The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

234 THE COURT OF LONDON Meagles,’’ she added, ‘‘ and although my kind benefactress is from home at present, yet she will not chide me for inviting so kind and disinterested a friend as you have proved your- self to be to enter her mansion and rest awhile.”’ ‘“T accept the invitation cheerfully, Miss Foster,” said Meagles; ‘‘ the more so, inasmuch as I am anxious to hear an account of any favourable change which has taken place in your fortunes.” ‘* This is the mansion where I dwell,”’ said Rose, stepping up to the gate of Bellenden Priory; then, ringing the bell, she desired the porter who made his appearance to take charge of Mr. Meagles’s horse. Tim accordingly dismounted and tossed the reins of his steed to the domestic, for he had ridden out alone on this particular morning, Wasp having been despatched with a message on some important business. Rose Foster led the way across the beautiful gardens, and introduced Meagles into an elegant parlour, where she ordered refreshments to be served up. Then, having quitted him for a few minutes in order to lay aside her bonnet and shawl in her own chamber, she returned with a countenance expressing the most un- feigned satisfaction at being enabled to testify, however slightly, the sense of gratitude which she experienced toward him. But when Meagles saw that charming girl come and seat herself by his side with all the ingenuous, artless con- fidence which a sister shows toward a brother, he could not help sighing at the thought that the feeling which animated her was nothing more tender than a grateful friendship. ‘““ And now, Mr. Meagles,” she said, “ you must permit me to declare how deep and lasting has been the sense which I have entertained of all the obligations I owe you. You have doubtless read or heard of the fearful accusation which for a moment threatened to overwhelm me — ” | ‘“’ Yes, I have read all that in a file of newspapers since my return home,” said Meagles. ‘‘ And did you find a friend in Lady Bellenden, for I am aware that this is her ladyship’s residence — ”’ “I found a friend in the marchioness on the very day of my most bitter need,’”’ returned the maiden. ‘‘ When dis- charged by the magistrate from the fearful accusation to which I have alluded, I was conducted straight hither and antroduced to her ladyship. She received me with open GOMIicsooks (E(©)