Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

In pursuance of the gaoler's compliance, Jenkinson was despatched in search of Timothy Baxter, while we were amused with the assiduity of our youngest boy, Bill, who had just come in and climbed up to Sir William's neck, in order to kiss 5 him. His mother was immediately going to chastise his familiarity; but the worthy man prevented her; and taking the child, all ragged as he was, upon his knee, "What, Bill, you chubby rogue," cried he, "do you remember your old friend Bur-10 chell? and, Dick, too, my honest veteran, are you here? you shall find I have not forgot you." So saying, he gave each a large piece of gingerbread, which the poor fellows ate very heartily, as they had got that morning but a very scanty breakfast. 15 We now sate down to dinner, which was almost cold; but previously, my arm still continuing painful, Sir William wrote a prescription, for he had made the study of physic his amusement, and was more than moderately skilled in the pro-20 fession: this being sent to an apothecary who lived in the place, my arm was dressed, and I found almost instantaneous relief. We were waited upon at dinner by the gaoler himself, who was willing to do our guest all the honour in his 25 power. But before we had well dined, another message was brought from his nephew, desiring permission to appear, in order to vindicate his innocence and honour; with which request the baronet complied, and desired Mr. Thornhill to 30 be introduced.

CHAPTER XXXI

FORMER BENEVOLENCE NOW REPAID WITH UN

EXPECTED

INTEREST

MR. THORNHILL made his entrance with a smile, which he seldom wanted, and was going to embrace his uncle, which the other repulsed with an air of disdain. "No fawning, Sir, at present," cried the 5 baronet, with a look of severity; "the only way to my heart is by the road of honour; but here I only see complicated instances of falsehood, cowardice, and oppression. How is it, Sir, that this poor man, for whom I know you professed a friend10 ship, is used thus hardly? His daughter vilely seduced, as a recompence for his hospitality, and he himself thrown into a prison, perhaps but for resenting the insult! His son, too, whom you feared to face as a man"

15 "Is it possible, Sir," interrupted his nephew, "that my uncle could object that as a crime, which his repeated instructions alone have persuaded me to avoid?"

"Your rebuke," cried Sir William, "is just; 20 you have acted in this instance prudently and well, though not quite as your father would have done: my brother indeed was the soul of honour; but thou yes, you have acted in this instance perfectly right, and it has my warmest approba25 tion."

"And I hope," said his nephew, "that the rest of my conduct will not be found to deserve censure. I appeared, Sir, with this gentleman's daughter at some places of public amusement; thus, what was levity, scandal called by a harsher 5 name. I waited on her father in person, willing to clear the thing to his satisfaction, and he received me only with insult and abuse. As for the rest, with regard to his being here, my attorney and steward can best inform you, as I commit the 10 management of business entirely to them. If he has contracted debts, and is unwilling or even unable to pay them, it is their business to proceed in this manner, and I see no hardship or injustice. of pursuing the most legal means of redress."

"If this," cried Sir William, "be as you have stated it, there is nothing unpardonable in your offence; and though your conduct might have been more generous in not suffering this gentle

15

to be oppressed by subordinate tyranny, 20 yet it has been at least equitable."

"He cannot cannot contradict a single particular." replied the Squire; "I defy him to do so; and several of my servants are ready to attest what I say. Thus, Sir," continued he, finding that I 25 was silent, for in fact I could not contradict him,

[ocr errors]

thus, Sir, my own innocence is vindicated: but though, at your intreaty, I am ready to forgive this gentleman every other offence, yet his attempts to lessen me in your esteem, excite a resent-30 ment that I cannot govern; and this, too, at a

10

15

time when his son was actually preparing to take away my life; this, I say, was such guilt that I am determined to let the law take its course. I have here the challenge that was sent me, and two wit5 nesses to prove it; one of my servants has been wounded dangerously; and even though my uncle himself should dissuade me, which I know he will not, yet I will see public justice done, and he shall suffer for it."

"Thou monster," cried my wife, "hast thou not had vengeance enough already, but must my poor boy feel thy cruelty? I hope that good Sir William will protect us, for my son is as innocent as a child; I am sure he is, and never did harm to man." "Madam," replied the good man, "your wishes for his safety are not greater than mine; but I am sorry to find his guilt too plain; and if my nephew persists" But the appearance of Jenkinson and the gaoler's two servants now called 20 off our attention, who entered, hauling in a tall man very genteelly dressed, and answering the description already given of the ruffian who had carried off my daughter. "Here," cried Jenkinson, pulling him in, "here we have him; and 25 if ever there was a candidate for Tyburn, this is one."

The moment Mr. Thornhill perceived the prisoner, and Jenkinson who had him in custody, he seemed to shrink back with terror. His face be30 came pale with conscious guilt, and he would have withdrawn; but Jenkinson, who perceived his

design, stopt him. "What, Squire," cried he, "are you ashamed of your two old acquaintances, Jenkinson and Baxter? but this is the way that all great men forget their friends, though I am resolved we will not forget you. Our prisoner, 5 please your honour," continued he, turning to Sir William, "has already confessed all. This is the gentleman reported to be so dangerously wounded: he declares, that it was Mr. Thornhill who first put him upon this affair; that he gave 10 him the clothes he now wears, to appear like a gentleman, and furnished him with the post-chaise. The plan was laid between them, that he should carry off the young lady to a place of safety, and that there he should threaten and terrify her; 15 but Mr. Thornhill was to come in, in the mean time, as if by accident, to her rescue, and that they should fight a while and then he was to run off, by which Mr. Thornhill would have the better opportunity of gaining her affections himself, 201 under the character of her defender."

Sir William remembered the coat to have been frequently worn by his nephew; and all the rest the prisoner himself confirmed by a more circumstantial account; concluding that Mr. Thornhill had 25 often declared to him that he was in love with both sisters at the same time.

"Heavens!" cried Sir William, "what a viper have I been fostering in my bosom! And so fond of public justice, too, as he seemed to be. he shall have it; secure him, Mr. Gaoler

But 30 yet,

« AnteriorContinua »