The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

EDGAR AND CHRISTIAN 141 Mrs. Oxenden rushed out first, a troop of men servants followed next, and from a side door three or four other male dependents rushed out, darting toward the road, and thus cutting off the progress of the fugitives. Beverley had caught up Laura in his arms, and was hastening with all his speed toward the post-chaise, when he was seized upon by some of the old baronet’s myrmidons. Laura fainted. To have loosened his hold upon her would have been to drop her upon the ground, but to retain her was to render himself powerless for defence. Supporting her, therefore, as well as he could on his left arm, he dealt such vigorous blows with his right as speedily to shake off his two foremost assailants; the mountebank ably assisted him, and the next instant Christian, whose ears had caught the disturbance, arrived upon the spot. Our young hero and the mountebank did all they possibly could to clear the way for Edgar’s passage towards the post-chaise; they valorously sought to bring all the brunt of the conflict upon themselves, but a violent blow with a stout stick grasped by a sturdy footman levelled Christian with the ground; the mountebank, per- ceiving that all was over, took to his heels and fled pre- cipitately; Beverley and Laura were made prisoners. “ Bring them all into the house,” vociferated Sir John, “and as a magistrate will I deal with these ruffians. Mrs. Oxenden, take charge of your sister.” These mandates were obeyed; the still insensible Laura was borne by Mrs. Oxenden and the negress (who in the meanwhile had come upon the spot) into the mansion, whither Edgar and Christian were likewise forcibly con- ducted. CORMMICLOO© <S (CO)