The Mysteries of London, Vol. IV — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

nen PT ei A AC NTA FN 312 SSS eee Yes—such was your base calculation: or you would at once and unhesitatingly have conducted her either to tho abode of her friends in Stamford Strect, or home to her own cottogo! Ah! madam, because I belong to the aristocracy, you imagine that I must necessarily bo as vile, depraved, and un- principled as ninety-nine ont of every hundred in- dividuals who bear lordly titles. But you have de- ceived yourself-—prossly deceived yourself: and you shall at once have the proof that you are so de- ceived! Follow me.” Thus speaking, Lord William advanced rapidly towards tho door, impcriously beckoning tho vile Woman to accompany him. “Whither aro you going, my lord?” she demanded, finding that sho had indeed over-reached herself— that thonobleman’s principles were more profoundly rooted than she had imagined—and that all her trouble was likely to go unrewarded. “ Follow me, Isay:as you have done this amount of mischief, you shall at least sec it remedied to the utmost of my power;”—and the nobleman burst from the room, literally dragging the old woman with him. In Jess than a minute they entered tho apartment whero Agnes was anxiously—oh! most anxiously awaiting the presence of her mother;—and the moment tho door was opened, she darted forward to precipitate herself into the arms of her parent. But, recognising Lord William Trevelyan, she stopped short with a cry of mingled disappointment, surprise, and alarm; while an ashy pallor over- spread her countenance, “Reassure yourself, Miss Vernon—I am your friend, and a man of honour!” wero the encouraying words which Trevelyan hastened to address to her. “ And my mother?” said the young maiden, bend- ing a look of earnest appeal upon Mrs. Mortimer, who however shrank back in confusion. “Your mother is not here, Miss Vernon,” ex- claimed the nobleman: “neither docs this woman know where to find her. An act of the greatest imprudence has been committed in bringing you hither - “Oh! what do T bear!” cried Agnes, clasping her hands. “Is this your house, my lord? If so,” sho added, with dignity succeeding grief, “ Iam in- nocent of any intention top Intrudes: Indeed, your lordship might full well conceive that FT should not have come hither of my own accord—oh ! no—not for worlds !” Andtears rolled down the checksof the gentle girl: for she felt humiliated in the presence of the very man in whose eyes, if her young heart had a pre- ference, sho would have fain appeared in another light. : “Oh! Miss Vernon,it is vou whodo not understand me!” ejaculated Lord William, advancing and tak- ing her hand, “If I spoke of theimprudenco which had been committed, it was on your account onls! For believe me when TI declare that I shonid be proud,—yes, and in the enjoyment of an clysian happiness, could you enter this mansion to remain here—to command here, with honour to yourself! But I will not avail myself of this opportunity to urge a suit that [ have already ventured to prefer, and in tho prosecutien of which I unfortunately selected so improper an agent.” As he uttered these words, he bent an indignant look upon Mrs, Mortimer, who turned away petu- lantly and made for the door, THE MYSTERIES OF LONDON. “Stop, woman!” cried the young nobleman, hess tening to detain her: “J cannot yet part with you, intolerable as your presenco has become to me. “Miss Vernon,” he continued, again turning to- ward tho maiden, whose sense of humiliation had vanished, and who in her heart of hearts now re- joiced in the conviction that Lord William Tre- yelyan was indeed as noble in naturo as ho was in name,—“ I need scarcely observe that circumstances compel me to procure for you an asslum for the remainder of the night as speodily as possible. You will permit me to conduct you to the abode of a lady of my acquaintance,—a lady who will receive you with open arms, and who will to-morrow—o* rather, in a fow hours’ time—herself conduct yon to tho abode of your friends in Stamford Street, or to your own homo near Streatham.’’ With theso words, tho nobleman took tho hand of the blushing Agnes, and led her from the house to tho velliclo that was still waiting. ““Now, madam, you may depart,” he said sternly to Mrs. Mortimer, as soon as ho had seated himself in the cab, opposite to Agnes. The old woman turned sulkily away, muttering threats of vengeance ; but theso were unheeded by the chivalrous Trevelyan, who gavo hasty instruc- tions to tho driver, and the vehicle rolled rapidly on towards Kentish Town. Agnes could not do otherwise than appreciate oll the delicacy of Lord William’s conduct towards her; for itis no disparagement to tho extremo art lessness of her mind to state that sho compre- hended wherefore ho had compelled Mrs, Mortimer to wait until they had quitted the house, But sho could scarecly collect her bewildered ideas into a settled state—so rapid was the whirl of incident- and adventures through which she was doomed ta pass on this memorable night. IIad she paused to reflect upon her position, with that seriousness Which it required, shu would hare requested tho nobleman to conduct her at once to the dwelling of the Misses Theobald: but he had deported him- self towards her with the generosity of a brother, and she acted in obedience to his suggestions with- out waiting to analyse them. In a word, sho was full of confidence and ingenuons reliance in him; and sho felt as if she had suddenly found a stanch and sincere friend in the midst of cruct difficulties and deep embarrassments, A dreamy kind of repose stole over her as she was borne along in tho ve- hicle: and yet she not only heard the few remarks Which her companion addressed to her, but likewise answered them in a befitting manner, On his side Trevelyan wasa prev to the strangest excitement; accident having not only thus pro- cured himthe acquaintanceship of her whom he loved so fondly, but having likewise placed them in o relative position, establishing as it were a friend- ship—almost an intimacy. Moreover, iad ho not touched herdelicate whito hand—touched it gently, itis true, and without venturing to press it,—bu} - still touched it, and even held it for a fow moments in his own? JLad he not discovered, too, that if she appeared surpassingly lovely when seen from a distance, a nearcr contemplation of her charms was only calculated to enhance his admiration and strengthen his devotion? And, lastly, had not the mvsical tones of her silver voico beou breathed in his hearing, wafting words that wero addressod to himself, and making every fibre in his heart vibrate deliciously to the dulcet sounds? Yas— COA yy ¥ GIOOKS (SO)