The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 253: what you’re looking at

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

CAROLINE WALTERS 223. as the clock struck one, — the hour which his worship had appointed to take the case, when all the night-charges were disposed of. Counsellor Sharply was seated in the little pew provided for the accommodation of counsel; and he bestowed a nod. of recognition upon Mr. Peter Grumley, as this official escorted Caroline Walters to the dock, the steps of which she mounted with a firmness of tread and of demeanour which produced different impressions on those present. For whereas in every assembly there is a majority of persons who are always inclined to look upon the dark and the evil side of human nature in preference to the bright and the good, so on this occasion did the larger portion of the audience immediately attribute Caroline’s manner to the hardihood of a guilt which strove to assume the brazen front of inno- cence; while the minority of the spectators, who after all were the more humane as well as the better experienced, shook their heads mysteriously and said to themselves, “That young creature is a victim, and not a criminal! ”’ Rapid but searching was the glance which the prisoner threw around the court to ascertain if there were any familiar faces there; and her looks settled upon the late Mrs. Lindley’s two servants, who were seated on a bench together with one of the constables that had taken Caroline into custody on the night of the murder. And now the examination commenced by the magistrate’s clerk inquiring the prisoner’s name, age, and profession. To these questions she responded in a firm but respectful tone; and Counsellor Sharply then intimated that he appeared on her behalf. Mr. Peter Grumley, who had the management of the case, now made a sign for one of the deceased midwife’s servants to enter the witness-box; and this female, having been sworn, deposed as follows: ‘“T have been for twelve years in the service of the late Mrs. Lindley. She was a midwife, and received young ladies who wished to retire into seclusion during the period of their confinement. Miss Walters, the prisoner, became an— inmate of the establishment in that manner, a few weeks ago. She was considered a young lady of very extraordinary disposition; and when she was confined, she manifested a - great malignity of feeling toward Mrs. Lindley. The surgeon COMmMiclsoo