The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

306 cleanly bed-chamber on the first floor received them ; and the woman intimated that it was here the young lady was to sleep. She again apologised for the humi- lity of the accommodation, but again likewise affirmed an assurance of the most cordial welcome. Camilla expressed her thanks for the kindness demonstrated towards her—and the woman, placing the candle upon a little table, withdrew. Carefully locking the door, the orphan hastened to lay aside her clothing—for she was overwhelmed with fatigue ; and soon after she had laid her head upon the pillow slumber sealed her eyes. She awoke in the morning just as the clock ef Westminster Abbey was striking nine; and when the sunbeams shone upon her eyes and she found herself safe in that homely room but eleanly bed, she again reproached herself for having thought ill of the couple to whom she was indebted for the hospitality she had enjoyed. Rising from.the humble pallet, Camilla per- formed her toilette: but, during the operation, tears more than once trickled down her checks as she thought of the really comfortable home from which she had been compeiled to fly, and of the necessity of finding another. Another home! Alas — alas! ‘tis much more easily said than done: and the orphan felt that it was s0—and her heart, as it were, came up into her throat as she reflected that the only true home which she had ever enjoyed had been swallowed up in the grave of her parents ! O God! robbery is bad—forgery is vile—repe is atrocious—and murder is abhorrent: but to ill- treat the orphan—to be merciless towards the poor being from whom Death has borne away the fond mother and doting father, never to send them back again,—Oh ! this is abhorrent also—and the wretch who has no pity for the orphan, is capable of robbery, and forgery, and rape, and murder! Scarcely was Camilla’s toilette performed, when some one tapped gently at the door. She opened it—and the woman made her appearance with many anxious inquiries as to how the young lady had slept. This apparently kind solicitude on her behalf having been duly acknowleiged by Camilla, the woman led the way to a small but neatly fur. nished parlour down stairs, where breakfast was ready arranged upon the table. The woman's husband was there, and his appear- ance had undergone considerable improvement. For he had shaven the beard of several days’ growth which eohanced the sinister expression of his countenance when Camilla first beheld him a few hours back—his hair, then matted, was now combed out and neatly arranged—his soiled shirt had been exchanged for clean linen—and he wore a decent suit of black clothes. “I hope my missus has made you comfortable, young lady?” said the man, assuming as gentle a tone as his voice could possibly modulate itself to. “J have to return you both my sincerest thanks for your kindness,” answered Camilla. “Oh! don’t say a word about that, Miss,” ex- claimed the man. “ We only performed a Chris- tian duty; and I’m sure that even a heart of atone would have melted to see such 4 nice young lady as: you are in any sort of trouble and distress. Why, when I returned home about an hour after you and my tuissus, 1 tound her a-crying ag if ber eyes had turned into water-spouts—” 2. ae - + a cee — Se a 2quneaew THE MISTERIES. “Well, well,” interrupted the woman—but aot petulantly ;—“ I must confess that I was affected by all the dear young lady had been telling me as we walked along. For it’s such a shoc’sing thing to have lost one’s parents at so tender an age—— But come, dear Miss,” she exclaimed, suddenly interrupting herself—for she saw that Camilla had become painfully affected: “dry your tears—don’t take on so, there's a sweet girl—and anything that me or my husband can do to assist you, we will perform cheerfully. Come—sit down—and try a cup of tea: it will do you good, Miss.” Camilla hastily wiped her eyes, and, yielding to the woman's entreaties, took a seat at the table. Her heart was however tao full to allow her to experience the slighteat appetite: but she foroed herself to eat a mouthful far fear her entertaiaers should think shag she wag dainty and disliked the homely fare set befire hex. When the meal was over, the man roee from hig seat, observing that he had some particular business to transact in the City, bat that he should be back hy dianer-time. “The City ” exclaimed his wife, “ Are you go- ing into the City the frag thing thje morniag? Well, that és singalay—.." “Singular, my dear—haw so?” demanded the man, who spoke in very affectionate terme to his wife. “ Because this yquag lady has some little bosi- neaa to transact in the City, J think. Didn't you say so, Miss?” inquired the woman, terning to- wards Camilla. “J must indeed replenish ,” responded the orphag, with a profoand —“since I have been compelled to leave my n. Having lost one home, the soener I setile myself in an- other the better,” *Thenls » Mise, that yan’ve got relations, or trustees, of lawyers, or something of the sort in the City,” said the nan; “and you want to call upon them. In that case, I shall be very happy to see you eafe to their house,” he added, with an apparent frank- ness which quite made the orphan forget the sinister ex ion of his cquntenance. “Alas! I have no relatives—no friends,” she re- turned, hastily wiping away the tears that started forth upon her long lashes. “ But, Oh !—I was wrong to say that — had no friends!” she exclaimed, a sudden reminiscence striking her and bringing a tint of animation to her pale cheeks. “ Yes — Mr. ) will advise me how to act——” “You'd better write a note to yeur friend, Miss,” said the man, exchanging a rapid but significant glance with the woman: “and I will take it to him at once for you. It ‘ll be much better than for you to go running about the streets——” “Thank yeu—thank you!” exclaimed Camills, grateful for the suggestion and the offer which ac- companied it. “ But it is not necessary for me 10 write—indeed, my brain is so bewildered that my very sight is dagzled—and I could not pen a single line. My object will be however accomplished #f you will have the goodness to call on Mr. Meagles in Jermyn Street ;"—and she mentioned the number of Mrs. Piggleberry’s house. “ You can tell him that incidents of a niost unpleasant nature have occurred, compelling me ta leave the establishment ia which I held a situation—and that if he wil} favour me with an immediate visit, his advice will bamost thankful received.” COMNGLROO COMM