The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

a A ee re oe See 256 THE MYSTURIES OF LONDON. I I ——__ child @’ said Mrs. Mortimer. ‘Are you afraid that ho is too proud to make a humble maiden his wife 2” Agnes blushed decpls, and remained silent, “Fear nothing on that head,” continued the old woman. “IIe is no decciver: his intentions are honourable. sind now tell me frankly and candidly —has his letter displeased you %” ©T should be deccising you were I to answer in the affirmative,” responded Agnes; ‘and yet I feel —nat least, it seems as if I feel that I ought to be displeased, although I cannot in truth declaro that Tam. But I will send this letter to my dear father, who isin Pars « Ah! Mr. Vernon isin France,” interrupted Mrs. Mortimer, delighted to find the way thus cleared for the furtherance of the projects which she ladin hand: for she was resolved to make herself par- ticularly uceful to Jord Wiliam in his suit with the beautiful Acnes, so that her claims upon him might be all the moro considerable, “ Tlowever, iny dear chil,” che continued, “rou would do well not to troubie your father at present, since he is doubtless engaged ia particular business on the Continent 7 (Oh! my father will be delighted to find that I communicate to him eversthing that occurs,’ in- terrupted Agnes; “and since Lord Willlam Trevel- yan so especially alludes to my dear parent in his letter ——" “Miss Vernon—Miss Vernon,” exclaimed the old woman, impatiently, ‘this is a matter of so mucn delicacy, that I must implore you to be guided by me . “Would you counsel me no. to forward this letter to my father? asked the maiden, in atone co low and tremulous that it afforded no aid to the reading of the thoughts that dictated the question. “Such is the advice that I should assuredly give you, my dear child—at least for the present,” was the response. “ And do you think,” continued Agnes, ina tone still lower and still more tremulous than before,— “go vou think that Lord William Trevelsan would proffer me the same counsel §” OT have no doubt of at, sweet maiden,” hastily replied Mrs. Mortimer. For Ars sake—for tone enke it were best that none save inveelf shonld Vecome nequainted with the secret of your love wu “Oh! madam,” exclaimed Acnes, in a voice of touching renonstrance and pathetic reproach, ae this love of which you speak bo a fecling that must nlicnate mo from the sympathies of my fathor, and compel me to cherish a secret that I dare not impart to bim, I ean have no hope that happiness will be the result! Farewell, madam ; restore the letter to lim who honoured me by addressing me in those terms that for an instant dazzled and bewildercd me—and tell him that it were better for lum to think no more of Agnes Vernon!” Having thus spoken, the maiden tossed the letter hactily, but not insultinegly, over the hedze, end hurried away towards the cottage. Mrs, Mortimer was for a few minutes stupified by this decisive and most unexpected proceeding. Sho had imagined that Agnes had becomo a com- plete dupe to the epecious arguments she had used to cusnare her; and she was astounded to find shat ‘air ercature, $0 innocent and anles assert- ing un energy of volition which was tnspired by the purest sentiments of rectitude, and which dominated over the nascent feelings of affection evidently engendered in her bosom by the suit of Lord William Trevelyan. The old woman knew not how toact. She por- ceived that it was useless to endeavour to ob- tain another interview with Agnes—at least on tho present occasion; and she was unwilling to return to her employer with tho acknow- ledgment that her policy had rather marred than forwarded his interests. Sho therefore now began toreflect whether it were not better to abandon tho business altogether, and return to Paris, whero her daughter’s affairs might afford scope for her intriguing qualifications and likewise augment her pecuniary resources. She was already possessed of between five and six thousand pounds—tho amount wrung from tho hands of her miserable husband; and she camo to tho conclusion that it was searcely worth her while to waste any moro {ime ina matter which, even were she successful, would only bring her a recompense of a few hundreds, IIaving made these hasty reflections, Mrs. Morti- mor thrust Trevelyan’s letter into her reticule,—for che nover destroyed documonts that related to pri- vate affairs; and, returning to the hackney-coach, desired to be driven to the Borough. Sho alighted in Blackman Street, and, having dismissed the vehicle, repaired to the coffec-houso where sho had taken up her abode. As she was passing by the bar-parlour, in order to reach the staircase leading to hez own chamber, the mistress of tho establishment came forth and beckoned her into the room: then, closing the door, the woman said, in a tono savouring somewhat of cool Insolence, “I tell you what it is, Mrs. Morti- mer—the sooner you accommodate yourself with other lodgings, the better: ‘cos, though I ain't over partickler and makes no imperent inquiries about them as paxtronises my house—yet, for all that, I can't abide such wisitors as come on your account just now. Leastways, I'd rayther be vithout ’em.” “My good woman!” exclaimed Mrs, Mortimer, surveying the landlady with an astonishment the most real and unfeigned, “you must bo labouring under somo mistake. J hope that I’m a respectable ; person; and Iam sure that I shall bring no dis- reredit on your houce. As for any visitors who have ‘ealled on my account, I expect none—and therefore there is an error in the matter.” “No such a thing!” cried the landlady, her choler rising. “ There was two men which come just now: and, what's more, they was officers with a search-warrant—and I couldn't perwent them from doing their dooty.” “ Officers!—a search-warrant!" ejacniated Mrs Mortimer, now becoming frightencd—although she could not conecive what feature of her recent con- duct could have excited any suspicion on tho part of the myrmidons of justice :—but suddenly a fear of an appalling nature seized upon her—for ht money was all concealed in her chamber up-stairs. “Oh! it’s wery well on your part, ma’am, to put a good faco on the bisness,” said the landlady: “but iv’s nevertheless true for all that. A great tall hulking feller and a seedy-looking old man “An old man!” repeated Mrs. Mortimer, now becoming sick at heart. “ Yes—-an old man,” proceeded tho coffece-beuso- EConnicloooks (SO)