The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 191: what you’re looking at

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

THE EXAMINATION 165 ness made her stagger back a pace or two; but recovering herself even before the rude hands of Grumley were stretched forth to sustain her, the maiden ascended with a firm step into the dock. And now the marks of sympathy which she had already received outside were renewed within; and several persons present were moved to tears at the contemplation of that sweetly interesting young creature, so mild and innocent in looks, so touchingly beautiful, and so modest in demean- our, accused of a crime totally incompatible with her seem- ingly gentle nature. Near the magistrate the Honourable Arthur Eaton was seated. A profound melancholy sat like a sombre shadow upon the countenance of the young man; and the moment that Rose Foster was conducted into the court, he fixed upon her a long, searching, penetrating look, as if to fathom the innermost recesses of her soul. Then, bewildered and baffled, not knowing how to believe her guilty, yet not daring to give his own convictions the lie by pronouncing her innocent, full of uncertainty and of grief, pained and anguished at the idea that so much turpitude was possibly concealed by an equally consummate hypocrisy, Arthur Eaton withdrew his eyes from the pale countenance on which dwelt all the serenity of conscious virtue. In a little box or pew on the right hand of the magistrate sat a barrister dressed in his wig and gown. He was a short, thin, pale-faced man, with hatchet features, compressed lips, and keen, searching eyes which went’ wandering rest- lessly about the court, but appeared to settle for an instant upon every countenance, one after another. This was Counsellor Sharply, one of the most noted Old Bailey bar- risters, and whom Mr. Grumley had lost no time in engaging the instant he had received the five hundred guineas from Mrs. Brace. Not that Mr. Grumley had any particular instructions to give Counsellor Sharply in the matter; but he had told the learned gentleman to watch the case nar- rowly,—a general hint that he was to throw as much discredit upon the prosecution as possible. And now the proceedings commenced by the magistrate inquiring the name of the prisoner. “Your worship,” said Counsellor Sharply, rising and bowing politely to the bench, “I appear for Miss Rose CORNUC OO WO)