Page:Pathetic history of George Barnwell the London apprentice.pdf/13

 drew nigh, at which he had pledged himself to carry to Milwood, the spoils of his integrity. Thrice he opened his desk, and as often did he close it again, unable to summon courage enough to commit the act he meditated. At this instant he glanced at the clock—a quarter to seven, and seven was the hour appointed; a shivering seized him, and tremor crept over him, as he seized the lid for the fourth time. He cast his eyes fearfully and cautiously round him; no person was present, he hesitated, stretched out his hand, and drew from the drawer a bank-note of one hundred pounds, the lid fell from his hands, and, with a faint sigh, the unhappy youth hurried the plunder into his pocket, sunk back into his seat, and for a moment lost all recollection.

Hurrying out of the house, Barnwell hastened, in a state of madness to Milwood's lodgings. No sooner had he entered her apartment, than, with bitter sighs, he threw the note before her; which his mistress no sooner saw, than she grasped it in her hand, and assuming the most bewitching tenderness, she exclaimed, "My dearest Barnwell why this agonizing emotion? has any thing occurred to distress you, which the unalterable love of your Milwood, may not alleviate? Deceived by this appearance of uncommon affection, Barnwell poured forth in her ear the tale of his feelings and his sufferings, on account