The Mysteries of the Court of London, Vol. 5 — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. on Pw? alee eee Cee ee eee —e NS: A wate daar =a a Pa cot = neweecer ee Meco - Mrs. Chandos residing at the cottage 1 near r Totten. ham in the neighbourhood of London. Then he is sure to t&e the business before the mayor; and thiat is just ‘what I want.” “Come then, Elisabeth,” said Kate Marshall; and she forthwith conducted the. hercine toa well- furnished parlour on the sain¢ store as the bed. chamber where this culloquy took p Having seen thé hereine deposit herself with the il of an invalid upon the sofa, Kate sped down | “stairs and returned to the bar-paridtr. “ Well,” cried Mr. Marlow, with that nervous ex- citement ‘which wes habitual to him, “what have you done P” | “I very candidly informed . Mrs. Chandos,” re- turn@d Kate, “that g solicitor from London and = a police- officer belonging to thjs town had come to “inquire for a lady of. the same name-—and thg a a lady thus inquired for was represented to highway-woman.” “And wiwt did she say P” demanded Mr. Mar- low. “She looked indignant at first, wifen she thought that allusion was made to herself, ” continued Kate: “but when I assured her that no one had posi- tively charged her with bein the highway-woman thus alluded to, she ceased to be angry. Then, of her own agcord, sho at onca declared that so far as she herself was concerned she was a highly re- spectable lady, of independent means, and living on the outskirts of London somewhere near Totten- ham, I think she said—or Edmonton.” “Then, by heaven! it must be the same, after all!” cried Mr. Marlow. ton join each other-——But goon: what,else took place P” “Tho lady, with the utmost candour,” rejoined Kato, “fequests that you will walk up to her room and take the officer with you if you like.” “T shall most assuredly do so,” exclaimed the solicitor. ‘Now, Miss Marshall, be pleased to lead the way.” Kate accordingly retraced her steps up-stairs, closely followed by Mr. Marlow and the constable. On reaching the parlour, Kate opened the door; and the very first glimpse which the"keen-sighted attorney caught of Lady Bess, he cried, “It is the sarme—I know it is! Unless indeed she has.a sister as like herself aa one pea ig like another! Pray, ma’am,” he added, sdvancing towards Lady Bees, “have you a sister ?” “No—I have not, air,” she at once replied, rals- | . Tottenham and Edmon- | oll than that he saw before him tho femalo highway- man who had escaped from his clutches during thee past night. Therofore, without pausing to reflect any longer. upoh the astounding evidence he had heard in the bar-parlour to disprove this identity, be suddenly exclaimed, “ Well, I am decided! At | all risks I give this woman into custody.’” “Me, sir, into custody!” exclaimed Lady Boss, with an indignation that was admirably assumed: and her eyes flashed fire. upon the attorney. * Yoa—you,” he answered: then turning abruptly: round towards the officer, he said, “ Constable, do " Ma'am, you must comsider yourse}f in custocy, ” said the police official to Lady. Bess. “Oh, very well!” she exclaimed. this gentleman ja—if a gentleman he be—he shull amart for it. There is such a thing as an action for damages in this country.” ¢ “ We will not bandy words here,” said Mr. Mar- low. “I suppons the case can be heard at once be- fort tho Mayor.e You can bring your prisoner along with you; and I will inquire my way to the Towne | hall. We will go separately.” With theso words Mr. Marlow py on his hat and whisked out of the room. *° “Miss Marshall,” said Lady Bess, addressing Kato in the presence of the constable as if spoaking to a stranger and an inferior, “ fetch me my bonnet and shaw]; for I can assure you that I am in as great a hurry to have thif matter investigated as the indi- vidual who has just quitted the rvom can possibly be, 1} Kate accordingly repaired to fetch tho things which Lady Bess required; and when our heroino had put.on the pretty bonnet, and the new French shawl (never before worn) with which Kate like» wise supplied her, she looked eo auperbly hahdsome that the police-officcr could not help gazing upon her with admiration. 3 AB this is an affair, observed Kate, pretending to be very serious, “which, as my father says, to some little cxtent involves the respectability of his establishment, he and my mother, myself and sisters, are al? going to the Town-hall.” “ Very well, then—you can do as you like,” ex. claimed Lady Bess, affecting to be somewhat offended by the remark: “but I will proceed thither at oncé with the officer. . Of course,” she said, address- ing horself to. the congtable, “you do not wish to “Who over SE =e om — Se ee Ee ee id oe 7 eee eee eee ‘subject me to any ignominious etreatment: for I can assure you that this is all a mistake, and will | speedily be cleared up.” ing herself up to « sitting posture on ‘the eofa where she had previously been reclining. ‘ : The policeman. naturally though from yall he*had Mr. Marlo@ surveyed ‘heg for neaziy a minute | heard in the bar that % reajly was a thistako; and with tho most scrutinising eerncnions. He had he had been much surprised at Mr. Marlow do- secn her on many occasions riding a ¢ the neigh- | termining to give ‘the lady into charge. Besidea, bourhood of Edmonton and Tot in feniale | when ao bet looked at her he could not possibly fancy attire; and he had Bere ert her very for a morfent that a female with a-certain eloyant attentively indeed. on ight, during ; and fashionable air of distinction, could be nothing the few minutes he arid his; partner wore in her own ' more than a robber. Ho therefore assured the Indy elegantly furnished parlour at the cottage. Now, ‘that he did not wish to subject ber to the slightest thefefore, when he examined her from head to inconvenience, and that if she woud walk in front with the keenest scrutiny —cbeerved hem superb ' of him, he would keep at such a distance from her dark eyes—hor strongly-marked features, especially ' as to prevent the people in the streets from observ- the rich fullness of the lips—when he noted, fod, ing that she’ was in his custody. Therefore, ere the figure, and calculated what must be thesetature quitting the tavern, he gave her afew directions of this lady on whom he was how gasing, it was which tu to take sv as to redoh the Town- impossible he could come to any other conclusion ; hall. Thess little arrangements being made, Lady EEE ei: Re os —n- om = = LOAO© COLUM (CO)