The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

134 THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. her bedside. The suffering’ lady was considerably refreshed and strengthened by the long sleep she ‘ of the three preceding days, sho hoard the iron gats in front of the house groan upon its hinges; and, had enjoyed: her mind was morcover relieved from | looking up, she beheld from the window the tall, the most excruciating anxictics :-—and she poured ‘handsome gentleman approaching the door. The forth her gratitude to Julia Murray in the most sin cere and heartfelt manner. Then, in the fulness of the tender confidence which hal arisen between them, Caroline told her friend how sho had loved her consin, a young lieutenant in the Navy,—how their union was forbidden by her proud mother, though assented to by her generous brother, the Marquis of Wilmington,— how her mother had used her interest privately to get the young man appointed to a ship and sent to sea with only & few days’ warn- ing,—and how, in the an guish of parting, she— Lady Carolinc—had fallen a victim to her fatal pas- sion! This narrative moved Julia to tears s—for the young milliner now comprehended what love was— and she felt that she also loved,—and that when she sorrowed in secret at the protracted absence of the stranger who had given her the gilt counter, it was in consequence of the impression which he had made upon her heart! Thus did Julia Murray at length obtain the reading of the mysterious sensations that tirred within her own soul. “ Fortunately there was a means of egress from ittle Harry’s room, without the necessity of tho boy’s passing through his sister's chamber; and thus was the presence of Lady Caroline retained a profound secrot from him. You must also recollect that the incidents just related occurred on the Saturday night; and Harry had by chance received an invita- tion to pass the Sunday with his schoo) master’s family. Every circumstance thus appeared to favour the complete concealmont of Lady Caroline's con- fnement. Butit wes now necessary thatJulia should day was fine; and he no longer wore his cloak;— and his garb was plain, unpretending, and perfectly genteel. Tho housekeeper having returned home that same morning, Julia awaited with a beating heart in the parlour the presence of her visitor ; and when he entered, she felt so confused—for a variety of reasons—that she could not utter a word. In the first place sho knew that sho loved him j—secondly sho remembered all the enquiries he had put to her late landlady concerning her;—and thirdly, sho recalled to mind the gentle, good, and almost paternal way in which he had addressed her when Jast they met; and she fancied that in her con- duct respecting Lady Caroline she had deviated somewhat from the strict line of integrity, truth, and virtue for pursning which he had so emphatic- ally commended her, and in which ho had with equa} earnestness enjoined her to persevere. Taking her hand, he said, ‘ Miss Murray, have you completely forgotten me?’—‘ Oh! no, Sir,’ she cried, with a start as if at an imputation of ingratitude: ‘that were impossible! ’—* And yet why should you re- member me?’ he asked, gazing intently upon her Shave I ever done you any servico that deserves a thought? The only incident which is likely to dwell in your mind respecting me, is the wretchedness and embarrassment to which my thoughtless con- duct exposed you. But for all that you then en- durod, have I ever made you the slightest recom: pense? ’—' Oh! sir,’ cried Julia, tho blood rushing to her checks, ‘do you think for 1 moment that 1 ever sought or looked for a pecuniary indemnifica repair to the mansion in Ilanover Square, and ace | tion? Leavens, how have you mistaken my cha quaint tho young lady’s confidential maid with the event which had taken place, as well as to arrange for Caroline’s unobserved return homo on the Mon- day evening ;-—for though at the risk of her life, she was resolved to remain away no longer than the time specified. This commission Julia faithfully performed ; and after an absence of upwards of two jours, she reached her own abode once more. The patient was improving rapidly ; and when tho sur- geon called a second time on that Sunday, ho was astonished to find her so strong and in the posscs- sion of so much physical and moral energy. To bo brief. on the Monday evening, according to agrec- ment, Juady Caroline, well wrapped up, disguised in the attire of adaughter of the middle class, aud with a dark green veil drawn carefully over her counter- ance, accompanied Julia in a hackney-coach to Hanover Square; and the two were admitted into tho mansion, tho hall-porter believing his young mistress to be afriend and equal of the milliner. In this manner they reached Caroline’s own chamber without the truth being for an instant suspected; and the confidential maid was in readiness to receive her lay. Julia remained there until the maid had ascertained that the hall-porter had been relieved by x. other domestic during the supper-hour; and then the milliner took her departure, accompanied by the fervent gratitude and blessings of the fair patrician whom she had thus extricated from a maze of the most frightful difficulties. « Tho very nest morning, while Julia was seated at work in her parlour, reflecting upon the incidents | racter{’—and she burst into tears, Tho strangor gazed upon her, and even smiled asif in satisfaction but he said nothing.—*No, sir,’ resumed the young milliner, hastily passing her handkerchief across her countenance and wiping away the traces of her eriof; ‘I am not a mercenary person, such as you appear to suppose me. I did romember you with gratitude,’ she continned, her voice becoming mourn: ful and plaintive in spite of herself ; ‘because you spoke kindly to me on that evening when thie acci- dent occurred to the silk dress—because you prof- fered me assistance at a moment when Tand my littlo brother really needed it—because Y always belioved and still beliove that it was on yorr part entirely an error which led me into such a ecrious dificulty—because you then told me that you would not insult me by offering me any pecuniary recom- pense — and because, when you called again, you spoke kindly to me as before, gave me good advice, and also brought me intelligence from Mr. Richard- son, which has led to my present prosperity. Tor all these seasons, sit,’ she added emphatically, ‘I have thought of you often and often; and I con- sidered myself to bo deeply your debtor.’——' Excel- lent girl!’ exclaimed the gentleman, surreying hor with mingled admiration and interest: ‘not for worlds would I insult your feelings, nor wound vour generous heart! And it was precisely through delicacy in those respects, that I never did openly proffer you any pecuniary assistance, since that one ¢ unfortunate occasion in IJanover Square. Again, ‘ot nae abseren. that if T have not visited you for oN EConnicloooks (CO)