The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 111: what you’re looking at

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96 eT CaaS * 59 e diate attention to Foster's business, the Prince ex- claimed flippantly, “Ob! an hour more or less will not make any difference to the vulgar trader: you must stay and take a glass of wine, Tim—and then you shall go.” Meagles was forced to comply with his patron’s desire; and it was two o’clock ere he quitted Carlton House to go into the City. But having a good horse to his gig, he speedily accom- plished the distance between the princely dwelling and the merchant's counting-house. Here he learnt that Mr. Foster had not been in sown all day ;— and he therefore resolved to proceed at once to the Edge- ware Road. We have however seen that he reached Mr. Foster’s private residence foo late! And now he learnt, with unfeigned horror, the terrible tragedy that had taken place, and which had depriveda young and beantiful girl of both her parents al] in a moment. Meagles entered the house—visited the scene of miicide and sudden death—and, hearing that Miss Foster had by this time recovered her senses, solicited 3 few moments’ interview with her. The man was naturally good-hearted ; and the incidents which had just occurred, not only shocked him cruelly, but like- wise created in his bosom a feeling of interest with cegard to the fatherless and motheriess maiden. The servant informed the half-distracted young lady that a gentleman who appeared to sympathize deeply with her sorrows, desired to see her; and she was accord- ingly perauaded to grant the request. In a few minutes, therefore, Meagles bebeld a tall, graeeful, and very lovely girl enter the drawing-room, to which he had been shown; and, although she was nearly overwhelmed with a sense of the tremendous affliction that had fallen upon her, yet was he struck by the beauty of ber countenance and the sylph-like elegance of her form. “Miss Foster,” he said, approaching her, and speaking in a low and tremulous tone, “I dare not offer a word of consolation. WerelI your friend, I should venture to do so—were I your brother, I should naturally undertake che task. But being a/ i itranger—an utter stranger-—I can only say, and with —— profoundly affected in al) my Rose bent upon him a look which expressed the of sympathy: but she was unable to utter a word. Her feelings choked her; and, sinking upon a sent, she burst into tears Meagles suffered her to weep without interruption for several minutes, during which she forgot that he was present; and at length raising her countenance —which was as lovely as loveliness could make it, but pale with indescribable woe—she remembered that he had begged to see her upon some matter of importance. Observing that the look which she cast | the towards him assumed an expression of inquiry—for her heart was still too full to speak—he hastened to explain his business in as few words as possible. But the communication of fhe fact that he had brought the money with him, only revived her grief in all its bitter intensity: for it struck her in an in- stant that had he come but five minutes earlier, all -—all that had happened would have been spared, and those whom she had lost would be yet alive! Again, therefore, wasshe overwhelmed with sor- row for several minutes: bat, at length recovering a sufficiency of composure to address a few words to her visitor, she said in a low and stifling tona “There remains a duty to be performed to the me mory ef my father. His name must not be diagraced even after death. The money which you have brought was destined for a certain purpose—and that purpose must be accomplished. Do you understand me, sir ft” “You mean the payment of a particular debt, Miss Foster f” observed Meagies. “Give me the address of those harsh creditors, and I will hasten to them without delay.” Rose mentioned the names of Hodson and Morley and their place of business; and Meagies was already about to leave the roora, when a thought suddenly struck him. There would be a Coroner’s inquest on the bodies—and the name of the Prince might tran- spire in connexion with the causes that led to the merchant’s deplorable suicide! Turning towards the young lady, he said in the kindest tone that he could command, “ Bat is there no other duty to be performed towards the memory of your deceased father? Must the world become acquainted with the—the ——” “I understand you, sir—and, Oh! [ thank you— sincerely thank you! exclaimed Roee, the tears streaming down her cheeks. “ But is it posable f—can the truth be coneealed in this instance f “If you, Miss Foster, can rely upon your ser- vants,” answered Meagles, “I will undertake that neither the Coroner nor the parish authorities shall exhibit any impertinent curiosity to pry inte a secret which ought to be religiously kept.” The afflicted girl extended her hand to Meagles as a prooftef her gratitude for what she conceived to be @ generous consideration on his part; and he there- fore took his leave, with an intimation that he should return in the evening to report the interview with Hodson and Morley, and to give her any advice which she might require in the distressing circem- stances in which she was this, to learn that the debt was paid to the merchants in Wood Street, and that nothing was to be appre- hended on the part of the Coroner. For the magic influence of the Prince’s name had been effectually used by Meagles to ensure silence in that quarter, ag well as with the parochial authorities. It was natural that, situated as Rose Foster was, she should receive with attention and gratitude the afford counsel and aid in her orphan and unprotected him to issue all necessary instructions for the double funeral, which he proposed should take place as soon and ar privately as possible; and ere he took leave of her thatevening, he insisted upon her retaining in her own charge the few hundreds of pounds which were left out of the fifteen thousand after the liquidation of the debt due to Hodson and Morley. It was past ten o'clock when Tim Mea;zles re- turned to Cariton House, where he immediately obtained a private interview with the Prince. “Is anything the matter?” demanded his Royal Highucsa, observing that the countenance of his friond was troubled. GOnmiGoaoo @) co