The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 362: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. 3A? “Poor girl! you have been terribly deceived in- deed,” said Meagles. “ How cruelly has fortune persecuted you !” “But I have deserved it all for not having relied on your friendship,” exclaimed Rose, with passionate vehemence. “Yes—I have deserved it all—even to the starvation — the famine which I have experi- enced ——” “Holy God! ia this poesiblet” ejaculated Meagles, starting from his chair and fixing his eyes on the orphan girl in dismay. “Starvation—famine—— No —no—it cannot be! And I have been eating and drinking of the best——Just heavens! starvation— famine!” he repeated, naw 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 to recollect that I was your friend? But, my God! whileI am thus giving way to my feelings, you are suffering with hunger——” And he sprang towards the bell to summon his valet to spread food upon the table. But Rose, divining his intention, caught hold of his arm, ex- elaiming, “I require nothing now—my heart is too fall—and moreover, I have Jeft kind and generous friends perishing with want——”’ “Command me in every way, Miss Foster!” in- terrupted Meagles. “Tell me how I can serve yon ov those in whom you are interested. Thank God! my purse is well filled at this moment—and if it were not, I would sell everything to obtain the means of fulfilling yeur wishes.” “ Generous friend! how deep is the debt of grati- tade which I owe you!” exclaimed Roee, the tears again streaming down her cheeks. “ But t me your patience a few minutes—and [ will tell you all that has occurred to me since the night on which I escaped from the dwelling of Mrs, Brace.” Meagles reseated himself—and Rose proceeded to recount the various adventures with which the reader is already acquainted,—how 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 she experienced a real compassion and kindness at the hands of the Melmoths—and how she had left that family not only perishing through d ion, but likewise menaced with ejection from the miserable garret that constituted their home. “ Where do these good people live” inquired Weagles, again springing from his seat; “ I will lose not a moment in repairing to their aid.” Mises Foster mentioned the address—and Meagles put on his hat. “But I will go with you,’ she said: “ indeed I am giad to avail myself of your escort, at this late hour, to the place which is likewise my home now,” she added, with a mournfal tremulousness of the votce—for the recent incidents of her life were con- stantly reminding her of the happy days when she dweit beneath the same roof with those fond parents who were now no more. “ Mies Foster,” said Meagles, “if you wish to re- turn to the lodging which, from all the circumstances you have just revealed to 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 landiady until to-morrow, when we ghall be enabled to consult together upon futare ar- rangements for your welfare and happiness——” “Mr. Meagles,” interrupted Rose, “I have wit- nessed and shared the misery of the poor family to whom I owe so many obligations—and, as your ge- nerosity is about to prove the means of their salva- tion, I could wish to behold and join in the happiness that you are this night destined to raise up in their abode. Permit me, then, to accompany you,” she added in a tone of earnest entreaty: ‘ and to-mor- row I shall venture to intrude myself upon your presence again—for, alas! the poor orphan, Mr. Meagles, has no other friend on earth save you!” “ And the sincerity of my friendship, Miss Foster, shall be proved by the alacrity and cheerfulness with which [ am prepared to fulfil all your wishes. Come, then—and we will hasten together to the abode of these worthy but unhappy people whose hearts were not hardened by poverty nor rendered selfish by |. misery against the sufferings of a fellow-creature.” Rose darted a look of fervent gratitude upon Meagles, whose honourable intentions with regard to herself now seemed beyond all question; and they sallied forth together, just as the bells of St. James's church were chiming a quarter past eleven. CHAPTER XOIX. ° STABTLING INCIDENTS. ALTHOUGH she had fasted for so many long hours, yet Rose Foster felt not hungry now. Hope had risen up in her bosom,—that hope which was meat and drink to her physical being, and animation and excitement to her spirits. Meagles was proving himself a friend—and they were on their way to- gether to carry succour and solace to the starving family of the working maa who was able and willing to work, but could obtain no work to do! A quarter past eleven!—the hour had gone by at which the rent was to be paid—but by half-past eleven they could reach the Melmoths’ lodging in Westminster, and doubtless it would not be too late. These thoughts swept rapidly through the brain of the young maiden, as, leaning upon the arm of Tim Meagles, she hurried along Jermyn Street; and as it was shorter to cross St. James’s Square than to go round by Lower Regent Street, she gently drew him in that direction—for the fear of reviving unpleasant reminiscences in her mind was prompting him to take the more circuitous reute. But with Meagles asa protector, she dreaded no- thing: moreover, her spirits were too elate with enthusiastic hope to allow room for any misgivings or apprehensions. Firmly and lightly, therefore, tripped the feet of the pale but lovely girl on the pavement of that aristocratic Square; and the moon, breaking from behind a cloud, brought into relief the fronts of the houses on the southern side and showed her the very window whence she had achieved her pe- rilous descent a week back. The night was cold and partially tempestuous: and scarcely had the silver planet peeped forth from the dark curtains above, when it was obscured again by the dense and ominous masses of clouds —like a beauty coquetting from behind a black veil. Thus, having allowed Rose Foster a transient glimpse of the casement from which her flight had been accomplished, the fickle Goddess of Nighé COMGRDOO S COMM