The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 112: what you’re looking at

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a a a eae aaa aaeaasaccrasacaaaaasasacccamsataal med THE MYSTERIES Eee Larry Sampson accordingly began to narrate several anecdotes of his exploits in detecting no- torious offenders and bringing them to justice: but we must now take leave of him and Jack the Foundling for the present, in order to direct the reader's attention to matters of a still more inter- esting and importa nt nature. ~~ CHAPTER XXVIIL THE REVELATION OF THE CONSPIRACY. THE reader will be pleased to remember that the day of which we are now writing is Thursday—the incidents at Jacob’s Island having occurred during the Wednesday night. It was about ten in the morning, that Jocelyno Loftus issued forth from the Piazza Hotel, Covent Garden, where he was staying. On the previous day he iad called in Stratton Street to inquire tor Clara Stanley, but was told that she was out of town with Mr. and Mrs. Beckford. It however appeared that they were expected home in the evening; and Jocelyn, +having left the letter of introduction which his beloved Louisa had given him for her sister, desired the servant tu say that he would call again the next morning. He was therefore now on his way to Stratton Street: and taking the nearest cut from Covent Garden, through Leicester Square, into Piccadilly, he pursued his course at a somewhat brisk pace. He had reached the angle of Albemarle Street and was traversing the crossing, when his attention was suddenly drawn towards a young lady who hurried past him in so wild a manuer that it appeared as if she were either demented or labouring under some extraordinary agitation. Turning sharply rouod the corner into Albemarle Street, she suddenly stupped short—seemed to reflect fdr a few moments —and then staggered against some iron railings as it she were about to fall down in a fit. Jocelyn observed that she was very young— perhaps not more than sixteen—and that although she was handsomely dressed, her apparel was dirty and travel-soiled. Indeed, she looked as if she had been journeying a considerable distance on foot: and this circumstance, added to her evident distress of mind, instantaneously led the young gentleman to believe that she must be in some peculiar position of difficulty, danger, or embar- rassmenut. His generous nature vow prompted him to ascertain if he could possibly be of any service tu her: for he well kuew how perilous it was for so young a creature, and beautiful withal, to wander friendJess and unprotected in the mighty mazes of the modern Babylon. Hie therefore accosted her; but she did not im- mediately observe him ;—and as she leant against the railings of some lordly mansion, he heard her exclaim to herself, ““ No—no—I will not go to him / He is one of the conspirators—he is as bad as the rest!” A convulsive sub followed these words, choking any farther utterance of the thoughts that were uppermost in her mind: and turning abruptly round, she was about to retrace her hurried way into Piccadilly, when she beheld Jucelyn Loftus surveying her with a look of unmistakable com- OF TRE COURT. 90 passion and respectful interest. She then seemed all in a moment to recollect that he must have caught the words which fell so agonizingly from her lips: and a deep blush overspread her counte- nance at the thought of the notice her extra- ordinary behaviour had thus attracted towards herself. “Pardon the boldness of a total stranger thus venturing to address you,” Jocelyn hastened to observe: “but if you have lost your way—or if there be any service which I can render you——” “ Yes, sir—yes—there is indeed a service which you can render me, if you be sincere and right- minded,” exclaimed the young lady: then, instan- taneously checking the wildness of her manner, she said, “But I have no right to address you in this style—I have no reason to meet your evident frankness with a base suspiciono———” “You are evidently labouring under a con- siderable degree of excitement,” observed Jocelyn, in a tone of the kindest reassurance; “and I can- not be offended at anything you may say. Iama gentleman——but what is much more, I am a man of honour, and therefore incapable of treating you otherwise than with respectful consideration.” “T believe you, sir—i put implicit faith in you,” said the young lady. “But what can you do for me?” she asked, her looks again resuming that wildness which Jocelyn had before noticed: and then the next moment, the tears rolled down her cheeks. “You observed ere now,” aaid Loftus, “that there was some service which I might render you. Believe me, young lady, that it must be an im- possible one if I should refuse to succour a being 80 profoundly afflicted as you evidently are.” “ Will you give mc a home, sir?” she inquired, passionately : ‘‘and will that home be an honour- able one? But, no—I do not demand so much ag your hands,” she instantaneously added: “if you will assist me to obtain a respectable lodging, where I may at least enjoy personal seourity, I will thank you— Oh! most cordially thank you! Though utterly without friends, I am not destitate of immediate resources——” * We are attracting unpleasant notice,” said Jocelyn. “Permit me to call a hackney-coach— and J will escort you toa place both of respect- ability and safety.” The young lady expressed her gratitude —a vehicle which was passing at the time, stopped in obedience to Jovelyn’s summons—and he handed the fair stranger into it. Then, entering it also and placing himself on the seat opposite to her, he commanded the driver to take them to the Piazza Hotel, Covent Garden. “TI am only staying for a short time—indeed, I may say for only a few more hours—in Londun,” he observed, as the hackney-coach moved on: “ and I have no fixed residence of my own in this great city. But I will confide you to the care of the landlady of the hotel to which we are now pro- ceeding; and though [I shall be obliged to leave you again almost immediately, having a particular appointment to keep, I shall return in an hour or two. During that interval you will have gained some degree of comppsure—and you can then ex- plain to ne how J may farther serve you.” “Your kindness—your generosity will receive my eternal gratitude,” said the young lady, burst. a “ff FN Ca. -w{ cy 4 a ~——e eomebooks.conmn