The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 361: what you’re looking at

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846 you safe again—and I implore you to look upon me as a friend.” “Oh! Mr. Meagles,” cried the orphan girl, burst- ing into tears,—“ if I had not already considered you in that light, I should not have ventured into your presence now. Pardon this intrusion—forgive this boldness——but——_” She stopped short—a faintness came over her— and, pale thouga she was at first, yet ber countenance now grew so suddenly ashy, that Meagies feated she was about te faint. Pouring ont a glass of water, he held it to her lips: she had just strength sufficient to imbibe a few drops—and the cold beverage revived her. “ Will you not jay aside your benset, Miss Fos- ter?” said Meagies, throwing inte his tone and manner as much respectful attention and delicate courtesy as it was powsible to convey or imply by those means. “You are aware that J have ne wife, nor sister—ner indeed any female relative to whom I can introduce you: but my landlady will pay you all due regaré——” “ Mr. Meagies,” interrupted Rose, now thoroughly reassured with respect to his character, and ehgry | with herself that she had ever suapected sts Integ- rity,—" I understand and appreciate all the genere- sity and delicacy of your conduct towards mes— but inasmuch as I ceme to you as a frfewd—nay, more—as a sister would fly for succour ahd advice to a brother—it is unnecessary that there should be avy third person present while I converse with you. But you said that you knew I hed been perve- cuted—— “ Alas! poor orphan girl,” sal’ Meagles in a tone of deep feeling, while tears started forth front his eyes; “I have indeed heard of the terrible adventure which you experienced a week ago—end I have been making unceasing inquiries concerning you.” “You, Mr. Meagies!” ejaculated Rose, in amare- ment. responded Tim, %& a tone of “ Yes—certainly,” unquestionable eandour. “ From the first momen that I saw you I felt interested in you—en, my God ! who would not be, considering the crdel misfortunes which have overtaken you et se early 8 period of your life? The note which you sent me some weeks ago, gave me pain—because I had hoped and flat- tered myself that you would condescend to look upon me asa friend. But at the same time I admired your prudence, Miss Foster—and, while I deplored the step which you had taken, inasmuch as it left me ignorant of your place of abode, the good opinion I had already formed of you was enhanced to the THE MYSTERIES. ell Mrs. Brace’s house-——” “ But how did you learn all that has happened to me?” she demanded. “Report says that you are intimate with the Prince of Wales—and it was as an emissary from his Royal Highness to my poor father, that you first became acquainted with me. I must conclude, then, that the Prince himself made known to you his unworthy conduct and the manner in which I escaped from him—by adopting a course which makes me shudder even now when I think of it———” . “ Heroic girl!” ejaculated Meaglea,—“ I also have shuddered a thousand times on your aceount ever since the daring exploit was nade known to me. Yes —from the lips of the Prince &imself did I hear the tale which excited within me 6 sentiment of abhor- rence tewards him equalled only by that of admim- tion in regard to yourself.” “Was it possible that his Royal Highness keew all along that Camilla Morton was none other than the Rose Foster whom his own wickedness had made n orphan?” inquired the young maiden. “ No—he only ascertained that fect at the last mo- wreut—indeed, at the same time thet he discovered your flight,” answered Meagles. “A letter whieh you had dropped ia the hurry and cenfasion of that memorable night, and which his Royal Highness picked up, informed him who you were. Bat thmk not, Miss Foster, that he was stricken with remorse —or that if he were, the feeling lasted more than a moment. No!” cried Meagles emphatical] »,—* that man is fecapable of sentiments permanently generous or noble ; and beware, Miss Foster, how you fall in his way! Let us not, however, dwell upon topics zo unpleasant. I was ere now telling yon that during the last week I have been making unceasing inquiries copeerning you—and this is so true that [ have neglected many im matters which de- mended my attention. t I knew enough of you to be aware that you are inexperienced and confiding : virtuous wad well-intentioned yourself, you are na- turally prone te piece reliance upon others ;—and I trembled, Mies Foster—Oh! I trembled lest you should fall into the snares of the artful, the designing, and the unprincipled.” “Oh! how can I ever sufficiently express my gtatitude for all this generous sympathy and friend- ship on your part?” exclaimed Rose, her voice almost suffocated with soba. “Alas! alas! I have indeed become the victim of my inexperience—at least so far as my pecuniary affairs are con- highest degree. You now understand, therefore, that | eerned—— I have thought of you often—and very frequently have I wished te know where you were that I might ascertain if you were contented with the new career you had traced out for yourself. Conceive, then, my dismay—my grief—my indignation, when I learnt, a week ago, that you had been made the object of a cruel persecution.” “Ah! Mr. Meagles,” exclaimed Rose, the tears chasing each other down ber cheeks,—“ had I treated you with less reserve—had I consulted you frankly and ingenuously ere I resolved upon any particular proceeding—all that I have endured and encountered would have been avoided. Believing the establish- ment which I entered to be one of the highest re- spectability——” “Oh! what perils have you encountered, Miss Foster!” exclaimed Meagles, abruptly: “for your “Tell me all that bas occurred to you, Miss Foster,” eried Meagles, “since the night on which you escaped from Mrs. Brace’s house. I am certain you have endured much—your adventures have been of no ordinary description—for you are pale, care-w.orm, altered ——” “ Heavens! how can it be otherwise?” exclaimed Rose, suddenly becoming painfully excited as the thought of all she had passed through was recalled with terrible vividness to her mind. “ Yes—I did indeed trust to people whom I believed honest— and they plundered me—robbed me, Mr. Meagies, of every guinea of that sum which you yourseif had | invested in my name at the Bank of Engiand. On! why did { not come to you? But I sent—or rather some one pretended to call upon you—and I was assured that you had gone to Sootland ——-” neta aa aaa Ea cae aaa easier casas GOLA Vara orx<S eyes are doubtless now open to the true charaster of a _ EE COL in