anguish?
CHAPTER
LXXIV
.
THE
MEETING
.
WHEN
Isabella
retired
to
her
chamber
the
second
time
,
she
hastily
put
on
her
bonnet
and
shawl
,
and
then
hurried
to
the
garden
at
the
back
of
the
mansion
;
for
she
felt
the
necessity
of
fresh
air
,
to
cool
her
burning
brow
.
She
walked
slowly
up
and
down
for
a
few
minutes
,
her
mind
filled
with
the
most
distressing
thoughts
,
when
the
sounds
of
voices
fell
upon
her
ears
.
She
listened
;
and
the
consequential
tone
of
the
hussar-captain
,
alternating
with
the
childish
lisp
of
Sir
Cherry
Bounce
,
warned
her
that
the
two
young
coxcombs
had
also
directed
their
steps
towards
the
garden
.
She
felt
in
no
humour
to
listen
to
their
chattering
gossip
—
wearisome
at
all
times
,
but
intolerable
in
a
moment
of
mental
affliction
;
still
she
could
not
return
to
the
house
without
encountering
them
in
her
way
.
A
thought
struck
her
—
the
gardener
had
been
at
work
all
the
morning
;
and
the
back-gate
of
the
enclosure
had
been
left
open
for
his
convenience
.
Perhaps
it
was
not
locked
again
?
Thither
did
she
hurry
;
and
,
to
her
joy
,
the
means
of
egress
into
the
fields
were
open
to
her
.
The
delicate
foot
of
that
beauteous
creature
of
seventeen
scarcely
made
an
impression
upon
the
grass
,
nor
even
crushed
the
daisy
,
so
light
was
her
tread
!
And
yet
her
heart
was
heavy
.
Grief
sate
upon
her
brow
;
and
her
bosom
was
agitated
with
sighs
.
She
walked
onward
;
and
,
turning
the
angle
of
a
grove
,
was
now
beyond
the
view
of
any
one
in
her
father
's
garden
.
She
relaxed
her
speed
,
and
moved
slowly
and
mournfully
along
the
outskirts
of
the
grove
,
vainly
endeavouring
to
conquer
the
sorrowful
ideas
that
obtruded
themselves
on
her
imagination
.
But
Woe
is
an
enemy
that
knows
no
remorse
,
gives
no
quarter
,
while
it
retains
poor
mortal
in
its
grasp
;
and
when
its
victim
is
a
young
and
innocent
girl
,
whose
heart
beats
with
its
first
,
its
virgin
love
,
—
that
direful
enemy
augments
its
pangs
in
proportion
to
the
tenderness
and
sensibility
of
that
heart
which
it
thus
ruthlessly
torments
.
Isabella
's
reverie
was
suddenly
interrupted
by
a
deep
sigh
.
She
turned
her
head
;
and
there
,
on
her
left
hand
—
seated
upon
the
trunk
of
a
tree
that
had
been
blown
down
by
the
late
winds
,
—
with
his
face
buried
in
his
hands
,
was
a
gentleman
apparently
absorbed
in
reflections
of
no
pleasurable
nature
.
He
sighed
deeply
,
and
his
lips
murmured
some
words
,
the
sound
of
which
,
but
not
the
meaning
,
met
her
ears
.
She
was
about
to
retrace
her
steps
,
when
her
own
name
was
pronounced
by
the
lips
of
the
person
seated
on
the
tree
,
—
and
in
a
tone
,
too
,
which
she
could
not
mistake
.
"
Oh
!
Isabella
,
Isabella
,
thou
knowest
not
how
I
love
thee
!
"
An
exclamation
of
surprise
—
almost
of
alarm
—
burst
from
the
lips
of
the
beautiful
Italian
;
and
she
leant
for
support
against
a
tree
.
Richard
Markham
—
for
it
was
by
his
lips
that
her
name
had
been
pronounced
—
raised
his
head
,
and
gave
vent
to
a
cry
of
the
most
wild
,
the
most
enthusiastic
joy
.
In
a
moment
he
was
by
her
side
.
"
Isabella
!
"
he
exclaimed
:
"
to
what
good
angel
am
I
indebted
for
this
unexpected
joy
—
this
immeasurable
happiness
?
"
"
Oh
!
Mr.
Markham
—
forgive
me
if
I
intruded
upon
you
—
but
,
accident
—
"
"
Call
it
not
accident
,
Isabella
:
it
was
heaven
!
—
heaven
that
prompted
me
to
seek
this
spot
to-day
,
for
the
first
time
since
that
fatal
night
—
"
"
Ah
!
that
fatal
night
,
"
repeated
the
signora
,
with
a
shudder
.
Markham
dropped
the
hand
which
he
had
taken
—
which
he
had
pressed
for
a
moment
in
his
:
and
he
retreated
a
few
paces
,
his
entire
manner
changing
as
if
he
were
suddenly
awakened
to
a
sense
of
his
humiliating
condition
.
"
Signora
,
"
he
said
,
in
a
low
and
tremulous
tone
,
"
is
it
possible
that
you
can
believe
me
guilty
of
the
terrible
deed
which
a
monster
imputed
to
me
?
"
"
Oh
!
no
,
Mr.
Markham
,
"
answered
the
young
lady
hastily
;
"
I
never
for
an
instant
imagined
so
vile
—
so
absurd
an
accusation
to
be
based
upon
truth
.
"
"
Thank
you
,
signora
—
thank
you
a
thousand
times
for
that
avowal
,
"
exclaimed
Richard
.
"
Oh
!
how
have
I
longed
for
an
opportunity
to
explain
to
you
all
that
has
hitherto
been
dark
and
mysterious
relative
to
myself
:
—
how
have
I
anticipated
a
moment
like
this
,
when
I
might
narrate
to
you
the
history
of
all
my
sorrows
—
all
my
wrongs
,
and
part
with
you
—
either
bearing
away
the
knowledge
of
your
sympathy
to
console
me
,
or
of
your
scorn
to
crush
me
down
into
the
very
dust
!
"
"
Oh
!
Mr.
Markham
,
I
cannot
hear
you
—
I
dare
not
stay
another
moment
here
,
"
said
Isabella
,
excessively
agitated
.
"
My
father
's
anger
—
"
"
I
will
not
detain
you
,
signora
,
"
interrupted
Richard
,
coldly
.
"
Obey
the
will
of
your
parents
;
and
if
—
some
day
—
you
should
learn
the
narrative
of
my
sorrows
from
some
accidental
source
,
then
—
when
you
hear
how
cruelly
circumstances
combined
,
and
how
successfully
villains
leagued
to
plunge
me
into
an
abyss
of
infamy
and
disgrace
,
—
then
,
signora
,
then
reflect
upon
my
prayer
to
be
allowed
to
justify
myself
to
you
to-day
—
a
prayer
which
obedience
to
your
parents
compels
you
to
reject
.
"
"
To
me
,
Mr.
Markham
,
no
explanation
is
necessary
,
"
said
Isabella
,
timidly
,
and
with
her
eyes
bent
towards
the
ground
so
that
the
long
black
fringes
reposed
upon
her
cheeks
.
"
Oh
!
fool
that
I
was
to
flatter
myself
that
you
would
hear
me
—
or
to
hope
that
you
would
listen
to
aught
which
I
might
say
to
justify
myself
!
"
ejaculated
Markham
.
"
Pardon
me
,
signora
—
pardon
my
presumption
;
but
I
judged
your
heart
by
mine
—
I
measured
your
sympathy
,
your
love
,
by
what
I
feel
;
—
and
I
have
erred
—
yes
,
I
have
erred
—
but
you
will
pardon
me
!
Oh
!
how
could
the
freed
convict
dare
to
hope
that
the
daughter
of
a
noble
—
a
lady
of
spotless
name
,
and
high
birth
—
should
for
a
moment
stoop
to
him
?
Ah
!
I
indulged
in
a
miserable
delusion
!
And
yet
how
sweet
was
that
dream
in
my
solitary
hours
!
for
you
must
know
,
lady
,
that
I
have
fed
myself
with
hopes
—
with
wild
insane
hopes
—
until
my
soul
has
been
comforted
,
and
for
a
season
I
have
forgotten
my
wrongs
,
deep
—
ineffaceable
though
they
be
!
I
thought
to
myself
—
'
There
is
one
being
in
this
cold
and
cheerless
world
who
will
not
put
faith
in
all
that
calumny
proclaims
against
me
,
—
one
being
who
,
having
read
my
heart
,
will
know
that
I
have
suffered
for
a
deed
which
I
never
committed
,
and
from
which
my
soul
revolts
,
—
one
being
who
can
understand
how
it
is
possible
for
me
to
have
been
unfortunate
but
never
criminal
,
—
one
being
whose
sympathy
follows
me
amidst
the
hatred
and
scorn
of
others
,
—
one
being
in
a
word
,
who
would
not
refuse
to
hear
from
my
lips
a
sad
history
,
and
who
would
be
prepared
to
find
it
filled
with
sorrows
,
but
not
stained
with
infamy
!
'
—
Such
were
my
thoughts
—
such
was
my
hope
—
such
was
my
delusive
dream
:
O
God
!
that
I
had
never
yielded
to
so
bright
a
vision
!
It
is
now
dissipated
;
and
I
can
well
understand
,
lady
—
now
—
that
no
explanation
is
indeed
necessary
!
"
"
Mr.
Markham
,
"
said
Isabella
,
in
a
voice
scarcely
audible
through
deep
emotion
,
—
"
Mr.
Markham
—
you
misunderstand
me
—
I
did
not
mean
that
I
would
hear
no
explanation
;
—
Oh
!
very
far
from
that
—
"
"
But
that
it
would
be
now
useless
!
"
exclaimed
Markham
,
his
tone
softening
,
for
he
saw
that
the
lovely
idol
of
his
heart
was
deeply
touched
.
"
You
mean
,
signora
,
that
all
explanation
would
be
now
too
late
;
that
,
whether
innocent
or
guilty
of
the
crime
for
which
I
suffered
two
years
'
cruel
imprisonment
,
I
am
so
surrounded
by
infamy
—
my
name
is
so
encrusted
with
odium
,
and
scorn
,
and
disgrace
,
that
to
associate
with
me
—
to
be
seen
for
a
moment
near
me
,
is
a
moral
contagion
—
a
plague
—
a
pestilence
—
"
"
Oh
!
spare
me
—
spare
me
these
reproaches
,
"
cried
Isabella
,
now
weeping
bitterly
;
"
for
reproaches
they
are
—
and
most
unjust
ones
,
too
!
"
"
Unjust
ones
!
"
exclaimed
Richard
;
"
what
mean
you
,
signora
?
"
"
That
by
me
at
least
they
are
undeserved
,
Mr.
Markham
,
"
returned
the
lovely
girl
.
"
How
undeserved
?
how
unjust
?
"
said
Richard
,
eagerly
catching
at
the
first
straw
which
presented
itself
upon
the
ocean
that
had
wrecked
all
his
hopes
;
"
did
you
not
say
that
no
explanation
was
now
necessary
?
"
"
Nor
was
it
ever
,
"
answered
Isabella
,
whose
voice
was
almost
entirely
subdued
by
her
emotions
;
"
for
I
never
—
never
believed
the
accusations
which
you
seek
to
explain
away
!
"
"
My
God
!
do
I
hear
aright
?
or
am
I
again
the
sport
of
a
delusive
vision
?
"
cried
Richard
;
then
,
advancing
towards
Isabella
,
he
took
her
hand
,
and
said
,
"
Signora
,
repeat
what
you
ere
now
averred
,
that
I
may
believe
my
own
ears
!
You
believe
that
I
was
the
victim
of
villains
,
and
not
a
vile
—
degraded
—
base
criminal
?
"
"
Such
has
been
,
and
ever
would
have
been
my
belief
—
even
without
a
proof
,
"
replied
Isabella
.
"
A
proof
!
"
ejaculated
Markham
:
"
what
mean
you
?
"
"
The
confession
of
one
of
the
wretches
who
wronged
you
—
the
narrative
of
the
man
named
Talbot
!
"
answered
the
Italian
,
casting
a
glance
of
sympathy
—
of
tender
sympathy
—
upon
her
lover
.
"
And
now
,
O
God
,
I
thank
thee
!
"
said
Markham
,
his
eyes
filling
with
tears
,
and
his
heart
a
prey
to
feelings
of
an
indescribable
nature
:
"
O
God
,
I
thank
thee
—
how
sincerely
,
devoutly
I
thank
thee
,
thou
well
knowest
,
for
thou
canst
read
the
secrets
of
my
soul
!
And
you
,
Isabella
—
dearest
Isabella
—
Oh
!
can
you
forgive
me
,
that
I
dared
for
a
moment
to
suspect
your
generous
soul
—
that
I
doubted
your
noble
disposition
?
"
"
Forgive
you
,
Richard
!
"
exclaimed
the
charming
girl
,
smiling
through
her
tears
:
"
Oh
!
how
can
you
ask
me
?
"
"
And
thus
,
my
Isabella
,
you
know
all
!
"
"
I
know
all
—
how
deeply
you
were
wronged
,
how
fearfully
you
have
suffered
.
"
"
Isabella
,
you
are
an
angel
!
"
cried
Markham
,
rapturously
.
"
Nay
—
do
not
flatter
me
,
"
said
the
signora
.
"
I
have
but
obeyed
the
dictates
of
my
own
convictions
—
and
—
"
"
Speak
,
Isabella
—
speak
!
"
"
And
of
my
own
heart
,
"
she
added
,
casting
down
her
eyes
,
and
blushing
.
"
You
left
the
confession
of
that
Talbot
behind
you
—
on
the
fatal
night
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
I
remember
now
;
and
since
then
,
how
often
have
I
deplored
its
loss
.
"
"
My
own
maid
found
it
,
and
gave
it
to
me
on
the
following
morning
.
Since
then
,
I
have
read
it
very
—
very
often
!
"
said
Isabella
.
"
But
now
—
I
will
return
it
to
you
—
I
will
find
some
opportunity
to
forward
it
you
.
"
"
Not
for
worlds
,
Isabella
!
"
cried
Markham
.
"
If
you
still
love
me
—
if
you
still
deem
me
worthy
of
your
regard
—
keep
it
,
keep
it
as
a
pledge
that
you
believe
me
to
be
innocent
!
"
"
Yes
,
Richard
,
I
will
keep
it
—
keep
it
for
you
,
"
said
Isabella
.
"
But
do
not
think
that
your
cause
is
without
advocates
at
our
abode
.
My
mother
believes
that
you
were
wronged
,
and
not
guilty
—
"
"
Oh
,
Isabella
!
then
there
is
yet
hope
!
"
"
But
my
father
—
my
father
,
"
continued
the
signora
,
mournfully
;
"
he
will
not
hear
our
arguments
in
your
favour
.
It
was
only
an
hour
ago
that
my
mother
and
myself
reasoned
with
him
upon
the
subject
;
but
,
alas
!
he
—
who
is
so
good
and
so
just
in
all
other
respects
,
—
he
is
obdurate
and
inexorable
in
this
!
"
"
Time
,
sweetest
girl
,
will
do
much
;
and
now
my
soul
is
filled
with
hope
!
Oh
!
how
I
rejoice
that
accident
should
have
thrown
in
your
way
the
very
proof
that
confirmed
the
opinion
which
your
goodness
suggested
in
my
favour
.
"
"
And
not
that
proof
alone
,
"
said
Isabella
;
"
for
even
this
very
morning
,
a
circumstance
confirmed
the
assertion
,
that
the
two
men
who
were
associated
with
Talbot
in
making
you
the
blind
instrument
of
their
infamous
schemes
,
are
characters
of
the
very
worst
description
.
Captain
Dapper
and
his
young
friend
were
plundered
by
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
and
Mr.
Chichester
last
evening
at
a
gambling-house
.
"
"
Oh
!
there
is
no
enormity
of
which
those
villains
are
not
capable
!
"
said
Markham
.
"
But
while
I
speak
of
Captain
Dapper
,
"
observed
Isabella
,
suddenly
assuming
an
air
of
restraint
and
embarrassment
,
"
I
am
reminded
of
another
piece
of
information
which
he
gave
me
,
and
which
nearly
concerns
yourself
.
"
"
Concerns
me
,
Isabella
!
What
can
it
be
?
"
"
Nay
—
I
know
not
whether
it
would
be
discreet
—
indeed
,
I
am
confident
that
—
—
"
"
Speak
,
Isabella
—
speak
unreservedly
.
Do
you
wish
any
explanation
from
me
?
have
you
heard
any
further
aspersions
upon
my
character
?
Speak
,
Isabella
—
speak
:
your
own
noble
confidence
merits
an
equally
unreserved
frankness
on
my
part
.
"
"
No
,
Richard
—
dear
Richard
,
"
said
the
lovely
Italian
,
in
a
bewitching
tone
of
tenderness
;
"
I
was
wrong
—
very
wrong
to
allude
to
so
idle
,
so
silly
an
assertion
;
—
and
yet
—
and
yet
it
grieved
me
—
deeply
at
the
moment
.
"
"
My
dearest
Isabella
,
I
implore
you
to
speak
.
Let
there
be
no
secrets
between
you
and
me
.
"
"
No
—
Richard
—
I
will
not
insult
you
—
"
"
Insult
me
,
Isabella
?
Impossible
!
"
"
Yes
—
insult
you
with
a
suspicion
—
"
"
Ah
!
some
falsehood
of
that
Captain
Dapper
,
"
exclaimed
Markham
.
"
Pray
give
me
an
opportunity
of
explaining
away
any
impression
—
"
"
Oh
!
no
impression
,
Richard
;
—
only
a
moment
's
uneasiness
;
—
and
,
if
you
will
compel
me
to
tell
you
—
even
at
the
risk
of
appearing
a
jealous
,
suspicious
creature
in
your
eyes
—
"
"
Ah
,
Isabella
,
if
it
be
nothing
but
jealousy
,
"
said
Richard
,
with
a
smile
of
satisfaction
,
"
I
am
well
pleased
;
for
there
would
not
be
jealousy
without
love
;
and
thus
,
the
former
is
a
proof
of
the
latter
.
"
"
Then
,
Captain
Dapper
observed
that
he
was
riding
near
your
abode
the
other
day
;
and
he
saw
a
young
and
very
beautiful
lady
in
your
garden
—
—
"
"
And
he
said
truly
,
Isabella
,
"
interrupted
Markham
:
"
he
,
no
doubt
,
saw
Miss
Monroe
,
who
,
with
her
venerable
father
,
is
residing
at
my
house
—
through
charity
,
Isabella
—
through
charity
!
No
tongue
can
tell
the
miseries
which
those
poor
creatures
had
endured
,
until
I
forced
them
to
come
and
take
up
their
abode
with
me
.
Mr.
Monroe
was
my
guardian
—
and
by
his
speculations
did
I
lose
my
fortune
;
—
but
never
have
I
borne
him
ill-will
—
and
now
—
"
"
Say
no
more
,
Richard
,
"
exclaimed
Isabella
:
"
you
have
a
noble
heart
—
and
never
,
never
will
I
mistrust
it
!
"
"
And
you
love
me
,
Isabella
?
and
you
will
ever
love
me
?
and
you
will
never
be
another
's
?
"
"
Do
you
require
oaths
,
and
vows
,
and
protestations
,
Richard
?
"
said
the
young
lady
,
tenderly
:
"
if
so
,
you
shall
have
them
.
But
my
own
feelings
—
my
own
sentiments
are
the
best
guarantee
of
my
actions
towards
you
!
"
"
Oh
!
I
believe
you
—
dearest
,
dearest
Isabella
!
"
cried
the
young
man
,
enthusiastically
,
his
handsome
countenance
irradiated
with
a
glow
of
animation
which
set
off
his
proud
style
of
male
beauty
to
its
fullest
extent
;
"
I
believe
you
;
and
you
have
rendered
me
supremely
happy
,
for
you
have
taught
me
to
have
confidence
in
myself
—
you
have
led
me
to
believe
that
I
am
worthy
of
even
such
an
angel
as
you
!
Oh
!
dearest
Isabella
,
you
know
not
how
sweet
it
is
to
be
beloved
by
a
pure
and
virgin
heart
like
yours
!
If
my
wrongs
—
my
injuries
—
my
sufferings
—
have
taught
thee
to
feel
one
particle
of
sympathy
the
more
for
me
,
then
am
I
proud
of
the
sad
destinies
that
have
so
touched
that
tender
heart
of
thine
!
But
say
,
Isabella
—
say
,
when
shall
we
meet
again
?
"
"
Richard
,
"
answered
the
Italian
lady
,
"
you
know
how
sincerely
—
how
fondly
I
love
you
;
you
know
that
you
—
and
you
alone
shall
ever
accompany
me
to
the
altar
.
But
,
never
—
never
,
dear
Richard
,
can
I
so
far
neglect
my
duty
to
my
father
,
as
to
consent
to
a
clandestine
meeting
.
And
you
,
Richard
—
you
possess
a
soul
too
noble
,
and
too
good
,
to
urge
me
to
do
that
which
would
be
wrong
.
The
woman
who
has
been
a
disobedient
daughter
,
may
be
a
disobedient
wife
;
and
much
as
I
love
you
,
Richard
—
much
as
I
dote
upon
every
word
that
falls
from
your
lips
—
much
as
I
confide
in
your
own
affection
for
me
,
I
cannot
—
I
dare
not
—
will
not
diminish
myself
in
my
own
opinion
,
nor
stand
the
chance
of
incurring
a
suspicion
of
levity
in
yours
,
by
a
course
which
is
contrary
to
filial
duty
.
No
,
Richard
—
do
not
ask
me
to
meet
you
again
.
Something
tells
me
that
all
will
yet
be
well
:
we
are
young
—
we
can
hope
;
—
and
God
—
that
God
in
whom
we
both
trust
—
will
not
forget
us
!
"
"
Now
,
Isabella
—
now
,
"
exclaimed
Richard
,
"
I
comprehend
all
that
is
great
and
noble
in
your
disposition
.
Yes
—
it
shall
be
as
you
say
,
my
ever
dear
Isabella
;
and
the
mental
contemplation
of
your
virtue
will
teach
me
to
appreciate
the
love
of
such
a
heart
as
yours
.
"
"
We
must
now
separate
,
dear
Richard
,
"
said
Isabella
:
"
I
have
already
remained
too
long
away
from
home
!
But
one
word
ere
you
depart
:
—
that
miscreant
who
made
so
fearful
an
accusation
against
you
on
the
fatal
night
when
you
left
my
father
's
dwelling
—
—
"
"
He
is
no
more
,
Isabella
,
"
answered
Markham
:
"
at
least
I
have
every
reason
to
believe
that
when
the
police
,
instructed
by
me
,
discovered
his
dwelling
,
three
months
ago
,
the
villain
terminated
his
existence
in
a
manner
that
corresponded
well
with
the
whole
tenour
of
his
life
.
The
den
of
infamy
which
he
inhabited
,
was
blown
up
with
gunpowder
,
the
moment
after
the
officers
of
justice
entered
it
;
and
there
can
be
no
doubt
that
he
,
together
with
one
of
his
accomplices
,
perished
in
the
ruin
that
was
produced
by
his
own
hand
.
Several
constables
met
their
death
at
the
same
time
;
and
,
according
to
information
gathered
from
the
neighbours
,
an
old
woman
—
believed
to
be
the
miscreant
's
mother
—
was
also
in
the
house
at
the
time
of
the
explosion
.
"
"
How
fearful
are
the
ways
of
crime
!
"
said
Isabella
,
with
a
shudder
.
"
May
God
grant
that
in
future
you
will
have
no
enemies
to
cross
your
path
!
And
now
,
farewell
,
Richard
—
farewell
.
We
shall
meet
again
soon
—
Providence
will
not
desert
us
!
"
Richard
pressed
his
lips
to
those
of
that
charming
girl
,
and
bade
her
adieu
.
She
tore
herself
—
now
reluctantly
!
—
away
from
him
,
and
hastily
retraced
her
steps
towards
the
mansion
.
But
ere
she
passed
the
angle
of
the
grove
,
she
turned
and
waved
her
handkerchief
to
her
lover
.
The
young
man
kissed
his
hand
fondly
to
the
idol
of
his
heart
:
and
in
another
moment
Isabella
was
out
of
sight
.
That
one
half-hour
of
bliss
,
which
Richard
had
thus
passed
with
the
Italian
lady
,
was
a
reward
for
weeks
—
months
—
years
of
anguish
and
of
sorrow
!
CHAPTER
LXXV
.
THE
CRISIS
.
DURING
the
ensuing
three
months
nothing
occurred
worthy
of
record
,
in
connexion
with
any
character
that
has
figured
upon
the
stage
of
our
narrative
.
The
month
of
July
arrived
:
and
found
Tomlinson
,
the
banker
,
more
deeply
involved
in
difficulties
than
ever
.
The
result
was
that
the
consultations
between
him
and
old
Michael
,
the
cashier
,
were
of
very
frequent
occurrence
;
and
the
latter
grew
more
morose
,
more
dirty
,
and
more
addicted
to
snuff
in
proportion
as
the
affairs
of
the
bank
became
the
more
desperate
.
One
morning
,
in
the
first
week
of
July
,
Tomlinson
arrived
at
the
banking-house
half
an
hour
earlier
than
usual
.
He
had
taken
home
the
cash-books
with
him
on
the
preceding
evening
,
for
the
purpose
of
ascertaining
his
true
position
;
and
he
brought
them
back
again
in
the
morning
before
any
of
the
clerks
had
arrived
,
with
the
exception
of
old
Michael
Martin
,
who
was
already
waiting
for
him
when
he
entered
the
parlour
.
"
Well
,
Michael
,
my
old
friend
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
on
whose
countenance
the
marks
of
care
and
anxiety
were
now
too
visibly
traced
,
"
I
am
afraid
that
the
establishment
cannot
possibly
exist
many
days
longer
.
Mr.
Greenwood
will
be
here
presently
:
and
he
is
my
only
hope
.
"
"
Hope
indeed
!
"
growled
Martin
,
plunging
his
fore-finger
and
thumb
into
his
capacious
snuff-box
:
"
how
he
left
you
to
shift
for
yourself
after
you
gave
that
security
to
Count
Alteroni
.
"
"
Which
security
fell
due
a
few
days
ago
;
and
a
note
from
the
count
,
received
yesterday
,
tells
me
that
he
shall
call
upon
me
next
Saturday
at
twelve
o'clock
for
the
amount
.
"
"
He
is
very
welcome
to
call
—
and
so
are
a
good
many
others
,
"
said
Michael
;
"
but
they
will
go
back
as
empty
as
they
came
.
"
"
Good
God
!
can
nothing
be
done
?
"
exclaimed
Tomlinson
,
with
an
expression
of
blank
despair
upon
his
countenance
.
"
Say
,
Michael
—
is
there
any
resource
?
do
you
know
of
any
plan
?
can
you
suggest
any
method
—
"
"
Not
one
.
You
must
go
to
the
Bankruptcy
Court
,
and
I
must
go
to
the
workhouse
;
"
—
and
the
old
man
took
a
huge
pinch
of
snuff
.
"
To
the
workhouse
!
"
cried
Tomlinson
;
"
no
—
impossible
!
Do
not
say
that
,
my
good
old
friend
.
"
"
I
do
say
it
,
though
;
"
—
and
two
tears
rolled
slowly
down
the
cashier
's
cheeks
.
This
was
the
first
time
that
Tomlinson
had
ever
beheld
any
outward
and
visible
sign
of
emotion
on
the
part
of
his
faithful
clerk
.
Tomlinson
was
not
naturally
a
bad
man
—
at
all
events
,
not
a
bad-hearted
man
:
the
cashier
had
served
him
with
a
fidelity
rarely
equalled
;
and
that
announcement
of
a
workhouse-doom
in
connexion
with
the
old
man
touched
him
to
the
soul
.
"
Michael
,
"
he
said
,
taking
the
cashier
's
hand
,
"
you
do
not
mean
to
tell
me
that
you
are
totally
without
resources
for
yourself
?
Your
salary
has
been
six
hundred
a
year
for
a
long
time
;
and
surely
you
must
have
saved
something
out
of
that
—
you
,
who
have
no
family
encumbrances
of
any
kind
,
and
whose
expenses
are
so
very
limited
.
"
The
old
man
slowly
opened
one
of
the
cash-books
,
pointed
to
the
page
at
the
head
of
which
stood
his
own
name
,
ran
his
finger
down
a
column
of
payments
made
to
himself
,
and
stopping
at
the
total
,
said
,
"
That
amount
runs
over
nine
years
;
and
the
amount
is
£
540.
"
"
What
—
is
it
possible
?
"
cried
Tomlinson
:
"
you
have
only
paid
yourself
£
60
a-year
.
"
"
And
that
was
too
much
for
the
state
of
the
bank
,
"
said
the
cashier
drily
,
taking
a
pinch
of
snuff
at
the
same
time
.
"
Now
of
all
things
which
combine
to
make
me
wretched
at
this
moment
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
"
your
position
is
the
most
afflicting
.
"
"
Do
n't
think
of
me
:
I
'm
not
worth
it
,
"
returned
Michael
.
"
What
will
you
do
yourself
?
"
"
What
shall
we
both
do
?
"
cried
the
banker
.
"
But
so
long
as
I
have
a
crust
,
you
shall
not
want
.
"
"
Well
—
well
,
there
's
enough
of
that
,
"
almost
growled
the
cashier
,
though
his
furrowed
cheeks
were
still
moist
with
tears
.
"
I
am
an
old
man
,
and
my
wants
are
few
.
A
bit
of
bread
and
a
pinch
of
snuff
are
enough
for
me
.
But
you
—
you
,
who
have
always
lived
like
a
gentleman
,
—
how
can
you
stand
it
?
"
"
And
is
it
literally
come
to
this
?
Is
there
no
resource
?
"
"
Do
you
see
any
?
I
do
not
.
Will
your
father
help
you
?
"
"
Not
with
another
sixpence
.
"
"
Will
Greenwood
?
"
"
Here
he
comes
to
answer
for
himself
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
entered
the
parlour
,
and
old
Michael
,
taking
his
cash-books
under
his
arm
,
withdrew
.
The
member
of
parliament
threw
himself
into
a
chair
,
and
observed
what
a
beautiful
morning
it
was
.
Tomlinson
made
a
movement
of
impatience
,
and
yet
dared
not
ask
the
question
that
trembled
upon
his
tongue
,
and
the
answer
to
which
would
decide
his
fate
.
"
Yes
,
"
continued
Greenwood
,
"
it
is
a
lovely
morning
:
all
nature
seems
enlivened
,
and
every
body
is
inspired
with
a
congenial
feeling
.
"
"
What
nonsense
is
this
,
Greenwood
?
"
cried
the
banker
.
"
Do
you
come
to
taunt
a
man
upon
the
brink
of
ruin
,
with
the
happiness
of
others
?
"
"
Oh
!
I
beg
your
pardon
,
my
dear
Tomlinson
.
I
really
was
waiting
for
you
to
question
me
upon
matters
of
business
;
and
in
the
mean
time
made
use
of
some
observations
of
common
courtesy
and
politeness
.
"
"
The
fact
is
,
that
since
you
obtained
a
seat
in
Parliament
your
manners
have
altogether
changed
.
But
please
to
put
me
out
of
suspense
at
once
:
—
have
you
considered
my
proposal
?
"
"
I
have
—
maturely
.
"
"
And
what
is
your
decision
?
"
"
That
I
cannot
agree
to
it
.
"
"
I
thought
as
much
,
"
said
Tomlinson
.
"
Well
—
now
I
have
no
alternative
.
I
must
close
the
bank
and
appear
in
the
Gazette
.
"
"
And
when
you
are
cleared
by
a
certificate
,
I
will
enable
you
to
set
up
in
some
business
again
.
"
"
Upon
that
promise
,
Mr.
Greenwood
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
severely
,
"
I
place
no
reliance
—
no
reliance
whatever
.
"
"
Just
as
you
please
,
"
returned
Greenwood
coolly
.
"
How
can
I
?
"
cried
the
banker
.
"
When
I
gave
my
security
for
you
to
Count
Alteroni
,
and
relieved
you
of
a
burden
of
fifteen
thousand
pounds
,
you
faithfully
promised
to
assist
me
.
Did
you
keep
your
word
?
"
"
Did
I
not
forgive
you
a
debt
which
would
have
ruined
you
that
very
day
?
"
"
True
.
But
you
were
an
immense
gainer
!
You
obtained
twelve
thousand
pounds
by
the
transaction
.
However
,
I
shall
be
compelled
to
give
an
account
of
the
transaction
to
the
Bankruptcy
Court
.
"
"
An
avowal
which
will
do
you
no
good
,
and
will
only
expose
me
,
"
observed
Greenwood
,
alarmed
by
this
declaration
.
"
And
why
should
I
have
any
regard
for
you
?
"
demanded
Tomlinson
,
with
that
moroseness
which
men
in
his
desperate
condition
are
so
frequently
known
to
manifest
towards
intriguers
more
fortunate
than
themselves
.
"
I
will
tell
you
why
you
should
have
some
regard
for
me
,
"
answered
Greenwood
.
"
In
the
first
place
,
the
mere
fact
of
your
having
so
long
carried
on
this
bank
when
in
a
helpless
state
of
insolvency
,
thereby
increasing
your
liabilities
in
a
desperate
manner
,
and
receiving
deposits
the
eventual
repayment
of
which
each
day
became
less
likely
,
will
so
irritate
the
mass
of
your
creditors
that
you
will
never
obtain
your
certificate
.
Secondly
,
unless
you
have
a
friendly
trade-assignee
,
you
will
obtain
no
allowance
out
of
the
wrecks
of
the
property
,
and
you
will
find
it
difficult
,
considering
the
state
your
books
must
be
in
,
to
make
up
a
balance
sheet
that
would
stand
the
remotest
chance
of
passing
.
"
"
True
—
true
,
"
said
Tomlinson
:
"
my
condition
is
really
desperate
.
"
"
Not
so
desperate
as
you
imagine
,
"
resumed
Greenwood
:
"
I
will
be
your
friend
—
I
will
save
you
,
if
you
only
follow
my
counsel
.
"
"
Ah
!
my
good
friend
,
"
cried
the
despairing
man
,
"
forgive
me
the
expressions
which
fell
from
my
lips
just
now
.
"
"
Do
not
mention
that
circumstance
;
I
make
every
allowance
for
the
irritated
state
of
your
feelings
.
In
the
first
place
,
then
,
you
can
make
me
a
creditor
to
the
amount
of
thirty
thousand
pounds
,
and
two
or
three
of
my
friends
creditors
to
an
equal
amount
in
the
aggregate
.
We
shall
be
enabled
to
give
you
your
certificate
,
together
with
those
persons
who
will
not
bear
you
animosity
or
whom
we
can
talk
over
.
In
the
second
place
,
I
can
apply
to
be
appointed
trade-assignee
;
and
I
flatter
myself
—
considering
my
position
,
representing
as
I
do
a
free
,
enlightened
,
and
independent
constituency
—
my
nomination
will
not
be
opposed
.
"
"
If
you
could
only
contrive
that
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
"
I
might
pass
my
second
examination
in
even
a
creditable
manner
;
and
afterwards
—
"
"
And
afterwards
open
as
a
stock-broker
,
"
added
Greenwood
.
"
That
is
the
invariable
resource
of
all
bankrupt
bankers
;
and
what
is
more
extraordinary
,
they
obtain
confidence
and
succeed
too
.
Tradesmen
who
are
unfortunate
,
always
take
to
the
wine
,
coal
,
or
discount
business
,
each
of
which
can
be
commenced
without
a
shilling
;
but
your
aim
must
be
a
broker
's
profession
.
It
is
so
genteel
—
so
comfortable
:
a
hole
of
an
office
in
the
City
,
and
a
villa
at
Clapham
or
Kensington
;
—
a
mutton
chop
at
the
Dining-rooms
in
Hercules
Passage
at
one
,
and
turtle
and
venison
at
home
at
six
.
Ah
!
the
life
of
a
stock-broker
is
a
very
pleasant
one
!
"
"
I
am
sure
the
life
of
an
insolvent
banker
is
not
,
"
said
Tomlinson
,
again
rendered
rather
impatient
by
Mr.
Greenwood
's
discursiveness
.
"
A
thousand
pounds
will
set
you
up
comfortably
again
,
"
continued
Greenwood
;
"
and
that
you
shall
have
.
Only
follow
my
advice
—
and
I
will
be
the
making
of
you
.
In
the
meantime
,
you
had
better
not
struggle
against
fortune
any
longer
in
this
position
.
What
is
to-day
?
Thursday
.
Very
well
.
I
will
strike
a
docket
against
you
this
very
afternoon
:
the
fiat
can
be
opened
to-morrow
morning
;
and
to-morrow
evening
you
can
be
in
the
Gazette
.
Is
that
agreed
?
"
"
Agreed
!
"
exclaimed
Tomlinson
bitterly
:
"
I
have
no
resource
left
but
that
!
Yes
—
it
shall
be
as
you
say
.
But
for
God
's
sake
,
talk
not
in
so
cold
and
heartless
a
manner
of
the
mode
of
procedure
.
"
"
Cold
and
heartless
,
my
dear
fellow
!
"
repeated
Greenwood
:
"
I
speak
of
your
affairs
just
as
I
would
speak
of
my
own
.
Keep
up
your
spirits
,
and
come
and
dine
with
me
this
evening
.
You
shall
then
give
me
the
necessary
securities
to
enable
me
to
prove
as
your
creditor
for
the
amount
agreed
upon
.
Meantime
,
give
me
a
bill
for
a
thousand
or
so
,
ante-dated
about
four
months
,
and
due
a
month
ago
,
so
that
I
may
strike
the
docket
upon
it
presently
.
Then
,
as
you
are
not
to
know
that
these
proceedings
are
in
operation
against
you
,
you
must
keep
the
bank
open
until
the
messenger
comes
down
to-morrow
afternoon
from
the
Bankruptcy
Court
the
moment
the
fiat
is
lawfully
proclaimed
before
the
Commissioner
.
Of
course
you
will
pretend
to
be
struck
with
surprise
,
and
instantly
proceed
to
the
Court
to
obtain
your
protection
.
Is
that
agreed
upon
?
"
"
I
am
in
your
hands
,
"
said
Tomlinson
.
"
Your
advice
shall
now
guide
me
altogether
.
But
when
I
think
upon
the
ruin
and
desolation
my
failure
will
cause
—
the
widows
and
the
orphans
whom
it
will
reduce
to
beggary
—
the
poor
tradesmen
whom
it
will
involve
in
inextricable
difficulties
,
—
it
is
enough
to
drive
me
mad
.
"
"
Pooh
!
pooh
!
my
good
fellow
,
"
said
Greenwood
;
"
these
little
things
happen
every
day
.
As
for
the
widows
and
the
orphans
,
allow
me
to
remind
you
that
the
wisdom
and
goodness
of
the
legislative
bodies
—
to
one
of
which
I
have
the
honour
to
belong
as
the
representative
of
an
intelligent
and
independent
constituency
—
have
established
asylums
for
the
reception
of
persons
so
reduced
,
and
where
they
enjoy
every
comfort
,
upon
the
trifling
condition
of
doing
a
little
needle-work
,
or
breaking
a
few
stones
.
"
"
Greenwood
—
Greenwood
,
do
not
speak
in
this
heartless
manner
!
Oh
!
the
idea
that
my
failure
will
render
your
words
literally
true
—
that
numbers
will
be
thereby
reduced
to
the
workhouse
of
which
you
speak
,
—
it
is
this
,
it
is
this
that
overwhelms
me
!
"
"
You
are
very
silly
to
give
way
to
your
feelings
in
this
manner
.
Why
do
you
know
(
and
I
may
as
well
mention
it
by
way
of
consolation
in
respect
to
the
widows
and
orphans
whose
fate
you
deplore
)
—
that
the
workhouses
are
conducted
at
present
upon
the
most
liberal
principle
possible
?
Do
you
know
that
the
female
inmates
are
handsomely
remunerated
for
the
shirts
which
they
make
—
that
they
can
make
a
shirt
in
a
day
and
a
half
,
and
that
they
receive
one
farthing
for
each
?
That
is
their
pocket-money
—
their
little
perquisites
,
my
dear
fellow
;
—
so
you
perceive
that
the
workhouse
is
not
such
a
bad
place
after
all
.
"
Tomlinson
was
pacing
the
bank-parlour
in
an
abstracted
mood
,
and
paid
not
the
slightest
attention
to
this
tirade
from
the
lips
of
the
newly-fledged
politician
.
Mr.
Greenwood
saw
that
his
observations
were
unheeded
,
and
accordingly
rose
to
take
his
departure
.
Tomlinson
gave
him
a
bill
for
a
thousand
pounds
to
enable
him
to
strike
a
docket
against
him
;
and
Mr.
Greenwood
then
withdrew
.
The
moment
he
was
gone
,
old
Michael
entered
the
room
;
and
Tomlinson
communicated
to
him
all
that
had
passed
.
The
cashier
made
no
reply
,
but
took
the
largest
pinch
of
snuff
he
had
ever
yet
abstracted
from
his
box
or
conveyed
to
his
nose
.
He
had
not
yet
broken
silence
,
when
the
door
opened
,
and
Mr.
Greenwood
returned
.
Michael
was
about
to
withdraw
;
but
the
capitalist
stopped
him
,
saying
,
"
Stay
—
three
heads
are
better
than
two
.
I
was
just
entering
my
cabriolet
,
when
an
idea
—
a
brilliant
idea
struck
me
.
"
"
An
idea
!
"
exclaimed
Tomlinson
:
"
what
—
to
save
me
?
"
"
To
render
your
failure
legitimate
—
to
make
you
appear
an
honourable
,
but
an
unfortunate
man
—
to
avert
all
blame
from
you
—
"
"
Ah
!
if
that
could
be
done
,
"
interrupted
the
banker
,
his
countenance
animated
with
hope
,
"
I
might
yet
be
spared
the
execrations
of
the
widow
and
the
orphan
!
"
"
Ever
your
widows
and
orphans
,
my
dear
fellow
,
"
said
Greenwood
:
"
you
are
really
quite
sickening
.
"
"
Well
—
well
—
the
idea
?
"
"
Nothing
is
more
simple
,
"
continued
Greenwood
.
"
You
leave
the
bank
this
afternoon
at
five
,
as
usual
:
Michael
sees
all
safe
,
and
takes
his
departure
also
.
You
leave
fifty
thousand
pounds
in
specie
and
notes
in
the
strong
box
,
together
with
securities
of
foreign
houses
at
Leipzig
,
Vienna
,
Turin
,
New
York
,
Rio
Janeiro
,
Calcutta
,
Sydney
—
—
"
"
Greenwood
,
have
you
come
back
to
mock
a
miserable
—
ruined
man
?
"
"
Quite
the
contrary
.
Listen
!
You
leave
money
and
securities
to
the
amount
of
ninety-two
thousand
,
three
hundred
,
and
forty-seven
pounds
—
or
any
odd
sum
,
to
look
well
—
safe
in
the
strong
box
,
together
with
the
cash-books
.
You
and
Michael
come
in
the
morning
—
or
perhaps
it
would
be
better
to
allow
one
of
the
clerks
to
arrive
first
,
—
and
,
behold
!
the
bank
has
been
broken
into
during
the
night
—
the
money
,
the
securities
,
and
the
books
are
all
gone
—
and
the
bank
stops
as
a
natural
consequence
!
"
"
Impossible
—
impossible
!
"
exclaimed
Tomlinson
:
"
it
could
never
be
done
!
I
could
not
proclaim
such
a
fraud
without
a
blush
that
would
betray
me
.
What
say
you
,
Michael
?
"
The
old
cashier
answered
only
with
a
grunt
,
and
took
snuff
as
it
were
by
handfuls
.
"
What
say
you
,
Michael
?
"
repeated
Tomlinson
,
impatiently
.
"
I
say
that
it
can
be
done
—
ought
to
be
done
—
and
must
be
done
,
"
replied
the
old
man
.
"
I
would
sooner
die
than
see
the
honour
of
the
house
lost
—
and
that
will
save
it
.
"
"
Well
said
,
Michael
,
"
exclaimed
Greenwood
.
"
Now
,
Tomlinson
,
your
decision
?
"
"
It
is
a
fearful
alternative
—
and
yet
—
and
yet
,
it
is
preferable
to
infamy
—
disgrace
—
—
"
"
Then
you
agree
?
"
"
And
if
I
agree
—
where
are
the
means
of
executing
the
scheme
?
Who
will
rob
—
or
affect
to
rob
the
premises
?
"
"
That
must
be
arranged
by
yourselves
.
The
back
of
this
house
looks
upon
a
court
.
The
thieves
can
have
effected
their
entrance
through
these
parlour
windows
:
the
parlour
doors
will
be
found
forced
;
the
safe
will
have
been
broken
open
.
Nothing
can
be
more
simple
.
"
"
Yes
—
I
know
how
to
manage
it
all
,
"
exclaimed
old
Martin
,
who
had
been
ruminating
more
seriously
than
ever
for
the
last
few
moments
.
"
Mr.
Greenwood
,
you
have
saved
the
honour
of
the
bank
,
which
I
love
as
if
it
was
my
own
child
;
"
—
and
the
cashier
wrung
the
hand
of
the
member
of
Parliament
with
a
warmth
indicative
of
an
amount
of
feeling
which
he
had
never
been
known
to
demonstrate
before
.
"
Well
—
I
have
given
you
the
hint
—
do
you
profit
by
it
,
"
said
Greenwood
;
and
with
these
words
he
departed
.
And
as
he
drove
back
to
the
West-End
,
he
said
to
himself
,
"
Tomlinson
will
now
be
completely
in
my
power
,
and
will
never
dare
confess
the
real
nature
of
the
transaction
relative
to
Count
Alteroni
's
fifteen
thousand
pounds
.
According
to
the
first
arrangement
proposed
,
a
bullying
counsel
or
an
astute
Commissioner
might
have
wormed
out
of
him
the
exact
truth
;
whereas
,
now
—
now
his
lips
are
silenced
on
that
head
for
ever
!
"
The
moment
Greenwood
had
left
the
bank-parlour
,
old
Michael
accosted
Tomlinson
,
and
said
"
Have
you
full
confidence
in
me
?
"
"
I
have
,
Michael
:
but
why
do
you
ask
me
that
question
?
"
"
Will
you
place
yourself
in
my
hands
?
"
"
I
will
—
in
every
way
.
"
"
Then
you
will
leave
the
establishment
as
usual
at
five
this
evening
;
and
trust
to
me
to
manage
every
thing
.
I
have
my
plan
ready
arranged
;
but
you
shall
know
nothing
to-day
:
—
to-morrow
—
to-morrow
—
—
"
The
old
man
stopped
short
,
and
had
recourse
to
his
snuff-box
.
"
Be
it
as
you
say
,
Michael
,
"
cried
Tomlinson
,
always
bewildered
by
the
terrors
of
his
situation
,
and
still
half
shrinking
from
the
daring
plot
which
Greenwood
had
opened
to
his
view
;
"
I
know
that
you
are
my
faithful
friend
—
my
best
,
my
only
friend
:
—
it
shall
be
as
you
desire
!
"
CHAPTER
LXXVI
.
COUNT
ALTERONI
'S
FIFTEEN
THOUSAND
POUNDS
.
ON
the
Saturday
morning
following
the
Thursday
on
which
the
above-mentioned
conversation
took
place
,
the
count
and
his
family
were
seated
at
breakfast
.
The
morning
paper
was
late
;
and
his
lordship
was
one
of
those
persons
who
cannot
enjoy
their
repast
without
the
intellectual
association
of
a
journal
.
At
length
the
wished-for
print
arrived
;
and
the
count
was
soon
buried
in
the
preceding
night
's
debate
in
the
House
of
Commons
—
for
he
felt
deeply
interested
in
all
political
affairs
,
no
matter
to
which
country
they
referred
.
"
Really
this
Greenwood
is
a
very
clever
man
,
"
he
observed
,
after
a
long
interval
of
silence
.
"
He
acquitted
himself
well
last
evening
,
notwithstanding
the
erroneous
course
he
is
pursuing
in
the
political
sphere
.
The
Tories
of
this
country
have
obtained
a
powerful
auxiliary
in
him
.
It
is
a
pity
he
is
so
unprincipled
a
villain
—
for
,
I
repeat
,
he
is
really
very
clever
.
"
"
It
is
astonishing
how
men
of
his
stamp
contrive
to
push
themselves
forward
in
the
world
,
"
said
the
countess
,
"
while
those
of
honest
principles
and
upright
minds
are
either
misunderstood
,
or
vilely
persecuted
.
"
"
And
yet
vice
only
prospers
for
a
time
,
"
observed
Isabella
;
"
and
virtue
becomes
triumphant
at
last
.
Those
who
are
misunderstood
to-day
will
be
comprehended
and
honoured
to-morrow
.
"
She
thought
of
Markham
as
she
uttered
these
words
:
indeed
,
the
image
of
her
lover
was
ever
uppermost
in
the
mind
of
the
charming
and
affectionate
girl
.
"
I
am
afraid
,
"
said
the
count
,
after
a
pause
,
"
that
the
moral
you
have
just
advanced
,
Bella
,
is
rather
that
of
the
stage
and
the
romancist
than
of
real
life
.
And
yet
,
"
he
added
fervently
,
"
to
entertain
such
an
idea
as
mine
is
to
question
the
goodness
and
the
justice
of
Providence
.
Yes
—
I
must
believe
in
earthly
rewards
and
punishments
.
You
are
right
,
my
child
—
you
are
right
:
the
wicked
man
will
not
ever
triumph
in
his
turpitude
;
nor
may
the
virtuous
one
be
oppressed
until
the
end
.
"
"
No
—
or
else
were
there
small
hope
for
us
,
"
said
the
countess
solemnly
.
"
The
great
men
of
Castelcicala
must
some
day
perceive
who
is
their
real
friend
.
"
"
Alas
!
"
exclaimed
Isabella
,
"
It
is
hard
to
be
mistaken
and
suspected
by
those
whose
good
opinions
we
would
fain
secure
.
"
The
count
resumed
the
perusal
of
the
newspaper
;
but
his
eyes
had
not
dwelt
many
minutes
upon
the
page
ere
he
uttered
a
loud
exclamation
of
mingled
astonishment
and
alarm
.
The
ladies
looked
towards
him
in
a
state
of
the
most
painful
suspense
:
and
this
feeling
was
not
immediately
removed
,
for
the
count
,
with
an
ashy
pale
face
,
continued
to
read
the
article
that
had
caught
his
eyes
,
for
some
moments
,
ere
he
explained
the
cause
of
his
emotion
.
"
Heavens
!
"
exclaimed
the
countess
,
"
are
there
any
bad
tidings
from
Italy
?
"
"
No
—
the
hand
that
strikes
the
blow
which
ruins
us
,
is
not
so
far
distant
,
"
answered
the
nobleman
,
throwing
the
paper
upon
the
table
.
"
Ah
!
we
were
premature
,
"
he
continued
bitterly
,
"
in
founding
our
hopes
upon
the
justice
with
which
virtue
is
rewarded
and
vice
punished
!
"
"
The
blow
which
ruins
us
?
"
said
the
countess
,
a
prey
to
the
most
acute
anxiety
.
"
Yes
—
Tomlinson
has
stopped
payment
,
"
cried
the
Italian
exile
;
"
and
—
and
we
are
ruined
!
"
"
My
dear
father
,
"
said
Isabella
,
hastening
to
fling
her
arms
around
the
neck
of
her
much-loved
sire
,
"
all
may
not
be
so
bad
as
you
imagine
!
"
"
Ruined
!
"
repeated
the
countess
;
and
,
taking
up
the
newspaper
,
the
following
article
instantly
met
her
eyes
:
—
"
ROBBERY
AND
STOPPAGE
OF
TOMLINSON
'S
BANK
.
"
The
City
was
yesterday
morning
thrown
into
a
state
of
the
greatest
fermentation
by
a
rumour
which
prevailed
at
about
eleven
o'clock
,
that
the
above-mentioned
old-established
and
well-known
banking
establishment
had
been
plundered
to
an
enormous
amount
,
and
had
suspended
its
payments
.
Unfortunately
the
rumour
was
but
too
true
;
and
our
reporter
,
upon
repairing
to
Lombard
Street
,
found
an
immense
crowd
collected
in
front
of
the
bank
.
The
doors
were
closed
;
and
the
following
notice
was
posted
up
;
—
'
James
Tomlinson
is
under
the
painful
necessity
of
suspending
the
affairs
of
the
bank
,
at
least
for
the
present
.
The
flight
of
the
cashier
,
with
money
and
securities
to
an
amount
bordering
upon
a
hundred
thousand
pounds
,
is
the
cause
of
this
unfortunate
step
.
Further
particulars
will
be
made
known
at
speedily
as
possible
.
'
It
is
impossible
to
describe
the
dismay
which
was
depicted
upon
the
countenances
of
those
amongst
the
crowd
who
are
sufferers
by
this
calamity
;
and
many
very
painful
scenes
took
place
.
One
widow
lady
who
had
placed
her
little
all
in
the
concern
,
and
who
arrived
upon
the
spot
,
to
draw
her
half
yearly
interest
,
only
a
few
moments
after
the
doors
were
closed
,
was
taken
away
in
a
state
of
madness
.
We
have
since
learnt
that
the
unfortunate
lady
has
entirely
lost
her
reason
.
"
Our
reporter
upon
prosecuting
his
inquiries
,
gleaned
the
following
particulars
of
the
occurrence
which
led
to
the
stoppage
of
the
bank
;
and
we
have
every
reason
to
believe
that
the
narrative
which
they
furnish
may
be
relied
upon
.
"
It
appears
that
the
cashier
,
whose
name
was
Michael
Martin
,
is
a
very
old
man
,
and
had
been
for
many
years
in
the
service
of
the
present
and
late
proprietors
of
the
bank
.
His
presumed
integrity
,
his
known
experience
,
and
his
general
conduct
,
had
led
to
his
elevation
to
the
post
of
head
cashier
—
a
situation
which
he
has
filled
for
upwards
of
ten
years
,
without
exciting
a
suspicion
relative
to
his
proceedings
.
It
is
,
however
,
supposed
that
he
must
have
been
pursuing
a
most
nefarious
course
for
a
considerable
length
of
time
,
for
reasons
which
we
shall
state
presently
.
On
Thursday
evening
,
Mr.
Tomlinson
,
who
,
it
appears
,
is
the
sole
proprietor
of
the
establishment
,
although
the
business
has
been
all
along
carried
on
under
its
original
denomination
of
Tomlinson
+
Co.
,
quitted
the
bank
at
five
o'clock
,
as
usual
,
leaving
the
cashier
to
see
all
safe
,
and
close
the
establishment
for
the
day
,
according
to
custom
.
When
Mr.
Sanderson
,
one
of
the
clerks
,
arrived
at
the
bank
at
nine
o'clock
yesterday
morning
,
he
was
surprised
to
find
that
the
doors
were
not
yet
opened
.
The
other
clerks
arrived
shortly
afterwards
;
and
their
surprise
at
length
turned
into
alarm
.
Still
the
integrity
of
the
cashier
was
not
for
a
moment
suspected
;
it
was
,
however
,
imagined
that
something
most
have
happened
to
him
—
an
idea
that
was
strengthened
by
the
fact
that
the
cashier
occupied
a
room
in
the
establishment
,
and
there
was
consequently
no
reason
to
account
for
the
doors
remaining
closed
.
The
char-woman
,
who
waited
upon
the
cashier
and
swept
out
the
bank
,
etc.
,
came
up
to
the
door
while
the
clerks
were
thus
deliberating
,
and
stated
that
she
had
not
been
able
to
obtain
admission
that
morning
as
usual
.
It
was
now
determined
by
Mr.
Sanderson
to
obtain
the
assistance
of
a
policeman
,
and
force
an
entrance
.
This
was
done
;
and
egress
was
obtained
by
breaking
through
the
windows
and
shutters
(
which
close
inside
)
of
the
bank
parlour
.
Mr.
Sanderson
and
the
constable
immediately
proceeded
to
the
cashier
's
private
room
,
which
is
on
the
ground-floor
,
and
in
which
the
iron
safe
was
kept
.
The
bed
had
not
been
slept
in
during
the
night
.
Attention
was
then
directed
to
the
safe
,
where
it
was
found
that
it
was
open
,
and
its
contents
had
been
abstracted
.
The
front
door
of
the
bank
was
opened
,
and
the
clerks
admitted
.
Mr.
Tomlinson
was
then
immediately
sent
for
.
That
gentleman
arrived
by
ten
o'clock
;
and
a
farther
investigation
took
place
under
his
directions
.
The
result
of
this
search
was
a
discovery
that
not
only
had
the
specie
,
notes
,
and
securities
disappeared
,
but
even
the
cash-books
,
and
all
the
papers
that
could
throw
any
light
upon
the
financial
affairs
of
the
establishment
.
It
is
this
circumstance
which
induces
a
belief
that
the
cashier
must
have
carried
on
a
system
of
plunder
for
a
considerable
length
of
time
.
"
We
regret
to
state
that
the
shock
was
so
great
that
Mr.
Tomlinson
was
conveyed
to
his
residence
in
a
state
bordering
upon
distraction
.
"
"
Further
Particulars
.
"
A
reward
of
£
3000
has
been
offered
for
the
apprehension
of
the
cashier
;
and
a
description
of
his
person
has
been
forwarded
to
all
the
principal
seaports
.
[
For
Description
see
our
advertising
columns
.
]
Our
reporter
learnt
last
evening
that
Mr.
Tomlinson
was
more
composed
,
and
had
even
exerted
himself
to
consult
with
some
friends
upon
the
best
course
to
pursue
.
It
,
however
,
appears
that
so
entirely
did
he
confide
in
his
cashier
,
that
he
is
only
able
to
give
a
vague
and
meagre
account
of
the
nature
of
the
securities
abstracted
.
They
were
,
however
,
the
bills
and
bonds
of
several
great
foreign
and
colonial
mercantile
houses
.
We
regret
to
hear
that
Mr.
G
.
M
.
Greenwood
,
M.P.
,
had
paid
a
considerable
sum
of
money
into
the
bank
,
on
Thursday
morning
.
It
appears
that
upwards
of
fifty
thousand
pounds
in
specie
and
notes
(
the
numbers
of
which
are
now
unknown
,
they
having
been
entered
in
one
of
the
books
taken
away
)
and
forty-four
thousand
in
securities
have
disappeared
.
"
There
is
every
reason
to
suppose
that
the
delinquent
will
be
speedily
captured
,
as
it
is
impossible
for
him
to
travel
with
a
large
amount
of
specie
without
exciting
suspicion
.
"
"
Latest
Particulars
.
"
In
order
to
institute
the
fullest
and
most
complete
investigation
into
the
affairs
of
the
bank
,
it
was
resolved
,
at
a
late
hour
last
evening
,
at
a
meeting
of
the
principal
creditors
,
Mr.
Greenwood
in
the
chair
,
that
a
docket
should
be
struck
against
Mr.
Tomlinson
.
At
the
same
time
,
it
is
our
duty
to
observe
that
this
is
done
with
no
ill
feeling
towards
that
gentleman
,
who
is
deserving
only
of
universal
sympathy
,
and
,
in
no
way
,
of
blame
.
"
"
The
name
of
that
man
Greenwood
,
in
connexion
with
this
affair
,
"
said
the
count
,
"
impresses
me
with
the
idea
that
all
is
not
right
.
Moreover
,
how
could
the
cashier
have
removed
a
large
quantity
of
specie
without
attracting
attention
in
a
thoroughfare
so
frequented
at
all
hours
as
Lombard
Street
?
There
is
something
wrong
at
the
foundation
of
this
history
of
the
robbery
.
"
"
Alas
!
little
does
it
matter
now
to
us
,
whether
Mr.
Tomlinson
be
a
false
or
an
unfortunate
man
,
"
said
the
countess
;
"
there
is
one
thing
certain
—
we
are
ruined
!
"
"
Yes
—
my
dearest
wife
,
my
beloved
daughter
,
"
exclaimed
the
count
,
"
we
are
in
a
pitiable
situation
—
in
a
foreign
land
!
It
is
true
that
I
have
friends
:
the
Earl
of
Warrington
—
Lord
Tremordyn
,
both
of
whom
know
our
secret
,
and
have
faithfully
kept
it
—
would
gladly
assist
me
;
but
I
would
not
—
could
not
apply
to
them
—
even
though
it
be
to
settle
the
few
debts
which
I
owe
!
"
"
Still
there
remains
one
course
,
"
said
the
countess
,
hesitating
,
and
regarding
her
husband
with
anxious
timidity
.
"
One
course
!
"
ejaculated
the
count
.
"
Ah
!
I
know
full
well
to
what
you
allude
;
but
never
,
never
will
I
sell
my
rights
for
gold
!
No
,
my
dear
wife
—
my
beloved
daughter
—
we
must
prepare
ourselves
to
meet
our
misfortunes
in
a
becoming
manner
.
"
"
Dear
father
,
"
murmured
Isabella
,
"
your
goodness
has
conferred
upon
me
an
excellent
education
:
surely
I
might
turn
to
advantage
some
of
those
accomplishments
—
"
"
You
,
my
sweetest
girl
!
"
cried
the
nobleman
,
surveying
with
feelings
of
ineffable
pride
the
angelic
countenance
of
the
lovely
being
that
was
leaning
upon
his
shoulder
:
"
you
—
my
own
darling
girl
—
a
lady
of
your
high
rank
become
a
governess
!
no
—
never
,
never
!
"
