The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 41: what you’re looking at

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sand taking up the candle which she had ¢ with her, followed Page from the room. They ascended the flight of steps leading to the loft; and there the woman replaced the trap-door which she covered with the straw. Thence they retraced their way to the little parlour down stairs; and Page, having wished the Big Beggarman, his Jaughter, and the Gallows’ Widow good night, ssued in safety from the Beggar’s Staff. But scarcely had he proceeded ten yards up the street, when a man darted from the establishment -—crossed over the way—and, keeping in the black shade of the houses on that side, cautiously dogged she steps of the commercial traveller. This individual pursued his way, quite uncon- rocious of being thus watched, and wondering why - Mr. Gramley and his men had remained so quiet,— a cireumstans. which he did not however ‘masmuch as it had prevented a conflict wherein he aimself might have been either killed or seriously | the door. A middle-aged man, dressed in black, with a white neckcleth, and having the appearanve of a valet, or “gentleman's gentleman,” hastily alighted; and while he quietly traversed the litele garden and gave aloud knock at the door, the coach- aan took two or three small hampers out of the ve- e. The char-woman having answered the summons, the individual in black requested to speak to Miss Clarendon ; and he was accordingly shown into the front-pariour, where the sisters immediately joined him. “I have the honour to be in the service of Mr. Harley, ladies,” said the valet, with a low bow and speaking in a tone of deep respect. “My master has directed me to call in order to apologise for his abrupt departure the evening befere last, but the t, | cause of which he will satisfactorily explain when next: he Has the -:plsmure of sesing you. He has likewise made me the bearer of some game and injured. On reaching the corner of Horslydown, he @#0t-house fruit, whisihe hopes you will condescen. ’ turned into Pickled Herring Street, when some-ane,|0 accep; amil, lastly, ‘he has desired me to inti emerging from the very recess where he and ths Gallows’ Widow had concealed themselveson their way to the Beggar's Staff, said in a low and-hurried - |¢one, “Is that you, Mir. Page ?” “ Yea,” responded the commepcial tsuweller, ‘startled by the abruptness.of'the indiiient. “Then come here for a moment,” resumed tthe: another of us out taither endwf Hosilydown—and <9 we was-eure not:tp miss youwoméiiow. Grumley: mate that if you are likely to be perfectly dis- engaged tilis evening, ineqill do himself the honour of waiting upom you forzan hour, in order to give those sage the thing.caz:tt ‘He done tpanight, ‘oven if so-be | che Magsman ie titere—oause the qilaze is too full. Ale must ses gou:at the offes in Baw‘Street in the norning.” , “Thank’ee for your kindness,” responded Page. “I was indeed wondering why I didn’t hear or see y mything of you. Good night.” way But the whole‘of this colloquy was overheard by the spy set to dog Page's footsteps; and five cinutes afterwards every syllable was daly re- ported to those whom i concerned st the Beggar's 8 CHAPTER IX. wm. BARLDT, Ws mustnow retern to Paradite Vélina: Several hours had elapsed since the departure of fire. Mordaunt and Mrs, Sutith, with their demes- periour, when a hackney-coach drove up to to her sister. At about five o'clock Octavia proposed that they eee ae ee eee ee rere)