The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 190: what you’re looking at

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184 panionship of another. Therefore, my young friend, we must part again; and you must go forth into the world to pursue your own career. That certificate of character which you have ob- tained, together with your manners, your appear- ance, and your qualifications, will enable you speedily to procure another post similar to that which you have this day resigned. You will re- turn to London without delay: I know that you are anxious to see your sister. Take a respectable lodging until you obtain fresh employment. Here are ample funds for your immediate wants. But do not think, Christian, that in thus parting from you, I cease to be your friend or your well-wisher. No—I shall ever be anxious concerning you. You must visit me occasionally; and whenever you need the assistance or the counsel of friendship, be sure to come to me. My purse shall always be open to you; for I am well aware that you will never abuse the license I thus give you. And fail not to acquaint me with the place of your abode at all times, so that if you come not to meas often as I could wish, I may know whither to send an invitation.” Mr. Redcliffe placed a purse containing fifty guineas in Christian’s hand; and the old man of the cottage, who had been sent to the porter’s lodge to fetch the trunk, having by this time re- turned, our hero took a grateful leave of Mr. Red- cliffe, and departed. He proceeded to a neigh- bouring village,—the old man following with the trunk ; and there he was presently taken up by a stage-coach proceeding to London. On arriving in the metropolis, Christian left his luggage at the coach-office and hastened away to see his sister. The meeting between the twins was of charac. teristic warmth and affection, although they had only been a week separated. Christian acquainted his sister with all that kad occurred at Oaklands ; and the pure artless mind of the young girl was shocked at the infamous conduct of the Duke of Marchmont. Her brother however enjoined her not to repeat a syllable of the tale to Lady Octa- vian Meredith; and after an agreeable hour or two spent together, he took his departure. It was now late in the evening; and Christian determined to pass the night at an hotel and look out the next morning for a lodging,—his purpose being to reside in such temporary quarters until he could obtain another situation through the medium of advertisements inserted in the daily newspapers. Accordingly, after breakfast in the morning, our young hero issued forth; and after wandering some little while amongst the streets at the West Find, he presently found himself thread- ing that one in which dwelt Mr. Chubb the parish clerk. Was it accident that brought Christian thither? or was it a scarcely comprehended and unacknowledged feeling of interest and of love on behalf of the young creature of ravishing beauty whom ten days back he had seen for a few minutes at that house? The reader’s imagination can so easily solve the query which we have put, that it becomes unnecessary for us to explain it in set and formal terms. But on passing the house, and casting a look up at the windows, how sudden @ thrill galvanised our hero when he perceived a card announcing apartments to let! Christian stopped short, and looked at the card again. : EE ET Ee 8 Eo ee ge wT Yes—there were the words, in a bold ee ee ee a et Ge eae eee ee THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. round schoolmaster’s hand, embellished with all manner of flourishes and caligraphic illustrations. Christian was more than half inclined to knock at the door: but a sudden sensation of timidity re- strained him—and he passed slowly along the street. But he did not leave the street: no—he turned, retraced his way towards the house, looked at the card again, and was again about to knock at the door, when the thought struck him that the apartments might be if not exactly above his means, at least above the sum which he was justified in paying for a lodging; and that there- fore if he did make an inquiry and then decline, it might be set down to impertinent curiosity or else as an excuse to obtain a glimpse of the lovely Miss Vincent. This latter reflection, as it swept through Christian’s mind, sent all the blood up into his countenance: for he felt as bashful as the very young girl whose image was uppermost in his thoughts. yet he could not tear himself away from it. “ After all,” he thought, “there is no harm in making the inquiry :”—and he retraced his way. At the same moment that his vision was once more turned upon the card in the ground-floor window, it encountered the vixenish eyes of Mrs. Chubb who was looking over it. He bowed: she did not seem to recognise him, nor to comprehend whether the salutation were really meant for her- self or not. But now, with a sudden access of in- trepidity, Christian ascended the steps and knocked boldly at the front door. Mrs. Chubb’s vixenish face disappeared from the window; and her lean gawky form instantaneously appeared at the door. She was dressed in a faded and dirty cotton gown, with an old shawl thrown over her shoulders, and a rusty black crape cap with dingy and crumpled red ribands upon her head. Fora mo- ment she surveyed our hero with the air of one who strives to bring forth a reminiscence from dimness and obscurity; and then suddenly recollecting him, she said with a very sour look, “Oh! you are the young gentleman who brought my hus- band home t’other night when he was the wuss for liquor? I suppose you’ve come to call upon him: but he’s engaged in school.” “No,” responded Christian; “ 1 took the liberty of knocking at your door in consequence of seeing that card in the window.” “Ah! that’s different,’ said Mrs. Chubb: and her looks suddenly became different also. “If you're in want of decent and respectable lodgings, sir, you can have ’em here—leastways if we suit each other. It’s on’y a small parlour and bed- room—which is fifteen shillings a week with attend- ance.” Christian had fifty pounds in his pocket; and he thought to himself that in a week, or a fortnight at the outside, he might obtain another situation —so that it would not be unreasonable on his part to take Mrs. Chubb’s lodging. He walked in, and she showed him the parlour of which she had spoken, and which was indeed small enough, it being a third room on the ground-floor,—the one little window of which looked into the yard, com- manding a view of the water-butt and the dust- hole, a pail and a mop, together with two speci- mens of animated nature—one being in the shape f a cat that was sitting blinking on the wall, and Se re ee rt et rr er et ner So again he passed on—but this time to the other extremity of the street: and ere COMMcoooKS.Eo a) im