The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

204 THE COURT OF LONDON stranger, drawing nearer to her and speaking in a lower tone than at first, “‘ how surprised, how shocked, how pained I was to behold in you the heroine of this day’s sad proceed- ings. But, no, you cannot conceive what my feelings were, because you are ignorant how deep was the impression you made upon me during the few minutes that we conversed together at Desborough House.” Rose started, surveyed the young man with astonishment for a few moments, and then, casting down her eyes, blushed deeply. ‘“‘ Oh, do not be offended with me,” he said, in so earnest, sincere, and appealing a tone that no measure of resentment could have withstood it. ‘‘ I would sooner die than cause you pain, for God knows you have this day endured enough. But I was telling you how shocked I was ere now to recog- nize in the accused Rose Foster that same young lady whose image has ever been present in my memory since first we met at the earl’s mansion in Berkeley Square; but that first feeling of anguish on your account was almost instan- taneously relieved by the intelligence that you were dis- charged, and then a burning joy filled my soul when I heard that your innocence had been made manifest beyond all possibility of doubt. Yes, oh, yes, I wept tears of ecstasy and bliss at the issue of that painful ordeal through which you have passed; and I overheard persons near me saying, ‘He is perhaps the young lady’s brother.’ ‘ No,’ replied some one better informed than they; ‘ Miss Foster is not only an orphan, but has neither brother nor sister, nor any near relation.’ Then I thought how happy I should be if I were your brother; for I also am an orphan, and without a single relative in the whole wide world,’”’ added the young man, mournfully. There was something in this announcement which touched the tenderest chord in the heart of Rose Foster; and, raising her eyes, she surveyed the stranger with a look of benevolent feeling and compassionate interest. That avowal which he had just made seemed to establish, as it were, a secret affinity between them; the identity of their orphan positions in the world appeared to place them all in a moment on a footing of friendliness. The barrier of cold reserve was suddenly removed; the diffidence of strangers was annihilated. ‘Those words, “‘ For I also am an orphan,” S co im COnnicloO©