The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

158 THE COURT OF LONDON of Clerkenwell Prison called upon me to state that a young person had been taken thither last night on a charge of murdering a certain William Dudley, the valet of the Hon- ourable Mr. Eaton, who is the only son of Lord Marchmont. It appears that the crime took place in some unfinished buildings in the north of London; and Rose was captured while flying from the spot.” ‘‘ But it is impossible that she could have been guilty,” exclaimed the prince. ‘““T have already told your Royal Highness I do not believe that she is,’”’ answered Mrs. Brace. ‘“ To return, however, to what I was saying, the matron of the infirmary informed me that the young prisoner had given her name as Rose Foster, and had stated that she had been for some weeks in the employment of myself, but that she had quitted me suddenly for reasons which she should explain if neces- sary. The matron accordingly visited me to ascertain if those statements were correct. I not only assured her that they were, but likewise expressed my firm conviction of the innocence of the girl, to whom I sent a very kind message by the matron. And now your Royal Highness will please to tell me what is to be done in this most distressing case, for if Rose should explain to the magistrate the causes which drove her forth from my house, I am totally undone.” ‘What, in the name of Heaven, do you advise?” de- manded the prince, becoming more and more agitated every instant. ‘‘ For my part, I feel as if I were looking through a fog.” ‘‘ But in the midst of it there is a pit yawning to swallow us both up,” observed Mrs. Brace, in a tone so profoundly solemn that it caused the prince to tremble with a cold shudder from head to foot. At this moment there was a knock at the door, and his Royal Highness exclaimed, with petulant impatience, “Come in.”’ | Germain entered, bowed, and said, ‘‘ May it please your Royal Highness, a person wishes to see Mrs. Brace imme- diately upon very particular business.”’ ‘‘ Who is it? ”’ demanded the prince. ‘* A young lady who gives the name of Forrester, the response. “« Ah! one of my own girls,” ejaculated the milliner. ”? was (C(O) COnicooolks