Page:What Will He Do With It? - Routledge - Volume 2.djvu/285

 but, as you say, I had not long left boyhood, and, fancying myself deep and knowing, was raw in the craft I had practised. _Basta, basta, basta!_"

Jasper, who had risen from his knees while speaking, here stamped heavily on the floor, as if with anger at the heart-stricken aspect of his silenced father; and continued with a voice that seemed struggling to regain its old imperious, rollicking, burly swell.

"What is done cannot be undone. Fling it aside, sir--look to the future; you with your pedlar's pack, I with my empty pockets! What can save you from the workhouse--me from the hulks or gibbet? I know not, unless the persons sheltering that girl will buy me off by some provision which may be shared between us. Tell me, then, where she is; leave me to deal in the business as I best may. Pooh! why so scared? I will neither terrify nor kidnap her. I will shuffle off the crust of blackguard that has hardened round me. I will be sleek and smooth, as if I were still the exquisite Lothario--copied by would-be rufflers, and spoiled by willing beauties. Oh, I can still play the gentleman, at least for an hour or two, if it be worth my while. Come, sir, come; trust me; out with the secret of this hidden maiden, whose interests should surely weigh not more with you than those of a starving son. What, you will not? Be it so. I suspect that I know where to look for her--on what noble thresholds to set my daring foot; what fair lady, mindful of former days--of girlish friendship--of virgin love--wraps in compassionate luxury Guy Darrell's rejected heiress? Ah, your looks tell me that I am hot on the scent. That fair lady I knew of old; she is rich--I helped to make her so. She owes me something. I will call and remind her of it. And--tut, sir, tut--you shall not go to the workhouse, nor I to the hulks."

Here the old man, hitherto seated, rose-slowly, with feebleness and effort, till he gained his full height; then age, infirmity, and weakness seemed to vanish. In the erect head, the broad massive chest, in the whole presence, there was dignity--there was power.

"Hark to me, unhappy reprobate, and heed me well! To save that child from the breath of disgrace--to place her in what you yourself assured me where her rights amidst those in whose dwellings I lost the privilege to