The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

THE SEQUEL 5 starvation, suffering the most torturing cramps in every limb through being retained in one fixed position, and when in your last agonies you implore Heaven to send some one to your succour and your prayer remains unheard, then think of the burning coals of torture which you have this night heaped upon the head of Ernestina Dysart.” | There was something awful in this foreshadowing of a terrific doom, something appalling to a degree in that avenging voice speaking through the utter darkness which enveloped the man, and speaking likewise such terrible things. The Hangman was struck with dismay. Were a light there, he would have been seen sitting aghast, his countenance turned in the direction whence Ernestina’s voice appeared to come. ‘“Miscreant that you are!” she resumed, “I could if I chose gloat my eyes with your dying agonies at once. I might procure a dagger or a knife, and thrust it deep down into that black heart of yours. But no, that would be putting you too quickly out of misery. I prefer to leave you to the endurance of all those slow tortures and lingering agonies which I have described, thirst that shall be maddening, hunger that shall make you frenzied and wild.”’ ‘Fiend, devil, demoness!’’ exclaimed Daniel Coffin, ‘“‘ your hatred and malignity make you insensate. How can all this happen in a house filled with people? Think you that I shall not be able to make myself heard? ”’ ‘“ Know you not,’ asked Ernestina, in a scornful tone, ‘“‘that these walls beat back every sound which strikes against them? Nothing can penetrate. Oh, scream, roar, yell, howl, and cry, give vent to all the fury of your rage in the voice of a hyena, or to your savage ferocity in the tones. of a tiger, but ’twill have no more effect than a child’s whisper in calling succour to your aid.” : “Think you, then, that I will not tear away this chair from the floor, or smash this mechanism which now holds me tight?’’ and as the Hangman thus spoke in a deep, hoarse tone, he strove with a tremendous effort to break the bonds of his captivity. “Ah! have you succeeded? ”’ said Ernestina, in a mock- ing tone. ‘‘ No, toss, writhe, struggle, rage, and convulse as you will, there must you remain. And now, good night for ever.” (C(O) nn) GDoOo <Si nin