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.

358 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘‘T am,” was the response, and she affected to smile with the utmost affability. ‘“‘ Well, ma’am,” rejoined the man, “ and I am a detective officer.” A faint scream burst from the guilty woman’s lips, and she felt as if she were about to faint, for in that announcement there was something terrible to her ears and fraught with direst apprehension to her soul. “But do not alarm yourself,’ he almost immediately resumed, ‘“ for I come in quite a friendly manner.” Infinite was the relief produced by this second announce- ment, and Madame Angelique instantaneously began to overwhelm her visitor with attentions. She made him sit down at the table, she produced wine and other refreshments from the amply supplied sideboard, and her visitor appeared well inclined to do justice to them. “You are an amiable woman, Madame Angelique,” he said, having tossed off his second bumper, “ and I could not find it in my heart to hurt you. My name, ma’am, is Shad- bolt. Perhaps you may have heard it before? ”’ “‘T cannot say I recollect it,”” answered Madame Angelique. “* But do explain what brought you hither, — for I am still so agitated and excited — ” ‘“Calm yourself, ma’am,”’ interrupted Mr. Shadbolt; ‘you have no reason to be afraid. The truth is,” he con- tinued, making an inroad into a sponge cake by means of a silver knife, and then immediately applying the same in- strument to a melon, out of which he cut a huge slice, — ‘‘ the truth is, ma’am, certain information has been given to the police — ”’ “By whom?” asked Madame Angelique, eagerly, and she was trembling from head to foot. “Ah! that’s more than I can tell,’’ replied Shadbolt. ‘¢ All I know is that by some means or another an intimation was conveyed to the commissioners of police this very day that your establishment was of such and such a description, — of course, ma’am, I don’t like to make indelicate allusions. By goles, this sherry’s first-rate, and the port’s stunning! ” “‘The commissioners of police,” murmured the wretched Madame Angelique; “‘ what will become of me?” “ Nothing unpleasant, if you only listen to me,” answered Mr. Shadbolt. ‘It was lucky for you, ma’am, that I was CORnnICLOOOKS