The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

\ 147 i when your memory is carried beek to a bright and home P'S "! ' “Good heavens, sir, why do you talk thus?” Bveleen. “Who are you? wherefore came you hither? Is it poesible——” “It is possible, my poor girl,” responded Red- oliffe, “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 you parents f” The Irieh girl buret into tears; she endeavoured to check them—but vainly: she could not. The more she strove, the Ices was her power to com- mand her feelings: they convulsed her. “Yes,” resumed Redcliffe, “I see that you have parente, who are doubtices deploring the disap= pearance of a beloved daughter. Would you not like 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 *” gaid 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 mm- | 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. seemed significant; and after a while, Lettice, 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: “JI wish to speak 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 his glass. “ No—we have had enough wine,’ ssid Redcliffe, in a kind though firm and decisive tone. Eveleen gased upon him with renewed astonish- ment; and for afew moments he remained fn thought. | you been here ?” “ About three years, sir,” she answered; and again the cloud lowered for a moment over her features, which were naturally of eo sprightly and piquant an expression. “Three years,” continued Redcliffe mournfully, —“three years of sin for one who by ber beauty her manners and her accoms- plishments, might have edcrned the highest sphere and her intelligence, of society, bad 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 her very soul. “I¢ ie not a reproach, much jess an insult that J am addressing you,” he said, in a still kinder vaice. “You will perhaps 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 bs a absorbed “Tell me,” he presently said, “how long have “By a strange but very natural revaision of feeling, Eveleen grew calm. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and gased upon Mr. Redcliffe with mingled amasement, gratitude and admiration. Long was it since her ears had drunk in such lan- guage as this: long was it since such balm bad been poured down into her heart! “ Do not think,” be continued, “ that you are so far lost it is not worth while to return into a vir- tuous course. I-am well aware thet 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 diverged,—barriers which she may vainly attempt to climb in order to re-enter it. But it is not so. far towards a complete atonement for the past. of parents may be opened to welcome a lost daughter, if she return to them in penitence and in sorrow for her misdeeds. Eve- not deficient in intelligence :—am I ish girl gave no verbal answer: but abe fell upon her knees at Redcliffe’s feet—and expressive of to hold vut—of entreaty that perform it—but of suspense lest it were too great for her to know. All the of a Magdalen was in that look. The not been dried up im that girl’s merely closed by th of her position: but now the rock (COL (C DOO CS (COL