bled surprise. it ?" "To what am I to attribute "Alas! Sir, can you ask me that?" quoth she, prostrating herself at his feet: "I come an humble suppliant to you— to move you in behalf of my father. He tells me there are means of procuring his enlargement, but refuses to make them known to me. Oh! Sir! deign you to reveal themsay, but, how my parent may be rescued from a prison, and make me your slave! 66 Lovely, infatuating girl!" cried the villain, regarding her with the stare of desire ; 66 your suit is granted; these arms shall be your bondage, in return, near this fond heart which pants to call you it's own. — - Nay, forbear your coyness; you were form'd for me, and this auspicicus moment makes me.... He knelt beside her, encircled her waist. with his rude arms, and press'd his unhallow'd lips to hers. The consciousness of her situation gave her a temporary courage, and she strove to extricate herself from his grasp.-Ineffectual, however, was the effort; and (overpowered by indignation, terror, and grief) she fainted. Did this avail her aught? Ah! no far from it the sight of her distress seem'd but to strengthen the ruffian's licentious passion; and, while yet deprived of the power of reason, or resistance, he robb'd the illfated Rachael of her virtue ! "Are there no stones in Heav'n but what serve "For thunder? Precious villain!" CHAPTER VII. How fleet is the glance of the mind! And the swift-winged arrows of light. In a moment I seem to be there; Soon hurries me back to despair! COWPER. THE blow which Philip had sustain'd, in his last conflict with the ruffians, was so severe as to render him insensate for some hours. In which condition he was attended by the ladies, in whose behalf he had shed his blood; as well as by poor Humphry, who doled forth his 'plaints in strains resembling those of the long-ear'd gentry, that carry panniers about the country. To their demand of who his master was, he replied " He be a very good sort of gentleman, and I be his servant-just such another, loike. As saying As saying be-"there were but two such COOM'D over in three ships.' "Is he a man of family?" said the elder lady. "I believe, he ha' gotten half a dozen of your natʼral children; but I ne'er heard o' no more." "You misconceive me," said the lady who had before spoken. "What is his name? Where does he come from?" "From Lancashire, I do think; where the old witches do gallop about, upon their brooms, like so many donky-drivers.— "At Lancashire there liv'd a man, "His name be Mr. Philip Travers, Esq. please you, Madam; and, if you wish to know mine, it be Humphry Hawbuck. I ben't asheam'd on't, thank Heaven! for I were, once, in the harmy, and could let off a musk-cat, without so much as winking, or blinking, at the touch-hole. "Soft!" interrupted the younger female, "he stirs !-God grant he may recover!" Travers open'd his languid eyes, and cast around a vacant stare; unconscious where he was, or what happen'd. When they fell upon the ladies, recollection served him, and he proceeded to make his excuses for the trouble he had occasion'd them; but was abruptly check'd by the senior one, who observed, they were his debtors for more than life, and wish'd to make him every return in their power. "But, I shall defer my acknowledgements to a more seasonable opportunity," concluded she; "in the mean time, take some refreshment, and try to compose yourself to sleep.' "I thank you," said Travers; " and will endeavour to perform your behest." "I'll send you some mull'd wine and toast, for your sustenance must be light," quoth the lady; "and, hope, when I see you again, to find you much better." |