The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

THH TOKENS 43 been for hours and hours alone with me in this room, during the intervals between the doctor’s visits, and not once have you spoken a single cheering word, nor thrown aside your chill reserve; far less have you given any indication of anxiety or willingness to obtain my confidence.”’ ‘Because,’ rejoined the nurse, “‘ nothing transpired in your favour outside these walls until to-day.” ‘‘ And what has happened at length, then? ’’ asked Jocelyn, every nerve and fibre thrilling with uncertainty and suspense. ‘When I went out an hour ago, to procure some jelly for you at the pastry-cook’s,’”’ said the old nurse, “ I was accosted by a gentleman who asked me if I belonged to the prefecture, as he saw me issue forth from the building with a small market-basket hanging to my arm. I answered in the affirmative; and pulling a handful of gold out of his pocket as a sign that he was able and willing to recompense, he besought me to give him a few minutes’ private conversation. I told him to follow me to the pastry-cook’s; and on arriving there, we went into an inner room, where we sat down to discourse. The gentleman — who, by the bye, I should have said is an Englishman, although he speaks French as well as you do, sir — put twenty pieces of gold into my hand and asked me if I would accept the sum as an earnest of what he was disposed to give if I could and would serve him. To convince you, sir, that I am telling the truth,’’ added the nurse, “‘ here are the twenty pieces that he gave me, — all in guineas, as I think you call them in your language,”’ and she displayed the coin as she spoke. “ Well, I certainly see that you have twenty good golden guineas,’ said Jocelyn, his heart beating high with hope notwithstanding his endeavour to put a bridle upon his credulity. ‘“‘ Pray proceed.”’ “The English gentleman, after a great many questions,”’ continued the nurse, ‘‘ evidently for the purpose of testing my good faith, came to the point at length by asking me whether I knew any prisoner of your name.”’ “What name? ” asked our hero. “ Jocelyn Loftus,’’ returned the old nurse, ‘‘ for although I know, sir, that it is not your right name, yet I am not aware what your right one really is. The Englishman, however, of whom I am speaking, mentioned you by the name which you bear here; and in reply to his question I told him not . * econniclooolks (C(O)