The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

—_ Se ee a tne pee wo er = a, ee me me et re ners er ee eee gee eee a CT ay eT fT, sp 204 THLE MYSTERIAS OF LONDON, TT SS af Pe CY of Speer ewe Te Se Ss are e Picturo to yourself, reader, a tall, sylph-like figure of oxquisite symmetry, reminding tho observer of tho Grecian modvls of classic female beauty,—with the deeply-hollowed back—tho swelling chest and bosom, well matured but not voluptuously large— and the high, swan-like neck on which the oval head was gracefully fixed;—then fancy a counte- nance of the most agreeable expression and rare loveliness, with oyes not very large, but of the deepest black and most melting softness, and with brows finely arched and somewhat thickly pen- oilled,—a forehead lofty and smooth, and over which the raven hair was parted in two massive, shining bands,—a nose with tho slightest trace of the Roman curve, and with tho nostrils pink as de- licato roso-loaves,~-a small mouth, tho loast thing plump and pouting, and rovealing teoth small, even, and white as pearls,—and a comploxion of a clear, living white, with the carnation flush of health upon either cheek ;—picturo to yier olf all this assem- binge of charms, gontlo re behayinnd you will thon havo a complete idea of Of all thyanting creaturo of nineteen, who suddenly az, .weed on the threshold of tho parlour-door. We may, however, add, ero we resumo theo thread of our narratiyo, that this beantcous being was at- tired ina whito dress, with a high corsage, and that she woro no othor ornaments than a pair of ear- rings, anda fancy ring on ono of her tapor fingers. Advancing towards Mus, Mortimer, sho said in a musical voice and a kind tone, “I think I overheard you request a fow minutes’ interviow with tho mis- tress of this house ——” ** Such was indeed tho favour I solicited,” obsorved tho old woman, hastily. “If my presenco would not inconvenience you for a little while,—and if you will accept my sincere apologies for tho appa- rent obtrusivencss of tho request, as well as for the lateness of the hour at which it is mado ” “Oh! pray do not dcom it neccessary to excuso 4 procecding which Iam suro you sill explain to my satisfaction,” interrupted the young lady, with a sincerity which emanated from the artlessness of a disposition entirely unsophisticated. Walk in, madam,”’ she added, in a kind and by no means core- monial tone, as sl.e conducted Mrs, Mortimer into the parlour, tho door of which the servant-maid immcdiately closed behind them. Mrs. Mortimer now found herself in tho very room which was fraught with s0 many exciting and varied reminiscences for her. Tho golden Instre of the handsomo lamp which stood upon the table, was shed upon the scene of those crushing Incidents that had suddenly mado her a prisoner fora for- gory which she had committed, and hor husband a prisoner on a charge of murder of which ho was innocent ! The old woman sank into a chair, and gazed around her with mo affectation of emotion, The appointinents of the room were changed—materially changed, it was truo: but her eyes, nevertheless, recognised full well—oh! full well—tho very spot whore had stood the sofa on which she had awakened to the consciousness of her desperate condition,— the spot, too, where Torrens was standing when tlie officers arrested him on suspicion of the murder of Sir Henry Courtenay ! Yor afew minutes the old woman was powerfully affected by the recollections thus vividly conjured up; but, at longth calling all her courage to her aid, she regained lier self-possession—and then a rapid survey made her acquainted with tho elegant and tasteful stylo in which the parlour was now fitted up. All the furniture seemed to be nearly new. Upon tho tabloin the middle were several drawings, in pencil and in water-colours, lying in an open portfolio—a box of paints and brushes—~and soveral prettily bound volumes of the best modern English pocts. Where a sofa had been placed in the timo when Mrs. Mortimer last knew tho cot-: tage, a handsomo upright pianoforte now stood ; and in tho nearest cornor was a magnificont harp. On tho cheffoniers in tho window-recesses wero porcelain vases fillod with flowers; and to tho walls Were susponded soveral excellent pictures, tho sub- jects of which were chiefly landscapes, Everything, in an word, denoted tho chaste oleganco and delicate refinement of the tasto that had presided in tho fitting up of that room. Mrs, Mortimer, having recovered her sclf-posses- sion, turned towards tho young lady, who had been watching her with mingled interest and surprise. You will pardon mo,” said the old woman, “ if Lworo for afow momonts overcome by reminiscences of an affecting nature——”’ “ Compose yourself, madam— pray, compose yonr- solf,” interrupted the beautcous girl, in a sweet tone aud winning manner; for not only was the most artless amiability natural to her, but sho thought she perceived in tho language of ler visitor somo- thing superior to what the condition of her apparel and hor personal appearance generally would hare otherwise led hor to infer, " Novercan I sufficiently thank you for the nrbanity —tho kindness, with which you treat mo, my dear young lady!” exclaimed tho old woman. “But am I not intruding upon your Icisuro—perhaps keeping you away from some companior, ma “Oh! no—LI am all alone here,” said the young lady, with an ingenuous frankness that excited afeeling of interest—almost of admiration, cron in tho breast of such an one as Mrs. Mortimer, “When I say alone,” continued the beauteous creature, “I do not of courso allude to the ser- a vants—becauso they cannot bo called companions, you know; although tlhe old housekeeper is very kind and pood-natured ; and Jane—tho maid who mayo you admission just now—is 2 swect-tempered girl.” ‘And is it possiblo that you dwell here in com- plote seclusion ¢” demanded the old woman, render- ing hor voice as mild and her manner as conciliating as possible. “Oh! Lam accustomed to this scclusion, as you style it, madam,” exclaimod tho young lady, gaily; “for years I havo lived in this manner, with my books—my music~my drawings ;—and Iam very happy,” sho added, ir. a tone which Joft not a dourt as to the sincerity of hor statement. “At the samo timo,” she continued, after a few moments’ pause, and in a somowhat moro scrious voice, ‘I coul? wish that my dear papa visited me a little oftencr— and that circumstances, of which I am however iy norant, did not proront-——”’ “What! docs not your father live with you, my dear young lady ?” asked Mrs. Mortimer, survoying her with the most unfeigned surprise. * Alas} he does not,” replied the artless girl, her looks and her tose now becoming suddenly mourn fel: but, in the next moment, her countenance re ie — ee eee ee EConnicloooks (CO)