The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 336: what you’re looking at

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

A TE a 330 “This young gentleman,” Mrs. Oxenden has- tened to observe, “is not one of our party: he is a stranger—and he came forward most kindly to render us his assistance.” “Oh, very good !” said the old man with an air of relief: and then he again turned his eyes upon the young lady, who became pale as death and seemed as if she were about to faint. “We thank you most sincerely, sir,” said Mrs. Oxenden, turning towards our hero, but with a certain impatience in her air, as if she felt him to be one too many upon the spot and wished him to be gone, He dared not remain any longer—he had no excuse: he accordirzly raised his hat; and was turning away when he perceived that the young lady gave a half-start as if she would have flown towards him for protection. “Laura, do not be foolish!” said Mrs. Oxenden, in an under-tone, but with rapid and peremptory utterance: and she caught the young lady by the arm, at the same time bending upon her a look of almost menacing significancy with her imperious dark eyes. “ Thisis Sir Joseph Steward.” A low faint shriek, coming from the lips of the beautiful but afflicted Laura, caught Christian’s ear as he was again turning from the spot ;—and again under an irresistible influence of pity and compassion for that young lady, did he stop short. Mrs. Oxenden now darted upon him a look full of anger, and she said, “ Your presence, sir, be- comes an intrusion effacing the sense of gratitude for the assistance you rendered.” Christian’s countenance grew crimson at this rebuke so pointed and almost insolent; and he hastened away from the spot. But on reaching the stile, he glanced back; and at that instant Sir Joseph Steward was addressing something to the young lady. He had laid one hand familiarly upon her shoulder; and with the pointed fore- finger of the other hand he was gesticulating as if to convey impressiveness to the words he was ut- tering. Laura was shrinking in visible terror and dismay—while Mrs. Oxenden, who stood be- hind the old man, was bending upon her a look of mingled reproach and command. This was the spectacle which met our hero’s eyes,—filling him with renewed wonderment and compassion, and for a few moments riveting him to the spot whence he contemplated what was thus passing. But again did he catch the dark eyes of Mrs. Oxenden flash- ing an angry glance towards him; and struck with the impropriety of thus obtrusively seeming to meddle with other persons’ business, he began to take his hurried way back across the fields. While retracing his steps to Ramsgate, which was about three miles distant—for, as we have already said, he had wandered much farther than he intended when first setting out for his walk—he naturally pondered all that had just taken place. Profound was his pity on behalf of that young and beautiful lady who had evidently been introduced to Sir Joseph Steward for the first time, and who had shrunk with so much surprise, aversion, and dismay at his presence. What could it all mean ?—was some compulsory mar- riage in contemplation? or was anything worse iutended? Christian balf regretted that he had not lingered upon the spot to ascertain whether he could really render any assistance to a young lady $$$ ————— SAA HK BK EXE THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. against whom he feared an outrage of some kind or another was being contemplated. While thus re- flecting, he beheld a milk-woman advancing across the field ; and he resolved to question her. As an introduction to the wished-for discourse he asked for a draught of milk, for which he paid her libe- rally ; and he inquired, “ Does not that house be- long to Sir Joseph Steward P” “ Yes, sir,” was the reply; “and a strange old gentleman he is.” ‘In what way P” asked Christian. “Oh! he lives such a queer sort of life when he is at home,” responded the milk-woman; “and dresses in such an odd fashion that the little boys in the neighbourhood all laugh at him: and then he tries to run after them to beat them with his cane—but he never can catch them because of the | gout in his feet.” “Ts he married ?” inquired Christian. “ No, sir,” answered the woman: and then with a meaning look, she added, “But I’m sure he ought to be; for there isn’t a decent girl in all these parts will go into his service.” “You mean to say,” observed Christian, trem- bling on the beautiful Laura’s behalf at what he thus heard, “ that Sir Joseph Steward is not very correct in his conduct ?” “ Correct? No, sir!” exclaimed the woman. ‘My sister was fool enough to let her daughter take a situation at Verner House—that’s the name of his place—but she was a goad girl, and so no ) harm came of it: but it was for no want of trying 'on Sir Joseph’s part if she didn’t meet her ruin | there, He is very rich, but does no good with his money: he is a bad landlord and a bad master ; and I shouldn’t mind telling him so to his face. Ah! sir, old as he is, and with one foot in the grave, Ican tell you that he has brought sorrow into many a humble home in these parts: for if he don’t use his riches to do good, he is lavish enough of his gold when it is to doharm. You understand me, sir?” “T do—unfortunately I do,” rejoined Christian, his thoughts painfully associating themselves with the beautiful Laura; and when he remembered that she had an air of artless innocence strongly contrasting with the fierce commanding and im- perious demeanour of Mrs. Oxenden, he felt his blood boiling with indignation at the bare suspi- cion of what might be in store for that defenceless being. ‘Yes, sir,” continued the milk-woman, “ there are many people about here who could tell a tale but little creditable to Sir Joseph Steward; and my only surprise is that he hasn’t had his brains beat out long ago by some indignant husband, father, or brother. But money is such a power! —and if it does much mischief, it can also help to hush it up. Would you believe it—Sir Joseph is a magistrate; and that gives him an opportunity of terrifying the poor wretches whom he has first injured.” “Do you happen to know the name of Oxen- den P” inquired our hero. “ No, sir,” answered the woman. “ But I must be going—for I am already later than usual.” Christian could not detain her any longer ; and | he had heard enough to deepen all the compassion | he had previously felt on behalf of the beautiful | Laura, as well as to fill him with the most serious THEO)