The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

830 THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “‘This young gentleman,” Mrs. Oxenden has-| against whom he feared an outrage of some kind or tencd to observe, “is not one of our party: he is| another was being contemplated. While thus re- a stranger—and he came forward most kindly to | flecting, he bebeld a milk-woman advancing across repcer us his assistance.” the field; and he resolved to question her. As an “Oh, very good !’”” said the old maf with an air | introduction to the wished-for discourse he asked of relief: and then he again turned his eyes upon | for a draught of milk, for which he paid her libe- the voung lady, who became pale as death and | rally; and he inquired, * Does not that house be- seemeci as if she were about to faint. long to Sir Joseph Steward P”’ “We thank you most sincerely, sir,” said Mrs. Oxenden, turning towards our hero, but with a certain irnpatience in her air, as if she felt him to be one too many upon the spot and wished him to be gone. ‘‘ Yos, sir,” was the reply; “and a strange old tleman he is.” “In what way P’ asked Christian. * Oh! he lives such a queer sort of life when he is at home,” responded the milk-woman; “and He dared not remain any longer—he had no | dresses in such an odd fashion that the little boys excuse: he accordit zly raised his hat; and was|in the neighbourhood all laugh at him: and then turning away when he perceived that the young | he tries to run after them to beat them with his lady gave a half-start as if she would have flown | eane—but he never ean eatch them because of the towards him for protection. ‘“ Laura, do not be foolish {” said Mrs. Oxenden, in an under-tone, but with rapid and peremptory gout in his feet.” “Ts he married?” inquired Christian. «No, sit,” answered the woman: and then with utterance: and she caught the young lady by the|@ meaning look, she added, “But I’m sure he arm, at the same time bending upon her a look of | ought to be; for there isn’t a decent girl in all almost menacing significancy with her imperious | these parts will go into his service.” dark eyes. “ Thisis Sir Joseph Steward.” “You mean to say,” observed Christian, trem- A low faint shriek, coming from the lips of the | bling on the beautifal Laura’s behalf at what he beautiful but afflicted Laura, caught Christian's ear | thus heard, “ that Sir Joseph Bteward is not very as he was again turning from the spot ;—and | correct in his conduct P” again under an irresistible influence of pity and “ Correct? No, sir!” exclaimed the woman. compassion for that young lady, did he stop short. | “My sister was fool enough to let her daughter Mrs. Oxenden now darted upon him a look full | take e situation at Verner of anger, and she said, “ Your presence, sir, be- | of his plade—but she was a comes an intrusion effacing the senso of gratitude for ine assistance you rendered.” Christian’s countenance grew crimson at this rebuke so pointed and almost insolent; and he hastened away from the spot. But on reaching the stile, he glanced back; and at that instant Sir Joseph Steward was addressing something to the young lady. He had laid one hand familiarly upon her shoulder; and with the pointed fore- finger of the other hand he was gesticulating as if to convey impressiveness to the words he was ut- tering. Laura was shrinking in visible terror and dismay—whilo Mra. Oxenden, who stood be. hind the old man, was bending upon her a look of mingled reproach and command. This was the spectacle which met our hero’s eyes,—filling him with renewed wonderment and compassion, and for a few moments riveting him to the spot whence he contemplated what was thus passing. But again did he catch the dark eyes of Mrs. Oxenden flash- ing ah angry glance towards him ; and strack with the impropricty of thus obtrusively seeming to meddle with other persons’ business, he to take his hurried way back across the fields. While retracing his steps to Ramsgate, which was about three miles distant—for, as we haw already said, he had wandered much farther than he intended when first setting out for his walk—he naturally pondered all that had just taken place. Profound was his pity on behalf of that young and beautiful lady who had evidently been introduced to Sir Joseph Steward for the first time, and who had shrank with so much surprise, aversion, and dismay at his presence. What could it all mean P—was some compulsory mar- Tiago in contemplation? or was anything worse intended P Christian half regretted that he had net lingered upon the spot to ascertain whether he ouseo—that’s the name good girl, and 90 no harm came of it: but it was for no want of trying on Sir Joseph’s part if she didn’t meet her ruin there. He is very rich, but does fio good with his money: he is 4 bad landlord and « bad master ; and I shouldn’t mind telling him so to his face. Ah! sir, old as he fs, and with one foot im the grave, Ican tell you that he has brought sorrow into many a humble hore in these parts: for if he don’t use his riches to do good, he is lavish enough of his gold whes it ss to do harm. You understand me, sir ?” “T do—unfortunately I do,” rejoined Christian, his thoughts painfully associating themselves with the beautiful Laura; and when he remembered that she had an air of artless innocence strongly contrasting with the fierce commanding and in- perious demeanour of Mrs. Oxenden, he felt his blood boiling with indignation at the bere suspi- cion of what might be in store for that defenceless being. *‘'Yos, sir,” continued the milk.woman, “ there are many people about here who could tel] a tale but little creditable to Sir Joseph Steward ; and my only surprise is that he hasn’t had his brains beat out long ego by some indignant husband, father, or brother. But money is such a power! —and if it does much mischief, it can also help to hush it up. Would you believe it-—Bir Joseph & magistrate; and that gives him en opportunity of terrifying the poor wretches whom he hes first injured.” “Do you happen to know the name of Oxen- den P” inquired our hero. “ No, sir,’ answered the woman. * Bat I mast be going—for I am already later than usual.” Christien could not detain her any longer ; and he had heard enough to deepen all the compassici he had previously felt on behalf of the beautiful could really render any assistance to a young lady| Laura, as well as to fill him with the most serices ine = cc d COMMIC DOO Col