The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

wom ve - te te ey ent yt ee ees wie rere — ee ee wee —- 328 THE 3LYSTERIES OF LONDON. newspaper, that I even dreamt of the mistake—the dreadful mistake I liad made: and the instant the case met my eyes, I hurried hither. The explana- tion which I have to give, you can of course antici- pate :—I had purchased some gilt counters only half- an-hour before I met you in Hanover Square, and I put them loose into the same pocket which con- tained my money.’—'T never for an instant imagined, str,’ said Julia, ‘that you had purposely trified with my feelings.’—* Generous young woman, to pnt such a construction upon a matter which has caused you so much suffering !’ exclaimed theunknown. ‘But it is now my duty to accompany you at once to the police-court, and place your character in the same honourable light in which it originally stood.— Julia was overjoyed at this announcement; and the gentleman, giving her his arm, escorted her to the police-court. calling however on the baker in their way to desire him to attend immediately before the magistrate. During the walk, the stranger asked the young woman argreat many questions—not of an iinpertinent nature, nor denoting an idlecuriosity, —but rather eyincing an interest in the orphan girl. Tt however struck Julia as somewhat singular that he did not put a single query to her relative to the spoilt dress: it seemed as if he had quite forgotten that incident! “ On their arrival at the police-office, the gentle- man immediately handed Jiis card to the magistrate, to whom he whispered a few words at the same time; and his worship became all civility and polite- ness. The case was called on without 2 moment's delay: the gentleman concisely but effectually ex- plained the affair of tho gilt counter; and the magis- trate, on declaring Julia to be discharged, assured her that she would leave the court without the slightest stain on her character. The stranger placed ten pounds in tho magistrate’s hands for the use of the poor-bos, and then departed in company with Julia, whom he escorted back to the house in which she dwelt. On reaching the door, he paused, and taking her hand, said, ‘Miss Murray, I shal! not insult you by offering a pecuniary recompense for the mortification, annoyance, and distress you have undergone through that gilt counter. But I shall endeavour to serve you in another way. Fare- well for the present: you will shortly see me again ; for, be assured, he added, gazing earnestly upon her for s moment, ‘I shall never forget you.’—Thus speaking, he pressed her hand and hurried away ;— and it was not until he had disappeared from her view that she remembered sho was still in profound ignorance of who or what he was. It, however, struck her that the case would be again reported in the newspapers; and sho therefore hoped that the morrow would clear up the mystery. But it was with some degree of anxiety and painful sus- penee that she thus awaited the publication of the journals of the ensuing day;—and she could not account to herself for the feelings that thus agitated her. Although her charactcr had been completely cleared from the imputation thrown upon it, and her innocence was mado unquestionably apparent,— although she had ample funds, through the gene- rosity of Lady Caroline Jerningham, to provide for all present wants,—and although a secret voico seemod to whisper in her soul that she possessed a good friend in the stranger-genticman,—yet, some- how or another, poor Julia was not entirely con- tonted, Was it that the handsome countonance of ~ her unknown benefactor had made any impression on her heart ?—was it that his kind and sympathis- ing conduct had touched a tender chord in her pure and innocent bosom? It is impossible to auswer these questions at present: but it is very certain that Julia experienced a disappointment a)- mostamounting to a positive shock, when she found that the morning papers seemed to be in as much ignorance as herself relative to her unknown bene- factor. The report merely alluded to him as ‘a gen- tleman whose name did not transpire ;?—and this mystery in which her friend evidently wrapped him- self, became a source of secret trouble to the young dress-maker. Wherefore had he not revealed his name to her? Disreputable that name could not be; else how could it have produced so magical an effect upon the magistrate? Was it, then, a great—a famous—or a noble name? Juliasighed—and dared not hazard any conjectures: but in her heart there suddenly appeared to arise a hope—a secret wish, that the stranger was not so very highly exalted above her own social sphere! ‘ “ Again was Julia preparing to sally forth and visit the various ladies for whom she was accustomed to work, when her landlady brought her up a note. It was from Lady Caroline Jerningham, requesting Miss Murray to call upon ber in the evening at a stated hour, as her Jadyship had a quantity of work to place in her hands. The young maiden was overjoyed at the receipt of this missive, which not only promised her employ- ment, but likewise seemed to be an assurance of the tender interest which the charming Lady Caroline had taken in her. She did not therefore stir out until the evening ;—and little Harry was delighted that itis sister remained at home with him. But when the appointed hour drew near, she tranquillised her brother with a promise of a speedy return; and away she sped, with a heart full of hope, towards Hanover Square. On reaching the splendid mansion occupied by the Dow- ager-Marchioness, Julia was received by Lady Caroline’s own maid, and was forthwith conducted to the chamber of her fair patroness, who treated her in the most kind and condescending manner, ‘I regret, Miss Murray,’ she said, ‘that I am forced to admit you thus stealthily into the house; but my mother is of 2 peculiar temper, although in reality possessed of a good heart.’—‘ I understand your ladyship,’ returned Julian: ‘the Marchioness cannot forgive me for what she considers neglect. Lf am however deeply grate- ful to your ladyship for thinking otherwise, and for giving me such substantial proofs that you entertain so favourable an opinion.’ —' My dear Miss Murray,’ observed Indy Caroline, ‘J will do any thing I can to serve you; forI can well imagine how grateful must be the sympathy of a friend to one who is ac- quainted with sorrow !’—Theso words were uttered with almostamournful cmphasis, asif the fair speaker craved that sympathy and friendship for herself which she proffered to another ;—and Julia could not help regarding her with mingled surprise, gratitude, and tender interest. They were alone together— that clegant patrician lady and that beautiful mii- liner,—the maid having retired; and it appeared as if a species of sisterly feeling suddenly sprang up between them, inspiring them with mutual conn- dence, and for the time annihilating the barrier thy, social distinctions had raised up between them in the eyes of the world. Thus was it that when Lady Caroline saw Julia’s looks fixed upon her in s0 car nest and plaintive a manner she felt herself irres EConnicloooks (CO)