A dash or two of cold water, and the application of a little hartshorn,
and that sympathy so necessary to the fainting of distinguished
people-proves all-efficient. A slight heaving of the bosom is detected,
the hands-they have been well chaffed-quiver and move slowly, her face
resumes its color. She opens her eyes, lays her hand solicitously on
Sister Slocum’s arm: “It must be the will of Heaven,” she lisps,
motioning her head, regretfully; “it cannot now be undone—”
“Sister! sister! sister!” interrupts Sister Slocum, grasping her hand,
and looking inquiringly in the face of the recovering woman, “is it an
affection of the heart?-where is the pain?-what has befallen you? We
are all so sorry!”
“It was there, there, there! But it is gone now.” Regaining her
consciousness, she lays her hand nervously upon her pocket, and
pursues: “Oh! yes, sister, it was there when I entered that vile place,
as you call it. What am I to do? The loss of the money does not so much
trouble my mind. Oh! dear, no. It is the thought of going home deprived
of the means of aiding these noble institutions.”
Had Lady Swiggs inquired into the character of the purchaser of old
Dolly she might now have become conscious of the fact, that whatever
comes of evil seldom does good. The money she had so struggled to get
together to aid her in maintaining her hypocrisy, was the result of
crime. Perhaps it were better the wretch purloined it, than that the
fair name of a noble institution be stained with its acceptance.
Atonement is too often sought to be purchased with the gold got of
infamy.
The cause of this fainting being traced to Lady Swiggs’ pocket book
instead of her heart, the whole scene changes, Sister Slocum becomes as
one dumb, the good fat man is seized with a nervous fit, the man in the
spectacles hangs his head, and runs his fingers through his crispy
hair, as Brother Spyke elongates his lean body, and is seen going into
a melancholy mood, the others gathering round with serious faces. Lady
Swiggs commences describing with great minuteness the appearance of Mr.
Tom Toddleworth. That he is the person who carried off the money, every
one is certain. “He is the man!” responds a dozen voices. And as many
more volunteer to go in search of Mr. Detective Fitzgerald. Brother
Spyke pricks up his courage, and proceeds to initiate his missionary
labors by consulting Mr. Detective Fitzgerald, with whom he starts off
in pursuit of Mr. Tom Toddleworth.
CHAPTER XXIV.
MR. SNIVEL ADVISES GEORGE MULLHOLLAND HOW TO MAKE STRONG LOVE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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