The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

THE RESULT 223 their evidence would be wanting. Of course Mr. Hood and the assistant were very much surprised to hear of their patient being in custody on such a serious charge, and they felt assured it must be'some extraordinary mistake. Lady Bess was compelled to enter the dock, the accusation being one of felony against her. But she sat down there with an aspect of calm dignity and of placid confidence, in which, however, there was not the slightest tinge of bravado nor unseemly hardihood. ‘The Marshalls and the medical men placed themselves on a bench reserved for witnesses, while Mr. Marlow entered the witness-box. The proceedings then commenced by the prosecutor being sworn. He stated that his name was Sidney Marlow, that he was a solicitor carrying on business in Parliament Street, Westminster, and that his private abode was at Edmonton, also in the county of Middlesex. He then proceeded to de- scribe the circumstances of the attempted robbery, just as they are already known to the reader, not omitting the details of Lady Bess’s escape from the cottage, that is to say, so far as he was acquainted with them. At this stage of the proceedings the mayor, addressing Lady Bess, said, ‘‘ The present is so very serious a charge - that perhaps you would like to have the case remanded in order that you may procure the assistance of counsel? ”’ and as he spoke he could not help gazing upon the prisoner in astonishment blended with compassionate interest, for he naturally felt both surprised and grieved that a female of such a prepossessing appearance should have placed her- self in what seemed to be a most threatening dilemma. “I thank your worship for this kind suggestion on your part,’ answered Lady Bess, “‘ but I think that after your worship has heard a statement which the landlord of the Admiral’s Head can make, and which all his family can corroborate, you will perceive that I shall have no need for any legal advice.’’ “Then let Mr. Marshall stand forward,’’ said the mayor. The landlord of the Admiral’s Head, with the blunt, honest look that was characteristic of him, and which was calculated to deceive the Evil One himself, stood up and-was sworn. , “ Now, Mr. Marshall,” said Lady Bess, ‘‘ will you have the CONnNIEDOOKS (C(O)