The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

EXCITEMENT AND TERRORS OF GUILT 2838 he’s bolted, that’s all,’’ ejaculated the man, a sudden idea striking him. “ And now that I think well upon the subject, I dessay he has cut and run, not on’y through fear of the consekvences of letting that young gal escape last night, but also to cheat me out of my reglars in respect to the five hundred guineas which he received from you.” ‘T should not at all wonder if you have hit upon the real truth at last,’’ observed Mrs. Brace, scarcely able to restrain her joy at the false scent upon which the official under- strapper had got. ‘‘ Indeed, Mr. Grumley hinted to me last night that he was afraid it would prove the dearest five hundred guineas he ever fingered in all his life.” ‘““ Ah! if he said that, ma’am,’’ exclaimed Mobbs, “‘ there isn’t no longer any doubt upon the subjeck. He’s bolted, clear enough, and I’m left behind to bear the brunt.” ‘“‘ Well, as you were his associate in a matter which more or less interested myself,’’ said Mrs. Brace, “‘ I cannot suffer you to go altogether unrewarded; and I therefore beg your acceptance of these fifty guineas.” The eyes of Mobbs sparkled with delight as the milliner counted down the gold upon the table; and as he took up the shining pieces and weighed them in his rough, horny hand, he expressed his thanks over and over again. “Of course,’’ said Mrs. Brace, as he was about to quit the room, “my name will not be mentioned, under any circumstances, no matter what may transpire.” ‘Trust me for that, ma’am,”’ rejoined Mobbs; and he then took his departure. Mrs. Brace now breathed far more freely than she had done for many hours; and thus the visit of Mobbs, which had at first assumed so ominous an aspect and struck such terror into her soul, proved the source of an incalculable relief to her apprehensions. She saw that Grumley’s dis- appearance would everywhere receive the natural inter- pretation of a flight to avoid the consequences of letting a prisoner escape; and this conviction inspired her with a sense of security which nerved her to look calmly and deliberately at the embarrassment wherein she was placed with regard to the dead body. | The deeper she pondered upon the matter, the more imperiously necessary did it seem to admit some one to her confidence; and she finally resolved, as the night approached, (C(O) MG