The Seamstress; or, The White Slave of England — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

LL TTT ht : THE SEAMSTRESS. | ie thE a ao “SR a previously to the trial, Mr. Lavenham had received many indulgences at the hands of the governor— especially that of being separated from the other prisoners ;—and this privilege, which was vouch- safed in consequence of the impression that he was a criminal merely through an access of mental aber- ration, was continued to him after his trial. He was accordingly allowed to occupy a small chamber attached to the infirmary; and books and writing- materials were ordered to be supplied him under the discretionary supervision of the chaplain. It was about noon. on the second day after Mr, Lavenham had appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey, that a turnkey entered his prison-room and informed him that a young female desired to see him. Mr. Layenbam requested that she should be admitted; and the moment the visitress was usliered into his presence he recognised the seamstress to whom he had afforded his protection on the occasion when she was accosted by the Marquis of Arden in Grosvenor Square. Trembling and in tears did Virginia Mordaunt enter the room where Mr. Lavenham was confined; —aud the moment the hurried glance which she threw upon him showed her how much he was altered, she experienced a shock as powerful and as profound as ifit were some near and dear relative whose unhappy pusition she was compelled to de- plore. For the grateful and generous soul of the poor maiden was cruelly affected by the misfortunes of one who had breathed kind words and poured forth salutary counsel in her ears ;—and the ravages which care had evidently made upon the victim of those misfortunes, touched the tenderest chords of sweet Christian sympathy that vibrated to her heart’s core. “Virginia—Miss Mordaunt—is this you?” ex- claimed Mr. Lavenham, who not only recollected the interesting countenance but likewise the name of the young seamstress: and taking her hand, he was about to thank her for this visit, all the kind intent of which he understood in a moment,—but his emotions overpowered him—his voice was suffo- cated by the feelings which rose as it were into his very throat—and the workings of his countenance proved how deeply he was affected. * Mr, Lavenham, you will pardon the boldness— the impropriety, perhaps, of the step which I have taken,” said Virginia, in a broken voice and with ‘tears running down her cheeks; “but I felt an in- describable longing to come and see you—some unknown feeling prompted me——” “ Excellent girl!” exclaimed the prisoner, pressing her hand warmly in his own: then, turning abruptly away, he raised his handkerchief to his tace anda sob was wafted to the maiden’s ears. “Oh! sir—then you are indeed as unhappy as I feared!” murmured Virginia, tottering to a seat. “But you will pardon me for thus intruding——” “Pardon you, my dear girl—for I speak to you asa father!” cried Lavenham, turning again towards her; “ how can you ask me to pardon an act of the most touching kindness? I understand your sweet disposition—your traly Christian character, Virginia ;—and I am rejoiced—yes, unfeignedly re- jeiced at this conduct on your part — because it makes me think better of a world which I had begun to hate, to despise, and to fear,” “I am glad that you are not angry with me for 59 intruding upon you, sir,” resumed the seamstress, her countenance brightening up somewhat through her tears. ‘“‘1 trembled to take this step; and yet, as I have already told you, some inscrutable feeling prompted me to visit you, if only for a moment. For I longed to tell you that I never, never from the first believed you to be guilty % * Ah! what do you say?—what do you mean, Virginia?” exclaimed Mr. Lavenham, with a sud- den start, as if the words of that innocent young creature had tuuched the tenderest or else the most painful fibre in his heart: and he now contem- plated her with a look so earnest, so intent, and yet so singular in its expression, that che felt alarmed and abashed. “TY hope that I have not offended you, sir?” she said, with a glance so touchingly deprecatory that Mr, Lavenham was again melted even to tears. “No, no—you have not offended me, my dear girl,’ he exclaimed: “how is it possible that you could offend me by believing in my innocence. And, ah! it would grieve me to the very soul to destroy that belief im your pure and artless mind: for it seems as if an angel were looking at me through your eyes and speaking to me with your voice! Nevertheless, Virginia,” he added, in a tone that suddenly became profoundly solemn, “I am com- pelled by an imperious sense of duty——” “ No—do not destroy that faith which I have in your rectitude—your humanity—your guiltless- ness,” interrupted Virginia, with a species of hysterical excitement. ‘ You are innocent—I know you are innocent—something tells me that you are—and no persuasion can induce me to believe the contrary. Some fearful combina- tion of circumstances has made you a victim: and although I cannot fathom the mystery, nor even try to do so—yet am I assured that you are guiltless ;— Ob! yes—you are guiltless ;—and it is because you are so, that I fancied it wouid be pleasing and soothing to your soul if there were one human voice in the world to breathe that conviction in your ears.” “Virginia, let us change the subject,” said Mr. Lavenham, profoundly moved. “We will talk about yourself: and therefore you will permit me to ask you whether you are happy and com- tortable——” ** Yes, yes—oh! yes,” exclaimed the seamstress hastily. ‘But we will not touch upon anything regarding myself: for my sole purpose in coming hither was to show yeu that I am not unmindful of the generous treatment I experienced at your hands——” “ Generous treatment!” * Poor girl! sult——” “And you gave me advice which I shal! never forget, sir,” added the young maiden with a strong emphasis upon her words. “Ah! your kindness on that occasion touched me profoundly; and it ap- peared as if I should be ungrateful, had I not yielded to that impulse which prompted me to penetrate thus into the dreadful place where they have imprisoned you. And now tell*me, sir—tell me,’ continued the seamstress, in a tone of earnest entreaty, “‘ whether there be anything that I can do for you? The only way in which I could possibly serve you, would be to call upon your friends—im- echoed Lavenham. I merely protected you against in- JOO (SO)