The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 358: what you’re looking at

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®* Poor girl! you have been terribly deceived in- deed,” said. Mpragles. “How crually bas fortune persecuted you !" “ But Lhave deserved it. all for not having relied on your friendsbip,” exclaimed. Rase, with passionate vehemence. “Yes--I have deserved it.all—evan to the starvation — the.famine which I have. experi- * Holy Gad! is thie possible f” ejaculated Meagles, starting from his chair and fixing hia eyes on the orpban girl in dismay. “Starvation—famine—— No -—no-rit cannot be! . And I -have been cating and drinking of the best——Just heawens! starvation— famine !” he repeated, now becoming. terribly excited in his turn, “Alas! alas! those pale cheeks—that altered mien——Oh! Miss Foster—Miss Foster— how is it possible that you could. have endured all this without deigning: te recollect that I was your friend? But, my God! whileI am thus giving way to my feelings, you are auffering with hunger——” And he aprang towards the bell. to sunamon his valet to spread food upan the table. But Rose, divining: his intention, caught hold of his army ex- claiming, “I require nothing now—my heart is too fall—and moreeser, I have left kind.and generous friends perishing with want—— “ Command me in every way, Miss Koater |” .in- terrupted Meagles. “Tell ma how I can serve yon or those in whom you are.interested. Thank God! my purse is well filled at this moment—sad if it were not, I would sell everything: to.obtain the. means of fulfilling your wishes.” “ Generous friend! how deep ia the debt of:.grati- tade which L awe you!” exclaimed . Rose, the tears again streaming down her cheeks. “But grant me your patience a few minutes—aud I will tell you all that has occurred to me aince the night an which [ escaped from the dwelling of Mrs. Brace.” Moagles reseated himself—and Rose proceeded to. recount the various adventures with which the reader is already acquainted,—haw she fell in with a man and woman who demonstrated the utmost sym- pathy towards her—how they plundered her of all she possessed.in the world—how abe experienced a real compassion and kindness at the hands of the Melmoths—and how she had just left that family not only perishing through destitution, but likewise menaced with ejection fram the miserable garret that constituted their home. “ Where do these. good people live?” inquired Meagles, again springing from his seat: “ I will lose not a moment in repairing to their aid.” Miss Foster mentiened the addsess—end Meagles put on his hat. “But I will go with you,” she said: “ am glad to avail myself of your escort, at this late hour, to the place which is likewise my home now,”’ she added, with a mournful tramulousness of the Voice—for the recent incidents of her life were con- stantly reminding ber ef the. happy days when ahe dwelt | beneath the same roof with.those fond parents who wera aow no mare. “ Miss Foster,” said “if-you wish to re- tarn to the lodging which; from all the circumstances you have just revealed ta me, I_must presume to be a very humble one, I shall.conduct you thither as a matter of course. But if you will place yourself in the. care of my. landlady until to-morrow, when we shall be enabled to eonsult tegetber upon future ar- "angements for youn welfare.end.happiness——" indeed I |. or . “Mr, Meagles,” interrupted Rope, “I have wit- uessed and shared the misery: of the peor family te whom I owe so many obligations—and,.as your ge- nerosity is about to prove the means of their salva- tion, 1 could wish to. behold and j joinin the happiness that you are this night destined to raise up in their abade. Vermit me, then, to accompany you,” she added in a tone of earnest entzeaty: “ and to-mor row I abal] venture to intrude myaeif upon your presence again—for, alas! the peor orphan, Mir. Meagles, has-no other friend on earth save you !” “ And thegineerity of my friendship, Miea.Foster, aball be proved by the alacrity and obeerfulness with which I am prepared to fulfil all your wishes, Coine, then—and we will hasten together to the abede of these worthy but unhappy people whoee heants were not hardened by poverty nor reedesad eelfiach by misery against the suflesiogs of a fellow-ensature.” Rose darted a.look of fervent gratitade ypon Meazl<s,. whose honourable intentions. mith: regard ito heraeif now seemed beyond all. question ;.and they sallied forth together, just asthe belle of St. James's church were chiming a querter pastelerven. CHAPTER SC1X. STARTLING INCIDEWTS. .AL7Tg05@H she had fasted for s0 many leng hours, yot Rose Foster felt not hangry new. ‘Hope had ‘ris0D up in her bosom,—that hape which was meat aad. drink; to der physical being, and. animation and excitement to ber spirits. Meagles: vas proving himeelf a friend—and they wese on thein-way to- gether to carry suocour and selace.te ahe.starving ‘family of the working man whomaesable and willing to work, but could obtain ne -woek ta do! A quarter past eleven !—the hour hed gene by .ab which the rent was to be paid—bat by.half-past eleven they could reach the Mekeothy lodging ia Westminster, and doubtless it woenld not: be tou late. These thoughts swept rapidly threugh the brain of the young maiden, as, leaning.wpon the.arm of Tim Meagles, ahe burried along Sermym Spreet; and as it was shorter to cress: 8t..James’s Bquere than to go round by Lower Regent Street, she gently drew him in that disection—-for tha fear of reviving unpleasant reminisegness in hes.miad was prompting him to take the. mor eiresitons route. But with Meagles.as.a pratector, she-dysaded no- thing: moreover, her spirits were toe eate with enthasiastic hepe te allow room: fer-apyaagivings or apprehensions. Firmly and lightly, therefore, isinpedsthe Sect. of the pale but lovely girl on the .pamemaqué of thas The night was eold and partially tempestaous: | and searesly had the silver planet. penped.forth | from the dark ourtains above, when it masobseuzed | again by the dense and aminons..masses.of elouds | ~—likea a beauty coguetting from behind a black. veil. Thas, having allowed Rose Booster. a teaysient ‘glimpse of the casement from-whish ber flight .had been aceomplished, the. fiekle. Geddes cf Night COMM (1) LOOO co <_d, lin