The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 129 nis chair. “You ought to be precious glad to see me again: but instead of that, you want to get rid of me for the sake of some trumpery folks who're conriug to swill tea and coffee and devour muffins. Well, I aban't force my company upon you much longer, as I see it’s disagreeable So, if you'll give me a drop of brandy, or anything short that you can lay your hand on at the moment, I'll take myself off” The reader can imagine the horrified feclings which bad raged within the bosom of the elegant milliner from the first moment of the ruffian’s en- trance,—the bare thought that all his detestable vul- garity and loathsome familiarity were exhibited in the hearing of the most polished gentleman in Europe, being quite sufficient to overwhelm and crush her. But, in addition to this, she entertained the appalling dread that he would give utterance to something which might reveal to the ears of the Prince a secret she would sooner die than have betrayed. It wae therefore with an indescribable sensation of 7 relief that she heard him inttmate his readiness te depart ;— and, springing from her chair with the lightness of a hoyden nymph, she took from a cup- board a silver liqueur-stand, containing crystal de- canters filled with spirits and cordials, and surrounded by beautifully cut glasses, “You haven't got a tumbler handy—have yon ?* inquired the Mageman, likewise rising from his seats “for I'm not accustomed to drink thimble-fulls at a time. The milliner produced a large hock-glass, which the fellow filled to the brim with brandy; and, raising it to his lips, he said, with a leering look at the lady, “Your health—or rayther, my love ta you, Fanny— and may you be in a better humour when I favour you with a call next time.” Mrs. Brace reseated hereelf—for a faintness came over her, as the man called her by her Christian name: but she shook off the oppressive sensation by the time he had finished his fiery dranght, which he comicloooks. conn