The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

& “oT Ca” Oe | rilpaj to yp forward and claim you una sar Web tihusd the young man, encouraged by the look cenbhon intone which Rose had cast upon him: “and while this idea was yet cecillating in my mind, I overheard the same person who had last spoken say, ‘ Yes, poor giri ! she lost her parents under the crusllest : for I was living next door to them at the time. "Then this individual began to narrate some distressing tale to those near . him; while I, unable to restrain my feelings any longer, determined to present myself to you—offer you my congratulations on the triumphant issue of this day’s proceedings—and beseech you, Miss Foster, to regard me henceforth as a friend.” These last words were uttered in s low tremulous tone, and with a certain hesitation of manner: for the stranger was evidently fearful of giving offence to that maiden whose mind he felt convinced was as pure as her pereon was beautiful. “I am deeply—deeply grateful to you for the kind interest which you have shown in my behalf,” said Mies Foster, her own voice trembling with emo- tions profoundly stirred. “ But since you are ac- quainted with my name, permit me to inquire that of one whose friendly conduct of this evening will never be effaced from my memory.” “ My name is George Woodfall,” was the response; “and I am. by profession an artist. But let us now apeak of yourself, Miss Foster—for I am determined to act as your friend; and if the identity of orphan- age do not give me this right and even impose this duty, then human nature has no ties and society no sympathies beyond mere conventionalities and - empty, hollow. flatteries. Tell me, then, Miss Foster, tell me whether you have kind friends to take care of you—a happy home to receive you——-” “Home!—the orphan’s home!” murmured the young maiden, her bosom heaving with a profound sigh, approaching almost to a subdued sob, at the same time. : tr @ «0, “Obl. then I may yet. be enabled to serve you, Miss Foster !". exclaimed-George Woodfall, with impassioned “and I beseéch—I implore—I entreat you to look wpon me as a friend who would lay down his tife to save you a single pang.”: . ~ . "Mr. Woddfll,.” said Rose, wiping away the tears which had started forth upon her long lashes at :the mention of the word “Aome,”—and now as abie fixéd het sweet blue eyes upon the young artist's countenance, there was something so melting io their expression and so softly touching in her whole aspect, that he felt as if he had known and coved her from their very infancy ;—“ Mr. Wood- fail,” she said, “I am totally unable to find words to convey an idea of all the gratitude I feel for this rnost generous, unexpected, and disinterested beha- viour on your part. As candidly as you have ¢ poken to me, so frankly will { answer you ;—and ry answer is,” she added, her voice sinking .to a low and tremaions whisper, “that I have no friends to take care of me—no home to receive me!” “Bat that lady” said Woodfall, casting his eyes towards Mrs. Brace, who.was in deep conference \sith Gramley in the window-recess. “That is Mrs. Brace, the milliner,” responded the orphan, agein wiping aweg the tears from her eyes. “I was in her servies—but certain ciroum- stanceg--which I cannot snow meation-———in fine, | recter ‘4 will not return to ber establishypent——" ardour alike in his tone and manner; And she looked shudderingly towards the milli. ner: for although she had forgiven that woman— although she believed her to be penitent for the past—and although she felt grateful to her for the manner in which she had behaved relative to the proceedings which had just terminated,—the young girl nevertheless recoiled from the idea of venturing back again into a house where she had already en- dured so much, and where she would again be exposed to the persecutions of the Prince of Wales. “ Miss Foster,” said George Woodfall, suddenly breaking a silence which had lasted for upwards of a minute—and he looked the maiden full in the face as he spoke ;—“ Miss Foster, can you—will you— dare you trust me? Or is your expérience of the world of too bitter a nature to permit you to put any confidence in a stranger ?” “Mr. Woodfall,” replied the young girl, firmly, “not for an instant will I retarn your generosity by the ingratitude of even leaving you in a state of uncertainty respecting the ‘sentiments with which you have inspired me. Those sentiments are the most implicit confidence in the nobility of your character and the fullest reliance upon your honour. For are we not both orphans?” she demanded, in a tone of the most touching pathos : “and do we not know too well how sorrowfal is the lot of orphauage to have the heart to aggravate that woe or enhance that affliction?” ~~ “God forbid that J should be of such iniquity exclaimed Woodfall, fervently. ‘ “You have deglared that you can place confidence in me —and I thank you: you have said ‘that you will put reliance upon me—and you shall réceive at my hands the respect, the a:tention, and the protection with which a brother would surround g well-beloved and cherished sister. - Kaow, ‘then, my dear Miss Foster,” he continued, “that though a humble artist, Ihave recently made poveral frieads in the sphere of aristocracy and fashion.” “Thanks to the patronage of the Earl of Desborough and his amiable Countess the introductions I have received to some noble families open to me the most brilliant prospects ;’ —and as Woodfall thus spoke, the warm giow of high aspirations appeared upon his cheeks and poured a flood of light into his intelligent eyes. “But amongst the introductions which 1 have ob- tained through the intereat of Lord and Lady Desborough,” he proceeded after a few moments’ pause, “none has given me greater pleasure than that which has rendered me acquainted with the Marchioness of Bellenden. Have you ever heard of that excellent, _generous-hearted, and amiable lady ?” . « Yes,” replied Rose Foster’ : “ her mansion, which is called the Priory, is in the Edgeware Road, a: no great dissance from the hodse which I was once ensbled to call my home.” . “You have heard, then, of the Marchioness of Bellenden,” said Woodfall; “and you are there- fore well acquainted with the atanceble reputation which she bears?” “ My father and mother were wont to ‘speak of her as a lady who did honour to that aristocratic sphere to which she belonged,” said. Bose,—* in- stead of deriving any honour “And your parents rightly estimated. her che» recter,” exclaimed Woodfall. “ Wonld you, then, socept a home at Bellenden Priory 7° LL Ga tg ce a mee DS (CO (C DOO (CO