The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 285: what you’re looking at

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

A COMPROMISE 251 characteristic coolness. ‘‘ You cannot now accuse Mr. Grumley of protracting this unpleasant scene.”’ ‘“‘ Let us put an end to it at once,’”’ exclaimed Mrs. Brace, now speaking with the firmness of one who has suddenly taken a desperate resolution. ‘‘ Mr. Grumley, I agree to the conditions.”’ | ““ Capital! ’’ ejaculated the officer; and he released the hold which throughout this scene he had retained upon his captive. “| thank you, madam, for having purchased my freedom,” sald the Gallows’ Widow, but speaking in a tone of quiet and subdued satire instead of gratitude. ‘“‘ The business which brought me here to-night is of no great importance. I merely wanted a little money; but as you have so gen- erously undertaken to pay the fifty guineas to this cormorant constable, I shall not ask you for any more, especially as, in your anxiety to serve me, you have agreed to another con- dition which, I see full well, is by no means palatable. However,” added Elizabeth Marks, suffering the irony of her tone to become more apparent, “‘ when the fashionable, exquisite, and elegant milliner of Pall Mall contemptuously designated me as ‘ that woman,’ she did not foresee how fully and completely she herself was destined to be humil- iated in the presence of the very female whom she thus scorned, loathed, and despised. Farewell, madam, and may you pass a pleasant night.” With these words the Gallows’ Widow quitted the room, her low, chuckling laugh sounding with a species of sepulchral omen upon the ears of Mrs. Brace, who, already crushed and overwhelmed by the withering satire which had been lev- elled at her, sank half-fainting into the nearest chair. (C(O) ANC 6)(0)©)