Stranica 218 [218]
OCR
162 falling back in his chair, discharged from his features every expression but one of the most unmitigated wonder, and indulged in a prolonged and vacant stare ; then, as if ashamed of having betrayed so much emotion, he jerked himself, as it were by a convulsion, into his former attitude, and looking out straight before him emitted a long deep whistle, which seemed at last not to be discharged on empty air, but to die away in the inmost recesses of his stomach. Mr. Brownlow was no less surprised, although his astonishment was not expressed in the same eccentric manner. He drew his chair nearer to Miss Maylie’s, and said, . s Do me the favour, my dear young lady, to leave entirely out of the question that goodness and benevolence of which rou speak, and of which nobody else nows anything, and if you have it in your power to produce any evidence which will alter the unfavourable opinion I was once induced to entertain of that poor child, in Heaven’s name put me in ossession of it.” 6 A bad one—I’ll eat my head if he is not a bad one,” growled Mr. Grimwig, speaking by some ventriloquial power, without moving a muscle of his face. . 4 He is a child of a noble nature and a warm heart,” said Rose, colouring; “ and that Power which has thought fit to try him beyond his years has planted in his breast affections and feelings which would do honour to many who have numbered his days six times over," , 6. m only sixty-one,’ said Mr. Grimwig with the same rigid face, " and, as the devil’s in it if this Oliver is not twelve at least, I don’t see the application of that remark.” *“ Do not heed my friend, Miss Maylie," said Mr. Brownlow ; "he does not mean what he says." “Yes, he does,” growled Mr. Grimwig. ri No, he does not," exclaimed Mr. Brownlow, obviously rising in wrath as he spoke. growled Mr. Grimwig. ‘¢ He would deserve to have it knocked vit, if he does," said Mr. Brownlow, s And he’d uncommonly like to see any man offer to do it," responded Mr. sell knocking his stick upon the oor. tlemen severally took snuff, and afterwards shook hands, according to their invariable custom. ** Now, Miss Maylie," said Mr. Brownlow, "to return to the subject in which your humanity is so much interested. Will you let me know what intelligence you have of this poor child: allowing me to premise that I had exhausted every means in my power of discovering him, and that since I have been absent from this country, my first impression that he had imposed upon me, and been persuaded by his former associates to rob me, has been considerably shaken.” Rose, who had had time to collect her thoughts, at once related in a few natural words all that had befallen Oliver since he left Mr. Brownlow’s house, reserving Nancy’s information for that gentleman’s private ear, and concluding with the assurance that his only sorrow for some months past had been, that he had not been able to meet with his former benefactor and friend. “Thank God!” said the old gentleman ; “this is great happiness to me, great happiness. But you have not told me where he isnow, Miss Maylie. You must pardon my finding fault with you,—but why not have brought him?” ‘‘ He is waiting in a coach at the door,” replied Rose. “ At this door!” cried the old gentleman. With which he hurried out of the room, down the stairs, up the coach-steps, and into the coach without uttering another word. When the room-door closed behind him, Mr. Grimwig lifted up his head, and converting one of the hind legs of his chair into a pivot described three distinct circles with the assistance of his stick and the table; sitting in it all the time. After performing this evolution, he rose and limped as fast as he could up and down the room at least a dozen times, and then stopping suddenly before Rose, kissed her without the slightest. preface. “Hush!” he said, as the young lady rose in some alarm at this unusual proceeding, “don’t be afraid; I’m old enough to be your grandfather. You’re a sweet girl, and I like you. Here they are." In fact, as he threw himself at one dexterous dive into his former seat, Mr. Brownlow returned accompanied by Oliver, whom Mr. Grimwig received very
