The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

THE 31YSTERYES OF ‘TIRE COURT. HANNAN LIGHTFOOT. I had been brought up in it from my in-(| “ Well, naam,” said the Kinchin-Grand, tha fancy? But I will be bold—I will bo adventurous at all risks and at any hazards: for there is some- thing like a presentiment which prompts me to play the eaves-dropper this night.” And having thus hastily mused within himself, Rao opened the door so noiselessly that it emitted not even a sound which he could hear: and, stealthily traversing the passage, he approached the door of the apartment which he believed Mrs. Brace to have entered. But we must now leave the sable page outside that room, while we narrate what is passing within it The Kinchin-Grand, Carrotty Poll, and the Gallows’ Widow were really the persons whom Mrs. Brace had introduced thither: and we shall now behold her standing all ghastly and trembling in their presence—for she not only knew that they eame for the purposes of extortion, but also that her very life was in their hands, 92 moment she returned to the apartment after ar. ranging with Rao that he was to wait for her in the parlour,—“ you see that these women here in- sisted on my keeping ’em company; and as I was rayther anxious to have a special introduction to a lady of your’ fashion and quality, I wasn’t sorry to have sich an epportunity of paying my respects to you.” y “What do you require or me?” asked Mrs. Brace, in a hollow tone, as she bent her troubled looks first upon Elizabeth Marks and then upon Carrotty Poll, without taking any notice of their male companion. “TI suppose, maam, that you can understand the nature of our business,” said the Big Beggarman’s, daughter. “ We are not accustomed to make calls of ceremony and leave our cards at gentlemen’s or ladies’ houses: but whenever and wherever we de pay visits, it is for a partieular purpose.” OO