The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

CAROLINE WALTERS 127 house, and you know it. To all intents and purposes, then, am I a prisoner here; and now I demand my release! ”’ “It was to consult with you, my dear Carry, upon your future plans and prospects,” said Mrs. Brace, “ that I came hither this evening. Pray do not excite yourself in this fear- ful manner. All that has been done was for your good, and the little restraint of which you complain — ”’ ““ Well, well, take your own view of the affair, madam,” interrupted Caroline, sullenly; ‘‘ only be quick and order Mrs. Lindley to give me my clothes and my money, and within a very few minutes I shall cease to be a charge to. either of you any longer.” “Then you will compel me to speak severely,” said the milliner, her cheeks now flushing with indignation. ‘ The fact is, Caroline Walters, that I stand in the light of a parent, toward you.” ‘Yes, a parent indeed! ” observed the girl, with a deep, rancorous, malignant bitterness of tone and a ferocious wild- ness of look. “ You prostituted me for gold — ”’ ‘‘ Silence!” exclaimed Mrs. Brace, rising from her seat, all quivering with rage. ‘Hush! I command, I implore you!” murmured the midwife. ‘‘ The very walls have ears — ” ‘‘ Pardon me for speaking too loudly, my good friend,” said Mrs. Brace; ‘‘ but we shall close this interview in a moment. Miss Walters,’’ she continued, turning toward the young girl, “you may vent your spite, your rage, your hatred upon me to your heart’s content; but I have a duty to perform toward you, and that duty shall be accomplished. Ungrateful young woman that you are, you now endeavour to lay your own frailty and immodesty at my door; and you dare to impugn my character — ”’ “Character, forsooth! ” exclaimed Caroline, with an irony alike of tone and manner, the keenness whereof made the brazen-faced woman wince visibly. ‘ Oh, who dares speak of character now? Look at your eutablishment, madam, a nest of refined, elegant, and smooth-spoken prostitutes. Look at yourself, madam, a religious, churchgoing, alms- giving procuress.”’ “ Wretch, I will tear your very eyes out! ’”’ screamed Mrs. Brace, her cheeks becoming purple and the veins on her forehead swelling as if they were ready to burst; for the (€(O) Anyi