The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

\ 147 that she was of a sensuous and luxurious tempera- bé i 4 j i} Nevertheless the libations of champagne clouded not his intellect—much less overpowered it: his own strong will was more powerful then the in- fluence of wine. He made Eveleen sit next to three who were to be excluded from his confidence.- when your memory is carried beck to a bright and happy home F%,,, “Good heavens, sir, why do you talk thus?” exclaimed Eveleen. “Who are you? wherefore came you hither? Is it possible——” “It is possible, my poor girl,” responded Red- cliffe, “that I may have come hither with some object yery different from that which was sup- posed — very different indeed from the objects ;| whieh men have in penetrating into such a place as this. But before I explain myself, tell me, Eveleen—have pr The Irish girl burst into tears: she endeavoured to check them—but vainly: she could not. The more she strove, the Irss was her power to com- mand her feelings: they convulsed her. “Yes,” resumed Redcliffe, “I see that you have parente, who are doubtless deploring the disap= pearance of a beloved daughter. Would you not hke to be restored to them P” “Oh, I would give up twenty years of my life to pass but a few in that once happy home !’—and > the unfortunate girl sobbed bitterly.- “In me, Ev ” said. Redcliffe, “you shall find a friend—a real friend—a friend who will lift you up from degradation, instead of helping to plunge you farther down—a friend who will do all he can for you-—if you yourself be accessible to the influences of such pure and well meant friend- him ; and though courteous enough to all four, his | ship. ‘principal attentions were devoted to her. This seemed significant; and after a while, Lettice, Linda, and Armantine withdrew from the saloon. | Redcliffe was now alone with Eveleen. She rose and made a movement towards a door at the farther extremity, and which communicated with @ voluptuously furnished chamber. “Resume your seat,” said Mr. Redcliffe: .“I wish to to you.” The girl, who was for a moment astonished that he did not at once rise and follow her, naturally fancied that he wished to prolong the pleasures of the table: and returning to her chair, she was about to refill bis glass. | “ No—we have had enough wine,” said Redcliffe, in a kind though firm and decisive tone. Eveleen gased upon him with renewed astonish- ment; and for a few moments he remained absorbed fn thought. “Tell me,” he presently said, “how long have you been here f” “ About three years, sir,” she answered; and egain the cloud lowered for a moment over her features, which were naturally of so sprightly and piquant an expression. “Three years,” continued Redcliffe mournfully, -—“three years of sin for one who by her beauty and her intelligence, her manners and her accom- plishments, might have adcrned the highest sphere of society, had she remained virtuous !” “Oh, do not speak to me in this way!” cried Eveleen almost petulantly: for Redcliffe's words, as well as the tone in which they were uttered, had sank deep down into ber very soul. “It is not a reproach, much jess an insult that I am addressing you,” he said, in a still kinder voice. ‘“ You will perbaps live to bless the day when you thus encountered me—or I have very erroneously read your character and disposition. Tell me—and speak candidly—are there not time ¥ , e which was expressive of a fervid “By a strange but very natural revulsion of feeling, Eveleen grew calm. She wiped the teara from her eyes, and gased upon Mr. Redcliffe with mingled amazement, gratitude and admiration. Long was it since her ears had drunk in such lan- guage as this: long was it since such balm had been poured down into her heart! “Do not think,” he continued, “ that you are #o far lost it is not worth while to return into a vir- tuous course. J-am well aware that such is too often the fatal error to which fallen woman clings. She thinks that by the very fact of her fall, insur- mountable barriers have suddenly sprung up be- tween herself and the pathway from which she has ~—barriers which she may vainly attempt to climb in order to re-enter it. But it is not so. True, when a coronal of purity has fallen from the brow, it can never be replaced !|—true, that chastity once lost cannot be regained! But this is no reason for a erance in sin; and so great is the merit of abandoning the path of error, that it goes far towards a complete atonement for the past. The arms of parents may be opened to welcome back again s lost daughter, if she return to them in penitence and in sorrow for her misdeeds. Eve- leen, you are not deficient in intelligence :—am I not speaking truly P” The poor Irish girl gave no verbal answer: but she fell upon her knees at Redcliffo’s feet—and taking his hand, gased up at him in a manner gratitude for the promise he seemed to hold out—of entreaty that he would perform it—but of suspense lest it were a happiness too great for her to know. All the contrition of a en was in that look. The waters of life had not been dried up in that girl’s heart: their issue had been merely closed by ti — circumstances of her position: but now the rock was smitten with the magic rod which kind words — can ever wield ; and she felt as for three long years (GO) an (C DOO Col