The Seamstress; or, The White Slave of England — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

60 THE SEAMSTRESS. plore them to rally around you—investigate all the frightful circumstances——” “My dear girl, you must not talk thus!” said Mr. Lavenham, in a tone which evinced the. pain that the young creature’s words afforded him. “Ah! pardon me—pardon me once more,” she cried: “I did not mean to afflict you.” “TI know it—lI feel it, my dear girl,’ responded Lavenham, hastily. ‘“ My fate is determined—my destiny must be accomplished! And yet it is sweet to receive the sympathy of a being so pure- minded and so innocent as you. One word, Vir- ginia—only one word more touching yourself!” he exclaimed, taking her hand and contemplating her with a sort of paternal regard. “ You must permit me to assist you in establishing yourself comfort- ably in the world. Unfortunate though I am—shut out henceforth from the very pale of society though I must be,—yet I am not altogether friendless nor moneyless. My solicitor has certain funds of mine in his possession: aud those shall be devoted to your benefit.” “Not for worlds—not for worlds!” ejaculated Virginia, with an impetuousness which she had never manifested before. “Do you suppose that I was influenced by selfish motives in coming hither? Ah! Mr. Lavenham you have wounded me to the very quick!’’—and she burst into tears. “ My dear Virginia, compose yourself—tranquil- lize your feelings!” exclaimed the prisoner. It is now for me to implore your pardon—and yet I did not intend to afflict you. But I told you on the first occasion when we met, that I would not lose sight of you—that.1 would not forget you. And it was my intention to have found out your abode—to inquire into your position——” * Hnough of this, sir, I beseech you!” said Vir- ginia, wiping away her tears: then, rising from the chair, she observed with all the touching sweetness of her melodious voice and her -ianocent looks, * You will give me credit, sir, for the real motives which have brought me hither ?” “Heavens! 1 never suspected them, Virginia!” exclained Mr. Lavenham. ‘“ But you must not depart yet — we cannot separate in this manner! From the moment that I first saw you, I expe- rienced an interest in your wellare—and that feel- ing has become so strong, that even at the risk of offending you, I must persevere in my original in- tention of placing you beyond the reach of poverty aud temptation.” * Farewell, sir—farewell!” cried Virginia, hasten- ing towards the door. * No—do not depart yet!” exclaimed Lavenham, springing forward to detain her, ‘ You must look upon me as a father——” At that instant the door opencd, and the turnkey entered with the prisoner’s dinner. “Farewell, sir,’ repeated Virginia; ‘“ and may God Almighty bless you!” *“Qne word—one single word!” cried Lavenham. But the seamstress was already hurrying preci- pitately down the stone staircase ;—and the prisoner was not allowed to cross the threshold of his cham- ber. A minute afterwards Virginia Mordaunt was sal- lying forth from the sombre gaol of Newgate, when she was startled by hearing ber name pro- nounced by a well-known voice;~—and the next it eeeethtlienieeeeene Te instant her hand was seized and pressed with en- thusiastic fervour in the grasp of the Maryuis of Arden. CHAPTER AVIIL ANOTHER MEETING. VIRGINIA was so completely taken by surprise at this encounter that for a few moments she re- mained rvoted to the spot—speechless—and with her hand unresistingly abandoned to the fervid grasp of the young nobleman. She gazed upon him also with a kind of vacant bewilderment, as if she knew not precisely what course to adopt: and then, as she beheld his eyes fixed with impas- sioned ardour upon her countenance, a burning blush suddenly suffused her cheeks. Snatching away her hand at the same instant, she said wita all the firmness of a recovered presence of mind, “We are henceforth strangers to each other, sir!” —and she sped along the Old Bailey. But the Marquis of Arden was almost immedi- ately by her side; and in a few rapid but earnestly imploring words he besought her to grant him a hearing. Virginia paused: and looking him ‘steadfastly i in the face, she said, “ Mr. Osmond, an unprotected and friendless girl entreats you to molest her no more. Surely, surely you will not disregard this appeal P” “Oh! do not refuse me the opportunity of ex- plaining myself, Virginia!” cried the young noble- man, with-an excitement that alarmed her. “ You know that I love you—and you cannot prove inexorable! And now the very appeal which you have made has touched me to the quick: because you teli me you are friendless and unprotected. Virginia, Virginia, will you not accept the love— the hand of one ——” “‘ Leave me—I implore you to leave me!” mur- mured the maiden, not only softened by the ear- nestness of the youth’s manner, but also terrified lest his excitement should attract unpleasant notice from the passers-by. “ By heaven! I will not leave you thus, Virginia,” exclaimed Charles. “ For weeks past have I been endeavouring to find out your abode: never for a single instant has your dear image been absent from my memory ;—and now that accident has led us to meet again, I am resolved that we shall not part until I have at least gathered from your lips whether I may indulge in the fondest hope, or sink down into the darkest despair. Take my arm, then —let us walk together—otherwise we shall soon become the objects of disagreeable notice.” “T will comply with your request, sir,” an- swered Virginia, coldly: ‘“ but merely for the reason which you have.stated.” She accordingly took his arm—and he led her slowly along the street. “ You were coming out of that dreadful place where poor Mr. Lavenham is confined?” observed Charles, now suddenly remembering that they had met at the door of Newgate. “What on earth could have taken you thither ?” “T went to see the gentleman whom you have ' named,” replied Virginia, in a firm tone; “be- eet ee = et a A com a books