The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMOROUS CONSTABLE 243 ley regarded her; and although she was well experienced in all the looks and glances which constitute an index to the strong, fiery, or libidinous passions of the soul, yet her pride would scarcely permit her to believe that the coarse, vulgar, ill-favoured, and sordidly apparelled police-constable could possibly aspire to any tender concession on her part. ‘“‘ Here is your money, Mr. Grumley,” she said, affecting a pleasant but patronizing smile. Then, the more firmly to impress upon his mind the fact that she regarded him as an inferior whom she was paying for his hireling services, she observed, ‘‘ You have really well earned the amount, and I have every reason to be satisfied with your conduct. I could not possibly have employed a better agent in the matter.”’ “T’m glad you’re satisfied, my dear creatur’,’’ returned the constable, squeezing her hand as he took the bank-notes which she gave him, and accompanying that evidence of his - admiration by a look of amorous grossness. Mrs. Brace drew back her hand rapidly, and assumed so severe an expression of countenance that Mr. Peter Grumley could not help observing that she was offended; but he only laughed, and then proceeded to count the bank-notes with a businesslike deliberation. ‘“ Right as a trivet,’’ he exclaimed, when this methodical task was accomplished; and, securing the money about his person, he fixed his eyes long and earnestly on the milliner’s countenance. ‘“ You’re a wery handsome woman, a wery handsome woman,” he repeated, ‘‘ and I don’t know when I’ve been so much excited by any lady’s personal appear- ance. In fact, I feel all over nohow, ma’am, and that’s God’s truth.” | ‘Mr. Grumley, I am surprised at you,” said the milliner, her cheeks becoming scarlet. ‘‘ But you cannot mean any- thing save a joke,” she exclaimed, instantaneously recover- ing her presence of mind and forcing herself to smile. ‘“‘ By goles! I never was less inclined to joke in all my life, my‘dear creatur’,”’ cried Mr. Grumley. ‘“‘ There seems to be a wery devil in my heart and hell-fire in my blood, prompting me to do anythink desperate, so as — ”’ ‘‘ What do you mean, sir? ” exclaimed the milliner, starting” from her seat in alarm; for the eyes of the constable appeared to devour her with their looks of burning lust. ‘“‘T mean, my dear beautiful creatur’,’’ said Grumley, also (Gr ®) ANC 6)(0)(©)