The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 43: what you’re looking at

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| 23 “J care not how the affair is managed, so that she | be rescued from the grasp of justice,” exclaimed the milliner. “ But why did not her case come on to-day | oefore the Lambeth justices of peace ?”’ “Because I had the investigation of the affair put . into my hands,” answered Grumiey ; “ and in con- | sequence of the understanding which was come to with me at Carlton House this morning, 1 imme- diately sent one of my underlings over to the Lam- beth authorities to lel 'em know that Caroline Walters musn’t be brought up till to-morrow, as I expected to have the case completely made out against her by that time.” “Then you have taken an ostensibly hostile attitude towards her!” exclaimed Mrs. Brace. “How the devil could I do otherwise?” demanded Mr. Grumley. “Aint I the head officer of Bow Street?—-and must not people in authority maintain at least a show of consistency and propriety? But don’t be alarmed—everything will go on es it ought to.do—and the lass shall escape to-morrow evening as-eure as I’m standing here.” “ And you will give her fifty guineas and tell her to get out of the country as soon as possible,” said Mrs. Brace. ° “J'll not only give her the money, bat also a safe disguise into the bargain,” returned the constable. “Lord bless ye, ma’am—I never do things by palvest Bat what are you going to do with that sweet young gal there?” inquired Mr. Grumley, glancing over his shoulder in the direction of Rose Foster, who was in earnest and whispering discourse with George Woodfall “J shall keep my promise and let her go whither- sover she chooses,” responded the milliner, who was by no means inclined to run any more risks of ex- posure and rnin by assisting the designs of the Prince of Wales in respect to the lovely orphan. “That young chap seems to be getting precious tender towards her,” whispered Grumley, again glancing over his shoulder and observing the re- spectful admiration and soft solicitude with which George Woodfall was contemplating Rose Foster. “ P’raps he’s making her a hoffer of marriage.” “1 wish to heaven he was,” rejoined Mrs. Brace. “He would then take her so completely off my bands that [ should not be compelled to furnish her with any of my own hard-earned gold to set ber afloat in the world.” “ Well, ma’am, I shall say good bye to you now,” observed Mr. Peter Geumley: “and if you'll be at bome—and. alone—to-morrow night between ten and eleven o'clock, I shall take the liberty of drop- ping ia to bring you the news about Miss Caro- ine Walters——” “And receive your remaining five hundred guineas,” added Mrs. Brace, with asmile. “Yon will be welcome, | can assure you.” Mr. Grumiey threw upon the milliner a look which seemed to say that she was a very desirable person and had considerably ed his pas- sions during the quarter of an hour's ohat in the window-reoess: and Mrs, Brace, pene what was passing in his mind, laughed in a low but merry manver at the idea of having captivated the auge, ugty, revolting, shabby-looking fellow who thus dared ‘to regard her with such a libidinous soseness, STad he been a handsome, dashing young noble- man, with yellow kid gloves and a scented cambric THE MYSTERIES. handkerchief, Mrs. Brace would have responded & his lustful glances with looks of piquant archness and voluptuous enc t: but the sensitive- ness of the fashionable milliner could only treat with a good-humoured ridicule the amorous preten- sions of one whom she dared not offend by showing herself outraged and shocked at his conduct. Heaving a profound sigh, Mr. Peter Grumley made alow bow to Mra Brace, and stalked out of the room ;—and the noise of the door closing behind him, aroused George Woodfall and Rose Foster from the deep interest of the iéte-d-téte which bad at this moment reached the point specified at the close of the ing chapter. “ Well, my dear child,” said Mrs. Brace, accoat- ing the young orphan with ap appearance of so much maternal affability and kindness that George Woodfall could not help wondering at the extreme repugnance which Rose had demonstrated at the idea of returning into the milliner’s establishment, —*“what course have you determined to adopt !— and in what manner can I be serviceable to you {” “This gentleman,” said Rose, indicating the ar- tist with a glance, and speaking in a tone of modest decision and maidenly firmness which at once con- vipced the milliner that some cefinite plan had beea already resolved upon by the orphan girl, even if it were not actually arranged in concert with the young man who stood beside her,—“this gentleman,” she said, “is Mr. Woodfall—and through his kind, be- nevolent, and compassionate aid, I expect to find a home at the abode of a lady with whom he is ac- quainted.” “I am perfectly aware that I have not the least right to demand of you an account of your conduct,” said Mrs. Brace, now feeling herself piqued inasmuch as she saw that the orphan had purposely avoided naming the lady and mentioning the address where unto she had alluded. “But at the same time,” con- tinued the milliner, almost immediately recovering her good humour, “ I am overjoyed to hear that your prospects are so agreeable—and I wish you all possible happiness to compensate for the misery you have endured this day.” “ Farewell, Mrs. Brace,” said Roee, tendering her hand to the milliner. “Once more do I thank you for your kindness in this affair.” “ And you will forget the past, dear Rose ?t” whis- pered Mrs. Brave, as she stooped forward and kissed her upon the cheek. “ Yes—lI have promised to do 90, and I will keep my word,” responded the orphan. The milliner then tock her departure; and a few minates afterwards George Woodlall and Roee Fos- ter entered a hackney-coach which had been sent fer catch a glimpse of the charming girl as she came forth from the Office ; and loud cheers welcomed her as the artist handed her into the vehicle. The coach drove rapidly away: the multitude dis- persed—and while Rose Foster was being conducted to the mansion of the Marchioness of Bellenden, the Hon. Arthur Eaton was entering a solitary cell within the sinister-looking walls of Newgate. (COU (C DOO (CO