1831.] a Legend of the Old Time in London. 287 



might, if they had liked it, have helped him to an inuendo concerning 

 a handsome young man, of whom no one knew any thing, except that 

 he was frequently seen walking with Mistress Edwards of evenings 

 under the tall elms in Goodman's Fields. There were some hints of a 

 yet more scandalous nature but these shall be omitted. 



The stranger however came after the situation, and a handsome young 

 man he was his name was Lambert Smithe but as for his qualifications 

 for tlie new place, which Mistress Edwards really seemed uncommonly 

 anxious he should obtain, as little had best be said as may be ; and the 

 less need be said as Master Edwards was decidedly of opinion that he 

 was utterly unfitted for the office ; for the expression of which opinion 

 he was downright scolded by his wife, and indeed fairly warned that she 

 would have her own way after all. 



A few nights after Simon's departure a dark and stormy November 

 night it was Mistress Edwards was seen no matter yet by whom to 

 cross the cloistered court-yard, at the back of her husband's house, bear- 

 ing a lanthern in her hand, which she partially covered over with the large 

 cloak wherein she was muffled, probably with the intention of conceal- 

 ing its light perhaps only to prevent its being extinguished by the gust- 

 ful wind and rain. She approached a low postern-gate, which gave 

 into a passage leading to Cripplegate Church she unlocked it opened 

 it hesitatingly looked out, as though for some one came back again 

 re -locked the door placed the lantern in one of the angles of the 

 cloister, and began slowly pacing up and down under its shelter. In a 

 few moments, she stopped, and listened her body and head slightly 

 bent rightward, towards the postern : a low whistle was heard without - 

 she flew to the gate opened it, and let in a man also muffled in a cloak : 

 she addressed him, by exclaiming, ee Late, Sir !" 



The stranger began some excuse probably, but was at once stopped 

 by a sharp " hush !" and they conversed in whispers. 



At length they shifted their position, and advanced towards the house, 

 Mistress Edwards having taken up her light, and leading her companion 

 forward w r ith the other hand. Of a sudden the man stopped, and she 

 also. He sighed, and said, though still in a whisper " I cannot do it." 



" God gi' me patience !" she cried, impatiently, and in a much louder 

 tone ; then in a lower, added " Come, Lambert, dearest Lambert, take 

 heart." 



" I cannot, indeed I cannot any thing but that !" 



" Any thing but that ! Why, what else is there to be done ? Will you 

 not be master of all ? of me ? Nay, come, dear Lambert." 



The man passed on. As he turned a second angle, close to the house 

 door, a sharp-pointed weapon was driven into his breast, by some one 

 standing behind one of the thick stone pillars, and with such force, that 

 the point pierced one of the ribs, which prevented the wound from being 

 mortal. The young man shrieked with agony ; and grasping towards 

 the spot whence the blow came, seized hold of part of the assassin's 

 dress, who struggled, and extricated himself from his grasp, but left 

 behind him part of a chain, with a watch hung to it ; at the same time 

 he wrenched the dagger from the lacerated bone, and, with a surer blow, 

 drove it into his victim's heart. 



All this was the work of little more than a moment ; during which 

 Mistress Edwards, who at first had been struck with a stupor of surprise 



