The Duchess of Rosemary Lane

ant than the hands ready to use them. Red was the favourite colour, and blood and fire supplied it

y, men despaired who had grasped at shadows. And because the heavens were bright and fair when the dreadful glare

emary Lane and the surrounding neighbourhood flocked to the spot made historical

t the bad promise of the day. Back to their homes went the idlers; for, indeed, there was little of serious purpose in ninet

icular gin palace was a grand stone building, abounding in bright glass and gilt cornices, and it was situated within a short distance of the residence of Mr. Richard Chester,

speech on liberty, which he was burning to deliver at the Royal George. It had no more effect upon her than if she had been a d

, in a musing tone. "Liberty soars u

Mrs. Chester, wit

rs. The stroke was neither savage nor vindictive, and seemed

Dic

d, persuasivel

e," she replied "but you'll ge

s he flourished his strap, and brought it d

utward manner denoted. She was really not hurt much, for his bl

ou killed me I would n

tinate woman," he repl

t it for medic

man pause on the right side of the door, than the child converted "almost" into "quite." With a bit of his coat tightly clasped in her little hand, she closed her eyes and went to sleep, using his leg as a r

lance, recognised th

d with a coarse laugh,

here?" demanded Mr

to let; I made out the

ou wait a bit." He

e matter w

gain this afternoon, all of a sudden, and Dr.

would not give him the money, Mrs. Chester dragged the fifteen pence

drink the chil

said, in a shame-faced tone, "I've enough

herself appeared from an inner room, which, with the parlour in which this s

ot asleep," cried

hild that she might have been no age at all. Waking suddenly

, with rough tenderness, lifting the child i

ather!" replied Sally,

voice, she made this evidently familiar stat

, you're al

id Sally, with a

way like this, Sally, one of these days you'll fa

her clapping, and struggling out of her father's arms, ran to the sleeping child, and gazed earnestly at the pretty face. F

nd sallow; the newcomer was fair, and despite her weariness, there were roses in her cheeks. Sally's hair was black, and hung straight in lank disorder about her forehead; the n

her forefinger on her tongue, and rubbed it softly up and down over the roses in the sleeping child's face. That, when she looked at her finger after this operation, there was no red upon it, was evidently a puzzle to Sally. Her next proceeding was to take the sleeping child's plump hand in her bony one, and make an exam

d spangled silk dresses--but never, in her wildest fancies, had she compassed the possession of such a lovely doll as this she now nursed in her lap. She had n

hat this strange child should be so beautiful, and rosy, and plump, and he

!" she cried; "you'll catch your d

feet, with the little

hester, still more crossly. "You'll

ious possession close to her, and managed to reac

s upon the table, and his hand stole slowly towards them; but happening to look over his shoulder at Sall

, "what's your name

e stranger. "Let's come to business. You've

ctable references, of course?"

taking some silver pieces from

Chester, "but I shall requ

ounting out six shillings into Mr. C

see, you're not alone. You bring a little girl with you, and we've got one of our own already. Now we don't wish to

the baby-child, with her golden curls and perfectly beautiful fea

r new tenant. He was a tall spare man, with thin yellow whiskers and light-grey eyes. His hands were somewhat delicately shaped, and his nails were in good condition, denoting that he was

is as precious to me as--as----" Not being able to find an appropriate simile, he gave it up, and continued--"Look there. Your little girl seems to have

ed her, but standing, with flashing eyes before her trea

"Sally's a game little bird. What do you say to letting the children sleep toge

woman'll see to that. You come along with me now, and have a

his knees, and made him kiss the sleeping child on the ground. Then, when he raised his fa

e some to drink! I c

shame-faced way, Mr. Chester turned from his child.

to his feet, wi

," said the stranger; "I'm

the kiss from her, she dug her fingers into his sandy whiskers with suc

nything to do with you? You'll find your bed ready when you come home, which I expe

ing the candle, retired to the inner room