The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen AnneJames, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
History
The Man in Black: An Historical Novel of the Days of Queen Anne
James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714 -- Fiction
Emily had lain down her letter by her side, and was listening
attentively. It was clear she was greatly moved by what she heard. Her
face turned white and red. Her lip quivered as if she would fain have
spoken; but she hesitated and remained silent for a moment. She
thought of the unhappy young man lying on his death bed; for she had
as yet received no intimation of his death from Mr. Dixwell, and of
his seeing himself seized upon by the officers of justice, his last
thoughts disturbed, all his anxious strivings after penitence, all his
communings with his own heart, all his efforts to prepare for meeting
with death, and God, and judgment, scattered by worldly shame and
earthly anguish--she felt for him--she would fain have petitioned for
him; but she was misunderstood, and, what was worse, she knew it--she
felt it--she could not speak--she dare not say any thing, though her
heart seemed as if it would break, and her only consolation was that
all would be explained, that her motives, her conduct, would all be
clear and comprehended in a a very few short hours. She knew, however,
that she could not bear much more without weeping; for the letter
which she had received from Marlow, telling her that he had arrived in
London, and would set off to see her, as soon as some needful
business, in the capital had been transacted, had agitated her much,
and even pleasureable emotions will often shake the unnervous so as to
weaken rather than strengthen us when called upon to contend with
others of a different kind.
She rose then and left the room with a sad look and wavering step, and
Sir Philip gazed at her as she passed with a look impossible to
describe, saying to himself, "So--is it so?"
The next instant, however, he turned to the farmer, who was a man of a
superior class to the ordinary yeomen of that day, saying, "What is
your charge, sir?"
"Oh, plenty of charges, sir," replied the man; "fraud, conspiracy,
perjury, forgery, in regard to all which I am ready to give
information on my oath."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account