Stranica 215 [215]
OCR
159 very in earnest.” s He spoke in hard and angry earnest, if her head. “He is an earnest man when his hatred is up. I know many who do worse things; but Vd rather listen to them all a dozen times than to that Monks once. It is growing late, and I have to reach home without suspicion of having been on such an errand as this. I must get back quickly.” ‘But what can I do?” said Rose. c To what use can I turn this communication without you? Back! Why do you wish to return to companions you paint in such terrible colours? If you repeat this information to a gentleman whom I can summon in one instant from the next room, you can be consigned to some place of safety without half an hour’s delay." 6 I wish to go back,” said the girl. "1 wish to go back, because — how can I tell such things to an innocent lady like you! — because among the men I have told you of, there is one the most desperate of them all that I can’t leave; no — not even to be saved from the life I am leading now.” c Your having interfered in this dear boy’s behalf before," said Rose; "your coming here at so great a risk to tell me what you have heard; your manner, which convinces me of the truth of what you say; your evident contrition, and sense of shame, all lead me to believe that you might yet be reclaimed. Oh!” said the earnest girl, folding her hands as the tears coursed down her face, " do not turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of one of your own sex; the first—the first, I do believe, who ever appealed to you in the voice of pity and compassion. Do hear my words, and let me save you yet for better things." 6 Lady,” cried the girl, sinking on her knees, “ dear, sweet, angel lady, you are the first that ever blessed me with such words as these, and if I had heard them years ago, they might have turned me from a life of sin and sorrow; but it is too late—it is too late." “It is never too late," said Rose, § for penitenee and atonement.” sc [t is, " cried the girl writhing in the agony of her mind; “I cannot leave him now —I could not be his death.” 6 Why should you be?" asked Rose. 6 Nothing could save him,” cried the He is the boldest, and has been so cruel." “Ts it possible,” cried Rose, “ that for such a inan as this you can resign every future hope, and the certainty of immediate rescue? It is madness.” “T don’t know what it is,’ answered the girl; “I only know that it is so, and not with me alone, but with hundreds of others as bad and as wretched as myself. I must go back. Whether it is God’s wrath for the wrong I have done, I do not know; but I am drawn back to him through every suffering and ill-usage, and should be I believe, if I knew that Í was to die by his hand at last.” “ What am I to do?” said Rose. “I rt from me thus.” * You should, lady, and I know you will,” rejoined the girl, rising. ‘ You will not stop my going because I have trusted in your goodness, and forced no promise from you as I might have done.” “Of what use, then, is the communica tion you have made?” said Rose. “ This mystery must be investigated, or how will its disclosure to me benefit Oliver, whom you are anxious to serve?" s You must have some kind gentleman about you that will hear it as a secret, po advise you what to do,” rejoined the girl. “ But where can I find you again when it is necessary ?’ asked Rose. “I do not seek to know where these dreadful! people live, but where you will be walking or passing at any settled period from this time ?” “Will you promise me that you will have my secret strictly kept, and come alone, or with the only other person that knows it, and that I shall not be watched or followed?" asked the girl. 6 [ promise you solemnly,” answered “Every Sunday night, from eleven until the clock strikes twelve," said the irl without hesitation, "I will walk on ndon Bridge, if I am alive.” “Stay another moment,” interposed Rose, as the girl moved hurriedly towards the door. “Think once again on your own condition, and the opportunity you have of escaping from it. You have a claim on me; not only as the voluntary bearer of this intelligence, but asa womatt lost almost beyond redemption. Will you return to this gang of robbers, and this man, when a word can save yout What fascination is it that can take you back,
