The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

THE At the expiration of a considerable interval, the door was opened—and, by the dim and uncertain lght of the moon, Meagles belield the wasted and ema- ciated countenance of a lad of about thirteen. “Does a working man of the name of Melmoth reside here ?’”’ asked Meagles: and, without waiting for the response, he added, “ Because [ am come to relieve him.” “Yes, sir—he does—he is my father,” said the lad. “ And Miss Foster——” “‘ Also lives in this house, sir. But——” “She is not at home, then?” exclaimed Meagles, his heart sinking within him as that monosyllabic antithesis to hope fell upon his ears. “No, sir,’ replied young Melmoth. “She went out at about half-past nine o’clock—and we've been very anxious concerning her ever since. We're afraid she has fallen into some trouble—because she went to see a gentleman who father says is connected with the Prince of Wales.” * That is Mr. Meagles—eh 2?” observed Tim. “ Yes, sir—the same,” was the answer. * Well—show me up stairs, my boy,” said Meagles, after a few moments’ reflection: “1 should like to say a word or two to your father. Isuppose he is at home ?” “ He has been in about ten minutes, sir,” replied the youth. Meagles entered the house, closing the door be- hind him. The lad led the way up stairs—and Meagles followed in the total darkness which pre- vailed. At length, on reaching the top storey, the boy threw open a door—and the visitor entered the garret, where the Melmoth family were grouped round the chest on which there were loaves of bread, cold meat, and cheese. But the instant that Melmoth caught sight of the countenance of Meagies, horror and dismay spread over his own features—and, dropping the food which he was in the act of conveying to his mouth, he staggered back against the wall. At the same moment something dropped from about his ! person; and the object fell upon the floor with a metallic sound accompanied by the smashing of glass. “ Great heavens! what do I behold 2” ejaculated Meagles, springing forward and picking up the object alluded to. “ My watch !"—and he held it up by the chain, with amazement and indignation de- picted upon his countenance. A scream burst from the lips of Mrs. Melmoth, as this incident carried to her soul, with the vivid- ness of lightning, the conviction that her husband’s temporary absence that night had been marked by a deed stamping him as a criminal! The elder boy likewise comprehended the mean- ing of this scene respecting the watch—and his grief burst forth in piteous lamentations: while the other children, alarmed at what they could not however understand, flew to their mother with cries of terror and anguish. For she had fallen upon her knees—clasping her poor babe to her bosom ;—and her eyes wandered wildly from the countenance of her husband to that of Meagles. And Melmoth himself ?—how did he feel? how did he look ? Guilt was written upon every feature of his face and stamped upon every lineament! — guilt was Sg rr pe — ee a ee rer MYSTERIES. 249 expressed in his quailing attitude—his trembling form !—the whole being of the wretched man was guilt personified ! He had not the hardihood to repeat the account that he had given his wife of the way in which he had obtained the means to purchase the food he had brought home with him and to pay the ar- rears of rent ;-—he was not so proficient in turpi- tude as to be enabled to renew and persist in the tale which he had forged to lull asleep the appal- ling suspicions that had naturally sprung up in the woman’s mind, in the first instance, when she saw her husband return with provisions and money. No—he could not put a bold front upon matters now! ‘The watch, which he had concealed about his person, became the damning evidence against him: and, suddenly rendered a coward by the dis- covery of his enormity, the unhappy Melmoth stood in the presence of Meagles like a prisoner awaiting his doom from the lips of a judge! We have already stated that the first sentiment which seized upon Meagles was one of mingled amazement and indignation: but, as the scream of the wife and the cries of the children smote his ear, his heart relented—and he instantly compres hended the entire truth! “ My good woman,” he hastened to exclaim, as he turned towards the poor emaciated mother who had fallen upon her knees in indescribable an- guish,—“ fear nothing—Il will not harm your hus- band—I pardon him!” “God bless you—God bless you, kind gentleé- man!” murmured the woman, in a tone of such grateful fervour—such plaintive earnestness, that Meagles felt he never could have forgiven himself if he had promptly taken that harsh step which so many in his situation would have adopted. “ May God Almighty bless you, sir!” she repeated, her voice gathering more energy from the enthusiasm of her manner. “ Children, down upon your knees —and thanx this good gentleman for sparing your father—for saving you also from a disgrace which heaven grant that you do not understand.” And the children knelt around Meagles —and Melmoth himself burst into a perfect agony of weeping. Solemnly and sublimely interesting was this scene: for there was the scapegrace adventurer receiving the homage due to the good deed which he had done towards the poor working man whom the bitter ness of penury had driven to crime! “ Now let us know each other better, my worthy friend,” said Meagles, hastening to raise the woman and her children: then, taking Melmoth’s hand, he observed, “ I can understand the whole truth of the incidents of this night as plainly as if I had just read them in a book. You need not utter a word of explanation. This room tells your tale with a too terrible fidelity,” he added, glancing hastily around upon the naked walls: “and if any chapter were deficient in the narrative of woe and suffering, it may be found in the emaciated features of your wife and children. Not for worlds, therefore, would I injure you! I cannot even blame you. By heaven! I would do the same sooner than see those whom I love perishing by inches! And now let me tell you that the gold which you have about you, was actually intended to relieve you.” “Ts this possible?” exclaimed Melmoth, sobbing like a child.