The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

138 REYNOLDS’ WORKS geround for apprehension. Proceed! proceed!’ he instan- taneously added, thus addressing himself to Beverley; ‘‘ you must leave me to take charge of this woman until — ”’ But having spoken this last word significantly, he stopped suddenly short, and Beverley hastened away with the mountebank, the last-mentioned individual carrying the ladder over his shoulder. Christian had seen at a single mental glance that as it was absolutely necessary to keep the negress there as a prisoner until Laura’s flight should be ensured, he himself was the most proper person to hold her in such custody. Edgar Beverley’s presence in the rescue of his beloved was of course absolutely necessary, and Chris- tian felt that the mountebank might not possibly be quite so firm or strenuous as he himself would be in holding the negress fast. “She may hold out promises of heavier bribes from Sir John than Edgar can give,” thought our hero to himself, “and the juggler might be tempted. The guardianship of this woman for the present shall consequently be my own care.” So soon as Beverley and the mountebank had hastened away from the spot, Christian said to the negress, ‘‘ I have already assured you that no harm will befall you if you remain silent and motionless on the spot where you now stand. But I charge you not to trust too much to my for- bearance, for I should be little inclined to stand upon punctilious terms with one who has been instrumental in keeping an innocent young lady in an odious captivity.” The horrible black woman was completely overawed by Christian’s words and manner, which he purposely rendered fierce and threatening, and she continued quiet. In the meantime Edgar Beverley and the mountebank had advanced toward the mansion, and the former had no difficulty in at once discovering which was the chamber occupied by his beloved Laura. Indeed, at the very moment that he and his assistant arrived in front of the dwelling, a light appeared in that particular room. Edgar’s heart beat quickly; his ear could catch its pulsations as he and the mountebank paused in front of Verner House to assure themselves that no one else was lurking about outside. The night was very dark, but perfectly mild, and no sus- picious sound reached them, nor could their eyes, straining ECORNIClIOOKS (E(0)