The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 212: what you’re looking at

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mee ~ TIIE Pm ema (i eaters brightened up, and she observed, “ At the same timo I am wrong to give way to sorrow in that respect, sinco my dear father assures me that the reasons nro most important—most grare a She checked herself: for it suddenly struck her that she was bestowing her confidence upon ono who was a total stranger to hor, and that such franke ness might possibly bo indiscreet. “ And your mother, my dear lady?” said Mrs. Mortimer, interrogatively. T never knew her,” answered the lovely creature, in a low and almost sad tone, “ ButI have been all this timo wearying you with remarks and revelations concerning myself—forgetting that I should hare first suffered you to give the promised explanation relative to your visit. You may address mo as Miss Vernon—or Agnes Vernon, if you chog-so: for that ismy name. <And now, tell mo the ovject of your call.” Mrs. Mortimer gazed in astonishment upon tho charming being who was seated opposite to her. Never had the old woman beheld so fascinating a specimen of infantine artlessness and unsophisti- cated candour. There was nothing artificial—no- thing unreal in Agnes Vernon: the innocence of her soul—the purity of her mind—the chastity of her thoughts, were apparent in every word she ut- tered and in orery feature of her bewitching face! Yes—the old woman gazed long and ardently upon the sweet countenance of that youngcreature, —gazed as if in an adoration forced upon a savage mind by the apparition of some radiant being from a heavenly sphere ! ‘“*Mudam, Tam waiting for you to reply to me,” said Agnes, looking down and blushing deeply, beneath the steadfast gazo thus fixed upon her. “A thousand pardons, Miss Vernon,” exclaimed Mrs. Mortimer, recovering her solf-possession. TI was lostin thought: many~—many reflections, of a varied and conflicting nature, pressed upon my mind,—for I must inform you that I was once the occupant of this beautiful little house © Indeed !” ejaculated the young lady, who now began to suspect—or, at least, thought that she had obtained a glimpso of —the motive which had brought her visitor thither. “ You have come, then, to cast your eyes upon a spot which is familiar to vou ?” “Precisely so, Miss Vernon,” said the old woman. * And now Iet me announce myself to you as Mrs. Mortimer. I am the widow of a General in tho army, and havo only just roturned from Judia.” “Oh! then I can well understand, my dear inadam,’’ cried Agnes, firmly believing every word that was sai¢c to her,—* I eun well understand your nixicty and longing to visit the place where you doubtiess ouce dwelt with the husband you have lost.” You have rend my purpose accnratoly, Miss,” said tho old woman, wiping her eyes as if sho wero moved to toars by reminiscences of the past. “But this is most singular, indeed!” enuddenly exclaimed the young lady. irs, Mortiiner gazed upon her with astonishment; for the observation that had just escaped Miss Ver- nos Hips was 28 extraordinary as the impulso which had prompted it was mysterious. “Yes,” continued the beautiful creature: “ this is indeed most singular !” *Are you surprised at my boldness in thue ob- AWYSTERIES OF LONDON. 205 truding myself upon your presence 2” asked Mrs. Mortimer, fixing her eyes in a searching manner upon the charming countenance of the young lady: “or do you doubt the existence of the sentimont which brought me hither?” ‘Oh! no—no, madam !{” exclaimed Agnes, in a tonoof the decpest sincerity, while her features sud- denly betrayed tho priof which sho experienced at being suspectod of what she would have regarded as cruel scepticism, ‘I am sure you could have no other motive for coming hither than the one you alleged: but I said it was singular—because, another person—a few days ago u “Ah! ojaculated Mrs, Mortimer, a sudden idea Striking her: ina word, she already felt confident that hier visit would not prove abortive, and that She had acted with sagacity In socking the first traco of Torrens at the very house which ho had inhabited years ago. “You now appear ta bo surprised in your turn,” observed Agnes, §’ OP by the cjaculation which had burst from tl” Bie" "oman’s lips, —all the P * Yes, deat you. 4 .yj,--Said Mrs, Mortimer; “I was indeed surprised—innsmuch as I gathered from your words that another person, actuated by tlic Sumo sentiment as that which brought mo to this spot Me ‘t And do you know that other person, then?” in- quired Agnes. “That is precisely what I have now to ascertain,” answered the old woman, ‘The moment I under- stood the senso of your observation respecting the visit of another individual to the cottage, I began to wondor whether it were any friend of my carlier years—perhaps even a rolativoe ” “¥ie was an old man, with grey hair and a carc- worn countenance,” said Agnes, perceiving that Mrs. Mortimer paused and seemed to bo deeply af- fected; “and he told me that he also had once dwelt in this house. IIe sate down in this very parlour, and appeared to be overcomo with grief for along time. IT offered to leave the room, that ho might bo alone with his mournful reflections: but he conjured mo to stay. And then hoinformed me that ho had known gricfs so profound—vicis- situdes so terrible—privations so great, that they had almost driven him mad; and, when I proposed in as delicate a manner as possible to afford him such relicf as my means would permit, he assured me that he was poor no longer, and that ho had gold at his command. Then, in another moment, ho ex- claimed, with an emphasis which almost frightened mo—‘ But, oh? that I were indced the penniless, half- starving wretch Iwas some daus ago "” Ah? ho said that—did ho?” muttered tho old woman to herself. “ Remorse has already overtakan hin—and he will the more casily yield to my menaces and become my victim !” “T did not catch your observation, madam,” said apgnes, “J was only musing, my dear child,” hastily re- sponded Mrs, Mortimer, “ upon the misfortunes of this strange world of ours. Doubtless some dread- ful affliction had touched the brain of that poor old man of whom you have been speaking.” “Such wasindeed my fear,” exclaimed Agnes} “and, much as I pitied him, I confess that L was greatly relieved when he took his departuro.”’ “Was his visit a long one, my dear young lady?" asked Mrs, Mortimor. ee re i ee ee ee ee ae ee en i nr (C(O) (C DOO <S LL (SO)