The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 182: what you’re looking at

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THE MYSTERIES. Very hon: o—one Sunday vight, when the Prince of Wales was hid bebind the curtain " “tiusa!l” murmured Mrs. Brace, putting her fore-fingzer to her quivering Hp: “I do indeed perecive that you know all. Buton what charge has this unhappy man been arrested ?” “ Rather inquire, madam, upon what charge he has not teen arrested, ” said the Galiows’ Widow, emphatic. lly. “ There is no usein mincing matters with you. He is sure to be hanged if he don't escape —and I can'thelphim. In fact, I should be madea prisoner myself if I was seen by any of the ranners —and itwwas ina sort of desperation that I came to you now. Theseoloties, "she added, glancing down at her dress, “ are quite enough to betray me: but I don’t dare go near the place where! live to get a change, and I must wait till dusk before I can ven- ture to a shop where they sell sesond-hsnd things.” “I will give you a change presently,” said Mrs. Brace. ‘And now tell me what you wish me to do. But let me warn you beforehand that if you think or hope that the Prince can aid in this matter, you are very much mistaken.” **}] am not such a fool as to entertain such an ijea, ma'am” anewered the Gallows’ Widow. “ But you -an do something—aend I'll tell you what it is. Warren is sure to be committed to-day for trial at the Old Bailey. The sessions are now on—and tle magistrate won't throw any delays in the way of getting rid of a man who has sv long been a terror to the public, and who bas hitherto set the constables at defiance. This is the truth—and there’s no use in closing one’s eyes to it. -80 to Newgate will Warren be taken before night. But he must not stay there, ma’am, till his trial comes on: he must escape, or nothing can save him.” “And do you wish me to aid in that escape ?” asked the milliner, trembling from head to foot. +¢T do,” was the firm and emphatic reply ;— “and I will tell you how. But first let me cbserve that if you agree, I will find some means to oon- vey to Warren an intimation, in the course of to- day, that he has friends actively working for him —and that there is hope.” ‘* Proceed—and state your plans,” said Mra, Brace. The young woman unfolded her scheme: butas the details thoreof will transpire in due course, it is unnecessary to record them now. Suffice it to observe that after a long conversation the milliner consented to adopt the course proposed by the Gallows’ Widow ; and the latter, having changed her weeds for a dress which Mrs. Brace procured for her from Harriet, took her departure, well pleased with the result of this interview. - OHAPTER XLIX. A VISIT TO MRS. LINDLEY'S HOUSE, Wutz this scene was taking place at the dwelling of the handsone milliner in Pail Mall, the Honour- able Arthur Eaton, who had risen early that game morning, was repairing on foot towards Fore Street, Lambeth. The young gentleman felt so much better and etronger that he was now capable of walking some considerable distance ; the fresh frosty air did him good :—and there was a roseate hue upco his cheeks, until recently so wan—so thin—so pale | On reaching Fore Street, he had no difficulty in discovering the midwife's house. Its sombre and | query to be impertinent. 172 sinister aspect—the large wooden shades which projected over the windows—and the heavy cur- tains drawn inside all the casemente, were suffi- cient indications of that dreed establishment, the exterior of which he had not failed to observe on the night when he visited it in company with the Countess of Desborough. His summons at the front door was speedily an— swered by Mrs. Lindley, herself ;—and the old harridan started back in dismay the moment she recognised Arthur Eaton. But instantly recovering herself—for she was a woman of strong nerve and great presence of mind—she threw all the cour- tesy of which she was capable into her invitation to enter the parlour; and a few moments saw the young gentleman and the midwife alone together in that gloomy apartment. Mrs. Lindley placed a chair for the accommo- dation of her visitor ; and seating herself near the fire, she caressed her great cat, which put up its. arching back as it rubbed itself against her legs, purring all the time with a sound resembling the wooden works of a Dutch clock when being wound up. “T wish to speak to Miss Aylmer,” said Arthur Eaton, breaking a silence which seemed awful in that chamber of funereal gloom. “ Miss Aylmer left me yesterday, sir,” answered the midwife. “Left you yesterday!” exclaimed the young gentleman, inamazement. “ At what o'clock did she thus take her departure.” “At about five ia the evening,” was theresponse. “Bet her uncle and the Countess are unaware of this circumstance,” hastily observed Arthur : “for I was with them between eight and nine Jast night—and they knew not that Miss Aylmer even contemplated a removal for the next fortnight.” “It is nevertheless as I have told you, sir,” re- plied Mrs. Lindley. . “This is most extraordinary!” exclaimed Arthur. ‘“ Whither is she gone.” “Tam as ignorant as yourself on that head,” was the rejoinder. “Woman, you are deceiving me!” cried the young gentleman, in a stern tone. “You may esearch throughout my dwelling, ff you please,” said Mrs. Lindloy, with an air and manner of such confidence that Eaton saw she was. speaki. g the truth. “But this departure must have been sudden— precipitate ?” he remarked interrogatively. ‘‘ Somewhat so,” returned the midwife. ‘ The monotony of this place became intolerable to her— and, tinding herself strong enough, she wentaway.” “And yet it is not three weeks since she was confined,” exclaimed Arthur. “ There is something mysterious and even wrong in this step which she has taken,” he added, rathér in a musing tone to himself than addressing the midwife. “ That she should not have returned to the abode of her ex- cellent uncle and his generous-hearted Countess, I cannot understand. They learnt from me last night my intention to visit Miss Aylmer this moraing —— they were made acquainted with the object for which I desired an interview with Feruap “And that object?” said Mrs. Lindley, in o voice of anxious enquiry. * Does not regard yoa, madam,” responded Mr. hat sharply, as if he theught her Sto, ee eepet a x Bat | had a twotold mo- re = EP, ae ote Foal e Se See eee are ace ee COMNYC|OOO© SS