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of peacock’s feathers； but they were limp and broken； and now
trailed negligently down his back。 Girt to his side was the steel hilt
of an old sword without blade or scabbard； and some parti…
coloured ends of ribands and poor glass toys completed the
ornamental portion of his attire。 The fluttered and confused
disposition of all the motley scraps that formed his dress； bespoke；
in a scarcely less degree than his eager and unsettled manner； the
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Barnaby Rudge 52
disorder of his mind； and by a grotesque contrast set off and
heightened the more impressive wildness of his face。
‘Barnaby；’ said the locksmith； after a hasty but careful
inspection； ‘this man is not dead； but he has a wound in his side；
and is in a fainting…fit。’
‘I know him； I know him！’ cried Barnaby； clapping his hands。
‘Know him？’ repeated the locksmith。
‘Hush！’ said Barnaby； laying his fingers upon his lips。 ‘He went
out to…day a wooing。 I wouldn’t for a light guinea that he should
never go a wooing again； for； if he did； some eyes would grow dim
that are now as bright as—see； when I talk of eyes； the stars come
out！ Whose eyes are they？ If they are angels’ eyes； why do they
look down here and see good men hurt； and only wink and sparkle
all the night？’
‘Now Heaven help this silly fellow；’ murmured the perplexed
locksmith； ‘can he know this gentleman？ His mother’s house is not
far off； I had better see if she can tell me who he is。 Barnaby； my
man； help me to put him in the chaise； and we’ll ride home
together。’
‘I can’t touch him！’ cried the idiot falling back； and shuddering
as with a strong spasm； he’s bloody！’
‘It’s in his nature； I know；’ muttered the locksmith； ‘it’s cruel to
ask him； but I must have help。 Barnaby—good Barnaby—dear
Barnaby—if you know this gentleman； for the sake of his life and
everybody’s life that loves him； help me to raise him and lay him
down。’
‘Cover him then； wrap him close—don’t let me see it—smell it—
hear the word。 Don’t speak the word—don’t！’
‘No； no； I’ll not。 There； you see he’s covered now。 Gently。 Well
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done； well done！’
They placed him in the carriage with great ease； for Barnaby
was strong and active； but all the time they were so occupied he
shivered from head to foot； and evidently experienced an ecstasy
of terror。
This accomplished； and the wounded man being covered with
Varden’s own greatcoat which he took off for the purpose； they
proceeded onward at a brisk pace： Barnaby gaily counting the
stars upon his fingers； and Gabriel inwardly congratulating
himself upon having an adventure now； which would silence Mrs
Varden on the subject of the Maypole； for that night； or there was
no faith in woman。
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Chapter 4
n the venerable suburb—it was a suburb once—of
IClerkenwell； towards that part of its confines which is nearest
to the Charter House； and in one of those cool； shady Streets；
of which a few； widely scattered and dispersed； yet remain in such
old parts of the metropolis；—each tenement quietly vegetating like
an ancient citizen who long ago retired from business； and dozing
on in its infirmity until in course of time it tumbles down； and is
replaced by some extravagant young heir； flaunting in stucco and
ornamental work； and all the vanities of modern days；—in this
quarter； and in a street of this description； the business of the
present chapter lies。
At the time of which it treats； though only six…and…sixty years
ago； a very large part of what is London now had no existence。
Even in the brains of the wildest speculators； there had sprung up
no long rows of streets connecting Highgate with Whitechapel； no
assemblages of palaces in the swampy levels； nor little cities in the
open fields。 Although this part of town was then； as now； parcelled
out in streets； and plentifully peopled； it wore a different aspect。
There were gardens to many of the houses； and trees by the
pavement side； with an air of freshness breathing up and down；
which in these days would be sought in vain。 Fields were nigh at
hand； through which the New River took its winding course； and
where there was merry haymaking in the summer time。 Nature
was not so far removed； or hard to get at； as in these days； and
although there were busy trades in Clerkenwell； and working
jewellers by scores； it was a purer place； with farm…houses nearer
to it than many modern Londoners would readily believe； and
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lovers’ walks at no great distance； which turned into squalid
courts； long before the lovers of this age were born； or； as the
phrase goes； thought of。
In one of these streets； the cleanest of them all； and on the
shady side of the way—for good housewives know that sunlight
damages their cherished furniture； and so choose the shade rather
than its intrusive glare—there stood the house with which we have
to deal。 It was a modest building； not very straight； not large； not
tall； not bold…faced； with great staring windows； but a shy； blinking
house； with a conical roof going up into a peak over its garret
window of four small panes of glass； like a cocked hat on the head
of an elderly gentleman with one eye。 It was not built of brick or
lofty stone； but of wood and plaster； it was not planned with a dull
and wearisome regard to regularity； for n