The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

“se 266 FH MYSTCRIE approhension, and hope agitating in her heart, as if that heart were a well of decp, incxhaustible, and yet incomprehensible emotions. “ Your words scem to move me more than I can explain——” “ Yes—Agnes—dear Agnes,” ejaculated the lady, stretching out her arms in an appealing manner to- yards tho maiden: “’tis the voice of nature that speaks within you! Dut you hesitate to trust your- self with me? Ah! doubtless you have been warned—doubtless you have been urged to act with caution Oh! my God—that you should look with an eye of suspicion upon me!” And with these words, which were uttered in a tone indicatjrve of the most acute angnish, tho lady burst into a flood of tears. Agnes stood blanched, and trembling, and speech- less,—having a deep conviction that the lady's fate was in some way linked with her own—yet not daring to form a conjecture as to the nature of the tio that thus mysteriously bound them together. A secret impulso appeared to urge her towards the weeping stranger; and she felt that were the arms again extended towards her, and were there no barrier in her way, she should precipitato herself upon that stranger’s bosom, that they might mingle their tears togother and interchange the sympathics that already drew them to each other. ‘ Agnos—dearest Agnes,’ exclaimed the lady, suddenly breaking silonce and wiping away the traces of her grief,—speaking, too, in a voice of heart-touching appeal,—-“ I implore you to comer to me—or to show mo how I may enter those precincts without being observed by tho inmates of the dwel- ling! But, say—tell me,” sho added, a sudden thought striking her,— is he—your father—thore?” “ My father is in Paris,” replied Agnes: “ hie——” “Thank God!” ejaculated the stranger, with an enthusiasm that astonished and cren startled the maiden. “But Mrs. Gifford—is sho still alivo?—is she still in attendance on you?” ° ‘© She is in the house at this moment,” returned Agnes, more and more surprised at these questions —not only on account of their nature, which showed that tho lady was acquainted with many circum- stances regarding her condition; but also in conse- quence of the vchemence with which they were put. “@hen how can I join you in that garden?” de-. manded the lady, in a tone of bitter disappointment. “Oh! Agnes, you know not how ardent are the yearnings—how intense the longings that prompt mo even to dash through this hedgo and fold you to my bosom! Cruel girl—keep me not thus in an agony of suspense; but come—como to my arms—as if I were your mother!” “My mother!” exclaimed Agnes, in a voice of min- gled hope and amasement—while such indescribable emotions started into existence in her bosom, that she felt overpowered by their influence, and staggering back a fow paces, would have fallen to the ground Lad she not leant against a tree for support. “ Agnes—Agnes 1” cried the lady, imploringly: * rive not way to thoughts that will deprive you of your presence of mind—for you need all your self- possession now! Agnes—dear Agnes — answer me—” “Who areyou? O heaven! such strange ideas— such wild lopes—such bewildering presentiments crowd upon my soul,” exclaimed the beautcous maiden, “that I know not how to act nor what to conjecture ¢” And, again approaching the hedge, sho passed her S OF LONDON. ne SS EL TAD »am we oo hand across her brow, throwing from her sage the shower of curls that had fallen in disordor over that charming countenance—the luxuriant locks having been disturbed by the movement given to tho neat little straw bonnet when she staggered against the tree. “You ask mo who I ‘am,” said the Jady: “oh! pity my suspense—have mercy upon me—como to my arms—and I will tell you all.” Stay there, madam—dear madam,” cried Agnes, without another instant’s hesitation—so carnest, so pathetic was that last appeal: ‘‘and I will join you at all risks !” ee fae CHAPTER CLXAITI. HOPES FULFILLED. WiuitHourt pausing to reflect upon the step which she was taking—forgetful of all the injunctions she had received from her fathor, and all the promises of prudence and caution which sho had made to him, —obedient only to the irresistible impulse of her feolings—as if natnre’s voice rose dominant abore a sire’s mandates,—tho Recluse of tho Cottage disap- peared from tho view of the lady, who remained in the path outside tho garden, a prey to the most tor- turing fear lest the young maiden should be inter- copted by the inmates of tho dwelling. But Agnes was not compelled to pass through the house in order to gain egress from the premises, From the stable-yard a gate opened into the lane; and by this avenue did she procecd—so that there was no necessity to exercise any wariness or pre- caution, Jlad the contrary been the case—had she been compelled to pause in order to reflect how she was to escape the notice of the servants, her artless- ness of character and purity of soul would have prompted her to wait and reflect whether she wero acting in accordance with her father’s counsels, She would then have flown straight to consult Mrs, Gifford; and the result would have been inimical to the hopes and wishes of the lady who was so anxiously expecting her in the lane. But as nothing impeded the maiden’s progress, nor forced her to stay her steps even for a single instant,—che gate being always left open during the day-time for the convenience ef the gardeners, and theso men being engaged in front of the house on tho present occasion, -——the current of her thoughts, impelling her towards tho Indy, reccived no hindrance—no check; and in a few moments Agnes was speeding along the lane, with a heart influenced by emotions of hope, curiosity, suspense, and wild aspiration, For that word “ Mother ”— that dear, delightful word, which had so seldom fallen on her ears, and which in an instant excited so many plcasurable reflections—so many ineffable feclingsin ber soul,— that word which, as if with electric inspiration, had suddenly opened to her view an clysium of the af- fections which she had never known before, and which gave promises of felicity the holiest and tle? purest,—that word, so fraught with tho tenderest sympathies ta one who had hitherto lived in a semi- orphan state,—that word it was which exercised a magic influence upon the maiden-——absorbed all other considerations—aud rendered her impatient to hear more from the same lips whence this word had come. And yet she could not havo accounted, lied she a et NS EConnicloooks (CO)