The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 137: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. 13U the stair-case to her chamber, where little Harry was sitting up to await hor return.— after all, the adventure of the spoilt dress has proved a sersice, rather than an injury, to mo: and perhaps,’ she added,—but it was her heart, and not her lips, that now spoke,—‘the affuir of tho gilt counter may likewise bring me cood luck !? “Julia now addressed herself to the work of which she had such profusion; and while she sate plying her needle, with little Harry playing about the room, she often thought of the handsome un- known, Every day, after the frugal dinner, she took her brother out to walk for an hour, that a little exercise and fresh air might benefit them both; and, of an evening, when she laid aside her work, she gave him instruction In many useful branches of During the day, too, he learnt his les- sons; and never did she suffer him to go ont alone into tho streets—no, not even on the slightest errand. In fact, this excellent young woman took as much care of her little orphan brother as if sho had beon his parent, instead of his sister ; and it was acharming as well as tonching sight to behold them repairing to the parish church on a Sabbatl-morn- ing,—each attired with so much yeatness, and yet education. ina plain and unobtrusive manner. Well, three weeks bad passed since the interview between Julia and Lady Caroline; and on each Saturday evening her ladyship’s maid called to receive and pay for the work that was finished. The domestic was sure to hare some pretty present from her mistress for Julia, and ahandsome toy—sucl as a transparent slate, or puzzle, or a miniature carpenter’s tool-box —for Harry; and tho grateful milliner sent back her kindest but most respectful regards to her good patroness. But during those three weeks she had neither seen nor heard any thing of the handsome Stranger ;—and yet, had he not promised that he would shortly call again? Wherefore should he call? Julia never paused to ask herself that ques- tion ;—but she did sometimes admit, within the secret recesses of her own heart, that she thought it somewhat unkind he did not fulfil his promise, after tho distress sle had endured in consequence of the mistake ho had mado respecting the gilt counter, One day tho landlady tapped at Julia’s door; and, on being desired to enter, the good wo- man informed her that ‘the gentleman in the cloak,’ Was Waiting in the parlour below, A blush instantly spread itself over Julia's cheeks; whereupon the landlady said in a low but impressive tone, ‘you need not be ashamed of an honest attachment, Miss; and I know you are too good a girl to form any other. In fact, I told the gentleman what an ex- cellent creature you were, and how well you behaved to your littlo brother.—‘ You told him all that?’ exclaimed Julia, looking up in a surprise mingled with secret pleasure, while the blush upon her beauteous countenance deepened.‘ Certainly I did, Miss, replied the landlady: ‘but not tu-day. It was when ho called on account of that unpleasant little affair, you know; and before he sent me up to fetch you down, he asked no end of questions about you; and he seemed so pleased when I told him that you were such a good, industrions young person, and so kind to your orphan brother; and how you kept yourself so quiet and respectable, having no ac- quaintances scarcely, and certainly no vistors except your lady-customers or their maids.’—‘But the rentleman did not ask all those questions? said ¢ Julia, in a hesitating manner and with a tremulous voice, while her heart palpitated with emotions of unk nown pleasure.x— Indeed he did, Miss,’ returned the landlady. ‘But, dear me! now I think of it, he charged me not to tell you that he had asked any thing at all concerning you: and by the same token, he gave mea sovereign to hold ny tongue in this respect; and therefore, Miss, you must not even look as if you knew a syllable of what occurred on that occasion. I am sure he is some great person in disguise; and 1am also certain that he has fallen in love with you.’—Julia’s countenance now beeame scarlet; and she was about to make aremonstrativo reply, when little Harry, who began to grow impa- tient of so much mysterious Whispering betwoen his sister and the landlady, approached them, saying, ‘Is any thing tho matter, dear Julia ?— Nothing, my darling boy,’ was the cheerful reply: ‘I shall return in a few minutes ;’-—and Julia hastened down stairs, the landlady remaining with Harry, “Though the young maiden endearoured to com- pose herself as much as possible, yet all that the landlady had told her rushed to her mind with re- newed force and stronger significancy just as she crossed the threshold of the parlour and appeared ia the presence of the gentleman in the cloak. Ho observed her confusion — noticed the blush that mantled on her checks—and, mistaking the cause said, as he took her hand, ‘Iam afraid, Miss Mur- ray, that you consider it indiscreet for me thus to pay my respects to you; and indeed, that fear has prevented me from calling sooner’—~Julia started cast down her eyes, and made no reply; for in her artless innoceuce, it had never before struck her that, an evil construction might be placed upon the visits of the gentleman: but now the conviction that such was indeed the result to be apprehended, was forced —yes, painfully forced—upon her sensitive mind, The stranger read w hat was passing in her imagina- tion; and if he were delighted to observe that the danger which he had specified was previously un- suspected by her ingenuous soul, he was not the less gratified to acquire the certainty that her pure thoughts were shocked by the idea of compronising her reputation—‘ Fear not, Miss Murray,’ he con- tinued, again taking her hand; ‘I shouid be the last person on the faco of the earth to do yon a wilful injury in any way. I haye merely called, as in duty bound, to assure myself that you havo perfectly re- covered from the effects of the distressing ordeal through which you were compelled to pass in con- Sequence of my carelessness. But innocence, Miss Murray,’ ho added, emphatically, * will invariably triumph in tho long run; and virtuo will not ever languish unrewarded. Your exemplary conduct, Miss Murray, must sooner or later be adequately recompensed : your tenderness towards your orphan brother must eusure for you the esteem and respect of all liberal and honest persons. May I request, as a particular favour, that you will presently call on Mr, Richardson, the solicitor, in Berners Stroct, closo by; as I know that he has some tidings, of rather an agreeable character, to impart to you.’— With these words, the Stranger pressed the roung maiden’s hand, and respectfully took his leave if her, “Julia hastened back to her own chamber, and related to the worthy, well-meaning, but yarrufons landlady, every thing that the gentleman tn the cloak had said to her. ‘Ah! Bliss, cried the woman, ‘1 eee GIOOKS (CO) (CO)