The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

PATRICIAN LADY AND PLEBEIAN GIRL 155 hurrying him to the grave, and he is plunged into Newgate for a crime which he was incapable of committing.” “Who says that? Who dares to prejudge — ” And Fernanda stopped short in the exclamation which mingled anger and excitement was wringing from her lips. “Who says so?” cried Miss Walters, with a stern and implacable expression of countenance. “I say it! Oh, I am quick — marvellously quick — in penetrating into the deepest mysteries, the moment that I obtain a key to the deciphering of them! And what is more, proud lady,” added Caroline with a withering bitterness of accent, “I know that you are capable of anything and everything.” “What mean you?” asked Fernanda, her presence of mind rapidly failing her, and yielding to agitation of emo- tions and confusion of manner. ‘““T mean, lady,’ continued Caroline Walters, in a tone that was solemn and sombre to a degree, so that Fernanda remained with the upheaved bosom of breathless suspense, and Lord Holderness stood still, motionless as a statue, and with every lineament of his pale countenance indicating a profound terror mingled with a poignant curiosity, “‘ I mean,”’ repeated the young woman whose ominous looks and voice had thus powerfully enthralled the attention of her patrician listeners, — ‘‘ I mean that some months ago, on a night of storm and of tempest, ay, a fearful night, and just fitted for the foul deed which rendered it more truly horrible than the profound darkness and the warring elements themselves could make it, — on that night, I say, a window was opened at the back of the house overlooking the Thames, and a new- born child was flung forth from the chamber where its mother lay, — yes, flung forth by the murderous hand of the mid- wife, to be engulfed in the rapid, dark, and turbid waters that rolled below.” | ! ‘‘ Hush, speak not so loud!’ murmured Lord Holderness, horrified at this tale which he now heard for the first time, but which he had no difficulty in associating with his wife. “Caroline, wherefore all these particulars? ’’ demanded Fernanda, repressing, as well as she was able, the cold shudder that she felt creeping over her form at this re- awakening of all the terrible memories connected with that night of horror. ‘‘ Besides, it is all mere assertion on your part,” she exclaimed, in a bolder and haughtier tone. é COLUM Doo cS (GO)