34 Oliver Twist - Read By Stephanie Poppins

"Oliver Twist," written by Charles Dickens in the 19th century, tells the story of an orphan boy and his adventures in London's slums. In this episode, there is a shock in the night that disrupts the fragile peace of the darkened city streets, propelling Oliver into unforeseen challenges and encounters.

In this episode, the world looks colourful for Oliver once more.

Transcript

Hello.

Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

Your go-to romantic podcast that guarantees you a calm and entertaining transition into a great night's sleep.

Come with me as we immerse ourselves in a romantic journey to a time long since forgotten.

But before we begin,

Let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.

Now close your eyes and feel yourself sink deeper into the support beneath you.

It is time to relax and fully let go.

There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.

Happy listening.

Chapter 34 contains some introductory particulars relative to a young gentleman who now arrives upon the scene and a new adventure which happened to Oliver.

Chapter 35 It was almost too much happiness to bear.

Rose would live.

Oliver felt stunned and stupefied by the unexpected intelligence.

He could not weep or speak or rest.

He had scarcely the power of understanding anything that had passed.

Until after a long ramble in the quiet evening air,

A burst of tears came to his relief and he seemed to awaken all at once to a full sense of the joyful change that had occurred and the almost insupportable load of anguish which had been taken from his breast.

The night was fast closing in when he returned homeward,

Laden with flowers which he had culled with peculiar care for the adornment of the sick chamber.

As he walked briskly across the road he heard behind him the noise of some vehicle approaching at a furious pace.

Looking around he saw it was galloping and the road was narrow so he stood leaning against a gate until it should have passed.

As it dashed on Oliver caught a glimpse of the man in a white nightcap whose face seemed familiar although his view was so brief he could not identify the person.

In another second or two the nightcap was thrust out of the chaise window and a stentorium voice bellowed to the driver to stop.

Here!

Cried a voice.

Oliver what's the news?

Miss Rose?

Master Oliver?

Is it you Giles?

Cried Oliver running up to the chaise door.

Giles popped out his nightcap again preparatory to making some reply when he was suddenly pulled back by a young gentleman who occupied the other corner of the chaise and who eagerly demanded what was the news.

In a word,

Cried the gentleman,

Better or worse?

Better,

Much better replied Oliver hastily.

Thank heaven,

Cried the gentleman,

You're sure?

Quite sir,

Replied Oliver.

The change took place only a few hours ago and Mr.

Lossman says all danger's at an end.

The gentleman then said not another word but opening the chaise door he leaped out and taking Oliver hurriedly by the arm led him aside.

You're quite certain there's no possibility of any mistake on your part my boy is there?

I would not for the world sir,

Replied Oliver.

Indeed you may believe Mr.

Lossman's word were that she would live to bless us all for many years to come.

I heard him say so.

The tears stood in Oliver's eyes as he recalled the scene which was the beginning of so much happiness and the gentleman turned his face away and remained silent for some minutes.

Oliver thought he heard himself more than once but he feared to interrupt him by any fresh remark for he could well guess what his feelings were and so he stood apart feigning to be occupied with his nose gay.

All this time Mr.

Giles with a white nightcap on had been sitting on the steps of the chaise supporting an elbow on each knee and wiping his eyes with a blue cotton pocket handkerchief dotted with white spots.

That the honest fellow had not been feigning emotion was abundantly demonstrated by the very red eyes with which he regarded the young gentleman when he turned round and addressed him.

I think you'd better go to my mother's in the chaise,

Giles,

He said.

I'd rather walk slowly on so as to gain a little time before I see her.

You can say that I'm coming.

I beg your pardon Mr.

Harry,

Said Giles giving a final polish to his ruffled countenance with the handkerchief,

But if you would leave the post boy to say that I should be very much obliged to you,

It wouldn't be proper for the maids to see me in this state,

Sir.

I should never have any more authority with them if they did.

Well,

Rejoined Harry Maily smiling,

You can do as you like.

Tell him to go on with the luggage if you wish and do your follow with us.

Only first exchange that nightcap for some more appropriate covering or we should be taken for madmen.

Mr.

Giles reminded of his unbecoming costume snatched off and pocketed his nightcap and substituted a hat of grave and sober shape which he took out of the chaise.

This done,

The post boy drove off.

Giles,

Mr.

Maily and Oliver followed at their leisure.

As they walked along,

Oliver glanced from time to time with much interest and curiosity at the newcomer.

He seemed about five and twenty years of age and was of middle height.

His countenance was frank and handsome and his demeanour easy and pre-possessing.

Notwithstanding the difference between youth and age,

He bore so strong a likeness to the old lady that Oliver would have had no difficulty in imagining their relationship if he had not already spoken of her as his mother.

Mrs.

Maily was anxiously waiting to receive her son when he reached the cottage.

The meeting did not take place without great emotion on both sides.

Mother,

Whispered the young man,

Why did you not write before?

I did,

Replied Mrs.

Maily,

But on reflection I determined to keep back the letter until I had heard Mr.

Lossburn's opinion.

But why,

Said the young man,

Why run the chance of that occurring which so nearly happened?

If Rose had,

I can't answer that word now,

If this illness had terminated differently,

How could you ever have forgiven yourself?

How could I ever have known happiness again?

If that had been the case,

Harry,

Said Mrs.

Maily,

I fear your happiness would have been effectually blighted and your arrival here a day sooner or a day later would have been of very,

Very little import.

The mental agony I've suffered during the last two days rings from me the avowal to you of a passion,

Which as you well know,

Mother,

Is not one of yesterday nor one I have lightly formed.

On Rose,

Sweet gentle girl,

My heart is set as firmly as ever heart of a man was set on a woman.

I have no thought,

No view,

No hope in life beyond her and Mother,

If you oppose me in this great stake,

You take my peace and happiness at your hands and cast them to the wind.

Think better of this and me and do not disregard the happiness of which you seem to think so little.

Harry,

Said Mrs.

Maily,

It's because I think so much of warm and sensitive hearts that I would spare them from being wounded,

But we've said enough and more than on this matter just now.

Let it rest with Rose then,

Interposed Harry,

You will not press these overstrained opinions of yours so far as to throw any obstacle in my way.

I will not,

Rejoined Mrs.

Maily,

But I would have you consider.

I have considered,

Was the impatient reply,

Mother,

I have considered years and years ever since I've been capable of serious reflection.

My feelings remain unchanged as they ever will and why should I suffer the pain of delay in giving them vent,

Which can be productive of no earthly good.

Before I leave this place,

Rose shall hear me.

She shall,

Said Mrs.

Maily.

There's nothing in your manner which would imply she will hear me coldly,

Said the young man.

Not coldly,

Rejoined the old lady,

Far from it.

She's formed no other attachment then?

No indeed,

Replied his mother.

You have,

Or I mistake,

Too strong a hold on her affections already.

But before you stake your all on this chance,

Before you suffer yourself to be carried to the highest point of hope,

Reflect for a few moments,

My dear child,

On Rose's history.

Consider what effect the knowledge of her doubtful birth may have on her decision.

Devoted as she is with all the intensity of her noble mind and with that perfect sacrifice of self which,

In all matters,

Great or trifling,

Has always been her characteristic.

What do you mean?

That I leave you to discover,

Replied Mrs.

Maily.

I must get back to her now.

God bless you,

Son.

I shall see you again tonight,

Said the young man eagerly.

Bye and bye,

Said the lady,

When I leave Rose.

You will tell her I'm here then?

Of course,

And say how anxious I've been and how much I've suffered and how I long to see her.

You will not refuse to do this?

No,

I'll tell her all.

Then pressing her son's hand,

Mrs.

Maily hastened from the room.

Reviews

I’m afraid I’ve jumbled up where I’m at, but it will all come together 🥰 thank you ✨🙏🏼✨