The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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a 302 nor was she reassured when, on glancing at the man’s countenance, she observed it was villanous- | looking in the extreme. The woman instantaneously perceived the effect thus produced upon the young lady, and hastened to exclaim, “My husband is a rough diamond, Miss— but he is a true one for all that. A more generous- hearted man never broke bread, I can assure you.” * And I wouldn’t injure a fly, Miss,” added the man, concealing behind his back the huge club which he held in one hand, and thrusting down with the other the butt-end of a pistol that peeped out of his pocket. “But Ill leave you to my missus, young lady—and she'll take as much care of you as if she was your own natural parent.” ~ Thus speaking, the man made a sort of bow, and hurried away. “Come, Miss—and I will take you to my lodging which isn’t very far off,” said the woman. “ My husband is a cattle-drover, you must know, and is going to drive some beasts to Smithfield Market presently. That’s why we are out so late—or rather so early in the morning. I was going with him: but now I shall have more pleasure in placing you in safety.” The woman spoke with such an air of candour, honesty, and sincerity that she succeeded in re- moving from Camilla’s mind the disagreeable im- pression which the sinister countenance, rough voicc, and coarse manners of her companion had made upon it: and the young lady, therefore, no Jonger hesitated to accompany her. But before they moved away from the spot, the woman took off her cloak and insisted that Camilla should wrap herself up in it; and as the garment had a hood to it, the maiden was thoroughly protected from the cold. This proof of kindness won Camilla’s entire con- fidence ; and away she sped with her new friend. * a % * a “ * + = & cd We must now return once more to the interior of Mrs. Brace’s house. It was nearly one o’clock—twenty minutes had elasped since the flight of Camilla and the de- parture of the Prince —and the milliner slept soundly, little dreaming what momentous incidents had taken place beneath her roof that night. A light burnt upon the toilette-table in her bed- chamber; and the embers of a fire were smoulder- ing in the grate. The curtains were drawn completely round the couch, whence came the slow and steady respiration of two persons: for, in plain truth, the milliner was sleeping in the arms of a lover. Who he was matters not at present. It was nearly one o’clock in the morning, we said —and a profound silence reigned throughout the establishment. But suddenly this solemn stillness was broken by some one stumbling on the stairs; and Mrs. Brace started up in alarm. Her companion slept on, un- disturbed by the sound—and she did not choose to awake him: for it struck her at the instant that the noisé which had aroused her must be caused by the Prince of Wales who, in spite of the injunction she had given him, was groping his way to her chamber, Such was Mrs. Brace’s impression. She listened as she sate up in the bed—and now, distinctly as she could count the beating of her THE MYSTERIES. palpitating heart, did she hear footsteps stealthily | approach the door. Convinced that it was his Royal Highness who | having no doubt failed in his attempt elsewhere, was resolved to share her couch,—and angry to think that she could not be allowed to enjoy her own amour in tranquillity and privacy,—Mrs. Brace got up—opened the door—and immediately found herself face to face with an individual who uncere-— moniously advanced into the chamber. | The light trom the toilette-table fell upon his countenance—anid, to her unspeakable horror, she recognised the Maysman, her husband! “ Well, my love, | come to see you at all hours, you observe,” he said, chucking her under the ehin. | * What in the name of heaven do you want now 2?” demanded the wretched woman, impetuously dash- ing down his hand with her own. “If it be money, | name thesum and the place whither it is to be sent. —but leave me this moment!” she added, frightened | almost to death lest her lover should awake. “Now, con’t be fiurried, my love,” said the Magsman, with the most provoking coolness : “ for you know very well that J am of rather an obstinate | disposition ; and therefore the more impatient you are to get rid of me, the longer will be my visit. But i don’t hesitate to set your mind at ease on one thing—which is that I’m not in any particular want of blunt at this moment.” “Then what do you require?” demanded Mrs. Brace, not daring to look towards the bed for fear the ruffian should suspect she had a companion there and should treat him with as little ceremony but in as extortionate a manner as he did the Prince of Wales on that evening when his Royal Highness was concealed behind the curtain in the miulliner’s parlour. “What do I require?” repeated Joe Warren: “why —it will take me a few minutes to de- scribe——” “Then why not come to-morrow evening—or write to me?” exclaimed Mrs, Brace, grasping at the hope that the suggestions would prove satis- factory and induce him to leave her. * You're a fool, Fanny,” returned the Magsman, laconically. ‘ How the devil do you suppose that I can go walking about London of an evening, after escaping out of Newgate and having no end of rewards offered for my apprehension? “No—no, old gal—that won’t do, I can tell you. The middle of the night is the time for me—until I get a free pardon.” “A free pardon!” ejaculated Mrs. Brace, who was standing all this while in her night-dress and shivering alike with cold and apprehension, “ You. cannot dream of such a thing! Who is to obtain | a free pardon for you 2” “Yourself, my dear,” responded the Magsman : | “and it was to consult you thereupon that I paid) you this visit to-night.” “ J obtain you a free pardon !—consult me !/” ex~ claimed the amazed and bewildered milliner; “you must either be mad or joking—and surely this is | not the hour to make a jest of people.” “ By Satan! it is no jest, I can tel! you!” ejacu- lated Warren. “Come, listen attentively for a few minutes, and our business can be soon settled. I’m sorry to keep you standing in the cold, my love,” added the fellow, with a leer: “but unless you like to return to your bed and admit me—— sss hese ce NOOKS: (OL (C(O) (C(O) AA)L|C