The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

THE STRONG ROOM 97 This being done, Mrs. Webber opened the front door of the house and began screaming out, “‘ Murder! help!” with all her might and main. The alarm spread like wild-fire along the street, several persons rushed in, and as Lettice Rodney was startled back to life by the woman’s cries, she found herself the object of execration and abhorrence on the part of a dozen individuals surrounding her — she was accused of murder! No pen can describe the confusion, the horror, and the dismay which now prevailed in the miser’s house. The neighbours were flocking in, and the spectacle of the corpse, bent motionless over the table, with the weapon sticking in the back, produced a fearful sensation. “Murder!” cried Lettice, flinging around her wild and almost frenzied looks, ‘‘I commit murder! No, no, that abominable woman,” — pointing to Mrs. Webber — “‘ and the two villains who were with her —”’ “ Wretch!’’ exclaimed the housekeeper, “‘ you know that you killed the poor old gentleman because he found out that you were a cheat, and you fell into a fit when, alarmed by the noise, I came down and discovered the dreadful deed.” Lettice was overwhelmed with the accusation. She strove to speak, but she could not. A faintness came over her, and she would have again fallen, had she not been supported by the arms of two police constables who now took her into custody. In this piteous condition, bordering upon uncon- sciousness, she was borne away to the station-house, followed by a concourse of persons, all under the influence of dread horror at the deed which had been committed, as well as of amazement that one so young, so beautiful, and so genteel- looking should have committed such a stupendous crime. On reaching the station-house, Mrs. Webber preferred the _ charge, but was continuously interrupted by the passionate, frenzied, and vehement ejaculations of Lettice Rodney. The latter was searched, and the purse, containing the fifty pounds, was found upon her. This was proclaimed to be the old miser’s purse, not merely by Mrs. Webber, but by the butcher, the baker, the grocer, and other tradesmen, with whom the deceased had been accustomed to deal, and who were now present while the charge was being preferred. Asa matter of course, no one believed the unfortunate Lettice COMMING OOO) <S) (E() im