some canary birds in cages, and these they cast into + the fire alive. The poor little creatures screamed, it was said, like + infants, when they were flung upon the blaze; and one man was so touched + that he tried in vain to save them, which roused the indignation of the + crowd, and nearly cost him his life. + </p> + <p> + At this same house, one of the fellows who went through the rooms, + breaking the furniture and helping to destroy the building, found a + child’s doll—a poor toy—which he exhibited at the window to + the mob below, as the image of some unholy saint which the late occupants + had worshipped. While he was doing this, another man with an equally + tender conscience (they had both been foremost in throwing down the canary + birds for roasting alive), took his seat on the parapet of the house, and + harangued the crowd from a pamphlet circulated by the Association, + relative to the true principles of Christianity! Meanwhile the Lord Mayor, + with his hands in his pockets, looked on as an idle man might look at any + other show, and seemed mightily satisfied to have got a good place. + </p> + <p> + Such were the accounts brought to the old vintner by his servants as he + sat at the side of Mr Haredale’s bed, having been unable even to doze, + after the first part of the night; too much disturbed by his own fears; by + the cries of the mob, the light of the fires, and the firing of the + soldiers. Such, with the addition of the release of all the prisoners in + the New Jail at Clerkenwell, and as many robberies of passengers in the + streets, as the crowd had leisure to indulge in, were the scenes of which + Mr Haredale was happily unconscious, and which were all enacted before + midnight. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0067" id="link2HCH0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 67 + </h2> + <p> + When darkness broke away and morning began to dawn, the town wore a + strange aspect indeed. + </p> + <p> + Sleep had hardly been thought of all night. The general alarm was so + apparent in the faces of the inhabitants, and its expression was so + aggravated by want of rest (few persons, with any property to lose, having + dared go to bed since Monday), that a stranger coming into the streets + would have supposed some mortal pest or plague to have been raging. In + place of the usual cheerfulness and animation of morning, everything was + dead and silent. The shops remained closed, offices and warehouses were + shut, the coach and chair stands were deserted, no carts or waggons + rumbled through the slowly waking streets, the early cries were all + hushed; a universal gloom prevailed. Great numbers of people were out, + even at daybreak, but they flitted to and fro as though they shrank from + the sound of their own footsteps; the public ways were haunted rather than + frequented; and round the smoking ruins people stood apart from one + another and in silence, not venturing to condemn the rioters, or to be + supposed to do so, even in whispers. + </p> + <p> + At the Lord President’s in Piccadilly, at Lambeth Palace, at the Lord + Chancellor’s in Great Ormond Street, in the Royal Exchange, the Bank, the + Guildhall, the Inns of Court, the Courts of Law, and every chamber + fronting the streets near Westminster Hall and the Houses of Parliament, + parties of soldiers were posted before daylight. A body of Horse Guards + paraded Palace Yard; an encampment was formed in the Park, where fifteen + hundred men and five battalions of Militia were under arms; the Tower was + fortified, the drawbridges were raised, the cannon loaded and pointed, and + two regiments of artillery busied in strengthening the fortress and + preparing it for defence. A numerous detachment of soldiers were stationed + to keep guard at the New River Head, which the people had threatened to + attack, and where, it was said, they meant to cut off the main-pipes, so + that there might be no water for the extinction of the flames. In the + Poultry, and on Cornhill, and at several other leading points, iron chains + were drawn across the street; parties of soldiers were distributed in some + of the old city churches while it was yet dark; and in several private + houses (among them, Lord Rockingham’s in Grosvenor Square); which were + blockaded as though to sustain a siege, and had guns pointed from the + windows. When the sun rose, it shone into handsome apartments filled with + armed men; the furniture hastily heaped away in corners, and made of + little or no account, in the terror of the time—on arms glittering + in city chambers, among desks and stools, and dusty books—into + little smoky churchyards in odd lanes and by-ways, with soldiers lying + down among the tombs, or lounging under the shade of the one old tree, and + their pile of muskets sparkling in the light—on solitary sentries + pacing up and down in courtyards, silent now, but yesterday resounding + with the din and hum of business—everywhere on guard-rooms, + garrisons, and threatening preparations. + </p> + <p> + As the day crept on, still more unusual sights were witnessed in the + streets. The gates of the King’s Bench and Fleet Prisons being opened at + the usual hour, were found to have notices affixed to them, announcing + that the rioters would come that night to burn them down. The wardens, too + well knowing the likelihood there was of this promise being fulfilled, + were fain to set their prisoners at liberty, and give them leave to move + their goods; so, all day, such of them as had any furniture were occupied + in conveying it, some to this place, some to that, and not a few to the + brokers’ shops, where they gladly sold it, for any wretched price those + gentry chose to give. There were some broken men among these debtors who + had been in jail so long, and were so miserable and destitute of friends, + so dead to the world, and utterly forgotten and uncared for, that they + implored their jailers not to set them free, and to send them, if need + were, to some other place of custody. But they, refusing to comply, lest + they should incur the anger of the mob, turned them into the streets, + where they wandered up and down hardly remembering the ways untrodden by + their feet so long, and crying—such abject things those + rotten-hearted jails had made them—as they slunk off in their rags, + and dragged their slipshod feet along the pavement. + </p> + <p> + Even of the three hundred prisoners who had escaped from Newgate, there + were some—a few, but there were some—who sought their jailers + out and delivered themselves up: preferring imprisonment and punishment to + the horrors of such another night as the last. Many of the convicts, drawn + back to their old place of captivity by some indescribable attraction, or + by a desire to exult over it in its downfall and glut their revenge by + seeing it in ashes, actually went back in broad noon, and loitered about + the cells. Fifty were retaken at one time on this next day, within the + prison walls; but their fate did not deter others, for there they went in + spite of everything, and there they were taken in twos and threes, twice + or thrice a day, all through the week. Of the fifty just mentioned, some + were occupied in endeavouring to rekindle the fire; but in general they + seemed to have no object in view but to prowl and lounge about the old + place: being often found asleep in the ruins, or sitting talking there, or + even eating and drinking, as in a choice retreat. + </p> + <p> + Besides the notices on the gates of the Fleet and the King’s Bench, many + similar announcements were left, before one o’clock at noon, at the houses + of private individuals; and further, the mob proclaimed their intention of + seizing on the Bank, the Mint, the Arsenal at Woolwich, and the Royal + Palaces. The notices were seldom delivered by more than one man, who, if + it were at a shop, went in, and laid it, with a bloody threat perhaps, + upon the counter; or if it were at a private house, knocked at the door, + and thrust it in the servant’s hand. Notwithstanding the presence of the + military in every quarter of the town, and the great force in the Park, + these messengers did their errands with impunity all through the day. So + did two boys who went down Holborn alone, armed with bars taken from the + railings of Lord Mansfield’s house, and demanded money for the rioters. So + did a tall man on horseback who made a collection for the same purpose in + Fleet Street, and refused to take anything but gold. + </p> + <p> + A rumour had now got into circulation, too, which diffused a greater dread + all through London, even than these publicly announced intentions of the + rioters, though all men knew that if they were successfully effected, + there must ensue a national bankruptcy and general ruin. It was said that + they meant to throw the gates of Bedlam open, and let all the madmen + loose. This suggested such dreadful images to the people’s minds, and was + indeed an act so fraught with new and unimaginable horrors in the + contemplation, that it beset them more than any loss or cruelty of which + they could foresee the worst, and drove many sane men nearly mad + themselves. + </p> + <p> + So the day passed on: the prisoners moving their goods; people running to + and fro in the streets, carrying away their property; groups standing in + silence round the ruins; all business suspended; and the soldiers disposed + as has been already mentioned, remaining quite inactive. So the day passed + on, and dreaded night drew near again. + </p> + <p> + At last, at seven o’clock in the evening, the Privy Council issued a + solemn proclamation that it was now necessary to employ the military, and + that the officers had most direct and effectual orders, by an immediate + exertion of their utmost force, to repress the disturbances; and warning + all good subjects of the King to keep themselves, their servants, and + apprentices, within doors that night. There was then delivered out to + every soldier on duty, thirty-six rounds of powder and ball; the drums + beat; and the whole force was under arms at sunset. + </p> + <p> + The City authorities, stimulated by these vigorous measures, held a Common + Council; passed a vote thanking the military associations who had tendered + their aid to the civil authorities; accepted it; and placed them under the + direction of the two sheriffs. At the Queen’s palace, a double guard, the + yeomen on duty, the groom-porters, and all other attendants, were + stationed in the passages and on the staircases at seven o’clock, with + strict instructions to be watchful on their posts all night; and all the + doors were locked. The gentlemen of the Temple, and the other Inns, + mounted guard within their gates, and strengthened them with the great + stones of the pavement, which they took up for the purpose. In Lincoln’s + Inn, they gave up the hall and commons to the Northumberland Militia, + under the command of Lord Algernon Percy; in some few of the city wards, + the burgesses turned out, and without making a very fierce show, looked + brave enough. Some hundreds of stout gentlemen threw themselves, armed to + the teeth, into the halls of the different companies, double-locked and + bolted all the gates, and dared the rioters (among themselves) to come on + at their peril. These arrangements being all made simultaneously, or + nearly so, were completed by the time it got dark; and then the streets + were comparatively clear, and were guarded at all the great corners and + chief avenues by the troops: while parties of the officers rode up and + down in all directions, ordering chance stragglers home, and admonishing + the residents to keep within their houses, and, if any firing ensued, not + to approach the windows. More chains were drawn across such of the + thoroughfares as were of a nature to favour the approach of a great crowd, + and at each of these points a considerable force was stationed. All these + precautions having been taken, and it being now quite dark, those in + command awaited the result in some anxiety: and not without a hope that + such vigilant demonstrations might of themselves dishearten the populace, + and prevent any new outrages. + </p> + <p> + But in this reckoning they were cruelly mistaken, for in half an hour, or + less, as though the setting in of night had been their preconcerted + signal, the rioters having previously, in small parties, prevented the + lighting of the street lamps, rose like a great sea; and that in so many + places at once, and with such inconceivable fury, that those who had the + direction of the troops knew not, at first, where to turn or what to do. + One after another, new fires blazed up in every quarter of the town, as + though it were the intention of the insurgents to wrap the city in a + circle of flames, which, contracting by degrees, should burn the whole to + ashes; the crowd swarmed and roared in every street; and none but rioters + and soldiers being out of doors, it seemed to the latter as if all London + were arrayed against them, and they stood alone against the town. + </p> + <p> + In two hours, six-and-thirty fires were raging—six-and-thirty great + conflagrations: among them the Borough Clink in Tooley Street, the King’s + Bench, the Fleet, and the New Bridewell. In almost every street, there was + a battle; and in every quarter the muskets of the troops were heard above + the shouts and tumult of the mob. The firing began in the Poultry, where + the chain was drawn across the road, where nearly a score of people were + killed on the first discharge. Their bodies having been hastily carried + into St Mildred’s Church by the soldiers, the latter fired again, and + following fast upon the crowd, who began to give way when they saw the + execution that was done, formed across Cheapside, and charged them at the + point of the bayonet. + </p> + <p> + The streets were now a dreadful spectacle. The shouts of the rabble, the + shrieks of women, the cries of the wounded, and the constant firing, + formed a deafening and an awful accompaniment to the sights which every + corner presented. Wherever the road was obstructed by the chains, there + the fighting and the loss of life were greatest; but there was hot work + and bloodshed in almost every leading thoroughfare. + </p> + <p> + At Holborn Bridge, and on Holborn Hill, the confusion was greater than in + any other part; for the crowd that poured out of the city in two great + streams, one by Ludgate Hill, and one by Newgate Street, united at that + spot, and formed a mass so dense, that at every volley the people seemed + to fall in heaps. At this place a large detachment of soldiery were + posted, who fired, now up Fleet Market, now up Holborn, now up Snow Hill—constantly + raking the streets in each direction. At this place too, several large + fires were burning, so that all the terrors of that terrible night seemed + to be concentrated in one spot. + </p> + <p> + Full twenty times, the rioters, headed by one man who wielded an axe in + his right hand, and bestrode a brewer’s horse of great size and strength, + caparisoned with fetters taken out of Newgate, which clanked and jingled + as he went, made an attempt to force a passage at this point, and fire the + vintner’s house. Full twenty times they were repulsed with loss of life, + and still came back again; and though the fellow at their head was marked + and singled out by all, and was a conspicuous object as the only rioter on + horseback, not a man could hit him. So surely as the smoke cleared away, + so surely there was he; calling hoarsely to his companions, brandishing + his axe above his head, and dashing on as though he bore a charmed life, + and was proof against ball and powder. + </p> + <p> + This man was Hugh; and in every part of the riot, he was seen. He headed + two attacks upon the Bank, helped to break open the Toll-houses on + Blackfriars Bridge, and cast the money into the street: fired two of the + prisons with his own hand: was here, and there, and everywhere—always + foremost—always active—striking at the soldiers, cheering on + the crowd, making his horse’s iron music heard through all the yell and + uproar: but never hurt or stopped. Turn him at one place, and he made a + new struggle in another; force him to retreat at this point, and he + advanced on that, directly. Driven from Holborn for the twentieth time, he + rode at the head of a great crowd straight upon Saint Paul’s, attacked a + guard of soldiers who kept watch over a body of prisoners within the iron + railings, forced them to retreat, rescued the men they had in custody, and + with this accession to his party, came back again, mad with liquor and + excitement, and hallooing them on like a demon. + </p> + <p> + It would have been no easy task for the most careful rider to sit a horse + in the midst of such a throng and tumult; but though this madman rolled + upon his back (he had no saddle) like a boat upon the sea, he never for an + instant lost his seat, or failed to guide him where he would. Through the + very thickest of the press, over dead bodies and burning fragments, now on + the pavement, now in the road, now riding up a flight of steps to make + himself the more conspicuous to his party, and now forcing a passage + through a mass of human beings, so closely squeezed together that it + seemed as if the edge of a knife would scarcely part them,—on he + went, as though he could surmount all obstacles by the mere exercise of + his will. And perhaps his not being shot was in some degree attributable + to this very circumstance; for his extreme audacity, and the conviction + that he must be one of those to whom the proclamation referred, inspired + the soldiers with a desire to take him alive, and diverted many an aim + which otherwise might have been more near the mark. + </p> + <p> + The vintner and Mr Haredale, unable to sit quietly listening to the noise + without seeing what went on, had climbed to the roof of the house, and + hiding behind a stack of chimneys, were looking cautiously down into the + street, almost hoping that after so many repulses the rioters would be + foiled, when a great shout proclaimed that a parry were coming round the + other way; and the dismal jingling of those accursed fetters warned them + next moment that they too were led by Hugh. The soldiers had advanced into + Fleet Market and were dispersing the people there; so that they came on + with hardly any check, and were soon before the house. + </p> + <p> + ‘All’s over now,’ said the vintner. ‘Fifty thousand pounds will be + scattered in a minute. We must save ourselves. We can do no more, and + shall have reason to be thankful if we do as much.’ + </p> + <p> + Their first impulse was, to clamber along the roofs of the houses, and, + knocking at some garret window for admission, pass down that way into the + street, and so escape. But another fierce cry from below, and a general + upturning of the faces of the crowd, apprised them that they were + discovered, and even that Mr Haredale was recognised; for Hugh, seeing him + plainly in the bright glare of the fire, which in that part made it as + light as day, called to him by his name, and swore to have his life. + </p> + <p> + ‘Leave me here,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘and in Heaven’s name, my good friend, + save yourself! Come on!’ he muttered, as he turned towards Hugh and faced + him without any further effort at concealment: ‘This roof is high, and if + we close, we will die together!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Madness,’ said the honest vintner, pulling him back, ‘sheer madness. Hear + reason, sir. My good sir, hear reason. I could never make myself heard by + knocking at a window now; and even if I could, no one would be bold enough + to connive at my escape. Through the cellars, there’s a kind of passage + into the back street by which we roll casks in and out. We shall have time + to get down there before they can force an entry. Do not delay an instant, + but come with me—for both our sakes—for mine—my dear + good sir!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, and drew Mr Haredale back, they had both a glimpse of the + street. It was but a glimpse, but it showed them the crowd, gathering and + clustering round the house: some of the armed men pressing to the front to + break down the doors and windows, some bringing brands from the nearest + fire, some with lifted faces following their course upon the roof and + pointing them out to their companions: all raging and roaring like the + flames they lighted up. They saw some men thirsting for the treasures of + strong liquor which they knew were stored within; they saw others, who had + been wounded, sinking down into the opposite doorways and dying, solitary + wretches, in the midst of all the vast assemblage; here a frightened woman + trying to escape; and there a lost child; and there a drunken ruffian, + unconscious of the death-wound on his head, raving and fighting to the + last. All these things, and even such trivial incidents as a man with his + hat off, or turning round, or stooping down, or shaking hands with + another, they marked distinctly; yet in a glance so brief, that, in the + act of stepping back, they lost the whole, and saw but the pale faces of + each other, and the red sky above them. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale yielded to the entreaties of his companion—more because + he was resolved to defend him, than for any thought he had of his own + life, or any care he entertained for his own safety—and quickly + re-entering the house, they descended the stairs together. Loud blows were + thundering on the shutters, crowbars were already thrust beneath the door, + the glass fell from the sashes, a deep light shone through every crevice, + and they heard the voices of the foremost in the crowd so close to every + chink and keyhole, that they seemed to be hoarsely whispering their + threats into their very ears. They had but a moment reached the bottom of + the cellar-steps and shut the door behind them, when the mob broke in. + </p> + <p> + The vaults were profoundly dark, and having no torch or candle—for + they had been afraid to carry one, lest it should betray their place of + refuge—they were obliged to grope with their hands. But they were + not long without light, for they had not gone far when they heard the + crowd forcing the door; and, looking back among the low-arched passages, + could see them in the distance, hurrying to and fro with flashing links, + broaching the casks, staving the great vats, turning off upon the right + hand and the left, into the different cellars, and lying down to drink at + the channels of strong spirits which were already flowing on the ground. + </p> + <p> + They hurried on, not the less quickly for this; and had reached the only + vault which lay between them and the passage out, when suddenly, from the + direction in which they were going, a strong light gleamed upon their + faces; and before they could slip aside, or turn back, or hide themselves, + two men (one bearing a torch) came upon them, and cried in an astonished + whisper, ‘Here they are!’ + </p> + <p> + At the same instant they pulled off what they wore upon their heads. Mr + Haredale saw before him Edward Chester, and then saw, when the vintner + gasped his name, Joe Willet. + </p> + <p> + Ay, the same Joe, though with an arm the less, who used to make the + quarterly journey on the grey mare to pay the bill to the purple-faced + vintner; and that very same purple-faced vintner, formerly of Thames + Street, now looked him in the face, and challenged him by name. + </p> + <p> + ‘Give me your hand,’ said Joe softly, taking it whether the astonished + vintner would or no. ‘Don’t fear to shake it; it’s a friendly one and a + hearty one, though it has no fellow. Why, how well you look and how bluff + you are! And you—God bless you, sir. Take heart, take heart. We’ll + find them. Be of good cheer; we have not been idle.’ + </p> + <p> + There was something so honest and frank in Joe’s speech, that Mr Haredale + put his hand in his involuntarily, though their meeting was suspicious + enough. But his glance at Edward Chester, and that gentleman’s keeping + aloof, were not lost upon Joe, who said bluntly, glancing at Edward while + he spoke: + </p> + <p> + ‘Times are changed, Mr Haredale, and times have come when we ought to know + friends from enemies, and make no confusion of names. Let me tell you that + but for this gentleman, you would most likely have been dead by this time, + or badly wounded at the best.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What do you say?’ cried Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,’ said Joe, ‘first, that it was a bold thing to be in the crowd at + all disguised as one of them; though I won’t say much about that, on + second thoughts, for that’s my case too. Secondly, that it was a brave and + glorious action—that’s what I call it—to strike that fellow + off his horse before their eyes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What fellow! Whose eyes!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What fellow, sir!’ cried Joe: ‘a fellow who has no goodwill to you, and + who has the daring and devilry in him of twenty fellows. I know him of + old. Once in the house, HE would have found you, here or anywhere. The + rest owe you no particular grudge, and, unless they see you, will only + think of drinking themselves dead. But we lose time. Are you ready?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite,’ said Edward. ‘Put out the torch, Joe, and go on. And be silent, + there’s a good fellow.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Silent or not silent,’ murmured Joe, as he dropped the flaring link upon + the ground, crushed it with his foot, and gave his hand to Mr Haredale, + ‘it was a brave and glorious action;—no man can alter that.’ + </p> + <p> + Both Mr Haredale and the worthy vintner were too amazed and too much + hurried to ask any further questions, so followed their conductors in + silence. It seemed, from a short whispering which presently ensued between + them and the vintner relative to the best way of escape, that they had + entered by the back-door, with the connivance of John Grueby, who watched + outside with the key in his pocket, and whom they had taken into their + confidence. A party of the crowd coming up that way, just as they entered, + John had double-locked the door again, and made off for the soldiers, so + that means of retreat was cut off from under them. + </p> + <p> + However, as the front-door had been forced, and this minor crowd, being + anxious to get at the liquor, had no fancy for losing time in breaking + down another, but had gone round and got in from Holborn with the rest, + the narrow lane in the rear was quite free of people. So, when they had + crawled through the passage indicated by the vintner (which was a mere + shelving-trap for the admission of casks), and had managed with some + difficulty to unchain and raise the door at the upper end, they emerged + into the street without being observed or interrupted. Joe still holding + Mr Haredale tight, and Edward taking the same care of the vintner, they + hurried through the streets at a rapid pace; occasionally standing aside + to let some fugitives go by, or to keep out of the way of the soldiers who + followed them, and whose questions, when they halted to put any, were + speedily stopped by one whispered word from Joe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0068" id="link2HCH0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 68 + </h2> + <p> + While Newgate was burning on the previous night, Barnaby and his father, + having been passed among the crowd from hand to hand, stood in Smithfield, + on the outskirts of the mob, gazing at the flames like men who had been + suddenly roused from sleep. Some moments elapsed before they could + distinctly remember where they were, or how they got there; or recollected + that while they were standing idle and listless spectators of the fire, + they had tools in their hands which had been hurriedly given them that + they might free themselves from their fetters. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby, heavily ironed as he was, if he had obeyed his first impulse, or + if he had been alone, would have made his way back to the side of Hugh, + who to his clouded intellect now shone forth with the new lustre of being + his preserver and truest friend. But his father’s terror of remaining in + the streets, communicated itself to him when he comprehended the full + extent of his fears, and impressed him with the same eagerness to fly to a + place of safety. + </p> + <p> + In a corner of the market among the pens for cattle, Barnaby knelt down, + and pausing every now and then to pass his hand over his father’s face, or + look up to him with a smile, knocked off his irons. When he had seen him + spring, a free man, to his feet, and had given vent to the transport of + delight which the sight awakened, he went to work upon his own, which soon + fell rattling down upon the ground, and left his limbs unfettered. + </p> + <p> + Gliding away together when this task was accomplished, and passing several + groups of men, each gathered round a stooping figure to hide him from + those who passed, but unable to repress the clanking sound of hammers, + which told that they too were busy at the same work,—the two + fugitives made towards Clerkenwell, and passing thence to Islington, as + the nearest point of egress, were quickly in the fields. After wandering + about for a long time, they found in a pasture near Finchley a poor shed, + with walls of mud, and roof of grass and brambles, built for some cowherd, + but now deserted. Here, they lay down for the rest of the night. + </p> + <p> + They wandered to and fro when it was day, and once Barnaby went off alone + to a cluster of little cottages two or three miles away, to purchase some + bread and milk. But finding no better shelter, they returned to the same + place, and lay down again to wait for night. + </p> + <p> + Heaven alone can tell, with what vague hopes of duty, and affection; with + what strange promptings of nature, intelligible to him as to a man of + radiant mind and most enlarged capacity; with what dim memories of + children he had played with when a child himself, who had prattled of + their fathers, and of loving them, and being loved; with how many + half-remembered, dreamy associations of his mother’s grief and tears and + widowhood; he watched and tended this man. But that a vague and shadowy + crowd of such ideas came slowly on him; that they taught him to be sorry + when he looked upon his haggard face, that they overflowed his eyes when + he stooped to kiss him, that they kept him waking in a tearful gladness, + shading him from the sun, fanning him with leaves, soothing him when he + started in his sleep—ah! what a troubled sleep it was—and + wondering when SHE would come to join them and be happy, is the truth. He + sat beside him all that day; listening for her footsteps in every breath + of air, looking for her shadow on the gently-waving grass, twining the + hedge flowers for her pleasure when she came, and his when he awoke; and + stooping down from time to time to listen to his mutterings, and wonder + why he was so restless in that quiet place. The sun went down, and night + came on, and he was still quite tranquil; busied with these thoughts, as + if there were no other people in the world, and the dull cloud of smoke + hanging on the immense city in the distance, hid no vices, no crimes, no + life or death, or cause of disquiet—nothing but clear air. + </p> + <p> + But the hour had now come when he must go alone to find out the blind man + (a task that filled him with delight) and bring him to that place; taking + especial care that he was not watched or followed on his way back. He + listened to the directions he must observe, repeated them again and again, + and after twice or thrice returning to surprise his father with a + light-hearted laugh, went forth, at last, upon his errand: leaving Grip, + whom he had carried from the jail in his arms, to his care. + </p> + <p> + Fleet of foot, and anxious to return, he sped swiftly on towards the city, + but could not reach it before the fires began, and made the night angry + with their dismal lustre. When he entered the town—it might be that + he was changed by going there without his late companions, and on no + violent errand; or by the beautiful solitude in which he had passed the + day, or by the thoughts that had come upon him,—but it seemed + peopled by a legion of devils. This flight and pursuit, this cruel burning + and destroying, these dreadful cries and stunning noises, were THEY the + good lord’s noble cause! + </p> + <p> + Though almost stupefied by the bewildering scene, still he found the blind + man’s house. It was shut up and tenantless. + </p> + <p> + He waited for a long while, but no one came. At last he withdrew; and as + he knew by this time that the soldiers were firing, and many people must + have been killed, he went down into Holborn, where he heard the great + crowd was, to try if he could find Hugh, and persuade him to avoid the + danger, and return with him. + </p> + <p> + If he had been stunned and shocked before, his horror was increased a + thousandfold when he got into this vortex of the riot, and not being an + actor in the terrible spectacle, had it all before his eyes. But there, in + the midst, towering above them all, close before the house they were + attacking now, was Hugh on horseback, calling to the rest! + </p> + <p> + Sickened by the sights surrounding him on every side, and by the heat and + roar, and crash, he forced his way among the crowd (where many recognised + him, and with shouts pressed back to let him pass), and in time was nearly + up with Hugh, who was savagely threatening some one, but whom or what he + said, he could not, in the great confusion, understand. At that moment the + crowd forced their way into the house, and Hugh—it was impossible to + see by what means, in such a concourse—fell headlong down. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby was beside him when he staggered to his feet. It was well he made + him hear his voice, or Hugh, with his uplifted axe, would have cleft his + skull in twain. + </p> + <p> + ‘Barnaby—you! Whose hand was that, that struck me down?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not mine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Whose!—I say, whose!’ he cried, reeling back, and looking wildly + round. ‘What are you doing? Where is he? Show me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are hurt,’ said Barnaby—as indeed he was, in the head, both by + the blow he had received, and by his horse’s hoof. ‘Come away with me.’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he took the horse’s bridle in his hand, turned him, and + dragged Hugh several paces. This brought them out of the crowd, which was + pouring from the street into the vintner’s cellars. + </p> + <p> + ‘Where’s—where’s Dennis?’ said Hugh, coming to a stop, and checking + Barnaby with his strong arm. ‘Where has he been all day? What did he mean + by leaving me as he did, in the jail, last night? Tell me, you—d’ye + hear!’ + </p> + <p> + With a flourish of his dangerous weapon, he fell down upon the ground like + a log. After a minute, though already frantic with drinking and with the + wound in his head, he crawled to a stream of burning spirit which was + pouring down the kennel, and began to drink at it as if it were a brook of + water. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby drew him away, and forced him to rise. Though he could neither + stand nor walk, he involuntarily staggered to his horse, climbed upon his + back, and clung there. After vainly attempting to divest the animal of his + clanking trappings, Barnaby sprung up behind him, snatched the bridle, + turned into Leather Lane, which was close at hand, and urged the + frightened horse into a heavy trot. + </p> + <p> + He looked back, once, before he left the street; and looked upon a sight + not easily to be erased, even from his remembrance, so long as he had + life. + </p> + <p> + The vintner’s house with a half-a-dozen others near at hand, was one + great, glowing blaze. All night, no one had essayed to quench the flames, + or stop their progress; but now a body of soldiers were actively engaged + in pulling down two old wooden houses, which were every moment in danger + of taking fire, and which could scarcely fail, if they were left to burn, + to extend the conflagration immensely. The tumbling down of nodding walls + and heavy blocks of wood, the hooting and the execrations of the crowd, + the distant firing of other military detachments, the distracted looks and + cries of those whose habitations were in danger, the hurrying to and fro + of frightened people with their goods; the reflections in every quarter of + the sky, of deep, red, soaring flames, as though the last day had come and + the whole universe were burning; the dust, and smoke, and drift of fiery + particles, scorching and kindling all it fell upon; the hot unwholesome + vapour, the blight on everything; the stars, and moon, and very sky, + obliterated;—made up such a sum of dreariness and ruin, that it + seemed as if the face of Heaven were blotted out, and night, in its rest + and quiet, and softened light, never could look upon the earth again. + </p> + <p> + But there was a worse spectacle than this—worse by far than fire and + smoke, or even the rabble’s unappeasable and maniac rage. The gutters of + the street, and every crack and fissure in the stones, ran with scorching + spirit, which being dammed up by busy hands, overflowed the road and + pavement, and formed a great pool, into which the people dropped down dead + by dozens. They lay in heaps all round this fearful pond, husbands and + wives, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, women with children in + their arms and babies at their breasts, and drank until they died. While + some stooped with their lips to the brink and never raised their heads + again, others sprang up from their fiery draught, and danced, half in a + mad triumph, and half in the agony of suffocation, until they fell, and + steeped their corpses in the liquor that had killed them. Nor was even + this the worst or most appalling kind of death that happened on this fatal + night. From the burning cellars, where they drank out of hats, pails, + buckets, tubs, and shoes, some men were drawn, alive, but all alight from + head to foot; who, in their unendurable anguish and suffering, making for + anything that had the look of water, rolled, hissing, in this hideous + lake, and splashed up liquid fire which lapped in all it met with as it + ran along the surface, and neither spared the living nor the dead. On this + last night of the great riots—for the last night it was—the + wretched victims of a senseless outcry, became themselves the dust and + ashes of the flames they had kindled, and strewed the public streets of + London. + </p> + <p> + With all he saw in this last glance fixed indelibly upon his mind, Barnaby + hurried from the city which enclosed such horrors; and holding down his + head that he might not even see the glare of the fires upon the quiet + landscape, was soon in the still country roads. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0299m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0299m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0299.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He stopped at about half-a-mile from the shed where his father lay, and + with some difficulty making Hugh sensible that he must dismount, sunk the + horse’s furniture in a pool of stagnant water, and turned the animal + loose. That done, he supported his companion as well as he could, and led + him slowly forward. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0069" id="link2HCH0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 69 + </h2> + <p> + It was the dead of night, and very dark, when Barnaby, with his stumbling + comrade, approached the place where he had left his father; but he could + see him stealing away into the gloom, distrustful even of him, and rapidly + retreating. After calling to him twice or thrice that there was nothing to + fear, but without effect, he suffered Hugh to sink upon the ground, and + followed to bring him back. + </p> + <p> + He continued to creep away, until Barnaby was close upon him; then turned, + and said in a terrible, though suppressed voice: + </p> + <p> + ‘Let me go. Do not lay hands upon me. You have told her; and you and she + together have betrayed me!’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby looked at him, in silence. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have seen your mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ cried Barnaby, eagerly. ‘Not for a long time—longer than I can + tell. A whole year, I think. Is she here?’ + </p> + <p> + His father looked upon him steadfastly for a few moments, and then said—drawing + nearer to him as he spoke, for, seeing his face, and hearing his words, it + was impossible to doubt his truth: + </p> + <p> + ‘What man is that?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hugh—Hugh. Only Hugh. You know him. HE will not harm you. Why, + you’re afraid of Hugh! Ha ha ha! Afraid of gruff, old, noisy Hugh!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What man is he, I ask you,’ he rejoined so fiercely, that Barnaby stopped + in his laugh, and shrinking back, surveyed him with a look of terrified + amazement. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, how stern you are! You make me fear you, though you are my father. + Why do you speak to me so?’ + </p> + <p> + —‘I want,’ he answered, putting away the hand which his son, with a + timid desire to propitiate him, laid upon his sleeve,—‘I want an + answer, and you give me only jeers and questions. Who have you brought + with you to this hiding-place, poor fool; and where is the blind man?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know where. His house was close shut. I waited, but no person + came; that was no fault of mine. This is Hugh—brave Hugh, who broke + into that ugly jail, and set us free. Aha! You like him now, do you? You + like him now!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why does he lie upon the ground?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has had a fall, and has been drinking. The fields and trees go round, + and round, and round with him, and the ground heaves under his feet. You + know him? You remember? See!’ + </p> + <p> + They had by this time returned to where he lay, and both stooped over him + to look into his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘I recollect the man,’ his father murmured. ‘Why did you bring him here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because he would have been killed if I had left him over yonder. They + were firing guns and shedding blood. Does the sight of blood turn you + sick, father? I see it does, by your face. That’s like me—What are + you looking at?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At nothing!’ said the murderer softly, as he started back a pace or two, + and gazed with sunken jaw and staring eyes above his son’s head. ‘At + nothing!’ + </p> + <p> + He remained in the same attitude and with the same expression on his face + for a minute or more; then glanced slowly round as if he had lost + something; and went shivering back, towards the shed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Shall I bring him in, father?’ asked Barnaby, who had looked on, + wondering. + </p> + <p> + He only answered with a suppressed groan, and lying down upon the ground, + wrapped his cloak about his head, and shrunk into the darkest corner. + </p> + <p> + Finding that nothing would rouse Hugh now, or make him sensible for a + moment, Barnaby dragged him along the grass, and laid him on a little heap + of refuse hay and straw which had been his own bed; first having brought + some water from a running stream hard by, and washed his wound, and laved + his hands and face. Then he lay down himself, between the two, to pass the + night; and looking at the stars, fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Awakened early in the morning, by the sunshine and the songs of birds, and + hum of insects, he left them sleeping in the hut, and walked into the + sweet and pleasant air. But he felt that on his jaded senses, oppressed + and burdened with the dreadful scenes of last night, and many nights + before, all the beauties of opening day, which he had so often tasted, and + in which he had had such deep delight, fell heavily. He thought of the + blithe mornings when he and the dogs went bounding on together through the + woods and fields; and the recollection filled his eyes with tears. He had + no consciousness, God help him, of having done wrong, nor had he any new + perception of the merits of the cause in which he had been engaged, or + those of the men who advocated it; but he was full of cares now, and + regrets, and dismal recollections, and wishes (quite unknown to him + before) that this or that event had never happened, and that the sorrow + and suffering of so many people had been spared. And now he began to think + how happy they would be—his father, mother, he, and Hugh—if + they rambled away together, and lived in some lonely place, where there + were none of these troubles; and that perhaps the blind man, who had + talked so wisely about gold, and told him of the great secrets he knew, + could teach them how to live without being pinched by want. As this + occurred to him, he was the more sorry that he had not seen him last + night; and he was still brooding over this regret, when his father came, + and touched him on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ cried Barnaby, starting from his fit of thoughtfulness. ‘Is it only + you?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who should it be?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I almost thought,’ he answered, ‘it was the blind man. I must have some + talk with him, father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And so must I, for without seeing him, I don’t know where to fly or what + to do, and lingering here, is death. You must go to him again, and bring + him here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Must I!’ cried Barnaby, delighted; ‘that’s brave, father. That’s what I + want to do.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But you must bring only him, and none other. And though you wait at his + door a whole day and night, still you must wait, and not come back without + him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you fear that,’ he cried gaily. ‘He shall come, he shall come.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Trim off these gewgaws,’ said his father, plucking the scraps of ribbon + and the feathers from his hat, ‘and over your own dress wear my cloak. + Take heed how you go, and they will be too busy in the streets to notice + you. Of your coming back you need take no account, for he’ll manage that, + safely.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be sure!’ said Barnaby. ‘To be sure he will! A wise man, father, and + one who can teach us to be rich. Oh! I know him, I know him.’ + </p> + <p> + He was speedily dressed, and as well disguised as he could be. With a + lighter heart he then set off upon his second journey, leaving Hugh, who + was still in a drunken stupor, stretched upon the ground within the shed, + and his father walking to and fro before it. + </p> + <p> + The murderer, full of anxious thoughts, looked after him, and paced up and + down, disquieted by every breath of air that whispered among the boughs, + and by every light shadow thrown by the passing clouds upon the daisied + ground. He was anxious for his safe return, and yet, though his own life + and safety hung upon it, felt a relief while he was gone. In the intense + selfishness which the constant presence before him of his great crimes, + and their consequences here and hereafter, engendered, every thought of + Barnaby, as his son, was swallowed up and lost. Still, his presence was a + torture and reproach; in his wild eyes, there were terrible images of that + guilty night; with his unearthly aspect, and his half-formed mind, he + seemed to the murderer a creature who had sprung into existence from his + victim’s blood. He could not bear his look, his voice, his touch; and yet + he was forced, by his own desperate condition and his only hope of + cheating the gibbet, to have him by his side, and to know that he was + inseparable from his single chance of escape. + </p> + <p> + He walked to and fro, with little rest, all day, revolving these things in + his mind; and still Hugh lay, unconscious, in the shed. At length, when + the sun was setting, Barnaby returned, leading the blind man, and talking + earnestly to him as they came along together. + </p> + <p> + The murderer advanced to meet them, and bidding his son go on and speak to + Hugh, who had just then staggered to his feet, took his place at the blind + man’s elbow, and slowly followed, towards the shed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why did you send HIM?’ said Stagg. ‘Don’t you know it was the way to have + him lost, as soon as found?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Would you have had me come myself?’ returned the other. + </p> + <p> + ‘Humph! Perhaps not. I was before the jail on Tuesday night, but missed + you in the crowd. I was out last night, too. There was good work last + night—gay work—profitable work’—he added, rattling the + money in his pockets. + </p> + <p> + ‘Have you—’ + </p> + <p> + —‘Seen your good lady? Yes.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you mean to tell me more, or not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll tell you all,’ returned the blind man, with a laugh. ‘Excuse me—but + I love to see you so impatient. There’s energy in it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does she consent to say the word that may save me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ returned the blind man emphatically, as he turned his face towards + him. ‘No. Thus it is. She has been at death’s door since she lost her + darling—has been insensible, and I know not what. I tracked her to a + hospital, and presented myself (with your leave) at her bedside. Our talk + was not a long one, for she was weak, and there being people near I was + not quite easy. But I told her all that you and I agreed upon, and pointed + out the young gentleman’s position, in strong terms. She tried to soften + me, but that, of course (as I told her), was lost time. She cried and + moaned, you may be sure; all women do. Then, of a sudden, she found her + voice and strength, and said that Heaven would help her and her innocent + son; and that to Heaven she appealed against us—which she did; in + really very pretty language, I assure you. I advised her, as a friend, not + to count too much on assistance from any such distant quarter—recommended + her to think of it—told her where I lived—said I knew she + would send to me before noon, next day—and left her, either in a + faint or shamming.’ + </p> + <p> + When he had concluded this narration, during which he had made several + pauses, for the convenience of cracking and eating nuts, of which he + seemed to have a pocketful, the blind man pulled a flask from his pocket, + took a draught himself, and offered it to his companion. + </p> + <p> + ‘You won’t, won’t you?’ he said, feeling that he pushed it from him. + ‘Well! Then the gallant gentleman who’s lodging with you, will. Hallo, + bully!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Death!’ said the other, holding him back. ‘Will you tell me what I am to + do!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do! Nothing easier. Make a moonlight flitting in two hours’ time with the + young gentleman (he’s quite ready to go; I have been giving him good + advice as we came along), and get as far from London as you can. Let me + know where you are, and leave the rest to me. She MUST come round; she + can’t hold out long; and as to the chances of your being retaken in the + meanwhile, why it wasn’t one man who got out of Newgate, but three + hundred. Think of that, for your comfort.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘We must support life. How?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘How!’ repeated the blind man. ‘By eating and drinking. And how get meat + and drink, but by paying for it! Money!’ he cried, slapping his pocket. + ‘Is money the word? Why, the streets have been running money. Devil send + that the sport’s not over yet, for these are jolly times; golden, rare, + roaring, scrambling times. Hallo, bully! Hallo! Hallo! Drink, bully, + drink. Where are ye there! Hallo!’ + </p> + <p> + With such vociferations, and with a boisterous manner which bespoke his + perfect abandonment to the general licence and disorder, he groped his way + towards the shed, where Hugh and Barnaby were sitting on the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘Put it about!’ he cried, handing his flask to Hugh. ‘The kennels run with + wine and gold. Guineas and strong water flow from the very pumps. About + with it, don’t spare it!’ + </p> + <p> + Exhausted, unwashed, unshorn, begrimed with smoke and dust, his hair + clotted with blood, his voice quite gone, so that he spoke in whispers; + his skin parched up by fever, his whole body bruised and cut, and beaten + about, Hugh still took the flask, and raised it to his lips. He was in the + act of drinking, when the front of the shed was suddenly darkened, and + Dennis stood before them. + </p> + <p> + ‘No offence, no offence,’ said that personage in a conciliatory tone, as + Hugh stopped in his draught, and eyed him, with no pleasant look, from + head to foot. ‘No offence, brother. Barnaby here too, eh? How are you, + Barnaby? And two other gentlemen! Your humble servant, gentlemen. No + offence to YOU either, I hope. Eh, brothers?’ + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding that he spoke in this very friendly and confident manner, + he seemed to have considerable hesitation about entering, and remained + outside the roof. He was rather better dressed than usual: wearing the + same suit of threadbare black, it is true, but having round his neck an + unwholesome-looking cravat of a yellowish white; and, on his hands, great + leather gloves, such as a gardener might wear in following his trade. His + shoes were newly greased, and ornamented with a pair of rusty iron + buckles; the packthread at his knees had been renewed; and where he wanted + buttons, he wore pins. Altogether, he had something the look of a + tipstaff, or a bailiff’s follower, desperately faded, but who had a notion + of keeping up the appearance of a professional character, and making the + best of the worst means. + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re very snug here,’ said Mr Dennis, pulling out a mouldy + pocket-handkerchief, which looked like a decomposed halter, and wiping his + forehead in a nervous manner. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not snug enough to prevent your finding us, it seems,’ Hugh answered, + sulkily. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why I’ll tell you what, brother,’ said Dennis, with a friendly smile, + ‘when you don’t want me to know which way you’re riding, you must wear + another sort of bells on your horse. Ah! I know the sound of them you wore + last night, and have got quick ears for ‘em; that’s the truth. Well, but + how are you, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + He had by this time approached, and now ventured to sit down by him. + </p> + <p> + ‘How am I?’ answered Hugh. ‘Where were you yesterday? Where did you go + when you left me in the jail? Why did you leave me? And what did you mean + by rolling your eyes and shaking your fist at me, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I shake my fist!—at you, brother!’ said Dennis, gently checking + Hugh’s uplifted hand, which looked threatening. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your stick, then; it’s all one.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lord love you, brother, I meant nothing. You don’t understand me by half. + I shouldn’t wonder now,’ he added, in the tone of a desponding and an + injured man, ‘but you thought, because I wanted them chaps left in the + prison, that I was a going to desert the banners?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh told him, with an oath, that he had thought so. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ said Mr Dennis, mournfully, ‘if you an’t enough to make a man + mistrust his feller-creeturs, I don’t know what is. Desert the banners! + Me! Ned Dennis, as was so christened by his own father!—Is this axe + your’n, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, it’s mine,’ said Hugh, in the same sullen manner as before; ‘it might + have hurt you, if you had come in its way once or twice last night. Put it + down.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Might have hurt me!’ said Mr Dennis, still keeping it in his hand, and + feeling the edge with an air of abstraction. ‘Might have hurt me! and me + exerting myself all the time to the wery best advantage. Here’s a world! + And you’re not a-going to ask me to take a sup out of that ‘ere bottle, + eh?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh passed it towards him. As he raised it to his lips, Barnaby jumped + up, and motioning them to be silent, looked eagerly out. + </p> + <p> + ‘What’s the matter, Barnaby?’ said Dennis, glancing at Hugh and dropping + the flask, but still holding the axe in his hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush!’ he answered softly. ‘What do I see glittering behind the hedge?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What!’ cried the hangman, raising his voice to its highest pitch, and + laying hold of him and Hugh. ‘Not SOLDIERS, surely!’ + </p> + <p> + That moment, the shed was filled with armed men; and a body of horse, + galloping into the field, drew up before it. + </p> + <p> + ‘There!’ said Dennis, who remained untouched among them when they had + seized their prisoners; ‘it’s them two young ones, gentlemen, that the + proclamation puts a price on. This other’s an escaped felon.—I’m + sorry for it, brother,’ he added, in a tone of resignation, addressing + himself to Hugh; ‘but you’ve brought it on yourself; you forced me to do + it; you wouldn’t respect the soundest constitootional principles, you + know; you went and wiolated the wery framework of society. I had sooner + have given away a trifle in charity than done this, I would upon my soul.—If + you’ll keep fast hold on ‘em, gentlemen, I think I can make a shift to tie + ‘em better than you can.’ + </p> + <p> + But this operation was postponed for a few moments by a new occurrence. + The blind man, whose ears were quicker than most people’s sight, had been + alarmed, before Barnaby, by a rustling in the bushes, under cover of which + the soldiers had advanced. He retreated instantly—had hidden + somewhere for a minute—and probably in his confusion mistaking the + point at which he had emerged, was now seen running across the open + meadow. + </p> + <p> + An officer cried directly that he had helped to plunder a house last + night. He was loudly called on, to surrender. He ran the harder, and in a + few seconds would have been out of gunshot. The word was given, and the + men fired. + </p> + <p> + There was a breathless pause and a profound silence, during which all eyes + were fixed upon him. He had been seen to start at the discharge, as if the + report had frightened him. But he neither stopped nor slackened his pace + in the least, and ran on full forty yards further. Then, without one reel + or stagger, or sign of faintness, or quivering of any limb, he dropped. + </p> + <p> + Some of them hurried up to where he lay;—the hangman with them. + Everything had passed so quickly, that the smoke had not yet scattered, + but curled slowly off in a little cloud, which seemed like the dead man’s + spirit moving solemnly away. There were a few drops of blood upon the + grass—more, when they turned him over—that was all. + </p> + <p> + ‘Look here! Look here!’ said the hangman, stooping one knee beside the + body, and gazing up with a disconsolate face at the officer and men. + ‘Here’s a pretty sight!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stand out of the way,’ replied the officer. ‘Serjeant! see what he had + about him.’ + </p> + <p> + The man turned his pockets out upon the grass, and counted, besides some + foreign coins and two rings, five-and-forty guineas in gold. These were + bundled up in a handkerchief and carried away; the body remained there for + the present, but six men and the serjeant were left to take it to the + nearest public-house. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now then, if you’re going,’ said the serjeant, clapping Dennis on the + back, and pointing after the officer who was walking towards the shed. + </p> + <p> + To which Mr Dennis only replied, ‘Don’t talk to me!’ and then repeated + what he had said before, namely, ‘Here’s a pretty sight!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s not one that you care for much, I should think,’ observed the + serjeant coolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, who,’ said Mr Dennis rising, ‘should care for it, if I don’t?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I didn’t know you was so tender-hearted,’ said the serjeant. ‘That’s + all!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tender-hearted!’ echoed Dennis. ‘Tender-hearted! Look at this man. Do you + call THIS constitootional? Do you see him shot through and through instead + of being worked off like a Briton? Damme, if I know which party to side + with. You’re as bad as the other. What’s to become of the country if the + military power’s to go a superseding the ciwilians in this way? Where’s + this poor feller-creetur’s rights as a citizen, that he didn’t have ME in + his last moments! I was here. I was willing. I was ready. These are nice + times, brother, to have the dead crying out against us in this way, and + sleep comfortably in our beds arterwards; wery nice!’ + </p> + <p> + Whether he derived any material consolation from binding the prisoners, is + uncertain; most probably he did. At all events his being summoned to that + work, diverted him, for the time, from these painful reflections, and gave + his thoughts a more congenial occupation. + </p> + <p> + They were not all three carried off together, but in two parties; Barnaby + and his father, going by one road in the centre of a body of foot; and + Hugh, fast bound upon a horse, and strongly guarded by a troop of cavalry, + being taken by another. + </p> + <p> + They had no opportunity for the least communication, in the short interval + which preceded their departure; being kept strictly apart. Hugh only + observed that Barnaby walked with a drooping head among his guard, and, + without raising his eyes, that he tried to wave his fettered hand when he + passed. For himself, he buoyed up his courage as he rode along, with the + assurance that the mob would force his jail wherever it might be, and set + him at liberty. But when they got into London, and more especially into + Fleet Market, lately the stronghold of the rioters, where the military + were rooting out the last remnant of the crowd, he saw that this hope was + gone, and felt that he was riding to his death. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0070" id="link2HCH0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 70 + </h2> + <p> + Mr Dennis having despatched this piece of business without any personal + hurt or inconvenience, and having now retired into the tranquil + respectability of private life, resolved to solace himself with half an + hour or so of female society. With this amiable purpose in his mind, he + bent his steps towards the house where Dolly and Miss Haredale were still + confined, and whither Miss Miggs had also been removed by order of Mr + Simon Tappertit. + </p> + <p> + As he walked along the streets with his leather gloves clasped behind him, + and his face indicative of cheerful thought and pleasant calculation, Mr + Dennis might have been likened unto a farmer ruminating among his crops, + and enjoying by anticipation the bountiful gifts of Providence. Look where + he would, some heap of ruins afforded him rich promise of a working off; + the whole town appeared to have been ploughed and sown, and nurtured by + most genial weather; and a goodly harvest was at hand. + </p> + <p> + Having taken up arms and resorted to deeds of violence, with the great + main object of preserving the Old Bailey in all its purity, and the + gallows in all its pristine usefulness and moral grandeur, it would + perhaps be going too far to assert that Mr Dennis had ever distinctly + contemplated and foreseen this happy state of things. He rather looked + upon it as one of those beautiful dispensations which are inscrutably + brought about for the behoof and advantage of good men. He felt, as it + were, personally referred to, in this prosperous ripening for the gibbet; + and had never considered himself so much the pet and favourite child of + Destiny, or loved that lady so well or with such a calm and virtuous + reliance, in all his life. + </p> + <p> + As to being taken up, himself, for a rioter, and punished with the rest, + Mr Dennis dismissed that possibility from his thoughts as an idle chimera; + arguing that the line of conduct he had adopted at Newgate, and the + service he had rendered that day, would be more than a set-off against any + evidence which might identify him as a member of the crowd. That any + charge of companionship which might be made against him by those who were + themselves in danger, would certainly go for nought. And that if any + trivial indiscretion on his part should unluckily come out, the uncommon + usefulness of his office, at present, and the great demand for the + exercise of its functions, would certainly cause it to be winked at, and + passed over. In a word, he had played his cards throughout, with great + care; had changed sides at the very nick of time; had delivered up two of + the most notorious rioters, and a distinguished felon to boot; and was + quite at his ease. + </p> + <p> + Saving—for there is a reservation; and even Mr Dennis was not + perfectly happy—saving for one circumstance; to wit, the forcible + detention of Dolly and Miss Haredale, in a house almost adjoining his own. + This was a stumbling-block; for if they were discovered and released, they + could, by the testimony they had it in their power to give, place him in a + situation of great jeopardy; and to set them at liberty, first extorting + from them an oath of secrecy and silence, was a thing not to be thought + of. It was more, perhaps, with an eye to the danger which lurked in this + quarter, than from his abstract love of conversation with the sex, that + the hangman, quickening his steps, now hastened into their society, + cursing the amorous natures of Hugh and Mr Tappertit with great + heartiness, at every step he took. + </p> + <p> + When he entered the miserable room in which they were confined, Dolly and + Miss Haredale withdrew in silence to the remotest corner. But Miss Miggs, + who was particularly tender of her reputation, immediately fell upon her + knees and began to scream very loud, crying, ‘What will become of me!’—‘Where + is my Simmuns!’—‘Have mercy, good gentlemen, on my sex’s + weaknesses!’—with other doleful lamentations of that nature, which + she delivered with great propriety and decorum. + </p> + <p> + ‘Miss, miss,’ whispered Dennis, beckoning to her with his forefinger, + ‘come here—I won’t hurt you. Come here, my lamb, will you?’ + </p> + <p> + On hearing this tender epithet, Miss Miggs, who had left off screaming + when he opened his lips, and had listened to him attentively, began again, + crying: ‘Oh I’m his lamb! He says I’m his lamb! Oh gracious, why wasn’t I + born old and ugly! Why was I ever made to be the youngest of six, and all + of ‘em dead and in their blessed graves, excepting one married sister, + which is settled in Golden Lion Court, number twenty-sivin, second + bell-handle on the—!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t I say I an’t a-going to hurt you?’ said Dennis, pointing to a + chair. ‘Why miss, what’s the matter?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I don’t know what mayn’t be the matter!’ cried Miss Miggs, clasping her + hands distractedly. ‘Anything may be the matter!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But nothing is, I tell you,’ said the hangman. ‘First stop that noise and + come and sit down here, will you, chuckey?’ + </p> + <p> + The coaxing tone in which he said these latter words might have failed in + its object, if he had not accompanied them with sundry sharp jerks of his + thumb over one shoulder, and with divers winks and thrustings of his + tongue into his cheek, from which signals the damsel gathered that he + sought to speak to her apart, concerning Miss Haredale and Dolly. Her + curiosity being very powerful, and her jealousy by no means inactive, she + arose, and with a great deal of shivering and starting back, and much + muscular action among all the small bones in her throat, gradually + approached him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sit down,’ said the hangman. + </p> + <p> + Suiting the action to the word, he thrust her rather suddenly and + prematurely into a chair, and designing to reassure her by a little + harmless jocularity, such as is adapted to please and fascinate the sex, + converted his right forefinger into an ideal bradawl or gimlet, and made + as though he would screw the same into her side—whereat Miss Miggs + shrieked again, and evinced symptoms of faintness. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lovey, my dear,’ whispered Dennis, drawing his chair close to hers. ‘When + was your young man here last, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘MY young man, good gentleman!’ answered Miggs in a tone of exquisite + distress. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah! Simmuns, you know—him?’ said Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mine indeed!’ cried Miggs, with a burst of bitterness—and as she + said it, she glanced towards Dolly. ‘MINE, good gentleman!’ + </p> + <p> + This was just what Mr Dennis wanted, and expected. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ he said, looking so soothingly, not to say amorously on Miggs, that + she sat, as she afterwards remarked, on pins and needles of the sharpest + Whitechapel kind, not knowing what intentions might be suggesting that + expression to his features: ‘I was afraid of that. I saw as much myself. + It’s her fault. She WILL entice ‘em.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I wouldn’t,’ cried Miggs, folding her hands and looking upwards with a + kind of devout blankness, ‘I wouldn’t lay myself out as she does; I + wouldn’t be as bold as her; I wouldn’t seem to say to all male creeturs + “Come and kiss me”’—and here a shudder quite convulsed her frame—‘for + any earthly crowns as might be offered. Worlds,’ Miggs added solemnly, + ‘should not reduce me. No. Not if I was Wenis.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well, but you ARE Wenus, you know,’ said Mr Dennis, confidentially. + </p> + <p> + ‘No, I am not, good gentleman,’ answered Miggs, shaking her head with an + air of self-denial which seemed to imply that she might be if she chose, + but she hoped she knew better. ‘No, I am not, good gentleman. Don’t charge + me with it.’ + </p> + <p> + Up to this time she had turned round, every now and then, to where Dolly + and Miss Haredale had retired and uttered a scream, or groan, or laid her + hand upon her heart and trembled excessively, with a view of keeping up + appearances, and giving them to understand that she conversed with the + visitor, under protest and on compulsion, and at a great personal + sacrifice, for their common good. But at this point, Mr Dennis looked so + very full of meaning, and gave such a singularly expressive twitch to his + face as a request to her to come still nearer to him, that she abandoned + these little arts, and gave him her whole and undivided attention. + </p> + <p> + ‘When was Simmuns here, I say?’ quoth Dennis, in her ear. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not since yesterday morning; and then only for a few minutes. Not all + day, the day before.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You know he meant all along to carry off that one!’ said Dennis, + indicating Dolly by the slightest possible jerk of his head:—‘And to + hand you over to somebody else.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, who had fallen into a terrible state of grief when the first + part of this sentence was spoken, recovered a little at the second, and + seemed by the sudden check she put upon her tears, to intimate that + possibly this arrangement might meet her views; and that it might, + perhaps, remain an open question. + </p> + <p> + ‘—But unfort’nately,’ pursued Dennis, who observed this: ‘somebody + else was fond of her too, you see; and even if he wasn’t, somebody else is + took for a rioter, and it’s all over with him.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs relapsed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now I want,’ said Dennis, ‘to clear this house, and to see you righted. + What if I was to get her off, out of the way, eh?’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, brightening again, rejoined, with many breaks and pauses from + excess of feeling, that temptations had been Simmuns’s bane. That it was + not his faults, but hers (meaning Dolly’s). That men did not see through + these dreadful arts as women did, and therefore was caged and trapped, as + Simmun had been. That she had no personal motives to serve—far from + it—on the contrary, her intentions was good towards all parties. But + forasmuch as she knowed that Simmun, if united to any designing and artful + minxes (she would name no names, for that was not her dispositions)—to + ANY designing and artful minxes—must be made miserable and unhappy + for life, she DID incline towards prewentions. Such, she added, was her + free confessions. But as this was private feelings, and might perhaps be + looked upon as wengeance, she begged the gentleman would say no more. + Whatever he said, wishing to do her duty by all mankind, even by them as + had ever been her bitterest enemies, she would not listen to him. With + that she stopped her ears, and shook her head from side to side, to + intimate to Mr Dennis that though he talked until he had no breath left, + she was as deaf as any adder. + </p> + <p> + ‘Lookee here, my sugar-stick,’ said Mr Dennis, ‘if your view’s the same as + mine, and you’ll only be quiet and slip away at the right time, I can have + the house clear to-morrow, and be out of this trouble.—Stop though! + there’s the other.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Which other, sir?’ asked Miggs—still with her fingers in her ears + and her head shaking obstinately. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, the tallest one, yonder,’ said Dennis, as he stroked his chin, and + added, in an undertone to himself, something about not crossing Muster + Gashford. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs replied (still being profoundly deaf) that if Miss Haredale + stood in the way at all, he might make himself quite easy on that score; + as she had gathered, from what passed between Hugh and Mr Tappertit when + they were last there, that she was to be removed alone (not by them, but + by somebody else), to-morrow night. + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis opened his eyes very wide at this piece of information, whistled + once, considered once, and finally slapped his head once and nodded once, + as if he had got the clue to this mysterious removal, and so dismissed it. + Then he imparted his design concerning Dolly to Miss Miggs, who was taken + more deaf than before, when he began; and so remained, all through. + </p> + <p> + The notable scheme was this. Mr Dennis was immediately to seek out from + among the rioters, some daring young fellow (and he had one in his eye, he + said), who, terrified by the threats he could hold out to him, and alarmed + by the capture of so many who were no better and no worse than he, would + gladly avail himself of any help to get abroad, and out of harm’s way, + with his plunder, even though his journey were incumbered by an unwilling + companion; indeed, the unwilling companion being a beautiful girl, would + probably be an additional inducement and temptation. Such a person found, + he proposed to bring him there on the ensuing night, when the tall one was + taken off, and Miss Miggs had purposely retired; and then that Dolly + should be gagged, muffled in a cloak, and carried in any handy conveyance + down to the river’s side; where there were abundant means of getting her + smuggled snugly off in any small craft of doubtful character, and no + questions asked. With regard to the expense of this removal, he would say, + at a rough calculation, that two or three silver tea or coffee-pots, with + something additional for drink (such as a muffineer, or toast-rack), would + more than cover it. Articles of plate of every kind having been buried by + the rioters in several lonely parts of London, and particularly, as he + knew, in St James’s Square, which, though easy of access, was little + frequented after dark, and had a convenient piece of water in the midst, + the needful funds were close at hand, and could be had upon the shortest + notice. With regard to Dolly, the gentleman would exercise his own + discretion. He would be bound to do nothing but to take her away, and keep + her away. All other arrangements and dispositions would rest entirely with + himself. + </p> + <p> + If Miss Miggs had had her hearing, no doubt she would have been greatly + shocked by the indelicacy of a young female’s going away with a stranger + by night (for her moral feelings, as we have said, were of the tenderest + kind); but directly Mr Dennis ceased to speak, she reminded him that he + had only wasted breath. She then went on to say (still with her fingers in + her ears) that nothing less than a severe practical lesson would save the + locksmith’s daughter from utter ruin; and that she felt it, as it were, a + moral obligation and a sacred duty to the family, to wish that some one + would devise one for her reformation. Miss Miggs remarked, and very + justly, as an abstract sentiment which happened to occur to her at the + moment, that she dared to say the locksmith and his wife would murmur, and + repine, if they were ever, by forcible abduction, or otherwise, to lose + their child; but that we seldom knew, in this world, what was best for us: + such being our sinful and imperfect natures, that very few arrived at that + clear understanding. + </p> + <p> + Having brought their conversation to this satisfactory end, they parted: + Dennis, to pursue his design, and take another walk about his farm; Miss + Miggs, to launch, when he left her, into such a burst of mental anguish + (which she gave them to understand was occasioned by certain tender things + he had had the presumption and audacity to say), that little Dolly’s heart + was quite melted. Indeed, she said and did so much to soothe the outraged + feelings of Miss Miggs, and looked so beautiful while doing so, that if + that young maid had not had ample vent for her surpassing spite, in a + knowledge of the mischief that was brewing, she must have scratched her + features, on the spot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0071" id="link2HCH0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 71 + </h2> + <p> + All next day, Emma Haredale, Dolly, and Miggs, remained cooped up together + in what had now been their prison for so many days, without seeing any + person, or hearing any sound but the murmured conversation, in an outer + room, of the men who kept watch over them. There appeared to be more of + these fellows than there had been hitherto; and they could no longer hear + the voices of women, which they had before plainly distinguished. Some new + excitement, too, seemed to prevail among them; for there was much stealthy + going in and out, and a constant questioning of those who were newly + arrived. They had previously been quite reckless in their behaviour; often + making a great uproar; quarrelling among themselves, fighting, dancing, + and singing. They were now very subdued and silent, conversing almost in + whispers, and stealing in and out with a soft and stealthy tread, very + different from the boisterous trampling in which their arrivals and + departures had hitherto been announced to the trembling captives. + </p> + <p> + Whether this change was occasioned by the presence among them of some + person of authority in their ranks, or by any other cause, they were + unable to decide. Sometimes they thought it was in part attributable to + there being a sick man in the chamber, for last night there had been a + shuffling of feet, as though a burden were brought in, and afterwards a + moaning noise. But they had no means of ascertaining the truth: for any + question or entreaty on their parts only provoked a storm of execrations, + or something worse; and they were too happy to be left alone, unassailed + by threats or admiration, to risk even that comfort, by any voluntary + communication with those who held them in durance. + </p> + <p> + It was sufficiently evident, both to Emma and to the locksmith’s poor + little daughter herself, that she, Dolly, was the great object of + attraction; and that so soon as they should have leisure to indulge in the + softer passion, Hugh and Mr Tappertit would certainly fall to blows for + her sake; in which latter case, it was not very difficult to see whose + prize she would become. With all her old horror of that man revived, and + deepened into a degree of aversion and abhorrence which no language can + describe; with a thousand old recollections and regrets, and causes of + distress, anxiety, and fear, besetting her on all sides; poor Dolly Varden—sweet, + blooming, buxom Dolly—began to hang her head, and fade, and droop, + like a beautiful flower. The colour fled from her cheeks, her courage + forsook her, her gentle heart failed. Unmindful of all her provoking + caprices, forgetful of all her conquests and inconstancy, with all her + winning little vanities quite gone, she nestled all the livelong day in + Emma Haredale’s bosom; and, sometimes calling on her dear old grey-haired + father, sometimes on her mother, and sometimes even on her old home, pined + slowly away, like a poor bird in its cage. + </p> + <p> + Light hearts, light hearts, that float so gaily on a smooth stream, that + are so sparkling and buoyant in the sunshine—down upon fruit, bloom + upon flowers, blush in summer air, life of the winged insect, whose whole + existence is a day—how soon ye sink in troubled water! Poor Dolly’s + heart—a little, gentle, idle, fickle thing; giddy, restless, + fluttering; constant to nothing but bright looks, and smiles and laughter—Dolly’s + heart was breaking. + </p> + <p> + Emma had known grief, and could bear it better. She had little comfort to + impart, but she could soothe and tend her, and she did so; and Dolly clung + to her like a child to its nurse. In endeavouring to inspire her with some + fortitude, she increased her own; and though the nights were long, and the + days dismal, and she felt the wasting influence of watching and fatigue, + and had perhaps a more defined and clear perception of their destitute + condition and its worst dangers, she uttered no complaint. Before the + ruffians, in whose power they were, she bore herself so calmly, and with + such an appearance, in the midst of all her terror, of a secret conviction + that they dared not harm her, that there was not a man among them but held + her in some degree of dread; and more than one believed she had a weapon + hidden in her dress, and was prepared to use it. + </p> + <p> + Such was their condition when they were joined by Miss Miggs, who gave + them to understand that she too had been taken prisoner because of her + charms, and detailed such feats of resistance she had performed (her + virtue having given her supernatural strength), that they felt it quite a + happiness to have her for a champion. Nor was this the only comfort they + derived at first from Miggs’s presence and society: for that young lady + displayed such resignation and long-suffering, and so much meek endurance, + under her trials, and breathed in all her chaste discourse a spirit of + such holy confidence and resignation, and devout belief that all would + happen for the best, that Emma felt her courage strengthened by the bright + example; never doubting but that everything she said was true, and that + she, like them, was torn from all she loved, and agonised by doubt and + apprehension. As to poor Dolly, she was roused, at first, by seeing one + who came from home; but when she heard under what circumstances she had + left it, and into whose hands her father had fallen, she wept more + bitterly than ever, and refused all comfort. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs was at some trouble to reprove her for this state of mind, and + to entreat her to take example by herself, who, she said, was now + receiving back, with interest, tenfold the amount of her subscriptions to + the red-brick dwelling-house, in the articles of peace of mind and a quiet + conscience. And, while on serious topics, Miss Miggs considered it her + duty to try her hand at the conversion of Miss Haredale; for whose + improvement she launched into a polemical address of some length, in the + course whereof, she likened herself unto a chosen missionary, and that + young lady to a cannibal in darkness. Indeed, she returned so often to + these subjects, and so frequently called upon them to take a lesson from + her,—at the same time vaunting and, as it were, rioting in, her huge + unworthiness, and abundant excess of sin,—that, in the course of a + short time, she became, in that small chamber, rather a nuisance than a + comfort, and rendered them, if possible, even more unhappy than they had + been before. + </p> + <p> + The night had now come; and for the first time (for their jailers had been + regular in bringing food and candles), they were left in darkness. Any + change in their condition in such a place inspired new fears; and when + some hours had passed, and the gloom was still unbroken, Emma could no + longer repress her alarm. + </p> + <p> + They listened attentively. There was the same murmuring in the outer room, + and now and then a moan which seemed to be wrung from a person in great + pain, who made an effort to subdue it, but could not. Even these men + seemed to be in darkness too; for no light shone through the chinks in the + door, nor were they moving, as their custom was, but quite still: the + silence being unbroken by so much as the creaking of a board. + </p> + <p> + At first, Miss Miggs wondered greatly in her own mind who this sick person + might be; but arriving, on second thoughts, at the conclusion that he was + a part of the schemes on foot, and an artful device soon to be employed + with great success, she opined, for Miss Haredale’s comfort, that it must + be some misguided Papist who had been wounded: and this happy supposition + encouraged her to say, under her breath, ‘Ally Looyer!’ several times. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it possible,’ said Emma, with some indignation, ‘that you who have + seen these men committing the outrages you have told us of, and who have + fallen into their hands, like us, can exult in their cruelties!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Personal considerations, miss,’ rejoined Miggs, ‘sinks into nothing, + afore a noble cause. Ally Looyer! Ally Looyer! Ally Looyer, good + gentlemen!’ + </p> + <p> + It seemed from the shrill pertinacity with which Miss Miggs repeated this + form of acclamation, that she was calling the same through the keyhole of + the door; but in the profound darkness she could not be seen. + </p> + <p> + ‘If the time has come—Heaven knows it may come at any moment—when + they are bent on prosecuting the designs, whatever they may be, with which + they have brought us here, can you still encourage, and take part with + them?’ demanded Emma. + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank my goodness-gracious-blessed-stars I can, miss,’ returned Miggs, + with increased energy.—‘Ally Looyer, good gentlemen!’ + </p> + <p> + Even Dolly, cast down and disappointed as she was, revived at this, and + bade Miggs hold her tongue directly. + </p> + <p> + ‘WHICH, was you pleased to observe, Miss Varden?’ said Miggs, with a + strong emphasis on the irrelative pronoun. + </p> + <p> + Dolly repeated her request. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ho, gracious me!’ cried Miggs, with hysterical derision. ‘Ho, gracious + me! Yes, to be sure I will. Ho yes! I am a abject slave, and a toiling, + moiling, constant-working, always-being-found-fault-with, + never-giving-satisfactions, nor-having-no-time-to-clean-oneself, potter’s + wessel—an’t I, miss! Ho yes! My situations is lowly, and my + capacities is limited, and my duties is to humble myself afore the base + degenerating daughters of their blessed mothers as is—fit to keep + companies with holy saints but is born to persecutions from wicked + relations—and to demean myself before them as is no better than + Infidels—an’t it, miss! Ho yes! My only becoming occupations is to + help young flaunting pagins to brush and comb and titiwate theirselves + into whitening and suppulchres, and leave the young men to think that + there an’t a bit of padding in it nor no pinching ins nor fillings out nor + pomatums nor deceits nor earthly wanities—an’t it, miss! Yes, to be + sure it is—ho yes!’ + </p> + <p> + Having delivered these ironical passages with a most wonderful volubility, + and with a shrillness perfectly deafening (especially when she jerked out + the interjections), Miss Miggs, from mere habit, and not because weeping + was at all appropriate to the occasion, which was one of triumph, + concluded by bursting into a flood of tears, and calling in an impassioned + manner on the name of Simmuns. + </p> + <p> + What Emma Haredale and Dolly would have done, or how long Miss Miggs, now + that she had hoisted her true colours, would have gone on waving them + before their astonished senses, it is impossible to tell. Nor is it + necessary to speculate on these matters, for a startling interruption + occurred at that moment, which took their whole attention by storm. + </p> + <p> + This was a violent knocking at the door of the house, and then its sudden + bursting open; which was immediately succeeded by a scuffle in the room + without, and the clash of weapons. Transported with the hope that rescue + had at length arrived, Emma and Dolly shrieked aloud for help; nor were + their shrieks unanswered; for after a hurried interval, a man, bearing in + one hand a drawn sword, and in the other a taper, rushed into the chamber + where they were confined. + </p> + <p> + It was some check upon their transport to find in this person an entire + stranger, but they appealed to him, nevertheless, and besought him, in + impassioned language, to restore them to their friends. + </p> + <p> + ‘For what other purpose am I here?’ he answered, closing the door, and + standing with his back against it. ‘With what object have I made my way to + this place, through difficulty and danger, but to preserve you?’ + </p> + <p> + With a joy for which it was impossible to find adequate expression, they + embraced each other, and thanked Heaven for this most timely aid. Their + deliverer stepped forward for a moment to put the light upon the table, + and immediately returning to his former position against the door, bared + his head, and looked on smilingly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You have news of my uncle, sir?’ said Emma, turning hastily towards him. + </p> + <p> + ‘And of my father and mother?’ added Dolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘Good news.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They are alive and unhurt?’ they both cried at once. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, and unhurt,’ he rejoined. + </p> + <p> + ‘And close at hand?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I did not say close at hand,’ he answered smoothly; ‘they are at no great + distance. YOUR friends, sweet one,’ he added, addressing Dolly, ‘are + within a few hours’ journey. You will be restored to them, I hope, + to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My uncle, sir—’ faltered Emma. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your uncle, dear Miss Haredale, happily—I say happily, because he + has succeeded where many of our creed have failed, and is safe—has + crossed the sea, and is out of Britain.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank God for it,’ said Emma, faintly. + </p> + <p> + ‘You say well. You have reason to be thankful: greater reason than it is + possible for you, who have seen but one night of these cruel outrages, to + imagine.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Does he desire,’ said Emma, ‘that I should follow him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you ask if he desires it?’ cried the stranger in surprise. ‘IF he + desires it! But you do not know the danger of remaining in England, the + difficulty of escape, or the price hundreds would pay to secure the means, + when you make that inquiry. Pardon me. I had forgotten that you could not, + being prisoner here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I gather, sir,’ said Emma, after a moment’s pause, ‘from what you hint + at, but fear to tell me, that I have witnessed but the beginning, and the + least, of the violence to which we are exposed, and that it has not yet + slackened in its fury?’ + </p> + <p> + He shrugged his shoulders, shook his head, lifted up his hands; and with + the same smooth smile, which was not a pleasant one to see, cast his eyes + upon the ground, and remained silent. + </p> + <p> + ‘You may venture, sir, to speak plain,’ said Emma, ‘and to tell me the + worst. We have undergone some preparation for it.’ + </p> + <p> + But here Dolly interposed, and entreated her not to hear the worst, but + the best; and besought the gentleman to tell them the best, and to keep + the remainder of his news until they were safe among their friends again. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is told in three words,’ he said, glancing at the locksmith’s daughter + with a look of some displeasure. ‘The people have risen, to a man, against + us; the streets are filled with soldiers, who support them and do their + bidding. We have no protection but from above, and no safety but in + flight; and that is a poor resource; for we are watched on every hand, and + detained here, both by force and fraud. Miss Haredale, I cannot bear—believe + me, that I cannot bear—by speaking of myself, or what I have done, + or am prepared to do, to seem to vaunt my services before you. But, having + powerful Protestant connections, and having my whole wealth embarked with + theirs in shipping and commerce, I happily possessed the means of saving + your uncle. I have the means of saving you; and in redemption of my sacred + promise, made to him, I am here; pledged not to leave you until I have + placed you in his arms. The treachery or penitence of one of the men about + you, led to the discovery of your place of confinement; and that I have + forced my way here, sword in hand, you see.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You bring,’ said Emma, faltering, ‘some note or token from my uncle?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No, he doesn’t,’ cried Dolly, pointing at him earnestly; ‘now I am sure + he doesn’t. Don’t go with him for the world!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Hush, pretty fool—be silent,’ he replied, frowning angrily upon + her. ‘No, Miss Haredale, I have no letter, nor any token of any kind; for + while I sympathise with you, and such as you, on whom misfortune so heavy + and so undeserved has fallen, I value my life. I carry, therefore, no + writing which, found upon me, would lead to its certain loss. I never + thought of bringing any other token, nor did Mr Haredale think of + entrusting me with one—possibly because he had good experience of my + faith and honesty, and owed his life to me.’ + </p> + <p> + There was a reproof conveyed in these words, which to a nature like Emma + Haredale’s, was well addressed. But Dolly, who was differently + constituted, was by no means touched by it, and still conjured her, in all + the terms of affection and attachment she could think of, not to be lured + away. + </p> + <p> + ‘Time presses,’ said their visitor, who, although he sought to express the + deepest interest, had something cold and even in his speech, that grated + on the ear; ‘and danger surrounds us. If I have exposed myself to it, in + vain, let it be so; but if you and he should ever meet again, do me + justice. If you decide to remain (as I think you do), remember, Miss + Haredale, that I left you with a solemn caution, and acquitting myself of + all the consequences to which you expose yourself.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Stay, sir!’ cried Emma—‘one moment, I beg you. Cannot we’—and + she drew Dolly closer to her—‘cannot we go together?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The task of conveying one female in safety through such scenes as we must + encounter, to say nothing of attracting the attention of those who crowd + the streets,’ he answered, ‘is enough. I have said that she will be + restored to her friends to-night. If you accept the service I tender, Miss + Haredale, she shall be instantly placed in safe conduct, and that promise + redeemed. Do you decide to remain? People of all ranks and creeds are + flying from the town, which is sacked from end to end. Let me be of use in + some quarter. Do you stay, or go?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dolly,’ said Emma, in a hurried manner, ‘my dear girl, this is our last + hope. If we part now, it is only that we may meet again in happiness and + honour. I will trust to this gentleman.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘No no-no!’ cried Dolly, clinging to her. ‘Pray, pray, do not!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear,’ said Emma, ‘that to-night—only to-night—within a + few hours—think of that!—you will be among those who would die + of grief to lose you, and who are now plunged in the deepest misery for + your sake. Pray for me, dear girl, as I will for you; and never forget the + many quiet hours we have passed together. Say one “God bless you!” Say + that at parting!’ + </p> + <p> + But Dolly could say nothing; no, not when Emma kissed her cheek a hundred + times, and covered it with tears, could she do more than hang upon her + neck, and sob, and clasp, and hold her tight. + </p> + <p> + ‘We have time for no more of this,’ cried the man, unclenching her hands, + and pushing her roughly off, as he drew Emma Haredale towards the door: + ‘Now! Quick, outside there! are you ready?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay!’ cried a loud voice, which made him start. ‘Quite ready! Stand back + here, for your lives!’ + </p> + <p> + And in an instant he was felled like an ox in the butcher’s shambles—struck + down as though a block of marble had fallen from the roof and crushed him—and + cheerful light, and beaming faces came pouring in—and Emma was + clasped in her uncle’s embrace, and Dolly, with a shriek that pierced the + air, fell into the arms of her father and mother. + </p> + <p> + What fainting there was, what laughing, what crying, what sobbing, what + smiling, how much questioning, no answering, all talking together, all + beside themselves with joy; what kissing, congratulating, embracing, + shaking of hands, and falling into all these raptures, over and over and + over again; no language can describe. + </p> + <p> + At length, and after a long time, the old locksmith went up and fairly + hugged two strangers, who had stood apart and left them to themselves; and + then they saw—whom? Yes, Edward Chester and Joseph Willet. + </p> + <p> + ‘See here!’ cried the locksmith. ‘See here! where would any of us have + been without these two? Oh, Mr Edward, Mr Edward—oh, Joe, Joe, how + light, and yet how full, you have made my old heart to-night!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was Mr Edward that knocked him down, sir,’ said Joe: ‘I longed to do + it, but I gave it up to him. Come, you brave and honest gentleman! Get + your senses together, for you haven’t long to lie here.’ + </p> + <p> + He had his foot upon the breast of their sham deliverer, in the absence of + a spare arm; and gave him a gentle roll as he spoke. Gashford, for it was + no other, crouching yet malignant, raised his scowling face, like sin + subdued, and pleaded to be gently used. + </p> + <p> + ‘I have access to all my lord’s papers, Mr Haredale,’ he said, in a + submissive voice: Mr Haredale keeping his back towards him, and not once + looking round: ‘there are very important documents among them. There are a + great many in secret drawers, and distributed in various places, known + only to my lord and me. I can give some very valuable information, and + render important assistance to any inquiry. You will have to answer it, if + I receive ill usage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Pah!’ cried Joe, in deep disgust. ‘Get up, man; you’re waited for, + outside. Get up, do you hear?’ + </p> + <p> + Gashford slowly rose; and picking up his hat, and looking with a baffled + malevolence, yet with an air of despicable humility, all round the room, + crawled out. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, gentlemen,’ said Joe, who seemed to be the spokesman of the + party, for all the rest were silent; ‘the sooner we get back to the Black + Lion, the better, perhaps.’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale nodded assent, and drawing his niece’s arm through his, and + taking one of her hands between his own, passed out straightway; followed + by the locksmith, Mrs Varden, and Dolly—who would scarcely have + presented a sufficient surface for all the hugs and caresses they bestowed + upon her though she had been a dozen Dollys. Edward Chester and Joe + followed. + </p> + <p> + And did Dolly never once look behind—not once? Was there not one + little fleeting glimpse of the dark eyelash, almost resting on her flushed + cheek, and of the downcast sparkling eye it shaded? Joe thought there was—and + he is not likely to have been mistaken; for there were not many eyes like + Dolly’s, that’s the truth. + </p> + <p> + The outer room through which they had to pass, was full of men; among + them, Mr Dennis in safe keeping; and there, had been since yesterday, + lying in hiding behind a wooden screen which was now thrown down, Simon + Tappertit, the recreant ‘prentice, burnt and bruised, and with a gun-shot + wound in his body; and his legs—his perfect legs, the pride and + glory of his life, the comfort of his existence—crushed into + shapeless ugliness. Wondering no longer at the moans they had heard, Dolly + kept closer to her father, and shuddered at the sight; but neither + bruises, burns, nor gun-shot wound, nor all the torture of his shattered + limbs, sent half so keen a pang to Simon’s breast, as Dolly passing out, + with Joe for her preserver. + </p> + <p> + A coach was ready at the door, and Dolly found herself safe and whole + inside, between her father and mother, with Emma Haredale and her uncle, + quite real, sitting opposite. But there was no Joe, no Edward; and they + had said nothing. They had only bowed once, and kept at a distance. Dear + heart! what a long way it was to the Black Lion! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0072" id="link2HCH0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 72 + </h2> + <p> + The Black Lion was so far off, and occupied such a length of time in the + getting at, that notwithstanding the strong presumptive evidence she had + about her of the late events being real and of actual occurrence, Dolly + could not divest herself of the belief that she must be in a dream which + was lasting all night. Nor was she quite certain that she saw and heard + with her own proper senses, even when the coach, in the fulness of time, + stopped at the Black Lion, and the host of that tavern approached in a + gush of cheerful light to help them to dismount, and give them hearty + welcome. + </p> + <p> + There too, at the coach door, one on one side, one upon the other, were + already Edward Chester and Joe Willet, who must have followed in another + coach: and this was such a strange and unaccountable proceeding, that + Dolly was the more inclined to favour the idea of her being fast asleep. + But when Mr Willet appeared—old John himself—so heavy-headed + and obstinate, and with such a double chin as the liveliest imagination + could never in its boldest flights have conjured up in all its vast + proportions—then she stood corrected, and unwillingly admitted to + herself that she was broad awake. + </p> + <p> + And Joe had lost an arm—he—that well-made, handsome, gallant + fellow! As Dolly glanced towards him, and thought of the pain he must have + suffered, and the far-off places in which he had been wandering, and + wondered who had been his nurse, and hoped that whoever it was, she had + been as kind and gentle and considerate as she would have been, the tears + came rising to her bright eyes, one by one, little by little, until she + could keep them back no longer, and so before them all, wept bitterly. + </p> + <p> + ‘We are all safe now, Dolly,’ said her father, kindly. ‘We shall not be + separated any more. Cheer up, my love, cheer up!’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith’s wife knew better perhaps, than he, what ailed her + daughter. But Mrs Varden being quite an altered woman—for the riots + had done that good—added her word to his, and comforted her with + similar representations. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mayhap,’ said Mr Willet, senior, looking round upon the company, ‘she’s + hungry. That’s what it is, depend upon it—I am, myself.’ + </p> + <p> + The Black Lion, who, like old John, had been waiting supper past all + reasonable and conscionable hours, hailed this as a philosophical + discovery of the profoundest and most penetrating kind; and the table + being already spread, they sat down to supper straightway. + </p> + <p> + The conversation was not of the liveliest nature, nor were the appetites + of some among them very keen. But, in both these respects, old John more + than atoned for any deficiency on the part of the rest, and very much + distinguished himself. + </p> + <p> + It was not in point of actual conversation that Mr Willet shone so + brilliantly, for he had none of his old cronies to ‘tackle,’ and was + rather timorous of venturing on Joe; having certain vague misgivings + within him, that he was ready on the shortest notice, and on receipt of + the slightest offence, to fell the Black Lion to the floor of his own + parlour, and immediately to withdraw to China or some other remote and + unknown region, there to dwell for evermore, or at least until he had got + rid of his remaining arm and both legs, and perhaps an eye or so, into the + bargain. It was with a peculiar kind of pantomime that Mr Willet filled up + every pause; and in this he was considered by the Black Lion, who had been + his familiar for some years, quite to surpass and go beyond himself, and + outrun the expectations of his most admiring friends. + </p> + <p> + The subject that worked in Mr Willet’s mind, and occasioned these + demonstrations, was no other than his son’s bodily disfigurement, which he + had never yet got himself thoroughly to believe, or comprehend. Shortly + after their first meeting, he had been observed to wander, in a state of + great perplexity, to the kitchen, and to direct his gaze towards the fire, + as if in search of his usual adviser in all matters of doubt and + difficulty. But there being no boiler at the Black Lion, and the rioters + having so beaten and battered his own that it was quite unfit for further + service, he wandered out again, in a perfect bog of uncertainty and mental + confusion, and in that state took the strangest means of resolving his + doubts: such as feeling the sleeve of his son’s greatcoat as deeming it + possible that his arm might be there; looking at his own arms and those of + everybody else, as if to assure himself that two and not one was the usual + allowance; sitting by the hour together in a brown study, as if he were + endeavouring to recall Joe’s image in his younger days, and to remember + whether he really had in those times one arm or a pair; and employing + himself in many other speculations of the same kind. + </p> + <p> + Finding himself at this supper, surrounded by faces with which he had been + so well acquainted in old times, Mr Willet recurred to the subject with + uncommon vigour; apparently resolved to understand it now or never. + Sometimes, after every two or three mouthfuls, he laid down his knife and + fork, and stared at his son with all his might—particularly at his + maimed side; then, he looked slowly round the table until he caught some + person’s eye, when he shook his head with great solemnity, patted his + shoulder, winked, or as one may say—for winking was a very slow + process with him—went to sleep with one eye for a minute or two; and + so, with another solemn shaking of his head, took up his knife and fork + again, and went on eating. Sometimes, he put his food into his mouth + abstractedly, and, with all his faculties concentrated on Joe, gazed at + him in a fit of stupefaction as he cut his meat with one hand, until he + was recalled to himself by symptoms of choking on his own part, and was by + that means restored to consciousness. At other times he resorted to such + small devices as asking him for the salt, the pepper, the vinegar, the + mustard—anything that was on his maimed side—and watching him + as he handed it. By dint of these experiments, he did at last so satisfy + and convince himself, that, after a longer silence than he had yet + maintained, he laid down his knife and fork on either side his plate, + drank a long draught from a tankard beside him (still keeping his eyes on + Joe), and leaning backward in his chair and fetching a long breath, said, + as he looked all round the board: + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s been took off!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By George!’ said the Black Lion, striking the table with his hand, ‘he’s + got it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, sir,’ said Mr Willet, with the look of a man who felt that he had + earned a compliment, and deserved it. ‘That’s where it is. It’s been took + off.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Tell him where it was done,’ said the Black Lion to Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘At the defence of the Savannah, father.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘At the defence of the Salwanners,’ repeated Mr Willet, softly; again + looking round the table. + </p> + <p> + ‘In America, where the war is,’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘In America, where the war is,’ repeated Mr Willet. ‘It was took off in + the defence of the Salwanners in America where the war is.’ Continuing to + repeat these words to himself in a low tone of voice (the same information + had been conveyed to him in the same terms, at least fifty times before), + Mr Willet arose from table, walked round to Joe, felt his empty sleeve all + the way up, from the cuff, to where the stump of his arm remained; shook + his hand; lighted his pipe at the fire, took a long whiff, walked to the + door, turned round once when he had reached it, wiped his left eye with + the back of his forefinger, and said, in a faltering voice: ‘My son’s arm—was + took off—at the defence of the—Salwanners—in America—where + the war is’—with which words he withdrew, and returned no more that + night. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, on various pretences, they all withdrew one after another, save + Dolly, who was left sitting there alone. It was a great relief to be + alone, and she was crying to her heart’s content, when she heard Joe’s + voice at the end of the passage, bidding somebody good night. + </p> + <p> + Good night! Then he was going elsewhere—to some distance, perhaps. + To what kind of home COULD he be going, now that it was so late! + </p> + <p> + She heard him walk along the passage, and pass the door. But there was a + hesitation in his footsteps. He turned back—Dolly’s heart beat high—he + looked in. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night!’—he didn’t say Dolly, but there was comfort in his not + saying Miss Varden. + </p> + <p> + ‘Good night!’ sobbed Dolly. + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sorry you take on so much, for what is past and gone,’ said Joe + kindly. ‘Don’t. I can’t bear to see you do it. Think of it no longer. You + are safe and happy now.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly cried the more. + </p> + <p> + ‘You must have suffered very much within these few days—and yet + you’re not changed, unless it’s for the better. They said you were, but I + don’t see it. You were—you were always very beautiful,’ said Joe, + ‘but you are more beautiful than ever, now. You are indeed. There can be + no harm in my saying so, for you must know it. You are told so very often, + I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + As a general principle, Dolly DID know it, and WAS told so, very often. + But the coachmaker had turned out, years ago, to be a special donkey; and + whether she had been afraid of making similar discoveries in others, or + had grown by dint of long custom to be careless of compliments generally, + certain it is that although she cried so much, she was better pleased to + be told so now, than ever she had been in all her life. + </p> + <p> + ‘I shall bless your name,’ sobbed the locksmith’s little daughter, ‘as + long as I live. I shall never hear it spoken without feeling as if my + heart would burst. I shall remember it in my prayers, every night and + morning till I die!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will you?’ said Joe, eagerly. ‘Will you indeed? It makes me—well, + it makes me very glad and proud to hear you say so.’ + </p> + <p> + Dolly still sobbed, and held her handkerchief to her eyes. Joe still + stood, looking at her. + </p> + <p> + ‘Your voice,’ said Joe, ‘brings up old times so pleasantly, that, for the + moment, I feel as if that night—there can be no harm in talking of + that night now—had come back, and nothing had happened in the mean + time. I feel as if I hadn’t suffered any hardships, but had knocked down + poor Tom Cobb only yesterday, and had come to see you with my bundle on my + shoulder before running away.—You remember?’ + </p> + <p> + Remember! But she said nothing. She raised her eyes for an instant. It was + but a glance; a little, tearful, timid glance. It kept Joe silent though, + for a long time. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well!’ he said stoutly, ‘it was to be otherwise, and was. I have been + abroad, fighting all the summer and frozen up all the winter, ever since. + I have come back as poor in purse as I went, and crippled for life + besides. But, Dolly, I would rather have lost this other arm—ay, I + would rather have lost my head—than have come back to find you dead, + or anything but what I always pictured you to myself, and what I always + hoped and wished to find you. Thank God for all!’ + </p> + <p> + Oh how much, and how keenly, the little coquette of five years ago, felt + now! She had found her heart at last. Never having known its worth till + now, she had never known the worth of his. How priceless it appeared! + </p> + <p> + ‘I did hope once,’ said Joe, in his homely way, ‘that I might come back a + rich man, and marry you. But I was a boy then, and have long known better + than that. I am a poor, maimed, discharged soldier, and must be content to + rub through life as I can. I can’t say, even now, that I shall be glad to + see you married, Dolly; but I AM glad—yes, I am, and glad to think I + can say so—to know that you are admired and courted, and can pick + and choose for a happy life. It’s a comfort to me to know that you’ll talk + to your husband about me; and I hope the time will come when I may be able + to like him, and to shake hands with him, and to come and see you as a + poor friend who knew you when you were a girl. God bless you!’ + </p> + <p> + His hand DID tremble; but for all that, he took it away again, and left + her. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0073" id="link2HCH0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 73 + </h2> + <p> + By this Friday night—for it was on Friday in the riot week, that + Emma and Dolly were rescued, by the timely aid of Joe and Edward Chester—the + disturbances were entirely quelled, and peace and order were restored to + the affrighted city. True, after what had happened, it was impossible for + any man to say how long this better state of things might last, or how + suddenly new outrages, exceeding even those so lately witnessed, might + burst forth and fill its streets with ruin and bloodshed; for this reason, + those who had fled from the recent tumults still kept at a distance, and + many families, hitherto unable to procure the means of flight, now availed + themselves of the calm, and withdrew into the country. The shops, too, + from Tyburn to Whitechapel, were still shut; and very little business was + transacted in any of the places of great commercial resort. But, + notwithstanding, and in spite of the melancholy forebodings of that + numerous class of society who see with the greatest clearness into the + darkest perspectives, the town remained profoundly quiet. The strong + military force disposed in every advantageous quarter, and stationed at + every commanding point, held the scattered fragments of the mob in check; + the search after rioters was prosecuted with unrelenting vigour; and if + there were any among them so desperate and reckless as to be inclined, + after the terrible scenes they had beheld, to venture forth again, they + were so daunted by these resolute measures, that they quickly shrunk into + their hiding-places, and had no thought but for their safety. + </p> + <p> + In a word, the crowd was utterly routed. Upwards of two hundred had been + shot dead in the streets. Two hundred and fifty more were lying, badly + wounded, in the hospitals; of whom seventy or eighty died within a short + time afterwards. A hundred were already in custody, and more were taken + every hour. How many perished in the conflagrations, or by their own + excesses, is unknown; but that numbers found a terrible grave in the hot + ashes of the flames they had kindled, or crept into vaults and cellars to + drink in secret or to nurse their sores, and never saw the light again, is + certain. When the embers of the fires had been black and cold for many + weeks, the labourers’ spades proved this, beyond a doubt. + </p> + <p> + Seventy-two private houses and four strong jails were destroyed in the + four great days of these riots. The total loss of property, as estimated + by the sufferers, was one hundred and fifty-five thousand pounds; at the + lowest and least partial estimate of disinterested persons, it exceeded + one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds. For this immense loss, + compensation was soon afterwards made out of the public purse, in + pursuance of a vote of the House of Commons; the sum being levied on the + various wards in the city, on the county, and the borough of Southwark. + Both Lord Mansfield and Lord Saville, however, who had been great + sufferers, refused to accept of any compensation whatever. + </p> + <p> + The House of Commons, sitting on Tuesday with locked and guarded doors, + had passed a resolution to the effect that, as soon as the tumults + subsided, it would immediately proceed to consider the petitions presented + from many of his Majesty’s Protestant subjects, and would take the same + into its serious consideration. While this question was under debate, Mr + Herbert, one of the members present, indignantly rose and called upon the + House to observe that Lord George Gordon was then sitting under the + gallery with the blue cockade, the signal of rebellion, in his hat. He was + not only obliged, by those who sat near, to take it out; but offering to + go into the street to pacify the mob with the somewhat indefinite + assurance that the House was prepared to give them ‘the satisfaction they + sought,’ was actually held down in his seat by the combined force of + several members. In short, the disorder and violence which reigned + triumphant out of doors, penetrated into the senate, and there, as + elsewhere, terror and alarm prevailed, and ordinary forms were for the + time forgotten. + </p> + <p> + On the Thursday, both Houses had adjourned until the following Monday + se’nnight, declaring it impossible to pursue their deliberations with the + necessary gravity and freedom, while they were surrounded by armed troops. + And now that the rioters were dispersed, the citizens were beset with a + new fear; for, finding the public thoroughfares and all their usual places + of resort filled with soldiers entrusted with the free use of fire and + sword, they began to lend a greedy ear to the rumours which were afloat of + martial law being declared, and to dismal stories of prisoners having been + seen hanging on lamp-posts in Cheapside and Fleet Street. These terrors + being promptly dispelled by a Proclamation declaring that all the rioters + in custody would be tried by a special commission in due course of law, a + fresh alarm was engendered by its being whispered abroad that French money + had been found on some of the rioters, and that the disturbances had been + fomented by foreign powers who sought to compass the overthrow and ruin of + England. This report, which was strengthened by the diffusion of anonymous + handbills, but which, if it had any foundation at all, probably owed its + origin to the circumstance of some few coins which were not English money + having been swept into the pockets of the insurgents with other + miscellaneous booty, and afterwards discovered on the prisoners or the + dead bodies,—caused a great sensation; and men’s minds being in that + excited state when they are most apt to catch at any shadow of + apprehension, was bruited about with much industry. + </p> + <p> + All remaining quiet, however, during the whole of this Friday, and on this + Friday night, and no new discoveries being made, confidence began to be + restored, and the most timid and desponding breathed again. In Southwark, + no fewer than three thousand of the inhabitants formed themselves into a + watch, and patrolled the streets every hour. Nor were the citizens slow to + follow so good an example: and it being the manner of peaceful men to be + very bold when the danger is over, they were abundantly fierce and daring; + not scrupling to question the stoutest passenger with great severity, and + carrying it with a very high hand over all errand-boys, servant-girls, and + ‘prentices. + </p> + <p> + As day deepened into evening, and darkness crept into the nooks and + corners of the town as if it were mustering in secret and gathering + strength to venture into the open ways, Barnaby sat in his dungeon, + wondering at the silence, and listening in vain for the noise and outcry + which had ushered in the night of late. Beside him, with his hand in hers, + sat one in whose companionship he felt at peace. She was worn, and + altered, full of grief, and heavy-hearted; but the same to him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother,’ he said, after a long silence: ‘how long,—how many days + and nights,—shall I be kept here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not many, dear. I hope not many.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You hope! Ay, but your hoping will not undo these chains. I hope, but + they don’t mind that. Grip hopes, but who cares for Grip?’ + </p> + <p> + The raven gave a short, dull, melancholy croak. It said ‘Nobody,’ as + plainly as a croak could speak. + </p> + <p> + ‘Who cares for Grip, except you and me?’ said Barnaby, smoothing the + bird’s rumpled feathers with his hand. ‘He never speaks in this place; he + never says a word in jail; he sits and mopes all day in his dark corner, + dozing sometimes, and sometimes looking at the light that creeps in + through the bars, and shines in his bright eye as if a spark from those + great fires had fallen into the room and was burning yet. But who cares + for Grip?’ + </p> + <p> + The raven croaked again—Nobody. + </p> + <p> + ‘And by the way,’ said Barnaby, withdrawing his hand from the bird, and + laying it upon his mother’s arm, as he looked eagerly in her face; ‘if + they kill me—they may: I heard it said they would—what will + become of Grip when I am dead?’ + </p> + <p> + The sound of the word, or the current of his own thoughts, suggested to + Grip his old phrase ‘Never say die!’ But he stopped short in the middle of + it, drew a dismal cork, and subsided into a faint croak, as if he lacked + the heart to get through the shortest sentence. + </p> + <p> + ‘Will they take HIS life as well as mine?’ said Barnaby. ‘I wish they + would. If you and I and he could die together, there would be none to feel + sorry, or to grieve for us. But do what they will, I don’t fear them, + mother!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They will not harm you,’ she said, her tears choking her utterance. ‘They + never will harm you, when they know all. I am sure they never will.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! Don’t be too sure of that,’ cried Barnaby, with a strange pleasure in + the belief that she was self-deceived, and in his own sagacity. ‘They have + marked me from the first. I heard them say so to each other when they + brought me to this place last night; and I believe them. Don’t you cry for + me. They said that I was bold, and so I am, and so I will be. You may + think that I am silly, but I can die as well as another.—I have done + no harm, have I?’ he added quickly. + </p> + <p> + ‘None before Heaven,’ she answered. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why then,’ said Barnaby, ‘let them do their worst. You told me once—you—when + I asked you what death meant, that it was nothing to be feared, if we did + no harm—Aha! mother, you thought I had forgotten that!’ + </p> + <p> + His merry laugh and playful manner smote her to the heart. She drew him + closer to her, and besought him to talk to her in whispers and to be very + quiet, for it was getting dark, and their time was short, and she would + soon have to leave him for the night. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will come to-morrow?’ said Barnaby. + </p> + <p> + Yes. And every day. And they would never part again. + </p> + <p> + He joyfully replied that this was well, and what he wished, and what he + had felt quite certain she would tell him; and then he asked her where she + had been so long, and why she had not come to see him when he had been a + great soldier, and ran through the wild schemes he had had for their being + rich and living prosperously, and with some faint notion in his mind that + she was sad and he had made her so, tried to console and comfort her, and + talked of their former life and his old sports and freedom: little + dreaming that every word he uttered only increased her sorrow, and that + her tears fell faster at the freshened recollection of their lost + tranquillity. + </p> + <p> + ‘Mother,’ said Barnaby, as they heard the man approaching to close the + cells for the night, ‘when I spoke to you just now about my father you + cried “Hush!” and turned away your head. Why did you do so? Tell me why, + in a word. You thought HE was dead. You are not sorry that he is alive and + has come back to us. Where is he? Here?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do not ask any one where he is, or speak about him,’ she made answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why not?’ said Barnaby. ‘Because he is a stern man, and talks roughly? + Well! I don’t like him, or want to be with him by myself; but why not + speak about him?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Because I am sorry that he is alive; sorry that he has come back; and + sorry that he and you have ever met. Because, dear Barnaby, the endeavour + of my life has been to keep you two asunder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Father and son asunder! Why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has,’ she whispered in his ear, ‘he has shed blood. The time has come + when you must know it. He has shed the blood of one who loved him well, + and trusted him, and never did him wrong in word or deed.’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby recoiled in horror, and glancing at his stained wrist for an + instant, wrapped it, shuddering, in his dress. + </p> + <p> + ‘But,’ she added hastily as the key turned in the lock, ‘although we shun + him, he is your father, dearest, and I am his wretched wife. They seek his + life, and he will lose it. It must not be by our means; nay, if we could + win him back to penitence, we should be bound to love him yet. Do not seem + to know him, except as one who fled with you from the jail, and if they + question you about him, do not answer them. God be with you through the + night, dear boy! God be with you!’ + </p> + <p> + She tore herself away, and in a few seconds Barnaby was alone. He stood + for a long time rooted to the spot, with his face hidden in his hands; + then flung himself, sobbing, on his miserable bed. + </p> + <p> + But the moon came slowly up in all her gentle glory, and the stars looked + out, and through the small compass of the grated window, as through the + narrow crevice of one good deed in a murky life of guilt, the face of + Heaven shone bright and merciful. He raised his head; gazed upward at the + quiet sky, which seemed to smile upon the earth in sadness, as if the + night, more thoughtful than the day, looked down in sorrow on the + sufferings and evil deeds of men; and felt its peace sink deep into his + heart. He, a poor idiot, caged in his narrow cell, was as much lifted up + to God, while gazing on the mild light, as the freest and most favoured + man in all the spacious city; and in his ill-remembered prayer, and in the + fragment of the childish hymn, with which he sung and crooned himself + asleep, there breathed as true a spirit as ever studied homily expressed, + or old cathedral arches echoed. + </p> + <p> + As his mother crossed a yard on her way out, she saw, through a grated + door which separated it from another court, her husband, walking round and + round, with his hands folded on his breast, and his head hung down. She + asked the man who conducted her, if she might speak a word with this + prisoner. Yes, but she must be quick for he was locking up for the night, + and there was but a minute or so to spare. Saying this, he unlocked the + door, and bade her go in. + </p> + <p> + It grated harshly as it turned upon its hinges, but he was deaf to the + noise, and still walked round and round the little court, without raising + his head or changing his attitude in the least. She spoke to him, but her + voice was weak, and failed her. At length she put herself in his track, + and when he came near, stretched out her hand and touched him. + </p> + <p> + He started backward, trembling from head to foot; but seeing who it was, + demanded why she came there. Before she could reply, he spoke again. + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I to live or die? Do you murder too, or spare?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My son—our son,’ she answered, ‘is in this prison.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is that to me?’ he cried, stamping impatiently on the stone + pavement. ‘I know it. He can no more aid me than I can aid him. If you are + come to talk of him, begone!’ + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he resumed his walk, and hurried round the court as before. + When he came again to where she stood, he stopped, and said, + </p> + <p> + ‘Am I to live or die? Do you repent?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh!—do YOU?’ she answered. ‘Will you, while time remains? Do not + believe that I could save you, if I dared.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Say if you would,’ he answered with an oath, as he tried to disengage + himself and pass on. ‘Say if you would.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me for one moment,’ she returned; ‘for but a moment. I am but + newly risen from a sick-bed, from which I never hoped to rise again. The + best among us think, at such a time, of good intentions half-performed and + duties left undone. If I have ever, since that fatal night, omitted to + pray for your repentance before death—if I omitted, even then, + anything which might tend to urge it on you when the horror of your crime + was fresh—if, in our later meeting, I yielded to the dread that was + upon me, and forgot to fall upon my knees and solemnly adjure you, in the + name of him you sent to his account with Heaven, to prepare for the + retribution which must come, and which is stealing on you now—I + humbly before you, and in the agony of supplication in which you see me, + beseech that you will let me make atonement.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What is the meaning of your canting words?’ he answered roughly. ‘Speak + so that I may understand you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will,’ she answered, ‘I desire to. Bear with me for a moment more. The + hand of Him who set His curse on murder, is heavy on us now. You cannot + doubt it. Our son, our innocent boy, on whom His anger fell before his + birth, is in this place in peril of his life—brought here by your + guilt; yes, by that alone, as Heaven sees and knows, for he has been led + astray in the darkness of his intellect, and that is the terrible + consequence of your crime.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you come, woman-like, to load me with reproaches—’ he muttered, + again endeavouring to break away. + </p> + <p> + ‘I do not. I have a different purpose. You must hear it. If not to-night, + to-morrow; if not to-morrow, at another time. You MUST hear it. Husband, + escape is hopeless—impossible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You tell me so, do you?’ he said, raising his manacled hand, and shaking + it. ‘You!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes,’ she said, with indescribable earnestness. ‘But why?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To make me easy in this jail. To make the time ‘twixt this and death, + pass pleasantly. For my good—yes, for my good, of course,’ he said, + grinding his teeth, and smiling at her with a livid face. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to load you with reproaches,’ she replied; ‘not to aggravate the + tortures and miseries of your condition, not to give you one hard word, + but to restore you to peace and hope. Husband, dear husband, if you will + but confess this dreadful crime; if you will but implore forgiveness of + Heaven and of those whom you have wronged on earth; if you will dismiss + these vain uneasy thoughts, which never can be realised, and will rely on + Penitence and on the Truth, I promise you, in the great name of the + Creator, whose image you have defaced, that He will comfort and console + you. And for myself,’ she cried, clasping her hands, and looking upward, + ‘I swear before Him, as He knows my heart and reads it now, that from that + hour I will love and cherish you as I did of old, and watch you night and + day in the short interval that will remain to us, and soothe you with my + truest love and duty, and pray with you, that one threatening judgment may + be arrested, and that our boy may be spared to bless God, in his poor way, + in the free air and light!’ + </p> + <p> + He fell back and gazed at her while she poured out these words, as though + he were for a moment awed by her manner, and knew not what to do. But + anger and fear soon got the mastery of him, and he spurned her from him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Begone!’ he cried. ‘Leave me! You plot, do you! You plot to get speech + with me, and let them know I am the man they say I am. A curse on you and + on your boy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘On him the curse has already fallen,’ she replied, wringing her hands. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let it fall heavier. Let it fall on one and all. I hate you both. The + worst has come to me. The only comfort that I seek or I can have, will be + the knowledge that it comes to you. Now go!’ + </p> + <p> + She would have urged him gently, even then, but he menaced her with his + chain. + </p> + <p> + ‘I say go—I say it for the last time. The gallows has me in its + grasp, and it is a black phantom that may urge me on to something more. + Begone! I curse the hour that I was born, the man I slew, and all the + living world!’ + </p> + <p> + In a paroxysm of wrath, and terror, and the fear of death, he broke from + her, and rushed into the darkness of his cell, where he cast himself + jangling down upon the stone floor, and smote it with his ironed hands. + The man returned to lock the dungeon door, and having done so, carried her + away. + </p> + <p> + On that warm, balmy night in June, there were glad faces and light hearts + in all quarters of the town, and sleep, banished by the late horrors, was + doubly welcomed. On that night, families made merry in their houses, and + greeted each other on the common danger they had escaped; and those who + had been denounced, ventured into the streets; and they who had been + plundered, got good shelter. Even the timorous Lord Mayor, who was + summoned that night before the Privy Council to answer for his conduct, + came back contented; observing to all his friends that he had got off very + well with a reprimand, and repeating with huge satisfaction his memorable + defence before the Council, ‘that such was his temerity, he thought death + would have been his portion.’ + </p> + <p> + On that night, too, more of the scattered remnants of the mob were traced + to their lurking-places, and taken; and in the hospitals, and deep among + the ruins they had made, and in the ditches, and fields, many unshrouded + wretches lay dead: envied by those who had been active in the + disturbances, and who pillowed their doomed heads in the temporary jails. + </p> + <p> + And in the Tower, in a dreary room whose thick stone walls shut out the + hum of life, and made a stillness which the records left by former + prisoners with those silent witnesses seemed to deepen and intensify; + remorseful for every act that had been done by every man among the cruel + crowd; feeling for the time their guilt his own, and their lives put in + peril by himself; and finding, amidst such reflections, little comfort in + fanaticism, or in his fancied call; sat the unhappy author of all—Lord + George Gordon. + </p> + <p> + He had been made prisoner that evening. ‘If you are sure it’s me you + want,’ he said to the officers, who waited outside with the warrant for + his arrest on a charge of High Treason, ‘I am ready to accompany you—’ + which he did without resistance. He was conducted first before the Privy + Council, and afterwards to the Horse Guards, and then was taken by way of + Westminster Bridge, and back over London Bridge (for the purpose of + avoiding the main streets), to the Tower, under the strongest guard ever + known to enter its gates with a single prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Of all his forty thousand men, not one remained to bear him company. + Friends, dependents, followers,—none were there. His fawning + secretary had played the traitor; and he whose weakness had been goaded + and urged on by so many for their own purposes, was desolate and alone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0074" id="link2HCH0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 74 + </h2> + <p> + Mr Dennis, having been made prisoner late in the evening, was removed to a + neighbouring round-house for that night, and carried before a justice for + examination on the next day, Saturday. The charges against him being + numerous and weighty, and it being in particular proved, by the testimony + of Gabriel Varden, that he had shown a special desire to take his life, he + was committed for trial. Moreover he was honoured with the distinction of + being considered a chief among the insurgents, and received from the + magistrate’s lips the complimentary assurance that he was in a position of + imminent danger, and would do well to prepare himself for the worst. + </p> + <p> + To say that Mr Dennis’s modesty was not somewhat startled by these + honours, or that he was altogether prepared for so flattering a reception, + would be to claim for him a greater amount of stoical philosophy than even + he possessed. Indeed this gentleman’s stoicism was of that not uncommon + kind, which enables a man to bear with exemplary fortitude the afflictions + of his friends, but renders him, by way of counterpoise, rather selfish + and sensitive in respect of any that happen to befall himself. It is + therefore no disparagement to the great officer in question to state, + without disguise or concealment, that he was at first very much alarmed, + and that he betrayed divers emotions of fear, until his reasoning powers + came to his relief, and set before him a more hopeful prospect. + </p> + <p> + In proportion as Mr Dennis exercised these intellectual qualities with + which he was gifted, in reviewing his best chances of coming off + handsomely and with small personal inconvenience, his spirits rose, and + his confidence increased. When he remembered the great estimation in which + his office was held, and the constant demand for his services; when he + bethought himself, how the Statute Book regarded him as a kind of + Universal Medicine applicable to men, women, and children, of every age + and variety of criminal constitution; and how high he stood, in his + official capacity, in the favour of the Crown, and both Houses of + Parliament, the Mint, the Bank of England, and the Judges of the land; + when he recollected that whatever Ministry was in or out, he remained + their peculiar pet and panacea, and that for his sake England stood single + and conspicuous among the civilised nations of the earth: when he called + these things to mind and dwelt upon them, he felt certain that the + national gratitude MUST relieve him from the consequences of his late + proceedings, and would certainly restore him to his old place in the happy + social system. + </p> + <p> + With these crumbs, or as one may say, with these whole loaves of comfort + to regale upon, Mr Dennis took his place among the escort that awaited + him, and repaired to jail with a manly indifference. Arriving at Newgate, + where some of the ruined cells had been hastily fitted up for the safe + keeping of rioters, he was warmly received by the turnkeys, as an unusual + and interesting case, which agreeably relieved their monotonous duties. In + this spirit, he was fettered with great care, and conveyed into the + interior of the prison. + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother,’ cried the hangman, as, following an officer, he traversed under + these novel circumstances the remains of passages with which he was well + acquainted, ‘am I going to be along with anybody?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’d have left more walls standing, you’d have been alone,’ was the + reply. ‘As it is, we’re cramped for room, and you’ll have company.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ returned Dennis, ‘I don’t object to company, brother. I rather + like company. I was formed for society, I was.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That’s rather a pity, an’t it?’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘No,’ answered Dennis, ‘I’m not aware that it is. Why should it be a pity, + brother?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh! I don’t know,’ said the man carelessly. ‘I thought that was what you + meant. Being formed for society, and being cut off in your flower, you + know—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,’ interposed the other quickly, ‘what are you talking of? Don’t. + Who’s a-going to be cut off in their flowers?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Oh, nobody particular. I thought you was, perhaps,’ said the man. + </p> + <p> + Mr Dennis wiped his face, which had suddenly grown very hot, and remarking + in a tremulous voice to his conductor that he had always been fond of his + joke, followed him in silence until he stopped at a door. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is my quarters, is it?’ he asked facetiously. + </p> + <p> + ‘This is the shop, sir,’ replied his friend. + </p> + <p> + He was walking in, but not with the best possible grace, when he suddenly + stopped, and started back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Halloa!’ said the officer. ‘You’re nervous.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nervous!’ whispered Dennis in great alarm. ‘Well I may be. Shut the + door.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I will, when you’re in,’ returned the man. + </p> + <p> + ‘But I can’t go in there,’ whispered Dennis. ‘I can’t be shut up with that + man. Do you want me to be throttled, brother?’ + </p> + <p> + The officer seemed to entertain no particular desire on the subject one + way or other, but briefly remarking that he had his orders, and intended + to obey them, pushed him in, turned the key, and retired. + </p> + <p> + Dennis stood trembling with his back against the door, and involuntarily + raising his arm to defend himself, stared at a man, the only other tenant + of the cell, who lay, stretched at his full length, upon a stone bench, + and who paused in his deep breathing as if he were about to wake. But he + rolled over on one side, let his arm fall negligently down, drew a long + sigh, and murmuring indistinctly, fell fast asleep again. + </p> + <p> + Relieved in some degree by this, the hangman took his eyes for an instant + from the slumbering figure, and glanced round the cell in search of some + ‘vantage-ground or weapon of defence. There was nothing moveable within + it, but a clumsy table which could not be displaced without noise, and a + heavy chair. Stealing on tiptoe towards this latter piece of furniture, he + retired with it into the remotest corner, and intrenching himself behind + it, watched the enemy with the utmost vigilance and caution. + </p> + <p> + The sleeping man was Hugh; and perhaps it was not unnatural for Dennis to + feel in a state of very uncomfortable suspense, and to wish with his whole + soul that he might never wake again. Tired of standing, he crouched down + in his corner after some time, and rested on the cold pavement; but + although Hugh’s breathing still proclaimed that he was sleeping soundly, + he could not trust him out of his sight for an instant. He was so afraid + of him, and of some sudden onslaught, that he was not content to see his + closed eyes through the chair-back, but every now and then, rose + stealthily to his feet, and peered at him with outstretched neck, to + assure himself that he really was still asleep, and was not about to + spring upon him when he was off his guard. + </p> + <p> + He slept so long and so soundly, that Mr Dennis began to think he might + sleep on until the turnkey visited them. He was congratulating himself + upon these promising appearances, and blessing his stars with much + fervour, when one or two unpleasant symptoms manifested themselves: such + as another motion of the arm, another sigh, a restless tossing of the + head. Then, just as it seemed that he was about to fall heavily to the + ground from his narrow bed, Hugh’s eyes opened. + </p> + <p> + It happened that his face was turned directly towards his unexpected + visitor. He looked lazily at him for some half-dozen seconds without any + aspect of surprise or recognition; then suddenly jumped up, and with a + great oath pronounced his name. + </p> + <p> + ‘Keep off, brother, keep off!’ cried Dennis, dodging behind the chair. + ‘Don’t do me a mischief. I’m a prisoner like you. I haven’t the free use + of my limbs. I’m quite an old man. Don’t hurt me!’ + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0318m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0318m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0318.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He whined out the last three words in such piteous accents, that Hugh, who + had dragged away the chair, and aimed a blow at him with it, checked + himself, and bade him get up. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll get up certainly, brother,’ cried Dennis, anxious to propitiate him + by any means in his power. ‘I’ll comply with any request of yours, I’m + sure. There—I’m up now. What can I do for you? Only say the word, + and I’ll do it.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What can you do for me!’ cried Hugh, clutching him by the collar with + both hands, and shaking him as though he were bent on stopping his breath + by that means. ‘What have you done for me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The best. The best that could be done,’ returned the hangman. + </p> + <p> + Hugh made him no answer, but shaking him in his strong grip until his + teeth chattered in his head, cast him down upon the floor, and flung + himself on the bench again. + </p> + <p> + ‘If it wasn’t for the comfort it is to me, to see you here,’ he muttered, + ‘I’d have crushed your head against it; I would.’ + </p> + <p> + It was some time before Dennis had breath enough to speak, but as soon as + he could resume his propitiatory strain, he did so. + </p> + <p> + ‘I did the best that could be done, brother,’ he whined; ‘I did indeed. I + was forced with two bayonets and I don’t know how many bullets on each + side of me, to point you out. If you hadn’t been taken, you’d have been + shot; and what a sight that would have been—a fine young man like + you!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Will it be a better sight now?’ asked Hugh, raising his head, with such a + fierce expression, that the other durst not answer him just then. + </p> + <p> + ‘A deal better,’ said Dennis meekly, after a pause. ‘First, there’s all + the chances of the law, and they’re five hundred strong. We may get off + scot-free. Unlikelier things than that have come to pass. Even if we + shouldn’t, and the chances fail, we can but be worked off once: and when + it’s well done, it’s so neat, so skilful, so captiwating, if that don’t + seem too strong a word, that you’d hardly believe it could be brought to + sich perfection. Kill one’s fellow-creeturs off, with muskets!—Pah!’ + and his nature so revolted at the bare idea, that he spat upon the dungeon + pavement. + </p> + <p> + His warming on this topic, which to one unacquainted with his pursuits and + tastes appeared like courage; together with his artful suppression of his + own secret hopes, and mention of himself as being in the same condition + with Hugh; did more to soothe that ruffian than the most elaborate + arguments could have done, or the most abject submission. He rested his + arms upon his knees, and stooping forward, looked from beneath his shaggy + hair at Dennis, with something of a smile upon his face. + </p> + <p> + ‘The fact is, brother,’ said the hangman, in a tone of greater confidence, + ‘that you got into bad company. The man that was with you was looked after + more than you, and it was him I wanted. As to me, what have I got by it? + Here we are, in one and the same plight.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Lookee, rascal,’ said Hugh, contracting his brows, ‘I’m not altogether + such a shallow blade but I know you expected to get something by it, or + you wouldn’t have done it. But it’s done, and you’re here, and it will + soon be all over with you and me; and I’d as soon die as live, or live as + die. Why should I trouble myself to have revenge on you? To eat, and + drink, and go to sleep, as long as I stay here, is all I care for. If + there was but a little more sun to bask in, than can find its way into + this cursed place, I’d lie in it all day, and not trouble myself to sit or + stand up once. That’s all the care I have for myself. Why should I care + for YOU?’ + </p> + <p> + Finishing this speech with a growl like the yawn of a wild beast, he + stretched himself upon the bench again, and closed his eyes once more. + </p> + <p> + After looking at him in silence for some moments, Dennis, who was greatly + relieved to find him in this mood, drew the chair towards his rough couch + and sat down near him—taking the precaution, however, to keep out of + the range of his brawny arm. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well said, brother; nothing could be better said,’ he ventured to + observe. ‘We’ll eat and drink of the best, and sleep our best, and make + the best of it every way. Anything can be got for money. Let’s spend it + merrily.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay,’ said Hugh, coiling himself into a new position.—‘Where is it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, they took mine from me at the lodge,’ said Mr Dennis; ‘but mine’s a + peculiar case.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Is it? They took mine too.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why then, I tell you what, brother,’ Dennis began. ‘You must look up your + friends—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My friends!’ cried Hugh, starting up and resting on his hands. ‘Where are + my friends?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Your relations then,’ said Dennis. + </p> + <p> + ‘Ha ha ha!’ laughed Hugh, waving one arm above his head. ‘He talks of + friends to me—talks of relations to a man whose mother died the + death in store for her son, and left him, a hungry brat, without a face he + knew in all the world! He talks of this to me!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Brother,’ cried the hangman, whose features underwent a sudden change, + ‘you don’t mean to say—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I mean to say,’ Hugh interposed, ‘that they hung her up at Tyburn. What + was good enough for her, is good enough for me. Let them do the like by me + as soon as they please—the sooner the better. Say no more to me. I’m + going to sleep.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But I want to speak to you; I want to hear more about that,’ said Dennis, + changing colour. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you’re a wise man,’ growled Hugh, raising his head to look at him with + a frown, ‘you’ll hold your tongue. I tell you I’m going to sleep.’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis venturing to say something more in spite of this caution, the + desperate fellow struck at him with all his force, and missing him, lay + down again with many muttered oaths and imprecations, and turned his face + towards the wall. After two or three ineffectual twitches at his dress, + which he was hardy enough to venture upon, notwithstanding his dangerous + humour, Mr Dennis, who burnt, for reasons of his own, to pursue the + conversation, had no alternative but to sit as patiently as he could: + waiting his further pleasure. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0320m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0320m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0320.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0075" id="link2HCH0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 75 + </h2> + <p> + A month has elapsed,—and we stand in the bedchamber of Sir John + Chester. Through the half-opened window, the Temple Garden looks green and + pleasant; the placid river, gay with boat and barge, and dimpled with the + plash of many an oar, sparkles in the distance; the sky is blue and clear; + and the summer air steals gently in, filling the room with perfume. The + very town, the smoky town, is radiant. High roofs and steeple-tops, wont + to look black and sullen, smile a cheerful grey; every old gilded vane, + and ball, and cross, glitters anew in the bright morning sun; and, high + among them all, St Paul’s towers up, showing its lofty crest in burnished + gold. + </p> + <p> + Sir John was breakfasting in bed. His chocolate and toast stood upon a + little table at his elbow; books and newspapers lay ready to his hand, + upon the coverlet; and, sometimes pausing to glance with an air of + tranquil satisfaction round the well-ordered room, and sometimes to gaze + indolently at the summer sky, he ate, and drank, and read the news + luxuriously. + </p> + <p> + The cheerful influence of the morning seemed to have some effect, even + upon his equable temper. His manner was unusually gay; his smile more + placid and agreeable than usual; his voice more clear and pleasant. He + laid down the newspaper he had been reading; leaned back upon his pillow + with the air of one who resigned himself to a train of charming + recollections; and after a pause, soliloquised as follows: + </p> + <p> + ‘And my friend the centaur, goes the way of his mamma! I am not surprised. + And his mysterious friend Mr Dennis, likewise! I am not surprised. And my + old postman, the exceedingly free-and-easy young madman of Chigwell! I am + quite rejoiced. It’s the very best thing that could possibly happen to + him.’ + </p> + <p> + After delivering himself of these remarks, he fell again into his smiling + train of reflection; from which he roused himself at length to finish his + chocolate, which was getting cold, and ring the bell for more. + </p> + <p> + The new supply arriving, he took the cup from his servant’s hand; and + saying, with a charming affability, ‘I am obliged to you, Peak,’ dismissed + him. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is a remarkable circumstance,’ he mused, dallying lazily with the + teaspoon, ‘that my friend the madman should have been within an ace of + escaping, on his trial; and it was a good stroke of chance (or, as the + world would say, a providential occurrence) that the brother of my Lord + Mayor should have been in court, with other country justices, into whose + very dense heads curiosity had penetrated. For though the brother of my + Lord Mayor was decidedly wrong; and established his near relationship to + that amusing person beyond all doubt, in stating that my friend was sane, + and had, to his knowledge, wandered about the country with a vagabond + parent, avowing revolutionary and rebellious sentiments; I am not the less + obliged to him for volunteering that evidence. These insane creatures make + such very odd and embarrassing remarks, that they really ought to be + hanged for the comfort of society.’ + </p> + <p> + The country justice had indeed turned the wavering scale against poor + Barnaby, and solved the doubt that trembled in his favour. Grip little + thought how much he had to answer for. + </p> + <p> + ‘They will be a singular party,’ said Sir John, leaning his head upon his + hand, and sipping his chocolate; ‘a very curious party. The hangman + himself; the centaur; and the madman. The centaur would make a very + handsome preparation in Surgeons’ Hall, and would benefit science + extremely. I hope they have taken care to bespeak him.—Peak, I am + not at home, of course, to anybody but the hairdresser.’ + </p> + <p> + This reminder to his servant was called forth by a knock at the door, + which the man hastened to open. After a prolonged murmur of question and + answer, he returned; and as he cautiously closed the room-door behind him, + a man was heard to cough in the passage. + </p> + <p> + ‘Now, it is of no use, Peak,’ said Sir John, raising his hand in + deprecation of his delivering any message; ‘I am not at home. I cannot + possibly hear you. I told you I was not at home, and my word is sacred. + Will you never do as you are desired?’ + </p> + <p> + Having nothing to oppose to this reproof, the man was about to withdraw, + when the visitor who had given occasion to it, probably rendered impatient + by delay, knocked with his knuckles at the chamber-door, and called out + that he had urgent business with Sir John Chester, which admitted of no + delay. + </p> + <p> + ‘Let him in,’ said Sir John. ‘My good fellow,’ he added, when the door was + opened, ‘how come you to intrude yourself in this extraordinary manner + upon the privacy of a gentleman? How can you be so wholly destitute of + self-respect as to be guilty of such remarkable ill-breeding?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My business, Sir John, is not of a common kind, I do assure you,’ + returned the person he addressed. ‘If I have taken any uncommon course to + get admission to you, I hope I shall be pardoned on that account.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Well! we shall see; we shall see,’ returned Sir John, whose face cleared + up when he saw who it was, and whose prepossessing smile was now restored. + ‘I am sure we have met before,’ he added in his winning tone, ‘but really + I forget your name?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My name is Gabriel Varden, sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden, of course, Varden,’ returned Sir John, tapping his forehead. + ‘Dear me, how very defective my memory becomes! Varden to be sure—Mr + Varden the locksmith. You have a charming wife, Mr Varden, and a most + beautiful daughter. They are well?’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel thanked him, and said they were. + </p> + <p> + ‘I rejoice to hear it,’ said Sir John. ‘Commend me to them when you + return, and say that I wished I were fortunate enough to convey, myself, + the salute which I entrust you to deliver. And what,’ he asked very + sweetly, after a moment’s pause, ‘can I do for you? You may command me + freely.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank you, Sir John,’ said Gabriel, with some pride in his manner, ‘but + I have come to ask no favour of you, though I come on business.—Private,’ + he added, with a glance at the man who stood looking on, ‘and very + pressing business.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I cannot say you are the more welcome for being independent, and having + nothing to ask of me,’ returned Sir John, graciously, ‘for I should have + been happy to render you a service; still, you are welcome on any terms. + Oblige me with some more chocolate, Peak, and don’t wait.’ + </p> + <p> + The man retired, and left them alone. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John,’ said Gabriel, ‘I am a working-man, and have been so, all my + life. If I don’t prepare you enough for what I have to tell; if I come to + the point too abruptly; and give you a shock, which a gentleman could have + spared you, or at all events lessened very much; I hope you will give me + credit for meaning well. I wish to be careful and considerate, and I trust + that in a straightforward person like me, you’ll take the will for the + deed.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Varden,’ returned the other, perfectly composed under this exordium; + ‘I beg you’ll take a chair. Chocolate, perhaps, you don’t relish? Well! it + IS an acquired taste, no doubt.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John,’ said Gabriel, who had acknowledged with a bow the invitation + to be seated, but had not availed himself of it. ‘Sir John’—he + dropped his voice and drew nearer to the bed—‘I am just now come + from Newgate—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Good Gad!’ cried Sir John, hastily sitting up in bed; ‘from Newgate, Mr + Varden! How could you be so very imprudent as to come from Newgate! + Newgate, where there are jail-fevers, and ragged people, and bare-footed + men and women, and a thousand horrors! Peak, bring the camphor, quick! + Heaven and earth, Mr Varden, my dear, good soul, how COULD you come from + Newgate?’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel returned no answer, but looked on in silence while Peak (who had + entered with the hot chocolate) ran to a drawer, and returning with a + bottle, sprinkled his master’s dressing-gown and the bedding; and besides + moistening the locksmith himself, plentifully, described a circle round + about him on the carpet. When he had done this, he again retired; and Sir + John, reclining in an easy attitude upon his pillow, once more turned a + smiling face towards his visitor. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will forgive me, Mr Varden, I am sure, for being at first a little + sensitive both on your account and my own. I confess I was startled, + notwithstanding your delicate exordium. Might I ask you to do me the + favour not to approach any nearer?—You have really come from + Newgate!’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith inclined his head. + </p> + <p> + ‘In-deed! And now, Mr Varden, all exaggeration and embellishment apart,’ + said Sir John Chester, confidentially, as he sipped his chocolate, ‘what + kind of place IS Newgate?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘A strange place, Sir John,’ returned the locksmith, ‘of a sad and doleful + kind. A strange place, where many strange things are heard and seen; but + few more strange than that I come to tell you of. The case is urgent. I am + sent here.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not—no, no—not from the jail?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, Sir John; from the jail.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And my good, credulous, open-hearted friend,’ said Sir John, setting down + his cup, and laughing,—‘by whom?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘By a man called Dennis—for many years the hangman, and to-morrow + morning the hanged,’ returned the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Sir John had expected—had been quite certain from the first—that + he would say he had come from Hugh, and was prepared to meet him on that + point. But this answer occasioned him a degree of astonishment, which, for + the moment, he could not, with all his command of feature, prevent his + face from expressing. He quickly subdued it, however, and said in the same + light tone: + </p> + <p> + ‘And what does the gentleman require of me? My memory may be at fault + again, but I don’t recollect that I ever had the pleasure of an + introduction to him, or that I ever numbered him among my personal + friends, I do assure you, Mr Varden.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John,’ returned the locksmith, gravely, ‘I will tell you, as nearly + as I can, in the words he used to me, what he desires that you should + know, and what you ought to know without a moment’s loss of time.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John Chester settled himself in a position of greater repose, and + looked at his visitor with an expression of face which seemed to say, + ‘This is an amusing fellow! I’ll hear him out.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You may have seen in the newspapers, sir,’ said Gabriel, pointing to the + one which lay by his side, ‘that I was a witness against this man upon his + trial some days since; and that it was not his fault I was alive, and able + to speak to what I knew.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘MAY have seen!’ cried Sir John. ‘My dear Mr Varden, you are quite a + public character, and live in all men’s thoughts most deservedly. Nothing + can exceed the interest with which I read your testimony, and remembered + that I had the pleasure of a slight acquaintance with you.—-I hope + we shall have your portrait published?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘This morning, sir,’ said the locksmith, taking no notice of these + compliments, ‘early this morning, a message was brought to me from + Newgate, at this man’s request, desiring that I would go and see him, for + he had something particular to communicate. I needn’t tell you that he is + no friend of mine, and that I had never seen him, until the rioters beset + my house.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John fanned himself gently with the newspaper, and nodded. + </p> + <p> + ‘I knew, however, from the general report,’ resumed Gabriel, ‘that the + order for his execution to-morrow, went down to the prison last night; and + looking upon him as a dying man, I complied with his request.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are quite a Christian, Mr Varden,’ said Sir John; ‘and in that + amiable capacity, you increase my desire that you should take a chair.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He said,’ continued Gabriel, looking steadily at the knight, ‘that he had + sent to me, because he had no friend or companion in the whole world + (being the common hangman), and because he believed, from the way in which + I had given my evidence, that I was an honest man, and would act truly by + him. He said that, being shunned by every one who knew his calling, even + by people of the lowest and most wretched grade, and finding, when he + joined the rioters, that the men he acted with had no suspicion of it + (which I believe is true enough, for a poor fool of an old ‘prentice of + mine was one of them), he had kept his own counsel, up to the time of his + being taken and put in jail.’ + </p> + + <p> + ‘Very discreet of Mr Dennis,’ observed Sir John with a slight yawn, though + still with the utmost affability, ‘but—except for your admirable and + lucid manner of telling it, which is perfect—not very interesting to + me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘When,’ pursued the locksmith, quite unabashed and wholly regardless of + these interruptions, ‘when he was taken to the jail, he found that his + fellow-prisoner, in the same room, was a young man, Hugh by name, a leader + in the riots, who had been betrayed and given up by himself. From + something which fell from this unhappy creature in the course of the angry + words they had at meeting, he discovered that his mother had suffered the + death to which they both are now condemned.—The time is very short, + Sir John.’ + </p> + <p> + The knight laid down his paper fan, replaced his cup upon the table at his + side, and, saving for the smile that lurked about his mouth, looked at the + locksmith with as much steadiness as the locksmith looked at him. + </p> + <p> + ‘They have been in prison now, a month. One conversation led to many more; + and the hangman soon found, from a comparison of time, and place, and + dates, that he had executed the sentence of the law upon this woman, + himself. She had been tempted by want—as so many people are—into + the easy crime of passing forged notes. She was young and handsome; and + the traders who employ men, women, and children in this traffic, looked + upon her as one who was well adapted for their business, and who would + probably go on without suspicion for a long time. But they were mistaken; + for she was stopped in the commission of her very first offence, and died + for it. She was of gipsy blood, Sir John—’ + </p> + <p> + It might have been the effect of a passing cloud which obscured the sun, + and cast a shadow on his face; but the knight turned deadly pale. Still he + met the locksmith’s eye, as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘She was of gipsy blood, Sir John,’ repeated Gabriel, ‘and had a high, + free spirit. This, and her good looks, and her lofty manner, interested + some gentlemen who were easily moved by dark eyes; and efforts were made + to save her. They might have been successful, if she would have given them + any clue to her history. But she never would, or did. There was reason to + suspect that she would make an attempt upon her life. A watch was set upon + her night and day; and from that time she never spoke again—’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John stretched out his hand towards his cup. The locksmith going on, + arrested it half-way. + </p> + <p> + —‘Until she had but a minute to live. Then she broke silence, and + said, in a low firm voice which no one heard but this executioner, for all + other living creatures had retired and left her to her fate, “If I had a + dagger within these fingers and he was within my reach, I would strike him + dead before me, even now!” The man asked “Who?” She said, “The father of + her boy.”’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John drew back his outstretched hand, and seeing that the locksmith + paused, signed to him with easy politeness and without any new appearance + of emotion, to proceed. + </p> + <p> + ‘It was the first word she had ever spoken, from which it could be + understood that she had any relative on earth. “Was the child alive?” he + asked. “Yes.” He asked her where it was, its name, and whether she had any + wish respecting it. She had but one, she said. It was that the boy might + live and grow, in utter ignorance of his father, so that no arts might + teach him to be gentle and forgiving. When he became a man, she trusted to + the God of their tribe to bring the father and the son together, and + revenge her through her child. He asked her other questions, but she spoke + no more. Indeed, he says, she scarcely said this much, to him, but stood + with her face turned upwards to the sky, and never looked towards him + once.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John took a pinch of snuff; glanced approvingly at an elegant little + sketch, entitled ‘Nature,’ on the wall; and raising his eyes to the + locksmith’s face again, said, with an air of courtesy and patronage, ‘You + were observing, Mr Varden—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That she never,’ returned the locksmith, who was not to be diverted by + any artifice from his firm manner, and his steady gaze, ‘that she never + looked towards him once, Sir John; and so she died, and he forgot her. + But, some years afterwards, a man was sentenced to die the same death, who + was a gipsy too; a sunburnt, swarthy fellow, almost a wild man; and while + he lay in prison, under sentence, he, who had seen the hangman more than + once while he was free, cut an image of him on his stick, by way of + braving death, and showing those who attended on him, how little he cared + or thought about it. He gave this stick into his hands at Tyburn, and told + him then, that the woman I have spoken of had left her own people to join + a fine gentleman, and that, being deserted by him, and cast off by her old + friends, she had sworn within her own proud breast, that whatever her + misery might be, she would ask no help of any human being. He told him + that she had kept her word to the last; and that, meeting even him in the + streets—he had been fond of her once, it seems—she had slipped + from him by a trick, and he never saw her again, until, being in one of + the frequent crowds at Tyburn, with some of his rough companions, he had + been driven almost mad by seeing, in the criminal under another name, + whose death he had come to witness, herself. Standing in the same place in + which she had stood, he told the hangman this, and told him, too, her real + name, which only her own people and the gentleman for whose sake she had + left them, knew. That name he will tell again, Sir John, to none but you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To none but me!’ exclaimed the knight, pausing in the act of raising his + cup to his lips with a perfectly steady hand, and curling up his little + finger for the better display of a brilliant ring with which it was + ornamented: ‘but me!—My dear Mr Varden, how very preposterous, to + select me for his confidence! With you at his elbow, too, who are so + perfectly trustworthy!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John, Sir John,’ returned the locksmith, ‘at twelve tomorrow, these + men die. Hear the few words I have to add, and do not hope to deceive me; + for though I am a plain man of humble station, and you are a gentleman of + rank and learning, the truth raises me to your level, and I KNOW that you + anticipate the disclosure with which I am about to end, and that you + believe this doomed man, Hugh, to be your son.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ said Sir John, bantering him with a gay air; ‘the wild gentleman, + who died so suddenly, scarcely went as far as that, I think?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He did not,’ returned the locksmith, ‘for she had bound him by some + pledge, known only to these people, and which the worst among them + respect, not to tell your name: but, in a fantastic pattern on the stick, + he had carved some letters, and when the hangman asked it, he bade him, + especially if he should ever meet with her son in after life, remember + that place well.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What place?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Chester.’ + </p> + <p> + The knight finished his cup of chocolate with an appearance of infinite + relish, and carefully wiped his lips upon his handkerchief. + </p> + <p> + ‘Sir John,’ said the locksmith, ‘this is all that has been told to me; but + since these two men have been left for death, they have conferred together + closely. See them, and hear what they can add. See this Dennis, and learn + from him what he has not trusted to me. If you, who hold the clue to all, + want corroboration (which you do not), the means are easy.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And to what,’ said Sir John Chester, rising on his elbow, after smoothing + the pillow for its reception; ‘my dear, good-natured, estimable Mr Varden—with + whom I cannot be angry if I would—to what does all this tend?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I take you for a man, Sir John, and I suppose it tends to some pleading + of natural affection in your breast,’ returned the locksmith. ‘I suppose + to the straining of every nerve, and the exertion of all the influence you + have, or can make, in behalf of your miserable son, and the man who has + disclosed his existence to you. At the worst, I suppose to your seeing + your son, and awakening him to a sense of his crime and danger. He has no + such sense now. Think what his life must have been, when he said in my + hearing, that if I moved you to anything, it would be to hastening his + death, and ensuring his silence, if you had it in your power!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And have you, my good Mr Varden,’ said Sir John in a tone of mild + reproof, ‘have you really lived to your present age, and remained so very + simple and credulous, as to approach a gentleman of established character + with such credentials as these, from desperate men in their last + extremity, catching at any straw? Oh dear! Oh fie, fie!’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith was going to interpose, but he stopped him: + </p> + <p> + ‘On any other subject, Mr Varden, I shall be delighted—I shall be + charmed—to converse with you, but I owe it to my own character not + to pursue this topic for another moment.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Think better of it, sir, when I am gone,’ returned the locksmith; ‘think + better of it, sir. Although you have, thrice within as many weeks, turned + your lawful son, Mr Edward, from your door, you may have time, you may + have years to make your peace with HIM, Sir John: but that twelve o’clock + will soon be here, and soon be past for ever.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I thank you very much,’ returned the knight, kissing his delicate hand to + the locksmith, ‘for your guileless advice; and I only wish, my good soul, + although your simplicity is quite captivating, that you had a little more + worldly wisdom. I never so much regretted the arrival of my hairdresser as + I do at this moment. God bless you! Good morning! You’ll not forget my + message to the ladies, Mr Varden? Peak, show Mr Varden to the door.’ + </p> + <p> + Gabriel said no more, but gave the knight a parting look, and left him. As + he quitted the room, Sir John’s face changed; and the smile gave place to + a haggard and anxious expression, like that of a weary actor jaded by the + performance of a difficult part. He rose from his bed with a heavy sigh, + and wrapped himself in his morning-gown. + </p> + <p> + ‘So she kept her word,’ he said, ‘and was constant to her threat! I would + I had never seen that dark face of hers,—I might have read these + consequences in it, from the first. This affair would make a noise abroad, + if it rested on better evidence; but, as it is, and by not joining the + scattered links of the chain, I can afford to slight it.—Extremely + distressing to be the parent of such an uncouth creature! Still, I gave + him very good advice. I told him he would certainly be hanged. I could + have done no more if I had known of our relationship; and there are a + great many fathers who have never done as much for THEIR natural children.—The + hairdresser may come in, Peak!’ + </p> + <p> + The hairdresser came in; and saw in Sir John Chester (whose accommodating + conscience was soon quieted by the numerous precedents that occurred to + him in support of his last observation), the same imperturbable, + fascinating, elegant gentleman he had seen yesterday, and many yesterdays + before. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:60%;"> + <img src="images/0322m.jpg" style="width:100%;" alt="0322m " /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0322.jpg" style="width:100%;" ><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0076" id="link2HCH0076"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 76 + </h2> + <p> + As the locksmith walked slowly away from Sir John Chester’s chambers, he + lingered under the trees which shaded the path, almost hoping that he + might be summoned to return. He had turned back thrice, and still loitered + at the corner, when the clock struck twelve. + </p> + <p> + It was a solemn sound, and not merely for its reference to to-morrow; for + he knew that in that chime the murderer’s knell was rung. He had seen him + pass along the crowded street, amidst the execration of the throng; and + marked his quivering lip, and trembling limbs; the ashy hue upon his face, + his clammy brow, the wild distraction of his eye—the fear of death + that swallowed up all other thoughts, and gnawed without cessation at his + heart and brain. He had marked the wandering look, seeking for hope, and + finding, turn where it would, despair. He had seen the remorseful, + pitiful, desolate creature, riding, with his coffin by his side, to the + gibbet. He knew that, to the last, he had been an unyielding, obdurate + man; that in the savage terror of his condition he had hardened, rather + than relented, to his wife and child; and that the last words which had + passed his white lips were curses on them as his enemies. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale had determined to be there, and see it done. Nothing but the + evidence of his own senses could satisfy that gloomy thirst for + retribution which had been gathering upon him for so many years. The + locksmith knew this, and when the chimes had ceased to vibrate, hurried + away to meet him. + </p> + <p> + ‘For these two men,’ he said, as he went, ‘I can do no more. Heaven have + mercy on them!—Alas! I say I can do no more for them, but whom can I + help? Mary Rudge will have a home, and a firm friend when she most wants + one; but Barnaby—poor Barnaby—willing Barnaby—what aid + can I render him? There are many, many men of sense, God forgive me,’ + cried the honest locksmith, stopping in a narrow court to pass his hand + across his eyes, ‘I could better afford to lose than Barnaby. We have + always been good friends, but I never knew, till now, how much I loved the + lad.’ + </p> + <p> + There were not many in the great city who thought of Barnaby that day, + otherwise than as an actor in a show which was to take place to-morrow. + But if the whole population had had him in their minds, and had wished his + life to be spared, not one among them could have done so with a purer zeal + or greater singleness of heart than the good locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby was to die. There was no hope. It is not the least evil attendant + upon the frequent exhibition of this last dread punishment, of Death, that + it hardens the minds of those who deal it out, and makes them, though they + be amiable men in other respects, indifferent to, or unconscious of, their + great responsibility. The word had gone forth that Barnaby was to die. It + went forth, every month, for lighter crimes. It was a thing so common, + that very few were startled by the awful sentence, or cared to question + its propriety. Just then, too, when the law had been so flagrantly + outraged, its dignity must be asserted. The symbol of its dignity,—stamped + upon every page of the criminal statute-book,—was the gallows; and + Barnaby was to die. + </p> + <p> + They had tried to save him. The locksmith had carried petitions and + memorials to the fountain-head, with his own hands. But the well was not + one of mercy, and Barnaby was to die. + </p> + <p> + From the first his mother had never left him, save at night; and with her + beside him, he was as usual contented. On this last day, he was more + elated and more proud than he had been yet; and when she dropped the book + she had been reading to him aloud, and fell upon his neck, he stopped in + his busy task of folding a piece of crape about his hat, and wondered at + her anguish. Grip uttered a feeble croak, half in encouragement, it + seemed, and half in remonstrance, but he wanted heart to sustain it, and + lapsed abruptly into silence. + </p> + <p> + With them who stood upon the brink of the great gulf which none can see + beyond, Time, so soon to lose itself in vast Eternity, rolled on like a + mighty river, swollen and rapid as it nears the sea. It was morning but + now; they had sat and talked together in a dream; and here was evening. + The dreadful hour of separation, which even yesterday had seemed so + distant, was at hand. + </p> + <p> + They walked out into the courtyard, clinging to each other, but not + speaking. Barnaby knew that the jail was a dull, sad, miserable place, and + looked forward to to-morrow, as to a passage from it to something bright + and beautiful. He had a vague impression too, that he was expected to be + brave—that he was a man of great consequence, and that the prison + people would be glad to make him weep. He trod the ground more firmly as + he thought of this, and bade her take heart and cry no more, and feel how + steady his hand was. ‘They call me silly, mother. They shall see + to-morrow!’ + </p> + <p> + Dennis and Hugh were in the courtyard. Hugh came forth from his cell as + they did, stretching himself as though he had been sleeping. Dennis sat + upon a bench in a corner, with his knees and chin huddled together, and + rocked himself to and fro like a person in severe pain. + </p> + <p> + The mother and son remained on one side of the court, and these two men + upon the other. Hugh strode up and down, glancing fiercely every now and + then at the bright summer sky, and looking round, when he had done so, at + the walls. + </p> + <p> + ‘No reprieve, no reprieve! Nobody comes near us. There’s only the night + left now!’ moaned Dennis faintly, as he wrung his hands. ‘Do you think + they’ll reprieve me in the night, brother? I’ve known reprieves come in + the night, afore now. I’ve known ‘em come as late as five, six, and seven + o’clock in the morning. Don’t you think there’s a good chance yet,—don’t + you? Say you do. Say you do, young man,’ whined the miserable creature, + with an imploring gesture towards Barnaby, ‘or I shall go mad!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Better be mad than sane, here,’ said Hugh. ‘GO mad.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘But tell me what you think. Somebody tell me what he thinks!’ cried the + wretched object,—so mean, and wretched, and despicable, that even + Pity’s self might have turned away, at sight of such a being in the + likeness of a man—‘isn’t there a chance for me,—isn’t there a + good chance for me? Isn’t it likely they may be doing this to frighten me? + Don’t you think it is? Oh!’ he almost shrieked, as he wrung his hands, + ‘won’t anybody give me comfort!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You ought to be the best, instead of the worst,’ said Hugh, stopping + before him. ‘Ha, ha, ha! See the hangman, when it comes home to him!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You don’t know what it is,’ cried Dennis, actually writhing as he spoke: + ‘I do. That I should come to be worked off! I! I! That I should come!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And why not?’ said Hugh, as he thrust back his matted hair to get a + better view of his late associate. ‘How often, before I knew your trade, + did I hear you talking of this as if it was a treat?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I an’t unconsistent,’ screamed the miserable creature; ‘I’d talk so + again, if I was hangman. Some other man has got my old opinions at this + minute. That makes it worse. Somebody’s longing to work me off. I know by + myself that somebody must be!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He’ll soon have his longing,’ said Hugh, resuming his walk. ‘Think of + that, and be quiet.’ + </p> + <p> + Although one of these men displayed, in his speech and bearing, the most + reckless hardihood; and the other, in his every word and action, testified + such an extreme of abject cowardice that it was humiliating to see him; it + would be difficult to say which of them would most have repelled and + shocked an observer. Hugh’s was the dogged desperation of a savage at the + stake; the hangman was reduced to a condition little better, if any, than + that of a hound with the halter round his neck. Yet, as Mr Dennis knew and + could have told them, these were the two commonest states of mind in + persons brought to their pass. Such was the wholesome growth of the seed + sown by the law, that this kind of harvest was usually looked for, as a + matter of course. + </p> + <p> + In one respect they all agreed. The wandering and uncontrollable train of + thought, suggesting sudden recollections of things distant and long + forgotten and remote from each other—the vague restless craving for + something undefined, which nothing could satisfy—the swift flight of + the minutes, fusing themselves into hours, as if by enchantment—the + rapid coming of the solemn night—the shadow of death always upon + them, and yet so dim and faint, that objects the meanest and most trivial + started from the gloom beyond, and forced themselves upon the view—the + impossibility of holding the mind, even if they had been so disposed, to + penitence and preparation, or of keeping it to any point while one hideous + fascination tempted it away—these things were common to them all, + and varied only in their outward tokens. + </p> + <p> + ‘Fetch me the book I left within—upon your bed,’ she said to + Barnaby, as the clock struck. ‘Kiss me first.’ + </p> + <p> + He looked in her face, and saw there, that the time was come. After a long + embrace, he tore himself away, and ran to bring it to her; bidding her not + stir till he came back. He soon returned, for a shriek recalled him,—but + she was gone. + </p> + <p> + He ran to the yard-gate, and looked through. They were carrying her away. + She had said her heart would break. It was better so. + </p> + <p> + ‘Don’t you think,’ whimpered Dennis, creeping up to him, as he stood with + his feet rooted to the ground, gazing at the blank walls—‘don’t you + think there’s still a chance? It’s a dreadful end; it’s a terrible end for + a man like me. Don’t you think there’s a chance? I don’t mean for you, I + mean for me. Don’t let HIM hear us (meaning Hugh); ‘he’s so desperate.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now then,’ said the officer, who had been lounging in and out with his + hands in his pockets, and yawning as if he were in the last extremity for + some subject of interest: ‘it’s time to turn in, boys.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not yet,’ cried Dennis, ‘not yet. Not for an hour yet.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say,—your watch goes different from what it used to,’ returned + the man. ‘Once upon a time it was always too fast. It’s got the other + fault now.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My friend,’ cried the wretched creature, falling on his knees, ‘my dear + friend—you always were my dear friend—there’s some mistake. + Some letter has been mislaid, or some messenger has been stopped upon the + way. He may have fallen dead. I saw a man once, fall down dead in the + street, myself, and he had papers in his pocket. Send to inquire. Let + somebody go to inquire. They never will hang me. They never can.—Yes, + they will,’ he cried, starting to his feet with a terrible scream. + ‘They’ll hang me by a trick, and keep the pardon back. It’s a plot against + me. I shall lose my life!’ And uttering another yell, he fell in a fit + upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + ‘See the hangman when it comes home to him!’ cried Hugh again, as they + bore him away—‘Ha ha ha! Courage, bold Barnaby, what care we? Your + hand! They do well to put us out of the world, for if we got loose a + second time, we wouldn’t let them off so easy, eh? Another shake! A man + can die but once. If you wake in the night, sing that out lustily, and + fall asleep again. Ha ha ha!’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby glanced once more through the grate into the empty yard; and then + watched Hugh as he strode to the steps leading to his sleeping-cell. He + heard him shout, and burst into a roar of laughter, and saw him flourish + his hat. Then he turned away himself, like one who walked in his sleep; + and, without any sense of fear or sorrow, lay down on his pallet, + listening for the clock to strike again. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0077" id="link2HCH0077"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 77 + </h2> + <p> + The time wore on. The noises in the streets became less frequent by + degrees, until silence was scarcely broken save by the bells in church + towers, marking the progress—softer and more stealthy while the city + slumbered—of that Great Watcher with the hoary head, who never + sleeps or rests. In the brief interval of darkness and repose which + feverish towns enjoy, all busy sounds were hushed; and those who awoke + from dreams lay listening in their beds, and longed for dawn, and wished + the dead of the night were past. + </p> + <p> + Into the street outside the jail’s main wall, workmen came straggling at + this solemn hour, in groups of two or three, and meeting in the centre, + cast their tools upon the ground and spoke in whispers. Others soon issued + from the jail itself, bearing on their shoulders planks and beams: these + materials being all brought forth, the rest bestirred themselves, and the + dull sound of hammers began to echo through the stillness. + </p> + <p> + Here and there among this knot of labourers, one, with a lantern or a + smoky link, stood by to light his fellows at their work; and by its + doubtful aid, some might be dimly seen taking up the pavement of the road, + while others held great upright posts, or fixed them in the holes thus + made for their reception. Some dragged slowly on, towards the rest, an + empty cart, which they brought rumbling from the prison-yard; while others + erected strong barriers across the street. All were busily engaged. Their + dusky figures moving to and fro, at that unusual hour, so active and so + silent, might have been taken for those of shadowy creatures toiling at + midnight on some ghostly unsubstantial work, which, like themselves, would + vanish with the first gleam of day, and leave but morning mist and vapour. + </p> + <p> + While it was yet dark, a few lookers-on collected, who had plainly come + there for the purpose and intended to remain: even those who had to pass + the spot on their way to some other place, lingered, and lingered yet, as + though the attraction of that were irresistible. Meanwhile the noise of + saw and mallet went on briskly, mingled with the clattering of boards on + the stone pavement of the road, and sometimes with the workmen’s voices as + they called to one another. Whenever the chimes of the neighbouring church + were heard—and that was every quarter of an hour—a strange + sensation, instantaneous and indescribable, but perfectly obvious, seemed + to pervade them all. + </p> + <p> + Gradually, a faint brightness appeared in the east, and the air, which had + been very warm all through the night, felt cool and chilly. Though there + was no daylight yet, the darkness was diminished, and the stars looked + pale. The prison, which had been a mere black mass with little shape or + form, put on its usual aspect; and ever and anon a solitary watchman could + be seen upon its roof, stopping to look down upon the preparations in the + street. This man, from forming, as it were, a part of the jail, and + knowing or being supposed to know all that was passing within, became an + object of as much interest, and was as eagerly looked for, and as awfully + pointed out, as if he had been a spirit. + </p> + <p> + By and by, the feeble light grew stronger, and the houses with their + signboards and inscriptions, stood plainly out, in the dull grey morning. + Heavy stage waggons crawled from the inn-yard opposite; and travellers + peeped out; and as they rolled sluggishly away, cast many a backward look + towards the jail. And now, the sun’s first beams came glancing into the + street; and the night’s work, which, in its various stages and in the + varied fancies of the lookers-on had taken a hundred shapes, wore its own + proper form—a scaffold, and a gibbet. + </p> + <p> + As the warmth of the cheerful day began to shed itself upon the scanty + crowd, the murmur of tongues was heard, shutters were thrown open, and + blinds drawn up, and those who had slept in rooms over against the prison, + where places to see the execution were let at high prices, rose hastily + from their beds. In some of the houses, people were busy taking out the + window-sashes for the better accommodation of spectators; in others, the + spectators were already seated, and beguiling the time with cards, or + drink, or jokes among themselves. Some had purchased seats upon the + house-tops, and were already crawling to their stations from parapet and + garret-window. Some were yet bargaining for good places, and stood in them + in a state of indecision: gazing at the slowly-swelling crowd, and at the + workmen as they rested listlessly against the scaffold—affecting to + listen with indifference to the proprietor’s eulogy of the commanding view + his house afforded, and the surpassing cheapness of his terms. + </p> + <p> + A fairer morning never shone. From the roofs and upper stories of these + buildings, the spires of city churches and the great cathedral dome were + visible, rising up beyond the prison, into the blue sky, and clad in the + colour of light summer clouds, and showing in the clear atmosphere their + every scrap of tracery and fretwork, and every niche and loophole. All was + brightness and promise, excepting in the street below, into which (for it + yet lay in shadow) the eye looked down as into a dark trench, where, in + the midst of so much life, and hope, and renewal of existence, stood the + terrible instrument of death. It seemed as if the very sun forbore to look + upon it. + </p> + <p> + But it was better, grim and sombre in the shade, than when, the day being + more advanced, it stood confessed in the full glare and glory of the sun, + with its black paint blistering, and its nooses dangling in the light like + loathsome garlands. It was better in the solitude and gloom of midnight + with a few forms clustering about it, than in the freshness and the stir + of morning: the centre of an eager crowd. It was better haunting the + street like a spectre, when men were in their beds, and influencing + perchance the city’s dreams, than braving the broad day, and thrusting its + obscene presence upon their waking senses. + </p> + <p> + Five o’clock had struck—six—seven—and eight. Along the + two main streets at either end of the cross-way, a living stream had now + set in, rolling towards the marts of gain and business. Carts, coaches, + waggons, trucks, and barrows, forced a passage through the outskirts of + the throng, and clattered onward in the same direction. Some of these + which were public conveyances and had come from a short distance in the + country, stopped; and the driver pointed to the gibbet with his whip, + though he might have spared himself the pains, for the heads of all the + passengers were turned that way without his help, and the coach-windows + were stuck full of staring eyes. In some of the carts and waggons, women + might be seen, glancing fearfully at the same unsightly thing; and even + little children were held up above the people’s heads to see what kind of + a toy a gallows was, and learn how men were hanged. + </p> + <p> + Two rioters were to die before the prison, who had been concerned in the + attack upon it; and one directly afterwards in Bloomsbury Square. At nine + o’clock, a strong body of military marched into the street, and formed and + lined a narrow passage into Holborn, which had been indifferently kept all + night by constables. Through this, another cart was brought (the one + already mentioned had been employed in the construction of the scaffold), + and wheeled up to the prison-gate. These preparations made, the soldiers + stood at ease; the officers lounged to and fro, in the alley they had + made, or talked together at the scaffold’s foot; and the concourse, which + had been rapidly augmenting for some hours, and still received additions + every minute, waited with an impatience which increased with every chime + of St Sepulchre’s clock, for twelve at noon. + </p> + <p> + Up to this time they had been very quiet, comparatively silent, save when + the arrival of some new party at a window, hitherto unoccupied, gave them + something new to look at or to talk of. But, as the hour approached, a + buzz and hum arose, which, deepening every moment, soon swelled into a + roar, and seemed to fill the air. No words or even voices could be + distinguished in this clamour, nor did they speak much to each other; + though such as were better informed upon the topic than the rest, would + tell their neighbours, perhaps, that they might know the hangman when he + came out, by his being the shorter one: and that the man who was to suffer + with him was named Hugh: and that it was Barnaby Rudge who would be hanged + in Bloomsbury Square. + </p> + <p> + The hum grew, as the time drew near, so loud, that those who were at the + windows could not hear the church-clock strike, though it was close at + hand. Nor had they any need to hear it, either, for they could see it in + the people’s faces. So surely as another quarter chimed, there was a + movement in the crowd—as if something had passed over it—as if + the light upon them had been changed—in which the fact was readable + as on a brazen dial, figured by a giant’s hand. + </p> + <p> + Three quarters past eleven! The murmur now was deafening, yet every man + seemed mute. Look where you would among the crowd, you saw strained eyes + and lips compressed; it would have been difficult for the most vigilant + observer to point this way or that, and say that yonder man had cried out. + It were as easy to detect the motion of lips in a sea-shell. + </p> + <p> + Three quarters past eleven! Many spectators who had retired from the + windows, came back refreshed, as though their watch had just begun. Those + who had fallen asleep, roused themselves; and every person in the crowd + made one last effort to better his position—which caused a press + against the sturdy barriers that made them bend and yield like twigs. The + officers, who until now had kept together, fell into their several + positions, and gave the words of command. Swords were drawn, muskets + shouldered, and the bright steel winding its way among the crowd, gleamed + and glittered in the sun like a river. Along this shining path, two men + came hurrying on, leading a horse, which was speedily harnessed to the + cart at the prison-door. Then, a profound silence replaced the tumult that + had so long been gathering, and a breathless pause ensued. Every window + was now choked up with heads; the house-tops teemed with people—clinging + to chimneys, peering over gable-ends, and holding on where the sudden + loosening of any brick or stone would dash them down into the street. The + church tower, the church roof, the church yard, the prison leads, the very + water-spouts and lampposts—every inch of room—swarmed with + human life. + </p> + <p> + At the first stroke of twelve the prison-bell began to toll. Then the roar—mingled + now with cries of ‘Hats off!’ and ‘Poor fellows!’ and, from some specks in + the great concourse, with a shriek or groan—burst forth again. It + was terrible to see—if any one in that distraction of excitement + could have seen—the world of eager eyes, all strained upon the + scaffold and the beam. + </p> + <p> + The hollow murmuring was heard within the jail as plainly as without. The + three were brought forth into the yard, together, as it resounded through + the air. They knew its import well. + </p> + <p> + ‘D’ye hear?’ cried Hugh, undaunted by the sound. ‘They expect us! I heard + them gathering when I woke in the night, and turned over on t’other side + and fell asleep again. We shall see how they welcome the hangman, now that + it comes home to him. Ha, ha, ha!’ + </p> + <p> + The Ordinary coming up at this moment, reproved him for his indecent + mirth, and advised him to alter his demeanour. + </p> + <p> + ‘And why, master?’ said Hugh. ‘Can I do better than bear it easily? YOU + bear it easily enough. Oh! never tell me,’ he cried, as the other would + have spoken, ‘for all your sad look and your solemn air, you think little + enough of it! They say you’re the best maker of lobster salads in London. + Ha, ha! I’ve heard that, you see, before now. Is it a good one, this + morning—is your hand in? How does the breakfast look? I hope there’s + enough, and to spare, for all this hungry company that’ll sit down to it, + when the sight’s over.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I fear,’ observed the clergyman, shaking his head, ‘that you are + incorrigible.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You’re right. I am,’ rejoined Hugh sternly. ‘Be no hypocrite, master! You + make a merry-making of this, every month; let me be merry, too. If you + want a frightened fellow there’s one that’ll suit you. Try your hand upon + him.’ + </p> + <p> + He pointed, as he spoke, to Dennis, who, with his legs trailing on the + ground, was held between two men; and who trembled so, that all his joints + and limbs seemed racked by spasms. Turning from this wretched spectacle, + he called to Barnaby, who stood apart. + </p> + <p> + ‘What cheer, Barnaby? Don’t be downcast, lad. Leave that to HIM.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Bless you,’ cried Barnaby, stepping lightly towards him, ‘I’m not + frightened, Hugh. I’m quite happy. I wouldn’t desire to live now, if + they’d let me. Look at me! Am I afraid to die? Will they see ME tremble?’ + </p> + <p> + Hugh gazed for a moment at his face, on which there was a strange, + unearthly smile; and at his eye, which sparkled brightly; and interposing + between him and the Ordinary, gruffly whispered to the latter: + </p> + <p> + ‘I wouldn’t say much to him, master, if I was you. He may spoil your + appetite for breakfast, though you ARE used to it.’ + </p> + <p> + He was the only one of the three who had washed or trimmed himself that + morning. Neither of the others had done so, since their doom was + pronounced. He still wore the broken peacock’s feathers in his hat; and + all his usual scraps of finery were carefully disposed about his person. + His kindling eye, his firm step, his proud and resolute bearing, might + have graced some lofty act of heroism; some voluntary sacrifice, born of a + noble cause and pure enthusiasm; rather than that felon’s death. + </p> + <p> + But all these things increased his guilt. They were mere assumptions. The + law had declared it so, and so it must be. The good minister had been + greatly shocked, not a quarter of an hour before, at his parting with + Grip. For one in his condition, to fondle a bird!—The yard was + filled with people; bluff civic functionaries, officers of justice, + soldiers, the curious in such matters, and guests who had been bidden as + to a wedding. Hugh looked about him, nodded gloomily to some person in + authority, who indicated with his hand in what direction he was to + proceed; and clapping Barnaby on the shoulder, passed out with the gait of + a lion. + </p> + <p> + They entered a large room, so near to the scaffold that the voices of + those who stood about it, could be plainly heard: some beseeching the + javelin-men to take them out of the crowd: others crying to those behind, + to stand back, for they were pressed to death, and suffocating for want of + air. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of this chamber, two smiths, with hammers, stood beside an + anvil. Hugh walked straight up to them, and set his foot upon it with a + sound as though it had been struck by a heavy weapon. Then, with folded + arms, he stood to have his irons knocked off: scowling haughtily round, as + those who were present eyed him narrowly and whispered to each other. + </p> + <p> + It took so much time to drag Dennis in, that this ceremony was over with + Hugh, and nearly over with Barnaby, before he appeared. He no sooner came + into the place he knew so well, however, and among faces with which he was + so familiar, than he recovered strength and sense enough to clasp his + hands and make a last appeal. + </p> + <p> + ‘Gentlemen, good gentlemen,’ cried the abject creature, grovelling down + upon his knees, and actually prostrating himself upon the stone floor: + ‘Governor, dear governor—honourable sheriffs—worthy gentlemen—have + mercy upon a wretched man that has served His Majesty, and the Law, and + Parliament, for so many years, and don’t—don’t let me die—because + of a mistake.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dennis,’ said the governor of the jail, ‘you know what the course is, and + that the order came with the rest. You know that we could do nothing, even + if we would.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘All I ask, sir,—all I want and beg, is time, to make it sure,’ + cried the trembling wretch, looking wildly round for sympathy. ‘The King + and Government can’t know it’s me; I’m sure they can’t know it’s me; or + they never would bring me to this dreadful slaughterhouse. They know my + name, but they don’t know it’s the same man. Stop my execution—for + charity’s sake stop my execution, gentlemen—till they can be told + that I’ve been hangman here, nigh thirty year. Will no one go and tell + them?’ he implored, clenching his hands and glaring round, and round, and + round again—‘will no charitable person go and tell them!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Mr Akerman,’ said a gentleman who stood by, after a moment’s pause, + ‘since it may possibly produce in this unhappy man a better frame of mind, + even at this last minute, let me assure him that he was well known to have + been the hangman, when his sentence was considered.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—But perhaps they think on that account that the punishment’s not + so great,’ cried the criminal, shuffling towards this speaker on his + knees, and holding up his folded hands; ‘whereas it’s worse, it’s worse a + hundred times, to me than any man. Let them know that, sir. Let them know + that. They’ve made it worse to me by giving me so much to do. Stop my + execution till they know that!’ + </p> + <p> + The governor beckoned with his hand, and the two men, who had supported + him before, approached. He uttered a piercing cry: + </p> + <p> + ‘Wait! Wait. Only a moment—only one moment more! Give me a last + chance of reprieve. One of us three is to go to Bloomsbury Square. Let me + be the one. It may come in that time; it’s sure to come. In the Lord’s + name let me be sent to Bloomsbury Square. Don’t hang me here. It’s + murder.’ + </p> + <p> + They took him to the anvil: but even then he could be heard above the + clinking of the smiths’ hammers, and the hoarse raging of the crowd, + crying that he knew of Hugh’s birth—that his father was living, and + was a gentleman of influence and rank—that he had family secrets in + his possession—that he could tell nothing unless they gave him time, + but must die with them on his mind; and he continued to rave in this sort + until his voice failed him, and he sank down a mere heap of clothes + between the two attendants. + </p> + <p> + It was at this moment that the clock struck the first stroke of twelve, + and the bell began to toll. The various officers, with the two sheriffs at + their head, moved towards the door. All was ready when the last chime came + upon the ear. + </p> + <p> + They told Hugh this, and asked if he had anything to say. + </p> + <p> + ‘To say!’ he cried. ‘Not I. I’m ready.—Yes,’ he added, as his eye + fell upon Barnaby, ‘I have a word to say, too. Come hither, lad.’ + </p> + <p> + There was, for the moment, something kind, and even tender, struggling in + his fierce aspect, as he wrung his poor companion by the hand. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll say this,’ he cried, looking firmly round, ‘that if I had ten lives + to lose, and the loss of each would give me ten times the agony of the + hardest death, I’d lay them all down—ay, I would, though you + gentlemen may not believe it—to save this one. This one,’ he added, + wringing his hand again, ‘that will be lost through me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Not through you,’ said the idiot, mildly. ‘Don’t say that. You were not + to blame. You have always been very good to me.—Hugh, we shall know + what makes the stars shine, NOW!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I took him from her in a reckless mood, and didn’t think what harm would + come of it,’ said Hugh, laying his hand upon his head, and speaking in a + lower voice. ‘I ask her pardon; and his.—Look here,’ he added + roughly, in his former tone. ‘You see this lad?’ + </p> + <p> + They murmured ‘Yes,’ and seemed to wonder why he asked. + </p> + <p> + ‘That gentleman yonder—’ pointing to the clergyman—‘has often + in the last few days spoken to me of faith, and strong belief. You see + what I am—more brute than man, as I have been often told—but I + had faith enough to believe, and did believe as strongly as any of you + gentlemen can believe anything, that this one life would be spared. See + what he is!—Look at him!’ + </p> + <p> + Barnaby had moved towards the door, and stood beckoning him to follow. + </p> + <p> + ‘If this was not faith, and strong belief!’ cried Hugh, raising his right + arm aloft, and looking upward like a savage prophet whom the near approach + of Death had filled with inspiration, ‘where are they! What else should + teach me—me, born as I was born, and reared as I have been reared—to + hope for any mercy in this hardened, cruel, unrelenting place! Upon these + human shambles, I, who never raised this hand in prayer till now, call + down the wrath of God! On that black tree, of which I am the ripened + fruit, I do invoke the curse of all its victims, past, and present, and to + come. On the head of that man, who, in his conscience, owns me for his + son, I leave the wish that he may never sicken on his bed of down, but die + a violent death as I do now, and have the night-wind for his only mourner. + To this I say, Amen, amen!’ + </p> + <p> + His arm fell downward by his side; he turned; and moved towards them with + a steady step, the man he had been before. + </p> + <p> + ‘There is nothing more?’ said the governor. + </p> + <p> + Hugh motioned Barnaby not to come near him (though without looking in the + direction where he stood) and answered, ‘There is nothing more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Move forward!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘—Unless,’ said Hugh, glancing hurriedly back,—‘unless any + person here has a fancy for a dog; and not then, unless he means to use + him well. There’s one, belongs to me, at the house I came from, and it + wouldn’t be easy to find a better. He’ll whine at first, but he’ll soon + get over that.—You wonder that I think about a dog just now,’ he + added, with a kind of laugh. ‘If any man deserved it of me half as well, + I’d think of HIM.’ + </p> + <p> + He spoke no more, but moved onward in his place, with a careless air, + though listening at the same time to the Service for the Dead, with + something between sullen attention, and quickened curiosity. As soon as he + had passed the door, his miserable associate was carried out; and the + crowd beheld the rest. + </p> + <p> + Barnaby would have mounted the steps at the same time—indeed he + would have gone before them, but in both attempts he was restrained, as he + was to undergo the sentence elsewhere. In a few minutes the sheriffs + reappeared, the same procession was again formed, and they passed through + various rooms and passages to another door—that at which the cart + was waiting. He held down his head to avoid seeing what he knew his eyes + must otherwise encounter, and took his seat sorrowfully,—and yet + with something of a childish pride and pleasure,—in the vehicle. The + officers fell into their places at the sides, in front and in the rear; + the sheriffs’ carriages rolled on; a guard of soldiers surrounded the + whole; and they moved slowly forward through the throng and pressure + toward Lord Mansfield’s ruined house. + </p> + <p> + It was a sad sight—all the show, and strength, and glitter, + assembled round one helpless creature—and sadder yet to note, as he + rode along, how his wandering thoughts found strange encouragement in the + crowded windows and the concourse in the streets; and how, even then, he + felt the influence of the bright sky, and looked up, smiling, into its + deep unfathomable blue. But there had been many such sights since the + riots were over—some so moving in their nature, and so repulsive + too, that they were far more calculated to awaken pity for the sufferers, + than respect for that law whose strong arm seemed in more than one case to + be as wantonly stretched forth now that all was safe, as it had been + basely paralysed in time of danger. + </p> + <p> + Two cripples—both mere boys—one with a leg of wood, one who + dragged his twisted limbs along by the help of a crutch, were hanged in + this same Bloomsbury Square. As the cart was about to glide from under + them, it was observed that they stood with their faces from, not to, the + house they had assisted to despoil; and their misery was protracted that + this omission might be remedied. Another boy was hanged in Bow Street; + other young lads in various quarters of the town. Four wretched women, + too, were put to death. In a word, those who suffered as rioters were, for + the most part, the weakest, meanest, and most miserable among them. It was + a most exquisite satire upon the false religious cry which had led to so + much misery, that some of these people owned themselves to be Catholics, + and begged to be attended by their own priests. + </p> + <p> + One young man was hanged in Bishopsgate Street, whose aged grey-headed + father waited for him at the gallows, kissed him at its foot when he + arrived, and sat there, on the ground, till they took him down. They would + have given him the body of his child; but he had no hearse, no coffin, + nothing to remove it in, being too poor—and walked meekly away + beside the cart that took it back to prison, trying, as he went, to touch + its lifeless hand. + </p> + <p> + But the crowd had forgotten these matters, or cared little about them if + they lived in their memory: and while one great multitude fought and + hustled to get near the gibbet before Newgate, for a parting look, another + followed in the train of poor lost Barnaby, to swell the throng that + waited for him on the spot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0078" id="link2HCH0078"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 78 + </h2> + <p> + On this same day, and about this very hour, Mr Willet the elder sat + smoking his pipe in a chamber at the Black Lion. Although it was hot + summer weather, Mr Willet sat close to the fire. He was in a state of + profound cogitation, with his own thoughts, and it was his custom at such + times to stew himself slowly, under the impression that that process of + cookery was favourable to the melting out of his ideas, which, when he + began to simmer, sometimes oozed forth so copiously as to astonish even + himself. + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet had been several thousand times comforted by his friends and + acquaintance, with the assurance that for the loss he had sustained in the + damage done to the Maypole, he could ‘come upon the county.’ But as this + phrase happened to bear an unfortunate resemblance to the popular + expression of ‘coming on the parish,’ it suggested to Mr Willet’s mind no + more consolatory visions than pauperism on an extensive scale, and ruin in + a capacious aspect. Consequently, he had never failed to receive the + intelligence with a rueful shake of the head, or a dreary stare, and had + been always observed to appear much more melancholy after a visit of + condolence than at any other time in the whole four-and-twenty hours. + </p> + <p> + It chanced, however, that sitting over the fire on this particular + occasion—perhaps because he was, as it were, done to a turn; perhaps + because he was in an unusually bright state of mind; perhaps because he + had considered the subject so long; perhaps because of all these favouring + circumstances, taken together—it chanced that, sitting over the fire + on this particular occasion, Mr Willet did, afar off and in the remotest + depths of his intellect, perceive a kind of lurking hint or faint + suggestion, that out of the public purse there might issue funds for the + restoration of the Maypole to its former high place among the taverns of + the earth. And this dim ray of light did so diffuse itself within him, and + did so kindle up and shine, that at last he had it as plainly and visibly + before him as the blaze by which he sat; and, fully persuaded that he was + the first to make the discovery, and that he had started, hunted down, + fallen upon, and knocked on the head, a perfectly original idea which had + never presented itself to any other man, alive or dead, he laid down his + pipe, rubbed his hands, and chuckled audibly. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, father!’ cried Joe, entering at the moment, ‘you’re in spirits + to-day!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s nothing partickler,’ said Mr Willet, chuckling again. ‘It’s nothing + at all partickler, Joseph. Tell me something about the Salwanners.’ Having + preferred this request, Mr Willet chuckled a third time, and after these + unusual demonstrations of levity, he put his pipe in his mouth again. + </p> + <p> + ‘What shall I tell you, father?’ asked Joe, laying his hand upon his + sire’s shoulder, and looking down into his face. ‘That I have come back, + poorer than a church mouse? You know that. That I have come back, maimed + and crippled? You know that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It was took off,’ muttered Mr Willet, with his eyes upon the fire, ‘at + the defence of the Salwanners, in America, where the war is.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Quite right,’ returned Joe, smiling, and leaning with his remaining elbow + on the back of his father’s chair; ‘the very subject I came to speak to + you about. A man with one arm, father, is not of much use in the busy + world.’ + </p> + <p> + This was one of those vast propositions which Mr Willet had never + considered for an instant, and required time to ‘tackle.’ Wherefore he + made no answer. + </p> + <p> + ‘At all events,’ said Joe, ‘he can’t pick and choose his means of earning + a livelihood, as another man may. He can’t say “I will turn my hand to + this,” or “I won’t turn my hand to that,” but must take what he can do, + and be thankful it’s no worse.—What did you say?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet had been softly repeating to himself, in a musing tone, the + words ‘defence of the Salwanners:’ but he seemed embarrassed at having + been overheard, and answered ‘Nothing.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Now look here, father.—Mr Edward has come to England from the West + Indies. When he was lost sight of (I ran away on the same day, father), he + made a voyage to one of the islands, where a school-friend of his had + settled; and, finding him, wasn’t too proud to be employed on his estate, + and—and in short, got on well, and is prospering, and has come over + here on business of his own, and is going back again speedily. Our + returning nearly at the same time, and meeting in the course of the late + troubles, has been a good thing every way; for it has not only enabled us + to do old friends some service, but has opened a path in life for me which + I may tread without being a burden upon you. To be plain, father, he can + employ me; I have satisfied myself that I can be of real use to him; and I + am going to carry my one arm away with him, and to make the most of it.’ + </p> + <p> + In the mind’s eye of Mr Willet, the West Indies, and indeed all foreign + countries, were inhabited by savage nations, who were perpetually burying + pipes of peace, flourishing tomahawks, and puncturing strange patterns in + their bodies. He no sooner heard this announcement, therefore, than he + leaned back in his chair, took his pipe from his lips, and stared at his + son with as much dismay as if he already beheld him tied to a stake, and + tortured for the entertainment of a lively population. In what form of + expression his feelings would have found a vent, it is impossible to say. + Nor is it necessary: for, before a syllable occurred to him, Dolly Varden + came running into the room, in tears, threw herself on Joe’s breast + without a word of explanation, and clasped her white arms round his neck. + </p> + <p> + ‘Dolly!’ cried Joe. ‘Dolly!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ay, call me that; call me that always,’ exclaimed the locksmith’s little + daughter; ‘never speak coldly to me, never be distant, never again reprove + me for the follies I have long repented, or I shall die, Joe.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I reprove you!’ said Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes—for every kind and honest word you uttered, went to my heart. + For you, who have borne so much from me—for you, who owe your + sufferings and pain to my caprice—for you to be so kind—so + noble to me, Joe—’ + </p> + <p> + He could say nothing to her. Not a syllable. There was an odd sort of + eloquence in his one arm, which had crept round her waist: but his lips + were mute. + </p> + <p> + ‘If you had reminded me by a word—only by one short word,’ sobbed + Dolly, clinging yet closer to him, ‘how little I deserved that you should + treat me with so much forbearance; if you had exulted only for one moment + in your triumph, I could have borne it better.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Triumph!’ repeated Joe, with a smile which seemed to say, ‘I am a pretty + figure for that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Yes, triumph,’ she cried, with her whole heart and soul in her earnest + voice, and gushing tears; ‘for it is one. I am glad to think and know it + is. I wouldn’t be less humbled, dear—I wouldn’t be without the + recollection of that last time we spoke together in this place—no, + not if I could recall the past, and make our parting, yesterday.’ + </p> + <p> + Did ever lover look as Joe looked now! + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear Joe,’ said Dolly, ‘I always loved you—in my own heart I always + did, although I was so vain and giddy. I hoped you would come back that + night. I made quite sure you would. I prayed for it on my knees. Through + all these long, long years, I have never once forgotten you, or left off + hoping that this happy time might come.’ + </p> + <p> + The eloquence of Joe’s arm surpassed the most impassioned language; and so + did that of his lips—yet he said nothing, either. + </p> + <p> + ‘And now, at last,’ cried Dolly, trembling with the fervour of her speech, + ‘if you were sick, and shattered in your every limb; if you were ailing, + weak, and sorrowful; if, instead of being what you are, you were in + everybody’s eyes but mine the wreck and ruin of a man; I would be your + wife, dear love, with greater pride and joy, than if you were the + stateliest lord in England!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘What have I done,’ cried Joe, ‘what have I done to meet with this + reward?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You have taught me,’ said Dolly, raising her pretty face to his, ‘to know + myself, and your worth; to be something better than I was; to be more + deserving of your true and manly nature. In years to come, dear Joe, you + shall find that you have done so; for I will be, not only now, when we are + young and full of hope, but when we have grown old and weary, your + patient, gentle, never-tiring wife. I will never know a wish or care + beyond our home and you, and I will always study how to please you with my + best affection and my most devoted love. I will: indeed I will!’ + </p> + <p> + Joe could only repeat his former eloquence—but it was very much to + the purpose. + </p> + <p> + ‘They know of this, at home,’ said Dolly. ‘For your sake, I would leave + even them; but they know it, and are glad of it, and are as proud of you + as I am, and as full of gratitude.—You’ll not come and see me as a + poor friend who knew me when I was a girl, will you, dear Joe?’ + </p> + <p> + Well, well! It don’t matter what Joe said in answer, but he said a great + deal; and Dolly said a great deal too: and he folded Dolly in his one arm + pretty tight, considering that it was but one; and Dolly made no + resistance: and if ever two people were happy in this world—which is + not an utterly miserable one, with all its faults—we may, with some + appearance of certainty, conclude that they were. + </p> + <p> + To say that during these proceedings Mr Willet the elder underwent the + greatest emotions of astonishment of which our common nature is + susceptible—to say that he was in a perfect paralysis of surprise, + and that he wandered into the most stupendous and theretofore unattainable + heights of complicated amazement—would be to shadow forth his state + of mind in the feeblest and lamest terms. If a roc, an eagle, a griffin, a + flying elephant, a winged sea-horse, had suddenly appeared, and, taking + him on its back, carried him bodily into the heart of the ‘Salwanners,’ it + would have been to him as an everyday occurrence, in comparison with what + he now beheld. To be sitting quietly by, seeing and hearing these things; + to be completely overlooked, unnoticed, and disregarded, while his son and + a young lady were talking to each other in the most impassioned manner, + kissing each other, and making themselves in all respects perfectly at + home; was a position so tremendous, so inexplicable, so utterly beyond the + widest range of his capacity of comprehension, that he fell into a + lethargy of wonder, and could no more rouse himself than an enchanted + sleeper in the first year of his fairy lease, a century long. + </p> + <p> + ‘Father,’ said Joe, presenting Dolly. ‘You know who this is?’ + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet looked first at her, then at his son, then back again at Dolly, + and then made an ineffectual effort to extract a whiff from his pipe, + which had gone out long ago. + </p> + <p> + ‘Say a word, father, if it’s only “how d’ye do,”’ urged Joe. + </p> + <p> + ‘Certainly, Joseph,’ answered Mr Willet. ‘Oh yes! Why not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To be sure,’ said Joe. ‘Why not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ah!’ replied his father. ‘Why not?’ and with this remark, which he + uttered in a low voice as though he were discussing some grave question + with himself, he used the little finger—if any of his fingers can be + said to have come under that denomination—of his right hand as a + tobacco-stopper, and was silent again. + </p> + <p> + And so he sat for half an hour at least, although Dolly, in the most + endearing of manners, hoped, a dozen times, that he was not angry with + her. So he sat for half an hour, quite motionless, and looking all the + while like nothing so much as a great Dutch Pin or Skittle. At the + expiration of that period, he suddenly, and without the least notice, + burst (to the great consternation of the young people) into a very loud + and very short laugh; and repeating, ‘Certainly, Joseph. Oh yes! Why not?’ + went out for a walk. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0079" id="link2HCH0079"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 79 + </h2> + <p> + Old John did not walk near the Golden Key, for between the Golden Key and + the Black Lion there lay a wilderness of streets—as everybody knows + who is acquainted with the relative bearings of Clerkenwell and + Whitechapel—and he was by no means famous for pedestrian exercises. + But the Golden Key lies in our way, though it was out of his; so to the + Golden Key this chapter goes. + </p> + <p> + The Golden Key itself, fair emblem of the locksmith’s trade, had been + pulled down by the rioters, and roughly trampled under foot. But, now, it + was hoisted up again in all the glory of a new coat of paint, and showed + more bravely even than in days of yore. Indeed the whole house-front was + spruce and trim, and so freshened up throughout, that if there yet + remained at large any of the rioters who had been concerned in the attack + upon it, the sight of the old, goodly, prosperous dwelling, so revived, + must have been to them as gall and wormwood. + </p> + <p> + The shutters of the shop were closed, however, and the window-blinds above + were all pulled down, and in place of its usual cheerful appearance, the + house had a look of sadness and an air of mourning; which the neighbours, + who in old days had often seen poor Barnaby go in and out, were at no loss + to understand. The door stood partly open; but the locksmith’s hammer was + unheard; the cat sat moping on the ashy forge; all was deserted, dark, and + silent. + </p> + <p> + On the threshold of this door, Mr Haredale and Edward Chester met. The + younger man gave place; and both passing in with a familiar air, which + seemed to denote that they were tarrying there, or were well-accustomed to + go to and fro unquestioned, shut it behind them. + </p> + <p> + Entering the old back-parlour, and ascending the flight of stairs, abrupt + and steep, and quaintly fashioned as of old, they turned into the best + room; the pride of Mrs Varden’s heart, and erst the scene of Miggs’s + household labours. + </p> + <p> + ‘Varden brought the mother here last evening, he told me?’ said Mr + Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘She is above-stairs now—in the room over here,’ Edward rejoined. + ‘Her grief, they say, is past all telling. I needn’t add—for that + you know beforehand, sir—that the care, humanity, and sympathy of + these good people have no bounds.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I am sure of that. Heaven repay them for it, and for much more! Varden is + out?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He returned with your messenger, who arrived almost at the moment of his + coming home himself. He was out the whole night—but that of course + you know. He was with you the greater part of it?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He was. Without him, I should have lacked my right hand. He is an older + man than I; but nothing can conquer him.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The cheeriest, stoutest-hearted fellow in the world.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘He has a right to be. He has a right to he. A better creature never + lived. He reaps what he has sown—no more.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is not all men,’ said Edward, after a moment’s hesitation, ‘who have + the happiness to do that.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘More than you imagine,’ returned Mr Haredale. ‘We note the harvest more + than the seed-time. You do so in me.’ + </p> + <p> + In truth his pale and haggard face, and gloomy bearing, had so far + influenced the remark, that Edward was, for the moment, at a loss to + answer him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Tut, tut,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘’twas not very difficult to read a thought + so natural. But you are mistaken nevertheless. I have had my share of + sorrows—more than the common lot, perhaps, but I have borne them + ill. I have broken where I should have bent; and have mused and brooded, + when my spirit should have mixed with all God’s great creation. The men + who learn endurance, are they who call the whole world, brother. I have + turned FROM the world, and I pay the penalty.’ + </p> + <p> + Edward would have interposed, but he went on without giving him time. + </p> + <p> + ‘It is too late to evade it now. I sometimes think, that if I had to live + my life once more, I might amend this fault—not so much, I discover + when I search my mind, for the love of what is right, as for my own sake. + But even when I make these better resolutions, I instinctively recoil from + the idea of suffering again what I have undergone; and in this + circumstance I find the unwelcome assurance that I should still be the + same man, though I could cancel the past, and begin anew, with its + experience to guide me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay, you make too sure of that,’ said Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘You think so,’ Mr Haredale answered, ‘and I am glad you do. I know myself + better, and therefore distrust myself more. Let us leave this subject for + another—not so far removed from it as it might, at first sight, seem + to be. Sir, you still love my niece, and she is still attached to you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have that assurance from her own lips,’ said Edward, ‘and you know—I + am sure you know—that I would not exchange it for any blessing life + could yield me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are frank, honourable, and disinterested,’ said Mr Haredale; ‘you + have forced the conviction that you are so, even on my once-jaundiced + mind, and I believe you. Wait here till I come back.’ + </p> + <p> + He left the room as he spoke; but soon returned with his niece. ‘On that + first and only time,’ he said, looking from the one to the other, ‘when we + three stood together under her father’s roof, I told you to quit it, and + charged you never to return.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It is the only circumstance arising out of our love,’ observed Edward, + ‘that I have forgotten.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You own a name,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘I had deep reason to remember. I was + moved and goaded by recollections of personal wrong and injury, I know, + but, even now I cannot charge myself with having, then, or ever, lost + sight of a heartfelt desire for her true happiness; or with having acted—however + much I was mistaken—with any other impulse than the one pure, + single, earnest wish to be to her, as far as in my inferior nature lay, + the father she had lost.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Dear uncle,’ cried Emma, ‘I have known no parent but you. I have loved + the memory of others, but I have loved you all my life. Never was father + kinder to his child than you have been to me, without the interval of one + harsh hour, since I can first remember.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You speak too fondly,’ he answered, ‘and yet I cannot wish you were less + partial; for I have a pleasure in hearing those words, and shall have in + calling them to mind when we are far asunder, which nothing else could + give me. Bear with me for a moment longer, Edward, for she and I have been + together many years; and although I believe that in resigning her to you I + put the seal upon her future happiness, I find it needs an effort.’ + </p> + <p> + He pressed her tenderly to his bosom, and after a minute’s pause, resumed: + </p> + <p> + ‘I have done you wrong, sir, and I ask your forgiveness—in no common + phrase, or show of sorrow; but with earnestness and sincerity. In the same + spirit, I acknowledge to you both that the time has been when I connived + at treachery and falsehood—which if I did not perpetrate myself, I + still permitted—to rend you two asunder.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You judge yourself too harshly,’ said Edward. ‘Let these things rest.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘They rise in judgment against me when I look back, and not now for the + first time,’ he answered. ‘I cannot part from you without your full + forgiveness; for busy life and I have little left in common now, and I + have regrets enough to carry into solitude, without addition to the + stock.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You bear a blessing from us both,’ said Emma. ‘Never mingle thoughts of + me—of me who owe you so much love and duty—with anything but + undying affection and gratitude for the past, and bright hopes for the + future.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘The future,’ returned her uncle, with a melancholy smile, ‘is a bright + word for you, and its image should be wreathed with cheerful hopes. Mine + is of another kind, but it will be one of peace, and free, I trust, from + care or passion. When you quit England I shall leave it too. There are + cloisters abroad; and now that the two great objects of my life are set at + rest, I know no better home. You droop at that, forgetting that I am + growing old, and that my course is nearly run. Well, we will speak of it + again—not once or twice, but many times; and you shall give me + cheerful counsel, Emma.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘And you will take it?’ asked his niece. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’ll listen to it,’ he answered, with a kiss, ‘and it will have its + weight, be certain. What have I left to say? You have, of late, been much + together. It is better and more fitting that the circumstances attendant + on the past, which wrought your separation, and sowed between you + suspicion and distrust, should not be entered on by me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Much, much better,’ whispered Emma. + </p> + <p> + ‘I avow my share in them,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘though I held it, at the + time, in detestation. Let no man turn aside, ever so slightly, from the + broad path of honour, on the plausible pretence that he is justified by + the goodness of his end. All good ends can be worked out by good means. + Those that cannot, are bad; and may be counted so at once, and left + alone.’ + </p> + <p> + He looked from her to Edward, and said in a gentler tone: + </p> + <p> + ‘In goods and fortune you are now nearly equal. I have been her faithful + steward, and to that remnant of a richer property which my brother left + her, I desire to add, in token of my love, a poor pittance, scarcely worth + the mention, for which I have no longer any need. I am glad you go abroad. + Let our ill-fated house remain the ruin it is. When you return, after a + few thriving years, you will command a better, and a more fortunate one. + We are friends?’ + </p> + <p> + Edward took his extended hand, and grasped it heartily. + </p> + <p> + ‘You are neither slow nor cold in your response,’ said Mr Haredale, doing + the like by him, ‘and when I look upon you now, and know you, I feel that + I would choose you for her husband. Her father had a generous nature, and + you would have pleased him well. I give her to you in his name, and with + his blessing. If the world and I part in this act, we part on happier + terms than we have lived for many a day.’ + </p> + <p> + He placed her in his arms, and would have left the room, but that he was + stopped in his passage to the door by a great noise at a distance, which + made them start and pause. + </p> + <p> + It was a loud shouting, mingled with boisterous acclamations, that rent + the very air. It drew nearer and nearer every moment, and approached so + rapidly, that, even while they listened, it burst into a deafening + confusion of sounds at the street corner. + </p> + <p> + ‘This must be stopped—quieted,’ said Mr Haredale, hastily. ‘We + should have foreseen this, and provided against it. I will go out to them + at once.’ + </p> + <p> + But, before he could reach the door, and before Edward could catch up his + hat and follow him, they were again arrested by a loud shriek from + above-stairs: and the locksmith’s wife, bursting in, and fairly running + into Mr Haredale’s arms, cried out: + </p> + <p> + ‘She knows it all, dear sir!—she knows it all! We broke it out to + her by degrees, and she is quite prepared.’ Having made this + communication, and furthermore thanked Heaven with great fervour and + heartiness, the good lady, according to the custom of matrons, on all + occasions of excitement, fainted away directly. + </p> + <p> + They ran to the window, drew up the sash, and looked into the crowded + street. Among a dense mob of persons, of whom not one was for an instant + still, the locksmith’s ruddy face and burly form could be descried, + beating about as though he was struggling with a rough sea. Now, he was + carried back a score of yards, now onward nearly to the door, now back + again, now forced against the opposite houses, now against those adjoining + his own: now carried up a flight of steps, and greeted by the outstretched + hands of half a hundred men, while the whole tumultuous concourse + stretched their throats, and cheered with all their might. Though he was + really in a fair way to be torn to pieces in the general enthusiasm, the + locksmith, nothing discomposed, echoed their shouts till he was as hoarse + as they, and in a glow of joy and right good-humour, waved his hat until + the daylight shone between its brim and crown. + </p> + <p> + But in all the bandyings from hand to hand, and strivings to and fro, and + sweepings here and there, which—saving that he looked more jolly and + more radiant after every struggle—troubled his peace of mind no more + than if he had been a straw upon the water’s surface, he never once + released his firm grasp of an arm, drawn tight through his. He sometimes + turned to clap this friend upon the back, or whisper in his ear a word of + staunch encouragement, or cheer him with a smile; but his great care was + to shield him from the pressure, and force a passage for him to the Golden + Key. Passive and timid, scared, pale, and wondering, and gazing at the + throng as if he were newly risen from the dead, and felt himself a ghost + among the living, Barnaby—not Barnaby in the spirit, but in flesh + and blood, with pulses, sinews, nerves, and beating heart, and strong + affections—clung to his stout old friend, and followed where he led. + </p> + <p> + And thus, in course of time, they reached the door, held ready for their + entrance by no unwilling hands. Then slipping in, and shutting out the + crowd by main force, Gabriel stood between Mr Haredale and Edward Chester, + and Barnaby, rushing up the stairs, fell upon his knees beside his + mother’s bed. + </p> + <p> + ‘Such is the blessed end, sir,’ cried the panting locksmith, to Mr + Haredale, ‘of the best day’s work we ever did. The rogues! it’s been hard + fighting to get away from ‘em. I almost thought, once or twice, they’d + have been too much for us with their kindness!’ + </p> + <p> + They had striven, all the previous day, to rescue Barnaby from his + impending fate. Failing in their attempts, in the first quarter to which + they addressed themselves, they renewed them in another. Failing there, + likewise, they began afresh at midnight; and made their way, not only to + the judge and jury who had tried him, but to men of influence at court, to + the young Prince of Wales, and even to the ante-chamber of the King + himself. Successful, at last, in awakening an interest in his favour, and + an inclination to inquire more dispassionately into his case, they had had + an interview with the minister, in his bed, so late as eight o’clock that + morning. The result of a searching inquiry (in which they, who had known + the poor fellow from his childhood, did other good service, besides + bringing it about) was, that between eleven and twelve o’clock, a free + pardon to Barnaby Rudge was made out and signed, and entrusted to a + horse-soldier for instant conveyance to the place of execution. This + courier reached the spot just as the cart appeared in sight; and Barnaby + being carried back to jail, Mr Haredale, assured that all was safe, had + gone straight from Bloomsbury Square to the Golden Key, leaving to Gabriel + the grateful task of bringing him home in triumph. + </p> + <p> + ‘I needn’t say,’ observed the locksmith, when he had shaken hands with all + the males in the house, and hugged all the females, five-and-forty times, + at least, ‘that, except among ourselves, I didn’t want to make a triumph + of it. But, directly we got into the street we were known, and this hubbub + began. Of the two,’ he added, as he wiped his crimson face, ‘and after + experience of both, I think I’d rather be taken out of my house by a crowd + of enemies, than escorted home by a mob of friends!’ + </p> + <p> + It was plain enough, however, that this was mere talk on Gabriel’s part, + and that the whole proceeding afforded him the keenest delight; for the + people continuing to make a great noise without, and to cheer as if their + voices were in the freshest order, and good for a fortnight, he sent + upstairs for Grip (who had come home at his master’s back, and had + acknowledged the favours of the multitude by drawing blood from every + finger that came within his reach), and with the bird upon his arm + presented himself at the first-floor window, and waved his hat again until + it dangled by a shred, between his finger and thumb. This demonstration + having been received with appropriate shouts, and silence being in some + degree restored, he thanked them for their sympathy; and taking the + liberty to inform them that there was a sick person in the house, proposed + that they should give three cheers for King George, three more for Old + England, and three more for nothing particular, as a closing ceremony. The + crowd assenting, substituted Gabriel Varden for the nothing particular; + and giving him one over, for good measure, dispersed in high good-humour. + </p> + <p> + What congratulations were exchanged among the inmates at the Golden Key, + when they were left alone; what an overflowing of joy and happiness there + was among them; how incapable it was of expression in Barnaby’s own + person; and how he went wildly from one to another, until he became so far + tranquillised, as to stretch himself on the ground beside his mother’s + couch and fall into a deep sleep; are matters that need not be told. And + it is well they happened to be of this class, for they would be very hard + to tell, were their narration ever so indispensable. + </p> + <p> + Before leaving this bright picture, it may be well to glance at a dark and + very different one which was presented to only a few eyes, that same + night. + </p> + <p> + The scene was a churchyard; the time, midnight; the persons, Edward + Chester, a clergyman, a grave-digger, and the four bearers of a homely + coffin. They stood about a grave which had been newly dug, and one of the + bearers held up a dim lantern,—the only light there—which shed + its feeble ray upon the book of prayer. He placed it for a moment on the + coffin, when he and his companions were about to lower it down. There was + no inscription on the lid. + </p> + <p> + The mould fell solemnly upon the last house of this nameless man; and the + rattling dust left a dismal echo even in the accustomed ears of those who + had borne it to its resting-place. The grave was filled in to the top, and + trodden down. They all left the spot together. + </p> + <p> + ‘You never saw him, living?’ asked the clergyman, of Edward. + </p> + <p> + ‘Often, years ago; not knowing him for my brother.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never since?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Never. Yesterday, he steadily refused to see me. It was urged upon him, + many times, at my desire.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Still he refused? That was hardened and unnatural.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Do you think so?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I infer that you do not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You are right. We hear the world wonder, every day, at monsters of + ingratitude. Did it never occur to you that it often looks for monsters of + affection, as though they were things of course?’ + </p> + <p> + They had reached the gate by this time, and bidding each other good night, + departed on their separate ways. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0080" id="link2HCH0080"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 80 + </h2> + <p> + That afternoon, when he had slept off his fatigue; had shaved, and washed, + and dressed, and freshened himself from top to toe; when he had dined, + comforted himself with a pipe, an extra Toby, a nap in the great + arm-chair, and a quiet chat with Mrs Varden on everything that had + happened, was happening, or about to happen, within the sphere of their + domestic concern; the locksmith sat himself down at the tea-table in the + little back-parlour: the rosiest, cosiest, merriest, heartiest, + best-contented old buck, in Great Britain or out of it. + </p> + <p> + There he sat, with his beaming eye on Mrs V., and his shining face + suffused with gladness, and his capacious waistcoat smiling in every + wrinkle, and his jovial humour peeping from under the table in the very + plumpness of his legs; a sight to turn the vinegar of misanthropy into + purest milk of human kindness. There he sat, watching his wife as she + decorated the room with flowers for the greater honour of Dolly and Joseph + Willet, who had gone out walking, and for whom the tea-kettle had been + singing gaily on the hob full twenty minutes, chirping as never kettle + chirped before; for whom the best service of real undoubted china, + patterned with divers round-faced mandarins holding up broad umbrellas, + was now displayed in all its glory; to tempt whose appetites a clear, + transparent, juicy ham, garnished with cool green lettuce-leaves and + fragrant cucumber, reposed upon a shady table, covered with a snow-white + cloth; for whose delight, preserves and jams, crisp cakes and other + pastry, short to eat, with cunning twists, and cottage loaves, and rolls + of bread both white and brown, were all set forth in rich profusion; in + whose youth Mrs V. herself had grown quite young, and stood there in a + gown of red and white: symmetrical in figure, buxom in bodice, ruddy in + cheek and lip, faultless in ankle, laughing in face and mood, in all + respects delicious to behold—there sat the locksmith among all and + every these delights, the sun that shone upon them all: the centre of the + system: the source of light, heat, life, and frank enjoyment in the bright + household world. + </p> + <p> + And when had Dolly ever been the Dolly of that afternoon? To see how she + came in, arm-in-arm with Joe; and how she made an effort not to blush or + seem at all confused; and how she made believe she didn’t care to sit on + his side of the table; and how she coaxed the locksmith in a whisper not + to joke; and how her colour came and went in a little restless flutter of + happiness, which made her do everything wrong, and yet so charmingly wrong + that it was better than right!—why, the locksmith could have looked + on at this (as he mentioned to Mrs Varden when they retired for the night) + for four-and-twenty hours at a stretch, and never wished it done. + </p> + <p> + The recollections, too, with which they made merry over that long + protracted tea! The glee with which the locksmith asked Joe if he + remembered that stormy night at the Maypole when he first asked after + Dolly—the laugh they all had, about that night when she was going + out to the party in the sedan-chair—the unmerciful manner in which + they rallied Mrs Varden about putting those flowers outside that very + window—the difficulty Mrs Varden found in joining the laugh against + herself, at first, and the extraordinary perception she had of the joke + when she overcame it—the confidential statements of Joe concerning + the precise day and hour when he was first conscious of being fond of + Dolly, and Dolly’s blushing admissions, half volunteered and half + extorted, as to the time from which she dated the discovery that she + ‘didn’t mind’ Joe—here was an exhaustless fund of mirth and + conversation. + </p> + <p> + Then, there was a great deal to be said regarding Mrs Varden’s doubts, and + motherly alarms, and shrewd suspicions; and it appeared that from Mrs + Varden’s penetration and extreme sagacity nothing had ever been hidden. + She had known it all along. She had seen it from the first. She had always + predicted it. She had been aware of it before the principals. She had said + within herself (for she remembered the exact words) ‘that young Willet is + certainly looking after our Dolly, and I must look after HIM.’ + Accordingly, she had looked after him, and had observed many little + circumstances (all of which she named) so exceedingly minute that nobody + else could make anything out of them even now; and had, it seemed from + first to last, displayed the most unbounded tact and most consummate + generalship. + </p> + <p> + Of course the night when Joe WOULD ride homeward by the side of the + chaise, and when Mrs Varden WOULD insist upon his going back again, was + not forgotten—nor the night when Dolly fainted on his name being + mentioned—nor the times upon times when Mrs Varden, ever watchful + and prudent, had found her pining in her own chamber. In short, nothing + was forgotten; and everything by some means or other brought them back to + the conclusion, that that was the happiest hour in all their lives; + consequently, that everything must have occurred for the best, and nothing + could be suggested which would have made it better. + </p> + <p> + While they were in the full glow of such discourse as this, there came a + startling knock at the door, opening from the street into the workshop, + which had been kept closed all day that the house might be more quiet. + Joe, as in duty bound, would hear of nobody but himself going to open it; + and accordingly left the room for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + It would have been odd enough, certainly, if Joe had forgotten the way to + this door; and even if he had, as it was a pretty large one and stood + straight before him, he could not easily have missed it. But Dolly, + perhaps because she was in the flutter of spirits before mentioned, or + perhaps because she thought he would not be able to open it with his one + arm—she could have had no other reason—hurried out after him; + and they stopped so long in the passage—no doubt owing to Joe’s + entreaties that she would not expose herself to the draught of July air + which must infallibly come rushing in on this same door being opened—that + the knock was repeated, in a yet more startling manner than before. + </p> + <p> + ‘Is anybody going to open that door?’ cried the locksmith. ‘Or shall I + come?’ + </p> + <p> + Upon that, Dolly went running back into the parlour, all dimples and + blushes; and Joe opened it with a mighty noise, and other superfluous + demonstrations of being in a violent hurry. + </p> + <p> + ‘Well,’ said the locksmith, when he reappeared: ‘what is it? eh Joe? what + are you laughing at?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nothing, sir. It’s coming in.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Who’s coming in? what’s coming in?’ Mrs Varden, as much at a loss as her + husband, could only shake her head in answer to his inquiring look: so, + the locksmith wheeled his chair round to command a better view of the + room-door, and stared at it with his eyes wide open, and a mingled + expression of curiosity and wonder shining in his jolly face. + </p> + <p> + Instead of some person or persons straightway appearing, divers remarkable + sounds were heard, first in the workshop and afterwards in the little dark + passage between it and the parlour, as though some unwieldy chest or heavy + piece of furniture were being brought in, by an amount of human strength + inadequate to the task. At length after much struggling and humping, and + bruising of the wall on both sides, the door was forced open as by a + battering-ram; and the locksmith, steadily regarding what appeared beyond, + smote his thigh, elevated his eyebrows, opened his mouth, and cried in a + loud voice expressive of the utmost consternation: + </p> + <p> + ‘Damme, if it an’t Miggs come back!’ + </p> + <p> + The young damsel whom he named no sooner heard these words, than deserting + a small boy and a very large box by which she was accompanied, and + advancing with such precipitation that her bonnet flew off her head, burst + into the room, clasped her hands (in which she held a pair of pattens, one + in each), raised her eyes devotedly to the ceiling, and shed a flood of + tears. + </p> + <p> + ‘The old story!’ cried the locksmith, looking at her in inexpressible + desperation. ‘She was born to be a damper, this young woman! nothing can + prevent it!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Ho master, ho mim!’ cried Miggs, ‘can I constrain my feelings in these + here once agin united moments! Ho Mr Warsen, here’s blessedness among + relations, sir! Here’s forgivenesses of injuries, here’s amicablenesses!’ + </p> + <p> + The locksmith looked from his wife to Dolly, and from Dolly to Joe, and + from Joe to Miggs, with his eyebrows still elevated and his mouth still + open. When his eyes got back to Miggs, they rested on her; fascinated. + </p> + <p> + ‘To think,’ cried Miggs with hysterical joy, ‘that Mr Joe, and dear Miss + Dolly, has raly come together after all as has been said and done + contrairy! To see them two a-settin’ along with him and her, so pleasant + and in all respects so affable and mild; and me not knowing of it, and not + being in the ways to make no preparations for their teas. Ho what a + cutting thing it is, and yet what sweet sensations is awoke within me!’ + </p> + <p> + Either in clasping her hands again, or in an ecstasy of pious joy, Miss + Miggs clinked her pattens after the manner of a pair of cymbals, at this + juncture; and then resumed, in the softest accents: + </p> + <p> + ‘And did my missis think—ho goodness, did she think—as her own + Miggs, which supported her under so many trials, and understood her natur’ + when them as intended well but acted rough, went so deep into her feelings—did + she think as her own Miggs would ever leave her? Did she think as Miggs, + though she was but a servant, and knowed that servitudes was no + inheritances, would forgit that she was the humble instruments as always + made it comfortable between them two when they fell out, and always told + master of the meekness and forgiveness of her blessed dispositions! Did + she think as Miggs had no attachments! Did she think that wages was her + only object!’ + </p> + <p> + To none of these interrogatories, whereof every one was more pathetically + delivered than the last, did Mrs Varden answer one word: but Miggs, not at + all abashed by this circumstance, turned to the small boy in attendance—her + eldest nephew—son of her own married sister—born in Golden + Lion Court, number twenty-sivin, and bred in the very shadow of the second + bell-handle on the right-hand door-post—and with a plentiful use of + her pocket-handkerchief, addressed herself to him: requesting that on his + return home he would console his parents for the loss of her, his aunt, by + delivering to them a faithful statement of his having left her in the + bosom of that family, with which, as his aforesaid parents well knew, her + best affections were incorporated; that he would remind them that nothing + less than her imperious sense of duty, and devoted attachment to her old + master and missis, likewise Miss Dolly and young Mr Joe, should ever have + induced her to decline that pressing invitation which they, his parents, + had, as he could testify, given her, to lodge and board with them, free of + all cost and charge, for evermore; lastly, that he would help her with her + box upstairs, and then repair straight home, bearing her blessing and her + strong injunctions to mingle in his prayers a supplication that he might + in course of time grow up a locksmith, or a Mr Joe, and have Mrs Vardens + and Miss Dollys for his relations and friends. + </p> + <p> + Having brought this admonition to an end—upon which, to say the + truth, the young gentleman for whose benefit it was designed, bestowed + little or no heed, having to all appearance his faculties absorbed in the + contemplation of the sweetmeats,—Miss Miggs signified to the company + in general that they were not to be uneasy, for she would soon return; + and, with her nephew’s aid, prepared to bear her wardrobe up the + staircase. + </p> + <p> + ‘My dear,’ said the locksmith to his wife. ‘Do you desire this?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I desire it!’ she answered. ‘I am astonished—I am amazed—at + her audacity. Let her leave the house this moment.’ + </p> + <p> + Miggs, hearing this, let her end of the box fall heavily to the floor, + gave a very loud sniff, crossed her arms, screwed down the corners of her + mouth, and cried, in an ascending scale, ‘Ho, good gracious!’ three + distinct times. + </p> + <p> + ‘You hear what your mistress says, my love,’ remarked the locksmith. ‘You + had better go, I think. Stay; take this with you, for the sake of old + service.’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs clutched the bank-note he took from his pocket-book and held + out to her; deposited it in a small, red leather purse; put the purse in + her pocket (displaying, as she did so, a considerable portion of some + under-garment, made of flannel, and more black cotton stocking than is + commonly seen in public); and, tossing her head, as she looked at Mrs + Varden, repeated— + </p> + <p> + ‘Ho, good gracious!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I think you said that once before, my dear,’ observed the locksmith. + </p> + <p> + ‘Times is changed, is they, mim!’ cried Miggs, bridling; ‘you can spare me + now, can you? You can keep ‘em down without me? You’re not in wants of any + one to scold, or throw the blame upon, no longer, an’t you, mim? I’m glad + to find you’ve grown so independent. I wish you joy, I’m sure!’ + </p> + <p> + With that she dropped a curtsey, and keeping her head erect, her ear + towards Mrs Varden, and her eye on the rest of the company, as she alluded + to them in her remarks, proceeded: + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m quite delighted, I’m sure, to find sich independency, feeling sorry + though, at the same time, mim, that you should have been forced into + submissions when you couldn’t help yourself—he he he! It must be + great vexations, ‘specially considering how ill you always spoke of Mr Joe—to + have him for a son-in-law at last; and I wonder Miss Dolly can put up with + him, either, after being off and on for so many years with a coachmaker. + But I HAVE heerd say, that the coachmaker thought twice about it—he + he he!—and that he told a young man as was a frind of his, that he + hoped he knowed better than to be drawed into that; though she and all the + family DID pull uncommon strong!’ + </p> + <p> + Here she paused for a reply, and receiving none, went on as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘I HAVE heerd say, mim, that the illnesses of some ladies was all + pretensions, and that they could faint away, stone dead, whenever they had + the inclinations so to do. Of course I never see sich cases with my own + eyes—ho no! He he he! Nor master neither—ho no! He he he! I + HAVE heerd the neighbours make remark as some one as they was acquainted + with, was a poor good-natur’d mean-spirited creetur, as went out fishing + for a wife one day, and caught a Tartar. Of course I never to my knowledge + see the poor person himself. Nor did you neither, mim—ho no. I + wonder who it can be—don’t you, mim? No doubt you do, mim. Ho yes. + He he he!’ + </p> + <p> + Again Miggs paused for a reply; and none being offered, was so oppressed + with teeming spite and spleen, that she seemed like to burst. + </p> + <p> + ‘I’m glad Miss Dolly can laugh,’ cried Miggs with a feeble titter. ‘I like + to see folks a-laughing—so do you, mim, don’t you? You was always + glad to see people in spirits, wasn’t you, mim? And you always did your + best to keep ‘em cheerful, didn’t you, mim? Though there an’t such a great + deal to laugh at now either; is there, mim? It an’t so much of a catch, + after looking out so sharp ever since she was a little chit, and costing + such a deal in dress and show, to get a poor, common soldier, with one + arm, is it, mim? He he! I wouldn’t have a husband with one arm, anyways. I + would have two arms. I would have two arms, if it was me, though instead + of hands they’d only got hooks at the end, like our dustman!’ + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs was about to add, and had, indeed, begun to add, that, taking + them in the abstract, dustmen were far more eligible matches than + soldiers, though, to be sure, when people were past choosing they must + take the best they could get, and think themselves well off too; but her + vexation and chagrin being of that internally bitter sort which finds no + relief in words, and is aggravated to madness by want of contradiction, + she could hold out no longer, and burst into a storm of sobs and tears. + </p> + <p> + In this extremity she fell on the unlucky nephew, tooth and nail, and + plucking a handful of hair from his head, demanded to know how long she + was to stand there to be insulted, and whether or no he meant to help her + to carry out the box again, and if he took a pleasure in hearing his + family reviled: with other inquiries of that nature; at which disgrace and + provocation, the small boy, who had been all this time gradually lashed + into rebellion by the sight of unattainable pastry, walked off indignant, + leaving his aunt and the box to follow at their leisure. Somehow or other, + by dint of pushing and pulling, they did attain the street at last; where + Miss Miggs, all blowzed with the exertion of getting there, and with her + sobs and tears, sat down upon her property to rest and grieve, until she + could ensnare some other youth to help her home. + </p> + <p> + ‘It’s a thing to laugh at, Martha, not to care for,’ whispered the + locksmith, as he followed his wife to the window, and good-humouredly + dried her eyes. ‘What does it matter? You had seen your fault before. + Come! Bring up Toby again, my dear; Dolly shall sing us a song; and we’ll + be all the merrier for this interruption!’ + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0081" id="link2HCH0081"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter 81 + </h2> + <p> + Another month had passed, and the end of August had nearly come, when Mr + Haredale stood alone in the mail-coach office at Bristol. Although but a + few weeks had intervened since his conversation with Edward Chester and + his niece, in the locksmith’s house, and he had made no change, in the + mean time, in his accustomed style of dress, his appearance was greatly + altered. He looked much older, and more care-worn. Agitation and anxiety + of mind scatter wrinkles and grey hairs with no unsparing hand; but deeper + traces follow on the silent uprooting of old habits, and severing of dear, + familiar ties. The affections may not be so easily wounded as the + passions, but their hurts are deeper, and more lasting. He was now a + solitary man, and the heart within him was dreary and lonesome. + </p> + <p> + He was not the less alone for having spent so many years in seclusion and + retirement. This was no better preparation than a round of social + cheerfulness: perhaps it even increased the keenness of his sensibility. + He had been so dependent upon her for companionship and love; she had come + to be so much a part and parcel of his existence; they had had so many + cares and thoughts in common, which no one else had shared; that losing + her was beginning life anew, and being required to summon up the hope and + elasticity of youth, amid the doubts, distrusts, and weakened energies of + age. + </p> + <p> + The effort he had made to part from her with seeming cheerfulness and hope—and + they had parted only yesterday—left him the more depressed. With + these feelings, he was about to revisit London for the last time, and look + once more upon the walls of their old home, before turning his back upon + it, for ever. + </p> + <p> + The journey was a very different one, in those days, from what the present + generation find it; but it came to an end, as the longest journey will, + and he stood again in the streets of the metropolis. He lay at the inn + where the coach stopped, and resolved, before he went to bed, that he + would make his arrival known to no one; would spend but another night in + London; and would spare himself the pang of parting, even with the honest + locksmith. + </p> + <p> + Such conditions of the mind as that to which he was a prey when he lay + down to rest, are favourable to the growth of disordered fancies, and + uneasy visions. He knew this, even in the horror with which he started + from his first sleep, and threw up the window to dispel it by the presence + of some object, beyond the room, which had not been, as it were, the + witness of his dream. But it was not a new terror of the night; it had + been present to him before, in many shapes; it had haunted him in bygone + times, and visited his pillow again and again. If it had been but an ugly + object, a childish spectre, haunting his sleep, its return, in its old + form, might have awakened a momentary sensation of fear, which, almost in + the act of waking, would have passed away. This disquiet, however, + lingered about him, and would yield to nothing. When he closed his eyes + again, he felt it hovering near; as he slowly sunk into a slumber, he was + conscious of its gathering strength and purpose, and gradually assuming + its recent shape; when he sprang up from his bed, the same phantom + vanished from his heated brain, and left him filled with a dread against + which reason and waking thought were powerless. + </p> + <p> + The sun was up, before he could shake it off. He rose late, but not + refreshed, and remained within doors all that day. He had a fancy for + paying his last visit to the old spot in the evening, for he had been + accustomed to walk there at that season, and desired to see it under the + aspect that was most familiar to him. At such an hour as would afford him + time to reach it a little before sunset, he left the inn, and turned into + the busy street. + </p> + <p> + He had not gone far, and was thoughtfully making his way among the noisy + crowd, when he felt a hand upon his shoulder, and, turning, recognised one + of the waiters from the inn, who begged his pardon, but he had left his + sword behind him. + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you brought it to me?’ he asked, stretching out his hand, and + yet not taking it from the man, but looking at him in a disturbed and + agitated manner. + </p> + <p> + The man was sorry to have disobliged him, and would carry it back again. + The gentleman had said that he was going a little way into the country, + and that he might not return until late. The roads were not very safe for + single travellers after dark; and, since the riots, gentlemen had been + more careful than ever, not to trust themselves unarmed in lonely places. + ‘We thought you were a stranger, sir,’ he added, ‘and that you might + believe our roads to be better than they are; but perhaps you know them + well, and carry fire-arms—’ + </p> + <p> + He took the sword, and putting it up at his side, thanked the man, and + resumed his walk. + </p> + <p> + It was long remembered that he did this in a manner so strange, and with + such a trembling hand, that the messenger stood looking after his + retreating figure, doubtful whether he ought not to follow, and watch him. + It was long remembered that he had been heard pacing his bedroom in the + dead of the night; that the attendants had mentioned to each other in the + morning, how fevered and how pale he looked; and that when this man went + back to the inn, he told a fellow-servant that what he had observed in + this short interview lay very heavy on his mind, and that he feared the + gentleman intended to destroy himself, and would never come back alive. + </p> + <p> + With a half-consciousness that his manner had attracted the man’s + attention (remembering the expression of his face when they parted), Mr + Haredale quickened his steps; and arriving at a stand of coaches, + bargained with the driver of the best to carry him so far on his road as + the point where the footway struck across the fields, and to await his + return at a house of entertainment which was within a stone’s-throw of + that place. Arriving there in due course, he alighted and pursued his way + on foot. + </p> + <p> + He passed so near the Maypole, that he could see its smoke rising from + among the trees, while a flock of pigeons—some of its old + inhabitants, doubtless—sailed gaily home to roost, between him and + the unclouded sky. ‘The old house will brighten up now,’ he said, as he + looked towards it, ‘and there will be a merry fireside beneath its ivied + roof. It is some comfort to know that everything will not be blighted + hereabouts. I shall be glad to have one picture of life and cheerfulness + to turn to, in my mind!’ + </p> + <p> + He resumed his walk, and bent his steps towards the Warren. It was a + clear, calm, silent evening, with hardly a breath of wind to stir the + leaves, or any sound to break the stillness of the time, but drowsy + sheep-bells tinkling in the distance, and, at intervals, the far-off + lowing of cattle, or bark of village dogs. The sky was radiant with the + softened glory of sunset; and on the earth, and in the air, a deep repose + prevailed. At such an hour, he arrived at the deserted mansion which had + been his home so long, and looked for the last time upon its blackened + walls. + </p> + <p> + The ashes of the commonest fire are melancholy things, for in them there + is an image of death and ruin,—of something that has been bright, + and is but dull, cold, dreary dust,—with which our nature forces us + to sympathise. How much more sad the crumbled embers of a home: the + casting down of that great altar, where the worst among us sometimes + perform the worship of the heart; and where the best have offered up such + sacrifices, and done such deeds of heroism, as, chronicled, would put the + proudest temples of old Time, with all their vaunting annals, to the + blush! + </p> + <p> + He roused himself from a long train of meditation, and walked slowly round + the house. It was by this time almost dark. + </p> + <p> + He had nearly made the circuit of the building, when he uttered a + half-suppressed exclamation, started, and stood still. Reclining, in an + easy attitude, with his back against a tree, and contemplating the ruin + with an expression of pleasure,—a pleasure so keen that it overcame + his habitual indolence and command of feature, and displayed itself + utterly free from all restraint or reserve,—before him, on his own + ground, and triumphing then, as he had triumphed in every misfortune and + disappointment of his life, stood the man whose presence, of all mankind, + in any place, and least of all in that, he could the least endure. + </p> + <p> + Although his blood so rose against this man, and his wrath so stirred + within him, that he could have struck him dead, he put such fierce + constraint upon himself that he passed him without a word or look. Yes, + and he would have gone on, and not turned, though to resist the Devil who + poured such hot temptation in his brain, required an effort scarcely to be + achieved, if this man had not himself summoned him to stop: and that, with + an assumed compassion in his voice which drove him well-nigh mad, and in + an instant routed all the self-command it had been anguish—acute, + poignant anguish—to sustain. + </p> + <p> + All consideration, reflection, mercy, forbearance; everything by which a + goaded man can curb his rage and passion; fled from him as he turned back. + And yet he said, slowly and quite calmly—far more calmly than he had + ever spoken to him before: + </p> + <p> + ‘Why have you called to me?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘To remark,’ said Sir John Chester with his wonted composure, ‘what an odd + chance it is, that we should meet here!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘It IS a strange chance.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Strange? The most remarkable and singular thing in the world. I never + ride in the evening; I have not done so for years. The whim seized me, + quite unaccountably, in the middle of last night.—How very + picturesque this is!’—He pointed, as he spoke, to the dismantled + house, and raised his glass to his eye. + </p> + <p> + ‘You praise your own work very freely.’ + </p> + <p> + Sir John let fall his glass; inclined his face towards him with an air of + the most courteous inquiry; and slightly shook his head as though he were + remarking to himself, ‘I fear this animal is going mad!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I say you praise your own work very freely,’ repeated Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Work!’ echoed Sir John, looking smilingly round. ‘Mine!—I beg your + pardon, I really beg your pardon—’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Why, you see,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘those walls. You see those tottering + gables. You see on every side where fire and smoke have raged. You see the + destruction that has been wanton here. Do you not?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘My good friend,’ returned the knight, gently checking his impatience with + his hand, ‘of course I do. I see everything you speak of, when you stand + aside, and do not interpose yourself between the view and me. I am very + sorry for you. If I had not had the pleasure to meet you here, I think I + should have written to tell you so. But you don’t bear it as well as I had + expected—excuse me—no, you don’t indeed.’ + </p> + <p> + He pulled out his snuff-box, and addressing him with the superior air of a + man who, by reason of his higher nature, has a right to read a moral + lesson to another, continued: + </p> + <p> + ‘For you are a philosopher, you know—one of that stern and rigid + school who are far above the weaknesses of mankind in general. You are + removed, a long way, from the frailties of the crowd. You contemplate them + from a height, and rail at them with a most impressive bitterness. I have + heard you.’ + </p> + <p> + —‘And shall again,’ said Mr Haredale. + </p> + <p> + ‘Thank you,’ returned the other. ‘Shall we walk as we talk? The damp falls + rather heavily. Well,—as you please. But I grieve to say that I can + spare you only a very few moments.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I would,’ said Mr Haredale, ‘you had spared me none. I would, with all my + soul, you had been in Paradise (if such a monstrous lie could be enacted), + rather than here to-night.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Nay,’ returned the other—‘really—you do yourself injustice. + You are a rough companion, but I would not go so far to avoid you.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Listen to me,’ said Mr Haredale. ‘Listen to me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘While you rail?’ inquired Sir John. + </p> + <p> + ‘While I deliver your infamy. You urged and stimulated to do your work a + fit agent, but one who in his nature—in the very essence of his + being—is a traitor, and who has been false to you (despite the + sympathy you two should have together) as he has been to all others. With + hints, and looks, and crafty words, which told again are nothing, you set + on Gashford to this work—this work before us now. With these same + hints, and looks, and crafty words, which told again are nothing, you + urged him on to gratify the deadly hate he owes me—I have earned it, + I thank Heaven—by the abduction and dishonour of my niece. You did. + I see denial in your looks,’ he cried, abruptly pointing in his face, and + stepping back, ‘and denial is a lie!’ + </p> + <p> + He had his hand upon his sword; but the knight, with a contemptuous smile, + replied to him as coldly as before. + </p> + <p> + ‘You will take notice, sir—if you can discriminate sufficiently—that + I have taken the trouble to deny nothing. Your discernment is hardly fine + enough for the perusal of faces, not of a kind as coarse as your speech; + nor has it ever been, that I remember; or, in one face that I could name, + you would have read indifference, not to say disgust, somewhat sooner than + you did. I speak of a long time ago,—but you understand me.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Disguise it as you will, you mean denial. Denial explicit or reserved, + expressed or left to be inferred, is still a lie. You say you don’t deny. + Do you admit?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You yourself,’ returned Sir John, suffering the current of his speech to + flow as smoothly as if it had been stemmed by no one word of interruption, + ‘publicly proclaimed the character of the gentleman in question (I think + it was in Westminster Hall) in terms which relieve me from the necessity + of making any further allusion to him. You may have been warranted; you + may not have been; I can’t say. Assuming the gentleman to be what you + described, and to have made to you or any other person any statements that + may have happened to suggest themselves to him, for the sake of his own + security, or for the sake of money, or for his own amusement, or for any + other consideration,—I have nothing to say of him, except that his + extremely degrading situation appears to me to be shared with his + employers. You are so very plain yourself, that you will excuse a little + freedom in me, I am sure.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Attend to me again, Sir John but once,’ cried Mr Haredale; ‘in your every + look, and word, and gesture, you tell me this was not your act. I tell you + that it was, and that you tampered with the man I speak of, and with your + wretched son (whom God forgive!) to do this deed. You talk of degradation + and character. You told me once that you had purchased the absence of the + poor idiot and his mother, when (as I have discovered since, and then + suspected) you had gone to tempt them, and had found them flown. To you I + traced the insinuation that I alone reaped any harvest from my brother’s + death; and all the foul attacks and whispered calumnies that followed in + its train. In every action of my life, from that first hope which you + converted into grief and desolation, you have stood, like an adverse fate, + between me and peace. In all, you have ever been the same cold-blooded, + hollow, false, unworthy villain. For the second time, and for the last, I + cast these charges in your teeth, and spurn you from me as I would a + faithless dog!’ + </p> + <p> + With that he raised his arm, and struck him on the breast so that he + staggered. Sir John, the instant he recovered, drew his sword, threw away + the scabbard and his hat, and running on his adversary made a desperate + lunge at his heart, which, but that his guard was quick and true, would + have stretched him dead upon the grass. + </p> + <p> + In the act of striking him, the torrent of his opponent’s rage had reached + a stop. He parried his rapid thrusts, without returning them, and called + to him, with a frantic kind of terror in his face, to keep back. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to-night! not to-night!’ he cried. ‘In God’s name, not tonight!’ + </p> + <p> + Seeing that he lowered his weapon, and that he would not thrust in turn, + Sir John lowered his. + </p> + <p> + ‘Not to-night!’ his adversary cried. ‘Be warned in time!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You told me—it must have been in a sort of inspiration—’ said + Sir John, quite deliberately, though now he dropped his mask, and showed + his hatred in his face, ‘that this was the last time. Be assured it is! + Did you believe our last meeting was forgotten? Did you believe that your + every word and look was not to be accounted for, and was not well + remembered? Do you believe that I have waited your time, or you mine? What + kind of man is he who entered, with all his sickening cant of honesty and + truth, into a bond with me to prevent a marriage he affected to dislike, + and when I had redeemed my part to the spirit and the letter, skulked from + his, and brought the match about in his own time, to rid himself of a + burden he had grown tired of, and cast a spurious lustre on his house?’ + </p> + <p> + ‘I have acted,’ cried Mr Haredale, ‘with honour and in good faith. I do so + now. Do not force me to renew this duel to-night!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘You said my “wretched” son, I think?’ said Sir John, with a smile. ‘Poor + fool! The dupe of such a shallow knave—trapped into marriage by such + an uncle and by such a niece—he well deserves your pity. But he is + no longer a son of mine: you are welcome to the prize your craft has made, + sir.’ + </p> + <p> + ‘Once more,’ cried his opponent, wildly stamping on the ground, ‘although + you tear me from my better angel, I implore you not to come within the + reach of my sword to-night. Oh! why were you here at all! Why have we met! + To-morrow would have cast us far apart for ever!’ + </p> + <p> + ‘That being the case,’ returned Sir John, without the least emotion, ‘it + is very fortunate we have met to-night. Haredale, I have always despised + you, as you know, but I have given you credit for a species of brute + courage. For the honour of my judgment, which I had thought a good one, I + am sorry to find you a coward.’ + </p> + <p> + Not another word was spoken on either side. They crossed swords, though it + was now quite dusk, and attacked each other fiercely. They were well + matched, and each was thoroughly skilled in the management of his weapon. + </p> + <p> + After a few seconds they grew hotter and more furious, and pressing on + each other inflicted and received several slight wounds. It was directly + after receiving one of these in his arm, that Mr Haredale, making a keener + thrust as he felt the warm blood spirting out, plunged his sword through + his opponent’s body to the hilt. + </p> + <p> + Their eyes met, and were on each other as he drew it out. He put his arm + about the dying man, who repulsed him, feebly, and dropped upon the turf. + Raising himself upon his hands, he gazed at him for an instant, with scorn + and hatred in his look; but, seeming to remember, even then, that this + expression would distort his features after death, he tried to smile, and, + faintly moving his right hand, as if to hide his bloody linen in his vest, + fell back dead—the phantom of last night. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0082" id="link2HCH0082"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Chapter the Last + </h2> + <p> + A parting glance at such of the actors in this little history as it has + not, in the course of its events, dismissed, will bring it to an end. + </p> + <p> + Mr Haredale fled that night. Before pursuit could be begun, indeed before + Sir John was traced or missed, he had left the kingdom. Repairing straight + to a religious establishment, known throughout Europe for the rigour and + severity of its discipline, and for the merciless penitence it exacted + from those who sought its shelter as a refuge from the world, he took the + vows which thenceforth shut him out from nature and his kind, and after a + few remorseful years was buried in its gloomy cloisters. + </p> + <p> + Two days elapsed before the body of Sir John was found. As soon as it was + recognised and carried home, the faithful valet, true to his master’s + creed, eloped with all the cash and movables he could lay his hands on, + and started as a finished gentleman upon his own account. In this career + he met with great success, and would certainly have married an heiress in + the end, but for an unlucky check which led to his premature decease. He + sank under a contagious disorder, very prevalent at that time, and + vulgarly termed the jail fever. + </p> + <p> + Lord George Gordon, remaining in his prison in the Tower until Monday the + fifth of February in the following year, was on that day solemnly tried at + Westminster for High Treason. Of this crime he was, after a patient + investigation, declared Not Guilty; upon the ground that there was no + proof of his having called the multitude together with any traitorous or + unlawful intentions. Yet so many people were there, still, to whom those + riots taught no lesson of reproof or moderation, that a public + subscription was set on foot in Scotland to defray the cost of his + defence. + </p> + <p> + For seven years afterwards he remained, at the strong intercession of his + friends, comparatively quiet; saving that he, every now and then, took + occasion to display his zeal for the Protestant faith in some extravagant + proceeding which was the delight of its enemies; and saving, besides, that + he was formally excommunicated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, for + refusing to appear as a witness in the Ecclesiastical Court when cited for + that purpose. In the year 1788 he was stimulated by some new insanity to + write and publish an injurious pamphlet, reflecting on the Queen of + France, in very violent terms. Being indicted for the libel, and (after + various strange demonstrations in court) found guilty, he fled into + Holland in place of appearing to receive sentence: from whence, as the + quiet burgomasters of Amsterdam had no relish for his company, he was sent + home again with all speed. Arriving in the month of July at Harwich, and + going thence to Birmingham, he made in the latter place, in August, a + public profession of the Jewish religion; and figured there as a Jew until + he was arrested, and brought back to London to receive the sentence he had + evaded. By virtue of this sentence he was, in the month of December, cast + into Newgate for five years and ten months, and required besides to pay a + large fine, and to furnish heavy securities for his future good behaviour. + </p> + <p> + After addressing, in the midsummer of the following year, an appeal to the + commiseration of the National Assembly of France, which the English + minister refused to sanction, he composed himself to undergo his full term + of punishment; and suffering his beard to grow nearly to his waist, and + conforming in all respects to the ceremonies of his new religion, he + applied himself to the study of history, and occasionally to the art of + painting, in which, in his younger days, he had shown some skill. Deserted + by his former friends, and treated in all respects like the worst criminal + in the jail, he lingered on, quite cheerful and resigned, until the 1st of + November 1793, when he died in his cell, being then only three-and-forty + years of age. + </p> + <p> + Many men with fewer sympathies for the distressed and needy, with less + abilities and harder hearts, have made a shining figure and left a + brilliant fame. He had his mourners. The prisoners bemoaned his loss, and + missed him; for though his means were not large, his charity was great, + and in bestowing alms among them he considered the necessities of all + alike, and knew no distinction of sect or creed. There are wise men in the + highways of the world who may learn something, even from this poor crazy + lord who died in Newgate. + </p> + <p> + To the last, he was truly served by bluff John Grueby. John was at his + side before he had been four-and-twenty hours in the Tower, and never left + him until he died. He had one other constant attendant, in the person of a + beautiful Jewish girl; who attached herself to him from feelings half + religious, half romantic, but whose virtuous and disinterested character + appears to have been beyond the censure even of the most censorious. + </p> + <p> + Gashford deserted him, of course. He subsisted for a time upon his traffic + in his master’s secrets; and, this trade failing when the stock was quite + exhausted, procured an appointment in the honourable corps of spies and + eavesdroppers employed by the government. As one of these wretched + underlings, he did his drudgery, sometimes abroad, sometimes at home, and + long endured the various miseries of such a station. Ten or a dozen years + ago—not more—a meagre, wan old man, diseased and miserably + poor, was found dead in his bed at an obscure inn in the Borough, where he + was quite unknown. He had taken poison. There was no clue to his name; but + it was discovered from certain entries in a pocket-book he carried, that + he had been secretary to Lord George Gordon in the time of the famous + riots. + </p> + <p> + Many months after the re-establishment of peace and order, and even when + it had ceased to be the town-talk, that every military officer, kept at + free quarters by the City during the late alarms, had cost for his board + and lodging four pounds four per day, and every private soldier two and + twopence halfpenny; many months after even this engrossing topic was + forgotten, and the United Bulldogs were to a man all killed, imprisoned, + or transported, Mr Simon Tappertit, being removed from a hospital to + prison, and thence to his place of trial, was discharged by proclamation, + on two wooden legs. Shorn of his graceful limbs, and brought down from his + high estate to circumstances of utter destitution, and the deepest misery, + he made shift to stump back to his old master, and beg for some relief. By + the locksmith’s advice and aid, he was established in business as a + shoeblack, and opened shop under an archway near the Horse Guards. This + being a central quarter, he quickly made a very large connection; and on + levee days, was sometimes known to have as many as twenty half-pay + officers waiting their turn for polishing. Indeed his trade increased to + that extent, that in course of time he entertained no less than two + apprentices, besides taking for his wife the widow of an eminent bone and + rag collector, formerly of Millbank. With this lady (who assisted in the + business) he lived in great domestic happiness, only chequered by those + little storms which serve to clear the atmosphere of wedlock, and brighten + its horizon. In some of these gusts of bad weather, Mr Tappertit would, in + the assertion of his prerogative, so far forget himself, as to correct his + lady with a brush, or boot, or shoe; while she (but only in extreme cases) + would retaliate by taking off his legs, and leaving him exposed to the + derision of those urchins who delight in mischief. + </p> + <p> + Miss Miggs, baffled in all her schemes, matrimonial and otherwise, and + cast upon a thankless, undeserving world, turned very sharp and sour; and + did at length become so acid, and did so pinch and slap and tweak the hair + and noses of the youth of Golden Lion Court, that she was by one consent + expelled that sanctuary, and desired to bless some other spot of earth, in + preference. It chanced at that moment, that the justices of the peace for + Middlesex proclaimed by public placard that they stood in need of a female + turnkey for the County Bridewell, and appointed a day and hour for the + inspection of candidates. Miss Miggs attending at the time appointed, was + instantly chosen and selected from one hundred and twenty-four + competitors, and at once promoted to the office; which she held until her + decease, more than thirty years afterwards, remaining single all that + time. It was observed of this lady that while she was inflexible and grim + to all her female flock, she was particularly so to those who could + establish any claim to beauty: and it was often remarked as a proof of her + indomitable virtue and severe chastity, that to such as had been frail she + showed no mercy; always falling upon them on the slightest occasion, or on + no occasion at all, with the fullest measure of her wrath. Among other + useful inventions which she practised upon this class of offenders and + bequeathed to posterity, was the art of inflicting an exquisitely vicious + poke or dig with the wards of a key in the small of the back, near the + spine. She likewise originated a mode of treading by accident (in pattens) + on such as had small feet; also very remarkable for its ingenuity, and + previously quite unknown. + </p> + <p> + It was not very long, you may be sure, before Joe Willet and Dolly Varden + were made husband and wife, and with a handsome sum in bank (for the + locksmith could afford to give his daughter a good dowry), reopened the + Maypole. It was not very long, you may be sure, before a red-faced little + boy was seen staggering about the Maypole passage, and kicking up his + heels on the green before the door. It was not very long, counting by + years, before there was a red-faced little girl, another red-faced little + boy, and a whole troop of girls and boys: so that, go to Chigwell when you + would, there would surely be seen, either in the village street, or on the + green, or frolicking in the farm-yard—for it was a farm now, as well + as a tavern—more small Joes and small Dollys than could be easily + counted. It was not a very long time before these appearances ensued; but + it WAS a VERY long time before Joe looked five years older, or Dolly + either, or the locksmith either, or his wife either: for cheerfulness and + content are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of youthful + looks, depend upon it. + </p> + <p> + It was a long time, too, before there was such a country inn as the + Maypole, in all England: indeed it is a great question whether there has + ever been such another to this hour, or ever will be. It was a long time + too—for Never, as the proverb says, is a long day—before they + forgot to have an interest in wounded soldiers at the Maypole, or before + Joe omitted to refresh them, for the sake of his old campaign; or before + the serjeant left off looking in there, now and then; or before they + fatigued themselves, or each other, by talking on these occasions of + battles and sieges, and hard weather and hard service, and a thousand + things belonging to a soldier’s life. As to the great silver snuff-box + which the King sent Joe with his own hand, because of his conduct in the + Riots, what guest ever went to the Maypole without putting finger and + thumb into that box, and taking a great pinch, though he had never taken a + pinch of snuff before, and almost sneezed himself into convulsions even + then? As to the purple-faced vintner, where is the man who lived in those + times and never saw HIM at the Maypole: to all appearance as much at home + in the best room, as if he lived there? And as to the feastings and + christenings, and revellings at Christmas, and celebrations of birthdays, + wedding-days, and all manner of days, both at the Maypole and the Golden + Key,—if they are not notorious, what facts are? + </p> + <p> + Mr Willet the elder, having been by some extraordinary means possessed + with the idea that Joe wanted to be married, and that it would be well for + him, his father, to retire into private life, and enable him to live in + comfort, took up his abode in a small cottage at Chigwell; where they + widened and enlarged the fireplace for him, hung up the boiler, and + furthermore planted in the little garden outside the front-door, a + fictitious Maypole; so that he was quite at home directly. To this, his + new habitation, Tom Cobb, Phil Parkes, and Solomon Daisy went regularly + every night: and in the chimney-corner, they all four quaffed, and smoked, + and prosed, and dozed, as they had done of old. It being accidentally + discovered after a short time that Mr Willet still appeared to consider + himself a landlord by profession, Joe provided him with a slate, upon + which the old man regularly scored up vast accounts for meat, drink, and + tobacco. As he grew older this passion increased upon him; and it became + his delight to chalk against the name of each of his cronies a sum of + enormous magnitude, and impossible to be paid: and such was his secret joy + in these entries, that he would be perpetually seen going behind the door + to look at them, and coming forth again, suffused with the liveliest + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + He never recovered the surprise the Rioters had given him, and remained in + the same mental condition down to the last moment of his life. It was like + to have been brought to a speedy termination by the first sight of his + first grandchild, which appeared to fill him with the belief that some + alarming miracle had happened to Joe. Being promptly blooded, however, by + a skilful surgeon, he rallied; and although the doctors all agreed, on his + being attacked with symptoms of apoplexy six months afterwards, that he + ought to die, and took it very ill that he did not, he remained alive—possibly + on account of his constitutional slowness—for nearly seven years + more, when he was one morning found speechless in his bed. He lay in this + state, free from all tokens of uneasiness, for a whole week, when he was + suddenly restored to consciousness by hearing the nurse whisper in his + son’s ear that he was going. ‘I’m a-going, Joseph,’ said Mr Willet, + turning round upon the instant, ‘to the Salwanners’—and immediately + gave up the ghost. + </p> + <p> + He left a large sum of money behind him; even more than he was supposed to + have been worth, although the neighbours, according to the custom of + mankind in calculating the wealth that other people ought to have saved, + had estimated his property in good round numbers. Joe inherited the whole; + so that he became a man of great consequence in those parts, and was + perfectly independent. + </p> + <p> + Some time elapsed before Barnaby got the better of the shock he had + sustained, or regained his old health and gaiety. But he recovered by + degrees: and although he could never separate his condemnation and escape + from the idea of a terrific dream, he became, in other respects, more + rational. Dating from the time of his recovery, he had a better memory and + greater steadiness of purpose; but a dark cloud overhung his whole + previous existence, and never cleared away. + </p> + <p> + He was not the less happy for this, for his love of freedom and interest + in all that moved or grew, or had its being in the elements, remained to + him unimpaired. He lived with his mother on the Maypole farm, tending the + poultry and the cattle, working in a garden of his own, and helping + everywhere. He was known to every bird and beast about the place, and had + a name for every one. Never was there a lighter-hearted husbandman, a + creature more popular with young and old, a blither or more happy soul + than Barnaby; and though he was free to ramble where he would, he never + quitted Her, but was for evermore her stay and comfort. + </p> + <p> + It was remarkable that although he had that dim sense of the past, he + sought out Hugh’s dog, and took him under his care; and that he never + could be tempted into London. When the Riots were many years old, and + Edward and his wife came back to England with a family almost as numerous + as Dolly’s, and one day appeared at the Maypole porch, he knew them + instantly, and wept and leaped for joy. But neither to visit them, nor on + any other pretence, no matter how full of promise and enjoyment, could he + be persuaded to set foot in the streets: nor did he ever conquer this + repugnance or look upon the town again. + </p> + <p> + Grip soon recovered his looks, and became as glossy and sleek as ever. But + he was profoundly silent. Whether he had forgotten the art of Polite + Conversation in Newgate, or had made a vow in those troubled times to + forego, for a period, the display of his accomplishments, is matter of + uncertainty; but certain it is that for a whole year he never indulged in + any other sound than a grave, decorous croak. At the expiration of that + term, the morning being very bright and sunny, he was heard to address + himself to the horses in the stable, upon the subject of the Kettle, so + often mentioned in these pages; and before the witness who overheard him + could run into the house with the intelligence, and add to it upon his + solemn affirmation the statement that he had heard him laugh, the bird + himself advanced with fantastic steps to the very door of the bar, and + there cried, ‘I’m a devil, I’m a devil, I’m a devil!’ with extraordinary + rapture. + </p> + <p> + From that period (although he was supposed to be much affected by the + death of Mr Willet senior), he constantly practised and improved himself + in the vulgar tongue; and, as he was a mere infant for a raven when + Barnaby was grey, he has very probably gone on talking to the present + time. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Barnaby Rudge, by Charles Dickens + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BARNABY RUDGE *** + +***** This file should be named 917-h.htm or 917-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/1/917/ + +Produced by Donald Lainson; David Widger + +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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