The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 90: what you’re looking at

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—— eee Sa ee A TTT St SO Se ne eee ’ ad at. os ip ~ o *. Ty ene = OO Oe ee etn ent 8 not have suspected its robust proportions to proceed a from any other cause than the vigorous health of girlhood: but the experienced eye would have in- stantly perceived that she was far advanced in the way to become a mother, and that unnatural means of compression had been adopted to conceal her shame up to the present moment. She blushed deeply as she removed her cloak ;— for she observed that Mrs. Lindley had at the same instant put on her spectacles again, and was once more surveying her with earnest attention. “Sit down, my sweet child,” said Mrs. Brace : “remember that this is to be your home for the next two or three months 2 “ Hush!” murmured Mrs. Lindley, taking off her glasses, and raising her fore-finger significantly : “not so loud!”—then, addressing herself to Caroline, she said, “ Your excellent mistress desires you to con- sider this house your home, until you are in a con- dition to leave it again ;—and I cordially reiterate the assurance. Cheer up, therefore, Miss Walters — and let me observe a smile upon your pretty face.” “Yes—pray smile, Carry,’ exclaimed Mrs. Brace. “ You will soon be reconciled to your new abode— and next Sunday evening I will come and pass an hour or two witi you.” “You are very—very kind,’ murmured the young girl, with difficulty subduing a violent outburst of erief; for, in spite of all the soothing words that fell upon her ears, she had never felt more completely friendless—lonely—and desolate in her life. “ Have you many inmates at present?” inquired Mrs. Brace of the woman to whose care the unhappy Miss Walters was thus consigned. “Tour or five,’ was the answer. “The place is never altogether empty, you know,” she added, with that subdued chuckling laugh which Caroline shud- dered to hear. “And of course Miss Walters will find com- panions in them?” said Mrs. Brace, interrogatively. “Tn all save one,” responded Mrs. Lindley, now sinking her tone to the lowest whisper. “ But, hush! —what noise was that? I thought I heard the shutters creak——” * No—it was only the hackney-coach moving a little outside,’ observed Mrs. Brace. “ You were saying that there is one lady at present in your house-——” “Hush! not so loud !—walls have ears?” inter- posed the woman, nervously. “ But the fact is that I have beneath my roof a young lady in reference to whom the utmost precaution and secrecy are requi- site,—a young lady of high birth hush! what noise was that ?—the hackney-coach again——and she never quits herown room. Ah! ’tis a sad aflair —a sad affair, by all that I can learn—and that is little enough. Such a sweet creature, too—of such heavenly beauty-——But there is that horrid noise again——” “Tt is nothing—I can assure you it is nothing,” observed Mrs, Brace, impatiently. “Hush! not so loud!” resuined Mrs. Lindley. “ As 1 was saying, the young lady in question is the only one in whom Miss Walters will not find a com- panion.” “ At all events, you will not be withont society, Caroline,’ said Mrs. Brace, rising from her seat. “ And now, my dear girl, I must leave you—for I need not declare that my time is very, very valuable just at present.” «But you will come and see tae soon?” exclainied the wretched girl, throwing herself into the milli- ner’s arms, and kissing her with that fervour which seemed to imply that the poor forlorn creature knew she was embracing her only friend. * Yes—I will come atid see you often—very often, my dear Caroline,” said Mrs. Brace;—and having returned her caresses with an affectionate warmth— or, at least, with a great display of tender feeling— the fashionable milliner gently disengaged herself from the arms of the poor girl who clung to her with the tenaciousness of a distracted grief. Atlength Mrs. Brace, having succeeded in getting away from her, hurriedly took her departure: and Caroline Walters found hevself alone in that gloomy apartment with the Mipwire! _——~ es es te nent pai, De! a gp mmr EP gg on, CHAPTER XXII, SCENES AT MRS, BRACE’S ESTABLISHMENT. Ir was about nine o’clock when Mrs. Brace reached her abode in Pall Mall; and repairing to her own private parlour—the one that we have described in a previous chapter—she threw off her cloak and bonnet, and summoned Harriet to her presetice. To her inquiries whether the letter had been duly sent to Mr. Meagles, and whether the cool: had pro- vided a succulent repastfor Mr. Harley and Octavia, she received satisfactory replies; and having re- freshed herseif with a glass of the finest Madeira, after her journey to Mrs. Lindley’s gloomy resi- dence, she proceeded to the large room where the young ladies of her establishment were accustomed to take their meals. This apartment was well furnished, and lighted by a chandelier suspended to the ceiling. A good fire blazed on the hearth ;—the table was spread with a quantity of plate; and the eleven or twelve beautifal young women who were scattered about conversing in groups, enhanced the cheerful appear- ance of the scene. We have before stated that these ravishing crea- tures formed a combraation of charms and displayed a variety of loveliness enchanting to behold. ‘There, indeed, all admirers of whatsoever style of beauty mieht have found their tastes gratified. The tall and stately young woman, with dignified look and imposing demeanour, — the sylph-like figure and the volatile disposition,— the slender, pale, and interesting girl, with pensive countenance and bash- fal manners,—the stout, robust, and full-propor- tioned houri, with a voluptuous exuberance of charms,—the coal-black hair and the lustrous dark eyes,—the flaxen ringlets and the melting azure orbs,—the chesnut locks and the eyes of hazel,—. the glowing auburn tresses and the eyes of dark blue, —the Roman countenance, denoting strong passions, —the Grecian profile, indicatiug a poetic sensuous- ness,—the lively French features, far more interest- ing than positively beautiful,—the pure English face, with itsadmirable blending of the healthy red and the delicate white,—the ravishing brunette, with eyes brimful of desire and lips that seem made only to be kissed ;—these were the varied charms that made up the combination of so much female love- liness! At about half-past nine o’clock, an excellent supper was served up. Poultry, game, French Com Gbooksseon