The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

MOTHER BAMBRIDGE’S ESTABLISHMENT 237 dith and Stanley penetrated the manceuvre promptly and clearly enough, but affecting to become more and more influenced by the effects of liquor, they played their game so admirably as to prevent the slightest misgiving from enter- ing the minds of the two girls. The name of Barney had been unmistakably pronounced, and as it was not altogether a common one, and was precisely the familiar appellation by which the principal object of their search was known, — moreover, as it was in some such low neighbourhood as this that they had hoped and expected to fall in with him, and likewise as Mother Bambridge’s look of warning signifi- cancy must be taken into account,— they were morally certain that the individual alluded to was he whom they sought. But there were evidently a number of desperate characters about, succour would be promptly at hand, the utmost caution must be used, and thus they could not instantaneously adopt any measure toward accomplishing his capture. Sudden violence on their part might fail, and therefore they must wait yet a little while and trust to circumstances. But we must observe that all the time Mother Bambridge was absent, Stanley listened at- - tentively to catch the sounds of her footsteps, though he appeared to drink as if being intent on nothing of the sort. The girls dropped several hints about retiring, but it by no means suited the two gentlemen’s views to be separated, and moreover they had an excellent excuse for remaining where they were, at least for the present, by reminding their frail companions that a fresh supply of wine had been sent for. In a few moments Mrs. Bambridge reappeared, and almost immediately afterward the woman servant entered with two fresh bottles of wine. These were opened, and one of the girls officiously filled the two gentlemen’s glasses; but the latter perceived that it was from the first supply, which was not completely exhausted, that the other glasses were replenished. They therefore at once comprehended that the wine last brought in was drugged. “ You do not drink?” said one of the girls, in a cajoling manner to Stanley. “T am already tipsy enough,” was the response, given in a hiccupping manner. “Oh, no! do try one more glass.” CORNICLOO CS) (C) mM