The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 380: what you’re looking at

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

350 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘tis past nine o’clock, and the nursery-maid will soon make her appearance with Thurston’s child.” ‘You are sure that she walks regularly every morning in the park? ” said Melmoth, inquiringly. _ “ Have I not watched her for some days past? And have I not reported to you that she invariably comes out to give the infant an airing between nine and ten in the morning? ” exclaimed the boy. “True! ’”? observed Melmoth. ‘‘I hope she will not fail to-day. And now, James,” he continued, in a tone that was serious even to solemnity, “‘ you must understand well and thoroughly all I mean and purpose with regard to this child. On becoming possessed of it, you will bear it straight off to , the Kinchin-Ken, where you will give it to the girls to nurse; and you will become as it were its guardian, or its parent. That is to say, James, you will rear it in the midst of vice, profligacy, and debauchery, you will bring it up to be a thief from its infancy, and on no account will you divulge the secret of its parentage until it is at least ten or twelve years old, should it live till then. Rewards will be offered for its recovery, advertisements will be inserted in the news- papers, placards will be posted, and all possible means will no doubt be adopted by Thurston to recover his child. But remember all I have told you, and may my most withering curse alight upon your head if you disobey me! ” “Do not talk in this style, father,’’ exclaimed the youth, shuddering at Melmoth’s awful words and the vehemence with which they were delivered. ‘‘ I have already sworn to do your bidding in everything, and I shall not fail in this instance. Poor baby shall be avenged,’’ added the boy, with bitter emphasis. “Now you speak as my son, and I am proud of you, James,’’ said Melmoth. ‘‘ That cruel, cold-blooded, heartless surgeon did not hesitate to keep the poor babe’s body to anatomize or to figure in a bottle upon a shelf in his surgery. He doubtless thought that the poor had no feelings, and that he might do as he chose with the infant of the beggar-woman — who died upon the door-steps of a rich man’s dwelling. But he shall be taught that there is retribution for even such an outrage as this,” exclaimed Melmoth, with an expression of countenance that was now absolutely infernal. ‘ Do you hear me, boy? And do you understand me? ”’ EMMMIELOOOLKS (EC)