The Mysteries of London, v. 4/4Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)
General
The Mysteries of London, v. 4/4
Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)
London (England) -- Fiction; Penny dreadfuls
“Julia now addressed herself to the work of which she had such
profusion; and while she sate plying her needle, with little Harry
playing about the room, she often thought of the handsome unknown.
Every day, after the frugal dinner, she took her brother out to walk
for an hour, that a little exercise and fresh air might benefit them
both; and, of an evening, when she laid aside her work, she gave him
instruction in many useful branches of education. During the day,
too, he learnt his lessons; and never did she suffer him to go out
alone into the streets--no, not even on the slightest errand. In fact,
this excellent young woman took as much care of her little orphan
brother as if she had been his parent, instead of his sister; and it
was a charming as well as touching sight to behold them repairing to
the parish church on a Sabbath-morning,--each attired with so much
neatness, and yet in a plain and unobtrusive manner. Well, three
weeks had passed since the interview between Julia and Lady Caroline;
and on each Saturday evening her ladyship’s maid called to receive
and pay for the work that was finished. The domestic was sure to
have some pretty present from her mistress for Julia, and a handsome
toy--such as a transparent slate, or puzzle, or a miniature carpenter’s
tool-box--for Harry; and the grateful milliner sent back her kindest
but most respectful regards to her good patroness. But during those
three weeks she had neither seen nor heard any thing of the handsome
stranger;--and yet, had he not promised that he would shortly call
again? Wherefore should he call? Julia never paused to ask herself that
question;--but she did sometimes admit, within the secret recesses of
her own heart, that she thought it somewhat unkind he did not fulfil
his promise, after the distress she had endured in consequence of the
mistake he had made respecting the gilt counter. One day the landlady
tapped at Julia’s door; and, on being desired to enter, the good woman
informed her that ‘_the gentleman in the cloak_,’ was waiting in the
parlour below. A blush instantly spread itself over Julia’s cheeks;
whereupon the landlady said in a low but impressive tone, ‘you need
not be ashamed of an honest attachment, Miss; and I know you are too
good a girl to form any other. In fact, I told the gentleman what an
excellent creature you were, and how well you behaved to your little
brother.’--‘You told him all _that_?’ exclaimed Julia, looking up in
a surprise mingled with secret pleasure, while the blush upon her
beauteous countenance deepened.--‘Certainly I did, Miss,’ replied the
landlady: ‘but not to-day. It was when he called on account of that
unpleasant little affair, you know; and before he sent me up to fetch
you down, he asked no end of questions about you; and he seemed so
pleased when I told him that you were such a good, industrious young
person, and so kind to your orphan brother; and how you kept yourself
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account