The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 7 — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

' been introduced to Sir Jozuph Steward for the first | time, and who had shrunk with so mueh surprise, | den?” inquired our hero. east 2-0 a a ac a Ne ei aun “This young gentleman,” Mrs. Oxenden has- tened to observe, “is not one of our party: he is i ~s, ER EE, ely as ate —p i ED THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 4 Pew 2 ee oe ee igang a, 2 Qe oe against whom he feared an outrage of some kiad or anotuer was being contemplated. While thus ro- a stranger—and he came forward most kindly to| fleeting, he beheld a milk-woman advancing across render us his assistance.” “Oh, very good !” said the old man with an air of relief: and then he again turned his eyes upon the young lady, who became pale ae death and seemed as if she were about to faint. “We thank you most sineerely, sir,” eaid Mrs. Oxenden, turning towards our hero, but with a cortain impaticnce in her air, as if she felt him to be one tov many upon the apot and wished him to be gone. Ife dared not remain any longer—he had no excuso: he accordingly raised bis hat; and was turning away when he porcoived that the young lady yave a half-start as if gho would have flown towards him for protection. ° “ Laura, do not be fuolish [” eaid Mra, Oxenden, in an under-tone, but with rupid and peremptory utteranco: and eho caught the young lady by the arm, at the aame time bending upon ker a look of almost menacing significancy with her imperivus dark oyes. “ This is Sir Joseph Steward,” A low faint shriek, coming frown tho lips of the boautiful but afflicted Laura, caught Christian's ear as he was again turning from the epot ;—~and acnin under an irresistible influence of pity and the field; and he resolved to question her. “As an introduction to the wishéd-for discourse he asked for a draught of milk, for which he paid her libe- rally; and he inguired, * Does not that house be- long to Sir Jossph Stoward F”’ * Yes, sir,” was the reply; “and a strange old gentleman he is.” “In what way P’ asked Christian. “Oh! he lives euch a quese sort of life when he is at home,” responded the milk-woman; “and dresses in such an odd fashion that the little doys in the neighbourhood all laugh at him: and then he tries to run after them to beat them with his cane—but he naver oan catch them because of the gout in his feet.” “Ts he marriod ?” inquired Ohristian. “ No, sir,” answered the woman; and then with & meaning look, she added, “But I’m sure he ought to be; for there isn’t a decent girl in all these parts will go into his service.” “You moan to say,” observed Christian, trem- bling on the beautiful Laura’s behalf af what he thus heard, “ that Sir Joseph Steward is not very correct in his conduct P” “ OorrectP No, sir!” exclaimed the woman. compassion for that young lady, did be stop abort. ! “My sister was fuol enough to let her daughter Mrs. Oxenden now darted upon him a@ look full! take a situation at Verner House—that’s the name of anger, and she said, “ Your presenco, air, be- | of bis placo—but she was a good girl, and so no comes an intrusion effacing the sense of gratitude harm came of it: but it was for no want of trying for the assistunce you rendered.” on Bir Joseph's part if she didn’t mect her ruin Christian’s countenance grew crimson at thia there. He is vory rich, but docs no good with his rebuke so pointed and almust inevlent; and ho, money: he is a bad landlord aud a bad master ; hastowed away from the spot. But on reaching | and I shouldn’t mind telling him so to his face. the atile, he glanced back; and at that inatant Sir Ah! eir, old as he is, and with ono fuvot in the Joseph Steward was addressing something to the | grave, Tecan tell you that be bas brought sorrow young indy. Ho had laid ono hand fatoiliacly | into many a humble home in these parta: for if upon her shoulder; and with the pointed fore-'he don’t use his riches to do quud, he is lavish finger of the other hand he was gosticulating aa if | cuough of his gold when it is 1) do harm. You to convey impressiveness to the words ho was nt- | understand me, sir P” tering. Laura was shrinking in visible terror: “1 do—unfortunately I do,” rejoined Christian, and dismay~-whilo Mrs. Oxsanden, whe stood be. | bis thoughts painfully associating themselvos with hind the old men, was bending upon her a look of | the beautiful Laura; and when he remei,bered mingled reproach aud cummand, This was the | that she had an air of artless amnocenco strougly apectaclo which met our hero’, oyeg,—filling him | coftrasting with the fierce commanding and inm- with renewed wondornent and coupassiun, and for | perious demeanour of Mrs. Oxenden, he felt hs afew moments riveting him to the spot «heuce ho ! blood bosling with indignation at the bare suspi- contemplated what was thus passing. But again | cion of what might be 10 store for that defenceless did be catch the dark eves of Mrs. Oxencden flash- | being. ing an angry glance towards bim; and struck with ! “ Yes, sit,” continued the milk-waman, “ there the impropriety of thue obtrusively seeming te; are many people about here who could tell a tale meddle with other persoos’ business, he began to! but little creditable to Sir Joseph Steward; and take his hurried way back across the fields. my only surprise ie that ho ansn’t had bis braine While retracing his stepa to Rumsyate, which | beat out long aguy by somo indignant husband, was nbout three miles distant--for, as we have | father, or brother. But money is such a power ! alroady said, he had wandered such farther! —and if it does much mischief, it can also help to than he intended when first getting out for his| bush it up. Would you believe it—Sir Joseph is walk—he uaturaliy pondered all that had just, a magistrate; and that gives him an opportunity taken piace. Profound was hia pity on behalf of | of termfying the poor wretches whom he has first that youag and beautiful Jady who had evidently: injared.” “Do you happen to know the name of Oxen- aversion, aud distiny at his presence. What’ “No, sir,” answered the womas, “ But I mast _ could i¢ all wedn P—was some compulsory mar-! be guing—for 1 am already later than usual.” ' visage in contemplation ? or was anything worse: - Christian could not detain her any longer ; and intended? Christian half regretted that be had: he had heard enough to deepen all the eompasnoa ' Mot lingered upon the aget to ascertain whether he. he had previously felt on behalf of the beautiful sould really rendet any assistance to young lady; Laure, as well as to fill him with the most serious by SUR arer alr teen. oe iets» ein ni etme —— — ELOOO© SS - & = eee ' oe SS Ce ee lie ee a, Gr ER, SE a A Ee, oa Bs le Er Gs Ee RE, ene eee a we a eee ge ee, —-_ =e = ase ee > Ds * a ‘ <—s a ee ee a > eee eee Oe ae Qe — EE a eee ce ———