Rhoda Fleming -- Volume 5

sm underneath, we begin to be in danger, and we are in very great fear of losing our equal balance the moment we admit the insidious reflection that other men, placed as we are, would probably top

are capable of doing the unparalleled thing may sometimes inspire us with fortitude; but this will depend largely upon the antecedent moral trials of a man. It is a temptation when we look on what we accomplish at all in that light. The temptation being inbred, is commonly a proof of int

and beautiful persons have walked the narrow plank, envied and admired; and they have ultimately tottered and all but fallen; or they have quite fallen, from no worse an incitement than curiosity. Cold curiosity, as the directors of our human constitution tell us, is, in the colder condition of our blood, a betraying vice, leading to sin at a period when the fruits of sin afford the smallest satisfaction. It is, in fact, our last probation, and one of our latest delusions. If that is passed successfully, we may really be pronounced as of some worth. Anthony wished to give a light indulgence to his curiosity; say

doors after 'em, as if their day began at four p.m., and business was botheration: it's a disgrace to the City o' London. And I beg pardon for being late, but never sleeping a wink all night for fear about this money, I am late

following that he was calm and attentive. Two bags of gold were placed in his hands, and he walked with caution down the steps of the Bank, turned the corner, and went straight on to the West, never once hesitating, or casting a thought behind upon Mortimer and Pennycuick's. He had not, in truth, one that was loose to be cast. All his thoughts were boiling in his head, obfuscating him with a prodigious steam, through which he beheld the city surging, and the streets curving like lines in water, and the people mixing and passing into and out of one another in an astonishing manner-no face distinguishable; the whole thick multitude appearing to be stirred like glue in a gallipot. The only distinct thought which he had sprang from a fear th

is not at another's throat there, or in another's pocket; at least, not until after nightfall; and when the dark should come on, Anthony had deter

astly pleasant

ause before he understood what he had done; and then the Park began to dance and curve like the streets, and there was a singular curtseying between the heavens and the earth. He had to hold his money-bags tight, to keep them from plunging into monstrous gulfs. "I don't remember that I've taken a drink of any sort," he said, "since I and the old farmer took our turn down in the Docks. How's this?" He seemed to rock. He was near upon indulging in a fit of terror; but the impolicy of it withheld him from

ony, don't

nswered, peering dimly upon Rhoda

u all day, uncle. I meet you-I might have miss

ed, "I'm out f

ed to a house-"is

hony; "and how

distraught. After great persuasion,

onds," he stipula

a cup of tea

think I'm e

with

ure," said Anthony, an

d dark here, my dear.

ed? You won't

for a day or two

er places, I'll be bound. Well; I must be trotting. I

g for candl

I'm g

to be seated. The tea-service was brought, and Rhoda made tea, and filled a cup for him. Anthony began to enjoy the repose of the room. But it made the

en said: "Uncle, I think

hat he should have loved h

oda, my dear;

ove me, d

't think ever I've loved anybody else. Never lov

le; are you n

; not 'very'

t tell untru

ny; only, too doggedl

p you to be a blessing to others in their trouble? Does not God lend it you for that purpose? It is most true! And if

re rich. I was on my way to your lodgings when we met; we were thrown together. You have more money than you know what to do with. I am a beggar to you for money. I have ne

nthony

s!

I can't. And 'can't'

nly as a wave in the sea-

, you

orthwith by the peace which was in the room, and the drea

ou ever think what it is to be an old man, and no one to love y

hat he crossed h

There, now; 'cause I'm supposed to have saved a trifle, I ai

d remained bunched up defiantly, Rhoda silently

you," she said. And her voic

ny asked. "Wh

ha

er finger was laid in a line at

e not. You carry it about; you have no confidence anywhere. It eats your heart. Look at me. I have nothing to conceal. C

et. Uncle! Poor old, good old soul! You mean kindly. You must be kind. A day will make it too late. You have the money there. You get older and older every minute with trying to refuse me. You know that I can make you happy. I have the power, and I have the will. Help me, I say, in my great trouble. That money is a burden. You are forced to carry it about, for fear. You look guilty as you go running in th

y held out with all outward firmness until, when bidding him to put d

nd by the counsel of her combative and forceful temper. At each step new difficulties had to be encountered by fresh contrivances; and money now- money alone had become the specific for present use. There was

" Anthony cried

id Rhoda, and caught up

ed, "if you don't speak

yours

oney your

"isn't" hung

he question for him in the t

My money? Yes. What sort o' thing's that to ask-whether

you are not

ssed to him, and a shake of the head of t

orrow-I'm rich! And now you coming to me! You women can'

ll decide to h

a staggering as

know?" cri

much money about with

ar." He simulat

t; don't it talk? don't it chink? don't it

of intensest rapture to the

hony anticipated her inquiri

o you carry

id Anthony, and grinned, for he

very pale

don't s

ully white,

y man and woman of us, and baby, too. That's a comfort; yes, it is a comfort. It's a tremendous comfort-shuts mouths. I know wh

ay have done. Sinners are not t

eling lately,

ed a miser's

the last two or thre

t, u

y dear, and liked it, till all of a sudden I swallowed i

can see that it does. Now, put those bags in my hands. For a minute, try; it will do you goo

ny. "Upon my soul, I d

my dear, I don't want

life to me. I said, 'My uncle Anthony will help me. He is no

while she continued speaking, reiterating the word "miser," the ho

on her, and cried; "Aha! and I'

ed in her

s breast joylessly, and then bade her to try the weight of the tw

dy-you think there is no secure place-you ha

accumulating clouds; remote and minute as the chief scene of our infancy, but commanding him with the present touch of a mighty arm thrown out. "I'm honest," he cried. "I always have been honest. I'm known to be honest. I want no man's money. I've got money of my own. I hate sin. I hate sinners. I'm an honest man. Ask them, down at-Rhoda, my dear! I say, don't you hear me? Rhoda, you think I've a turn for misering. It's a beastly mistake: poor savings, an

him the m

s of the bags, and held them aloft, and let the gold pour out in torrents, insufferable to the sight; and uttering laughter th

in the centre o