The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

et cS 306 THE MYSTERIES. cleanly bed-chamber on the first floor received them ; and the woman intimated that it was here the young lady was to sleep. She again apologised for the humi- lity of the accommodation, but again likewise affirmed an assurance of the most cordial welcome. Camilla expressed her thanks for the kindness demonstrated towards her—and the woman, placing the candle upon a little table, withdrew. Carefully locking the door, the orphan hastened _to lay aside her clothing—for she was overwhelmed with fatigue ; and soon after she had laid her head upon the pillow slumber sealed her eyes. She awoke in the morning just as the clock of Westminster Abbey was striking nine; and when the sunbeams shone upon her eyes and she found herself safe in that homely room bué eleanly bed, she again reproached herself for having thought ill of the couple to whom she was indebted for the hospitality she had enjoyed. Rising from the humble pallet, Camilla per- formed her toilette: but, during the operation, tears more than once trickled down her cheeks as she thought of the really comfortable home from which she had been compelled to fly, and of the necessity of finding another, Another home! Alas — alas! ‘tis much more easily said than done: and the orphan felt that it was so—and her heart, as it were, came up into her throat as she reflected that the only true home which she had ever enjoyed had been swallowed up in the grave of her parents! O God! robbery is bad—forgery is vile—rape is atrocious—and murder is abhorrent: bat to ill- treat the orphan—to be merciless towards the poor being from whom Death has borne away the fond mother and doting father, never to send them back again,—Oh! this is abhorrent also—and the wretch who has no pity for the orphan, is capable of robbery, and forgery, and rape, and murder! Scarcely was Camilla’s toilette performed, when some one tapped gently at the door. She opened it—and the woman made her appearance with many anxious inquiries as to how the young lady had slept. This apparently kind solicitude on her behalf having been duly acknowledged by Camilla, the woman led the way to a small but neatly fur- nished parlour down stairs, where breakfast was veady arranged upon the table. ‘The woman’s husband was there, and his appear- ance had undergone considerable improvement. For he had shaven the beard of several days’ growth which enhanced the sinister expression of his countenance when Caunilla first beheld hima few hours back—his hair, then matted, was now combed out and neatly arranyed—his soiled shirt had been exchanged for clean linen—and he wore a decent suit of black clothes. “T hope my missus has made you comfortable, young lady?” said the man, assuming as gentle a tone as his voice could possibly modulate itself to. “J have to return you both my sincerest thanks for your kindness,” answered Camilla. * Oh! don’t say a word about that, Miss,” ex- claimed the man. “ We only performed a Chris- tian duty; and I’m sure that even a heart of stone would have melted to see such a nice young lady as you are in any sort of trouble and distress. Why, when I returned home about an hour after you and my missus, I found her a-erying as if her eyes had turned into water-spouts——” “Well, well,” interrupted the woman—but not petulantly ;—“ I must confess that I was affected by all the dear young lady had been telling me as we walked along. For it’s such a shocking thing to have lost one’s parents at so tender an age—— But come, dear Miss,” she exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself—for she saw that Camilla had become painfully affected: “dry your tears—don’t take on so, there’s a sweet girl—and anything that me or my husband can do to assist you,’ we will perform cheerfully. Come—sit down—and try a cup of tea: it will do you good, Miss.” Camilla hastily wiped her eyes, and, yielding to the woman’s entreaties, took a seat at the table. Her heart was however too full to allow her to experience the slightest appetite: but she forced herself to cat a mouthful for fear her entertainers should thiak that she was dainty and disliked the homely fare set before her. over, the man rose from his seat, observing that he had some particular business to transact in the City, but that he should be back by dinner-time. When the meal was “The City !” exclaimed his wife. “ Are you fo- ing into the City the first thing this morning? Well, that ts singular ” “ Singular, my dear—how so?” demanded the man, who spoke in very affectionate terms to his wife. “ Because this young lady has some little busi- ness to transact in the City, I think. Didn’t you say so, Miss?” inquired the woman, turning to- wards Camilla. “ T must indeed replenish my purse,” respended the orphan, with a profound sigh,—* since Ff have been compelled to leave wy situation. lost one home, the sooner I settle myself in an- other the better.” Having “'Fhen I suppose, Miss, that you’ve got relations, or trustees, or lawyers, or something of the sort in the City,” said the man; “and you want to eall upon them. In that case, I shall be very happy to see you safe to their house,” he added, with an apparent frank- ness which quite made the orphan forget the sinister expression of his countenance. “ Alas! I have no relatives—no friends,” she re- turned. hastily wiping away the tears that started forth upon her long lashes. “ But, Oh !—I was wrong to say that I had no friends!” she exclaimed, a sudden reminiscence striking her and bringing a tint of animation to her pale cheeks. “ Yes — Mr. Meagles—he wili advise me how to act——” “You'd better write a note to your friend, Miss,” said the man, exchanging a rapid but significant glance with the woman: “and [ will take it to him at once for you. It *1l be much better than for you to ©0 running about the streets ——” “Thank you—thank you!” exclaimed Camilla, grateful for the suggestion and the offer which ac- companied it. “ But it is not necessary for me to write-—indeed, my brain is so bewildered that my very sight is dazzled—and I could not pen a single line. My object will be however accomplished if you will have the goodness to call on Mr. Meagles in Jermyn Street ;”—and she mentioned the number of Mrs. Piggleberry’s house. “You can tell him that incidents of a most unpleasant nature have occurred, compelling me to leave the establishment in which lL held a situation—and that if he will favour me with an immediate visit, his advice will be most thankfully received.” [ee (CO) ClOOOKS.€O