The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 356: what you’re looking at

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®* Poor girl! you have been terribly deceived in- deed,” said. Maagles. “How. crually bas fortune persecuted you !”" “ But [have deserved it. all for not having relied on your friendsbip,” exclaimed. Rase, with passionate vehemence. “Yes--I have deserved it all—evan to the starvation — the.famine which I have. experi- * Holy Gad! is thie possible f” ejaculated Meagles, starting from his chair and fixing hia eyes on the orpban girl in dismay. “Starvation—famine—— No -—no-eit cannot be! . And I -have been eating and drinking of the best———lJust heavens! starvation— famine !” he repeated, now becoming. terribly excited in his turn, “Alas! alas! those pale cheeks—that altered mien——Oh! Miss Foster—Miss Foster— how is it possible that you conld. have endured all this without deigning: te recollect that I was your friend? But, my God! whileI am thus giving way to my feelings, you are auffering with hunger——” And he aprang towards the bell. to summon his valet to spread food upan the table. But Rose, divining: his intention, caught hold of his army ex- claiming, “I require nothing now—my heart is too fall—and moreeser, I have left kind.and generous friends perishing with want—— “ Command me in every way, Miss Koater |” .in- terrupted Mgagles. “Tell ma how I can serve yon or those in whom you are.interested. Thank God! my purse is well filled at this moment—aad if it were not, I would sell everything: to. obtain the. means of fulfilling your wishes.” # Generous friend! how deep ia the debt of: grati- tude which I owe you!” exclaimed. Rose, the tears again streaming down her cheeks. “But grant me your patience a few minutes—aud I will tell you all that has occurred to me aince the night on which I escaped from the dwelling of Mrs. Brace.’ Moagles reseated himself—and Rose proceeded to. recount the various adventures with which the reader is already acquainted,—haw she fell in with a man and woman who demonstrated the utmost sym- pathy towards her—how they plundered her of all she possessed in the world—how abe experienced a real compassion and kindness at the hands of the Melmoths—and how she had just left that family not only perishing through destitution, but likewise menaced with ejection fram the miserable garret that constituted their home. “ Where do these. good people live?” inquired Meagles, again springing from his seat: “ I will lose not a moment in repairing to their aid.” Miss Foster mentioned the address—end Meagles put on his hat. “But I will go with you,” she said: “ indeed I |. or am glad to avail myself of your escort, at this late hour, to the which is likewise my home now,”’ she added, with a mournful tramulousness of .the woice—for the recent incidents of her life were con- stantly reminding her of the. happy days when ahe dwelt | beneath the same roof with.those fond parents who wera aow no mare. “ Miss Foster,” said “if-you wish to re- tarn to the lodging which; from all the circumstances you have just revealed ta me, I_must presume to be a very humble one, I shall conduct you thither as a matter of course. But if you will place yourself in the. care of my. landlady until to-morrow, when we shall be enabled to eonsult tegetber upon future ar- vangements for youn welfare.and.happiness—~" | . “Mr. Meagles,”’ interrupted Rese, “I have wit- uessed and shared the misery: of the peor family te whom I owe so many obligations—and,.as your ge- nerosity is about to prove the means of thear salva- tion, L could wish to. behold and j joinin the happiness that you are this night destined to raise up in their abode. Permit me, then, to accompany you,” she added in a tone of earnest entzeaty: “ and to-mor row I aball venture to intrude myself upon your presence again—for, alas! the peor orphan, Mir. Meagjea, has-no other friend on earth save you !” “ And thegineerity of my friendship, Miea.Foster, aball be proved by the alacrity and abeerfulzces with which I am prepared to fulfil all your wishes, Coine, then—and we will hasten together to the ahede of these worthy but unhappy people whose heants were not Hardened by poverty nor reedesad eelfiah by misery against the suffesiogs of a fellew-ersature.” Rose darted a.look of fervent gratitade goon Meagics,.whose honourable intentions. with: regard ito heraeif now seemed beyond all. question ;.and they sallied forth together, just as the belle of St. Jamen's church were chiming a querter. pastelerven. CHAPTER SC1X. STARTLING INCIDENTS. .AL7Tg05@H she had fasted for so many leng hours, yot Rose Foster felt not hungry new. ‘Hope had ‘T4600 up in her bosom,—that hape which was meat aad.driok; toher physical being, and. animation and excitement to her spirits. Meagles: vas preving himeelf a friend—and they wese on thein-way to- gether to carry suocour and selace.te she.starving ‘family of the working man whommesatle and williug to work, but could obtain ne -woek ta do! A quarter past eleven !—the hour hed gene by .a& which the rent was to be paid—baot by .balf-past eleven they could reach the Meksothy lodging ia Westminster, and doubtless it wonld not: be tou late. These thoughts swept rapidly threugh the brain of the young maiden, as, ing-mpon the.arm of Tim Meagles, ahe burried along Sermym Shreet; and as it was shorter to cross. 8t..James’s Bquere than to go round by Lower Regent Street, che gently drew him in that disection—-for tha fear of reviving unpleasant reminisegness in hes.miad was prompting him to take the. mor eiresitons route. But with Meagles.as.a pratector, she-dysaded no- thing: moreover, her spirits were toe eate.with enthasiastic hepe te allow room: fer-apyanagivings or apprehensions. Firmly and lightly, therefore, isinpadathe éect. of the pale but lovely girl om the .pamemaqué of thas The night was eold and garstiallz tempestaous: and searesly had the silver planet. penped.forth | from the dark ourtains above, when it masobseused | again by the dense and aminons..masses.of elouds | —like a beauty coguetting from behind a black. veil. Thas, having allowed Rose Boster. a teaysient ‘glimpse of the casement from-whish ber flight .had been accomplished, the. fiekle.Geddem of Might COMM (1) LOOO co <_d, lin