The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 28: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES. your eyes: but I trust that you will give me leave | Octavia hastened to arrange a knife and fork and to rest myself for a few minutes—and in the mean- time I shall be enabled, I hope, to satisfy you that I am incapable of offering you a wanton insult.” While he was uttering the last words of his speech, Octavia exchanged with her sister a hasty glance which showed that the same thought had smultaneously struck them both: namely, that it would be impossible to refuse the slight hospitality which was solicited. The elder Miss Clarendon accordingly sate down —an example which Pauline immediately fol- lowed; and the gentleman, understanding the tacit assent thus conveyed, threw off his cloak and took a chair. The brief pause afforded by these little ar- rangements gave him an opportunity of thinking of some excuse that might account for his extraordinary . Intrusion and enlist the sympathies of the young ladies at the same time: for he was suddenly seized with the desire to cultivate the acquaintance of the twomost charming creatures he had ever encountered in the course of his life. | On their side, they could not help observing that their strange visitor was not only of very handsome appearance, but likewise of polished manners; an that there was about him an air of refinement far superioy to anything fhey hdd before mét with in their short experience of the world. In fact, the sisters were both prepossessed in his favour; and when he resumed the conversation, they were fully prepared — though involuntarily —to accept any teasonable excuse which he might offer for his con- duct. “Feeling that the most ample explanation is duo to you, ladies,” he said, “I must begin by stating that lama gentleman of some property, and that my name is Harley. It may be that I was foolishty ' good-natured—it may also be that I was deceived | by a villain: bat certain it is that I gave my security | to alarge amount on béhalf of a person who called himself my friend—and this individaal has ab- sconded. Young ladies of your age, and dwelling in ‘a genteel seclusion—if I may be allowed to form an ‘opinion of your habits from the favourable impres- sion youhave made upon me—are not likely to be | well acquafnted with the proccedings of that dread- | fal pestilence called Jaw: but you may probably have heard or tead enough to understand that a person in my position becomes liable to have his freedom moet disrracefally molested by certain human sharks rin bailif?. Such is my present state ; andit was in flying from those malignant enemies that I wis andacious enough to seek refuge in the first | house whose friendly door stood open.” « | This statement was delivered in atone ot semf- | focularity which put the young ladies into a very , ood humour with Mr. Harfey ; and another inter- | change of glances convinced each sister that they were both animated with the same inclination to tender all possible service to a gentleman who had suffered elly in aiding a friend. Octavia ac- eordingly expressed the pleasure which they felt in | being able to afford him a refage; and concluded a | few brief and modestly delivered observations by offering him some refreshment—at the same time apologising for the frugal nature of their fare. | Wr. , who as a man of the world saw that the acceptance of the proposal would naturally Place him wpon a more friendly footing with the Ssters, responded in the affirmative; and now, while d| Mr. H clean plate for the guest, Pauline tripped lightly down into the kitchen, returning presently with a jug of foaming table-ale which she placed on the board. Mr. Harley apologised for giving so much trouble; whereupon Octavia informed him, with a modest dignity tru! y captivating, that they were ac- customed to wait upon themselves, as their circum- stances did not permit them to keep a servant— and they could therefore well attend upon their guests, is avowal was turned to advantage by Mr. Harley, who paid the sisters a flattering but delicate compliment upon the praiseworthy qualities which were thus revealed to him; and he dex- terously suffered them to understand that he him- self was a stranger to the happiness of a sweet do- mesticity, being as yet unmarried. As the conversation progressed, he learnt that the sisters were alone together in the house, and that their father had gone into Derbyshire. They also, in the artlessness of their character, made him acquainted with the reasons of this visit and the hopes that were entertained of their parent being able to effect a reconciliation with his noble relative afley expressed an earnest desire that the journey might be crowned with success; and in all he said there was an apparent sincerity which still [. farther increased the favourable opinion already formed of him by his beautiful hostesses. Indeed, an hour had passed away so picasantly that the young ladies bad not once thonght of the lapse of time, until the clock in the € pro- claimed midnight; and then, suddenly made aware how late it was, they glanced somewhat uneasily at each other. Mr. Harley rose immediately from his seat, and resuming his cloak, was about to express his yratitude for the hospitality he had received, when a sudden crash in the road, just opposite the house, and which was instantancously followed by the plonging of horses, the screams of ladies, and the ejaculations of post-boys, startled the immates of fire comfortable little parlour. OHAPTER IV. THR ACCOUCHENMENT. Tne sounds which thus appeared to promise a new adventure, were occasioned by the sudden breaking of the fore-axle of a travelling barouche, which was whirling along the road as speedily as four spank- ing horses and two expert postilions could hurry it. Mr. Harley instantly rashed forth to offer his assistance to the ladies whose screams had emanated from the vehicle; while Octavia and Pzuline fol- lowed as far as the garden-gate to render their aid if necessary. Theo scene in the road was one of the utmost con- fusion and terror ‘—for the postillons were occupied in endeavouring to quiet their horses, which were langing frightfally ;—a valet in plain clothes had been thrown from the box, and pitching on his head, lay sturmed within a few feet of the broken vehicle ;—a lady’s-maid, who was seated on the same dangerous emfnence, was clinging to the rails which she had clatched just in time to save herself from a similar accident;—and two ladies inside were shrieking for help. Mr. Halcy’s iret impulse was to drag the rales 11 ee A eee — COMNGLOO S COMM