The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

432 “SITE WYSTERIES OF TONDORX, the first feelings of delight now yielding to sober refloction: ‘tha occupant of such a house as this requires a Servant, and should possess a certain in- como; whereas I cannot afford tho former, not pos- sessing tho latter.’—‘* Oh! Miss, are you blind to all the advantages now spread before your eyes?’ de- manded the woman. ‘Ifere you are in your own house, rent frec, and with fifty pounds in your pocket—Harry's schooling to be paid into tho bar- gain! All your kind patronesscs will give you as much work as you can possibly manage, now that they will sce how you are getting on in the world; and tho number of your customors must increase. Then you can have the assistance of ono or two respectable young girls; and you will not only ob- tain a good living, but be able to save moncy.’— Julia saw tho truth of theso observations; and her heart was relieved from a heavy load. —‘ Be- sides,’ said tho talkative but well-meaning woman, ‘it would seem like flying in the face of Providence not to be thankful for such bounties.’ — ‘ Yes,’ ejacniated Julia, touched more profoundly by this remark than by the worldly reasoning previously advanced by her companion: ‘1 do sincerely and firmly believe that Hz, who watches all our ways and knows all our steps, has taken compassion upon moand my darling brother; and I receive in thank- fulness the blessings thus showered upon me! ’— Thus speaking, the young maiden turned aside for a few moments; and heart-felt though short was the prayer which she breathed in silence to tho Almighty Ruler of tho Universe ! “On tho following day Julia and her little brother removed to their new house. It would be rain to attempt to describe the joy and delight ex- perienced by little Harry at this change, the more 80 inasmuch as there was a large piece of ground attached to the back part of the dwelling, where he could play when the weather was fine. Through the agency of hey tate landlady, a poor widow- woman, of middle age, steady habits, and great re- spectability, was recommended to Julia as servant or housekeeper; and thus commenced the economy of the little household, Julia’s first care was to address a note to all her kind patronesses to ac- quaint them with her removal; and Lady Caroline Jerningham was not forgotten. Harry commenced his attendance at the neighbouring school, the ruaster of which called upon Miss Murray and in- ormed her that he had received from Mr. Richard- s£0n a year’s payment in advance for the boy's tuition; and the preceptor being a kind, worthy man, Harry soon became a great favourite with him. Soveral weeks passed away; and it was astonishing how Jutia’s business increased. Carriages were constantly stopping at her door, the number of her patronesses rapidly nugmenting; and, on enquiry, ee ree ree ee + owed so much. She calied once upon Mr, Richard. son to express a hope that the individual thus alinded to would give her an opportunity of thank ing him personally; but tho lawyer assured her and, as she thought, somewhat abruptly, that he had left the country on along voyage; and sho re- turned home, much vexed at the tidings she had received. One cvening—it was a Saturday evoning, and at about nine o’clock—a cab stopped at the door, and a double-knock immediately announced some visitor. It happened that the housekeeper was absent on a visit of two or three days to some re- lations in the country—the girl who had been tem- porarily hired to do her work, and who did not sleep in tho house, had gono for the night—and Harry was in bed in his own little room adjoining his sister’s bed-chamber up-stairs. Julin was accord ingly compelled to answer the door herself; and her surprise was only equalled by her delight, when she found that hem visitress was Lody Caroline Jerning- ham, whohad arrived thus mysteriouslyin a common street-cab, whichsho had dismissed onalighting at her young friend’s house. Miss Murray received her with themost sincere manifestations of joy, and conducted her intothe parlour, where achcerful fire was burning in the grata; for though it was now the month of ‘April, yet the evenings had not entirely lost tho chill of winter. You must romember that Julia had not seen Lady Carolino since that evening when the latter sent for her to the mansion in Hanover Squaro, and on which occasion they had exchanged vows of friendship. Nearly five months had passed since that date; and it struck Julia, as tho light of the candles flnshed upon the fair patrician’s counten- ance, that she was much altered. Jer faco was pale and care-worn; and her eves beamed not with their wonted fires. ‘My dear Julis,’ she said, seating her eclf near the fire, ‘I had intended to call upon you long ago; but I have been ill and suffering, in mind and body. Ifowever,’ she added, hastily, ‘I have never once forgotten you; and I am delighted to find that your business has prospered so well,’— ‘J am under obligations to your ladyship which I can never repay,’ exclaimed Julia, taking the patri- cian’s hand, aud conveying it to her lips—‘Do not addrese me in that formal style, Julia,’ said Lady Caroline. ‘My God!’ she cried, bitterly, ‘wonld that I were not of noble birth: would that I were a daughter of toil; for then I shonld not have the thousand Argus-eyes of the world upon me !’—and sho clasped her hands in a manner indicative of deep mental anguish.—' Dearest Lads Caroline,’ exclaimed Julia, ‘what ails you? Oh! tell me, and show mo how I may minister to you in your sufferings !— ‘Yon once assured me, Julia, thet you tvould serve me by day and by night,’ said Lady Caroline, speak- ing in a low and almost hollow tone, and casting sho usually found that the new recommendations | anxious glances around as if she were afraid of be- emanated from Lady Caroline, who appeared, by these results, to be constantly thinking of her friend, the young milliner. In fact, Julia had so much work upon her hands that sho was compelled to give a grent portion out to respectable needle- women in the neighbourhood; for she preferred this modo of fulfilling her engagements, rather than by taking assistants into the house. “Your months had thus passed aways; and during this interval Julia had never once seen the gentleman ing overheard.— Yes, dearest Indy,’ returned Julia, emphatically; ‘and J renew that pledge! By day and by night can you command me.’—* Are we in danger of intrusion #’ demanded Lady Carolino anxiously.—‘Not in the least, dear lady: excepting my little brother, who is asleep in his own chambe,, we are alone in the houso.’—‘ Heaven be thanked? ejaculated Caroline Jerningham, speaking as if at least some portion of the heavy weight that Jay upon her heart, were removed by this essurance.— in the cloak; nor had she received a visit from her | ‘My genorous friend,’ said Julia, ‘I sce that you fathers debtor, to whose honesty and generosity she | have a terrible but secret cause of griof: make me AT SS Se A, EConnicloooks (SO)