The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 144: what you’re looking at

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

AGAR TOWN | 127 outside to pay for all she had ordered, and then issuing forth, mounted her steed, which the pot-boy was holding. It was a splendid animal, of dark chestnut colour, with a proudly arching neck, and of Arabian fineness of limb. Lady Bess tossed the pot-boy half a crown, and then gently walked the noble animal, which she bestrode with the most perfect experience, over the rough, uneven road till’ she emerged from Agar Town, and entering Maiden Lane, galloped away in the direction of the country. In about a quarter of an hour after her departure, Tony Wilkins returned to the tap-room of the Billy Goat, and to the inquiring look which his friends, both male and female, flung upon him, he answered, “ It’s all right. I met the gen’leman in the cloak; he give the watchwords, and so I gived him the packet.”’ ‘“ What sort of a looking feller was he? ’’ asked one of the women. ‘ [’m blowed if I could see his face,” replied Tony. ‘‘ He took precious good care of that. But he was tall and dressed like a reg’lar gen’leman.”’ ‘’ Perhaps he’s Lady Bess’s lover?’’ suggested another of the women. “ Lover, indeed!’’ growled Chiffin, contemptuously. “I don’t think such a woman as Lady Bess knows what love is. She’s altogether above common things. In short, she’s a strange creature, and I’m hanged if I can half- understand her. Since first — ”’ The Cannibal’s observations were here interrupted by the opening of the tap-room door, and the entrance of a woman who was at once welcomed by all present and saluted by the name of Madge Somers. She was between forty and fifty years of age, had very harsh features, and dark hair turning gray. She wore an old cloak, the hood of which was drawn partly over her head, but not so much as to conceal a dingy white cap with great frills very much tumbled, as if she were wont to sleep in it at night as well as wear it in the daytime. “ Well, Madge, what’s brought you here just now?” asked Chiffin. ~ To speak to you,” was the response. ‘‘ Something has turned up to-day that promises a harvest, so I want you to help me to reap 1t.”’ CONNIE DOOKS (C(O)