The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 55: what you’re looking at

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40 Pali Mall, that she could introduce herself at all hours into her friend’s presence.” The milliner listened in dismay to this speech, which the constable delivered in a measured and significant tone: for it was as muok as to intimate that he—Peter Gramiey—had now indeed got Aer —the fashionable millizer — compicéely into his power. And Elizabeth Marka, whose natural keen- ness enabled her to perceive that some compromise was about to be suggested by the Bow Street Officer in her behalf, chuckled with that species of low, in- ward laugh which invariably sounded ominous and made the blood run cold, no matter on whose cars it fell. “Yea.” resomed Mr. Grumley, after a brief pause during which he watched with satisfaction the effect that his previous speech had produced upon the miliner,—“it would be unpleasant for the world to know that the Gallows’ Widow was on such intimate terms in Pall Mall; and the ma- gistrate might even think i¢ necessary to send for Mrs. Brace and demand explanations on that point.” “Enough —~ enough, Mr. Grumiey !” ejaculated the wretched milliner. ““ Name the conditions upon which you will suffer this woman to take her de- ure.” “And you will comply with ’°em?” demanded the officer, interrogatively. “She will not dare refuse,” said the Gallows’ Widow, in that quiet tone which actually imparted to the observation more weight and a deeper meaning than if it had been uttered with ejacala- tory excitement. “Speak, sir—be quick—and let us put an end to this scene,” said Mrs. Brace, trembling all ayer and speaking in a voice that was painfully agi- tated, despite the desperate efforts which she made to preserve her self- possession : which was darted upon her by either Grumley or the Gallows’ Widow, and every word which fell from their mouths, carried with a more poignant intensity to the soul of the miserable woman the harrowing conviction that she was utterly and totally j in the power of both. “ Madam,” observed Elizabeth Marks, again speaking in her quiet manner, “it is very evident from what Mr. Grumley bas said that he is dis. posed to assent to a compromise on my behalf— and therefure any delay which arises will be caused only by you.” “That's true enough,” exclaimed the Bow Street Officer. “ And now for the conditious that ] have to propose.” “Speak |” ejaculated Mrs. Brace, with a nervous irritability which showed how tensely her feelings were strung. “In the frat Place,” said Mr. Gramiey, “you will pay me, ma’am, the fifty guineas which I lose by letting this young ’ooman escape me ?” “Agreed !” exclaimed fhe milliner. next ?* “ And you will consent,” rejoined the constable, “to the little favour I was asking you just at the very moment when the servant came into the room to announce the Gallows’ Widow.” The lascivious twinkling of Grumley’s eyes and the blush of indignation and shame which all in a moment overspread the countenance of Mrs. B revealed to the keem perception and far-sighted & bat every look THE MYSTERIES. experience of Elizabeth Marke the nature of the favour to which allusion had just been made ;—and the expression of mingled satire, malicious giea, and subdued astonishment which appeared upon the woman’s pale features, struck the milliner im her turn, making her aware that the Gallows’ Widow had penetrated into the nature of the constable’s pretensions. “My God!” almost screamed forth the wretched milliner, her feelings now goaded to the verge of desperation: “ would that I were dead— dead !” And she repeated the word with a frightfal em- phasis. “Compose yourself, madam,” said Elizabeth Marks, with characteristic coolness. “You cannot now accuse Mr. Grumley of protracting this un- pleasant scene.” “‘ Let us put an end to it at once !” exclaimed Mrs. Brace, now speaking with the firmness of one who has suddenly taken a desperate resolution. “ Mr. Gramley, I agree to the conditions.” “ Capital!” ejaculated the officer: and he released the hold which throughout this scene he had retained upon his captive. “I thank you, madam, for having purchased my freedom,” said the Gallows’ Widow, but speaking in a tone of quiet and subdued satire instead of grati- tude. “The business which brought me here to-night is of no great importance. I merely wanted a little - money: but as you bave so generously undertaken to pay the fifty guineas to this cormorant constable, I shail not ask you for any more—especially as in your anxiety to serve me, you have agreed to another condition which, I see full well, is by no means palatable. However,” added Elizabeth Marks, suf- fering the irony of her tone to become more appa- rent,—“ when the fashionable, exquisite, and elegant milliner of Pall Mall contemptuously designated me as ‘that woman,’ she did not foresee how fully and conipletely she herself was destined to be humi- liated in the presence of the very female whom she thus scorned, loathed, and despised. Farewell, madam—and may you pass a pleasant night.” With these words the Gallows’ Widow quitted the room, her low chuckling laugh sounding with a species of sepulchral omen upon the ears of Mra Brace, who, already crushed and overwhelmed by the withering satire which had been levelled at her, sank half-fainting into the nearest chair. CHAPTER CXXXIV. THE GLASS OF LIQUEUR. TEN minutes had elapsed since the departure of the Gallows’ Widow; and a profound silence reigned throughcat the milliner’s establishment in Pall Mall The aoor of the parlour was now opened cautiously ; and Mrs. Brace came forth, holding a light in her hand, and followed by Peter Grumley. The countenance of the unhappy woman was of a ghastly pallor, which, as before stated, showed through the roseate tint which art had shed upon her cheeks : but in the settled frown stamped on her forehead—the corrugated brows—the fixed stare of the eyes—tbhe compressed lips—and the upheaved, motionless bosom,—there was evinced a sternness of race, | purpose which would have filled the constable’s mind with terrible misgivings bad not his brain become (CO (C DOO (CO