The Mysteries of London; or, Lights and Shadows of London Life — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

— tee Oe ee - - 824 ADD roached them, and would have passed 0 on, had not Wilmott detained her. “ Rose,” he exclaimed, passionately, “ you must not leave me thus. I will speak with you, or I shall «o mad, Hear me with patience. Rose, I am wretched.” “ Wretched!” repeated the girl, with an incredulous smile; “the world, sir, would scarcely believe you. You are young, gay, rich, about to be married to-——” nere her voice faltered a little—“an amiable lady. You do but jest with me. Pray let me pass on.” Faddle, determined to give his friend every oppor- ‘unity of completing his ruin, had drawn the haif- resisting arm of Nancy between his, and began his usnal protestations of love. “Let me go!” exclaimed the little vixen, but with an air so coquettish, that it seemed rather to mean, detain me if you will;” at least he understood it so. ** Let them alone,” he whispered ; “ your master has something to say to Rose.” “ The same tale, I suppose,” replied Nancy, “ which sou would breathe into my ear were I fool enough to listen to you, You fine gentlemen, in your chase after life, think us silly girls as game, and hunt as to our ruin; but neither Rose nor I are of that class, I promise you.” ““T know you are all discretion.” And you all impudence,” added Narcy, pushing him suddenly from her, for he had tried to steal a kiss; ‘in the public square, too !” The speaker marched on with a quick step till she reached the angle ef the square where Rose was lis- tening to the protestations of Wilmott, whose hand forcibly detained her. ‘You shall hear me, Rose,” she heard him say; “for, despite my intended marriage with another, I love but you. Listen!” “ Listen!” repeated the maiden, scornfully; “ listen to a man who gives his hand to one woman, while he professes his heart to be another’s! I am poor, sir; fortune has left me nothing but an honest name; the love you ter pt me with would wither it in the mo- ment of your caprice and passion. I am like a flower whick has caught your eye—a thing you would gather and cast from you. What would then become of me? No honest man would look upon me. My fair name lown upon, my fame destroyed, where should I hide my misery and disgrace?” “The girl is no fool,” muttered Faddle to himself, as he reached the spot time enough to hear Rose’s last observation. “It were indeed a triumph to win | her heart !” “By my love,” added Wilmott, getting more and more excited, “Love! the seducer talks of love!” repeated the girl; **does not the word blister your tongue? I b e—I insist that you let me pass.” vust as she was struggling to release her hand from Wilmott’s, Walter Maynard, who had missed Rose from her accustomed evening walk, and was returning to seck her, turned the corner. As soon as he beheld her with her young master, he turned pale as death, _ Many in his situation would have turned away; he, on the contrary, walked firmly to the spot. “ Rose,” he exclaimed, “ why do [ find you in com- - pany with this libertine? you know his character— know that many have already fallen victims to his secuctive arte. You stand within the tiger’s spring; beware its fangs!” “ Libertine!” repeated the excited Wilmott, grasp- ing his cane; “unsay that word!” oe LE ee ly ey ——— eee wwe T>-~ e - THE MYSTERIES: oF LONDON. F — ome Ee —_—— een > — —— — «+ ad « Sir, ‘Tam too poor to lie.” “The clown!” muttered Faddle, who rejoiced at the encounter, trusting that it would inflame his com. — panion, and lead him to the accomplishment of his ruin; “why, the cur looks quite rabid.” ‘ “Unsay that word!” repeated the exasperated © young man, advancing to Maynard, and raising his cane as if to strike, Fortunately Walter did not lose his self-possession ; his countenance, from being pale, became suddenly | flushed ; he retreated a step, and fixed an eye so full of courage and hate upon his rival, that he paused. “ Back!’ he exclaimed ; “ there are moments which _ make an humble man forget his station—the difference between himself and his employer. I baye been | patient while my heart hath withered— while | its hopes have been crushed by oppression’s heel, But | a blow would unchain the devil in my nature, and | nerve my arm to strike you, master, to my feet,” . “I wear no seducer’s mask,” replied the young | man; “ my love, like yours, is honest, and to-morrow | morning, if she consents, sees Rose Ashford my wife.” | “His wife!” repeated the poor clerk, hopeleesiy 35 * then all is over.” ‘“No, no,” sobbed Rose, whose heart was touched | by the deep sorrow of her former lover, “Don’t be a fool,” whispered Nancy; “ only think, | mistress of the factory—wearing silks instead of | weaving them, besides the triumph over your } enemies,” “And is it thus,” exclaimed Maynard, “ my leve | hath been requited? Go,” he added, “sell yourself for | gold—reject the honest heart which woos, for his who - buys you. Your lonely hours, your cheerless home, | the stings of a wakened conscience will avenge me,” | Without waiting a reply the young man, pulled his hat over his brow, to conceal the tears which hia | manhood need not have blushed to shed, and walked — or rather ran hastily away. “You consent?” exclaimed the excited Wilmott — grasping Rose passionately by the hand; “you wih | accept the station you were born to ornam heart whoze every pulse beats for you alone?” | “ Of course she will,” replied Nancy, answering fer | her friend, whose agitation was too great to speak; | ‘don’t I know her thoughts? hasn’t she always loved — | you?” The infatuated youth was delighted with the assur- ance, which was about as false as his own declaration — that he had always intended an honourable serve k The fact was, the pretty Rose was tired, heart-sick of — ; poverty, its privations and vulgar trials, Her Jover _ said truly—she literally sold herself for gold, Time will show whether it made her happy. “You consent?” demanded Wilmott, imploringly. “ I do, ”? * The transports of the half-dranken wooer alarmed _ the strangely-won bride, and she repented of the word. | The instant it had passed her lips, had Walter but | been there that she might have sheltered in his arms | —had she had one kind friend to advise or to direct | her—the better impulse of her nature had prevailed, — It is doubtful whether even the allurement of fortune | would have been sufficient, but for the bitterness of Walter’s parting speech; that rankled in her heart, | for she felt she only half deserved it, and decided pee | Poor girl! her revenge, like the sting of the tied fell on her own head. Nan It was finally arranged that Rose and on the following morning to be married at Spitaldelds should meet Wilmott and his friend at nine iGbooks —4 ogg => a nlf —s “> Gom