The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 400: what you’re looking at

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

THE FAIR STRANGER 369 replied, with a terrible imprecation. ‘‘ Do you know, Nell, this is a very serious business and may end cursed badly? Like infernal fools that we were, we once or twice let slip each other’s names; and so, what with knowing these, and being able to describe our precious faces, this swell cove, if he makes good his escape, will be able to give such informa- tion against us as shall make London too hot to hold us. Then, my eyes! won’t Larry indeed have something to be down upon us for! ”’ “ How provoking,” ejaculated Nell Gibson; “ and just at the time, too, that I was getting Larry Sampson into such a nice state of credulity that a few days more would entice him into the trap as safe and sure as possible! ”’ ‘Yes, it is deucedly provoking,” growled the Buttoner, and once more he went to the threshold and listened atten- tively. ‘‘ There’s not a sound, not even the waving of the trees,’ and again turning away from the door, he tossed off a bumper of brandy. ‘What must we do?” inquired Nell, appearing to be very uneasy, although in her heart she knew full well that the baronet would not be guilty of such black ingratitude as to give any information to the authorities calculated to compromise herself. ‘What must we do?’ echoed her paramour. “ Why, if our pals come back without the swell cove, we must get away from here as quick as ever we can. Who knows but what he may cut across to Greenwich and come back at once with a whole posse of constables? Or perhaps he may meet some travellers on the road — ”’ “ Ay, truly,” cried Nell, affecting to be very seriously alarmed. ‘“‘ Let us go away at once. There’s no use in staying here to be taken. Bencull and the others will know very well how to shift for themselves. Suppose we go down to the Jolly Wagoner, where Daniel Coffin and his party are.”’ “ Well, go up-stairs and put on your toggery,”’ interrupted the Buttoner, really beginning to think that it was high time to make themselves scarce. Nell Gibson accordingly tripped up to the room above; but scarcely had she adjusted her bonnet and thrown her flaunting scarf over her previously much exposed shoulders and bosom, when she heard the sound of voices below, and COUN a LOOKS (CO)