The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

THE NEGRESS 165 abhorrence, for that unprincipled and unscrupulous woman, and he resolved to communicate everything to Sir Egdar Beverley in the morning. He lay thus reflecting for perhaps a quarter of an hour, when he thought that he might just as wel) disapparel him- self completely (for he was only half-undressed) and retire to rest. This he accordingly did, but when he had entered the couch on which he had been previously lying, it was still some time ere slumber began to steal upon his eyes. He was just in that state when the senses are rocking them- selves, or, rather, sinking into the dreamy repose which is the last stage preceding the oblivion of profound slumber; his breathing was slow and regular, as if he already slept completely, so that any one might imagine he did really thus sleep. And now it was that he became aware of some sound which, though slight, brought him back in a moment to full wakefulness. He did not however move; he lay perfectly still, and listened. The handle of the door was evidently turning, and then there was the sound as if some one were endeavouring to push or pull it open. Christian’s first thought was that Mrs. Oxenden was trying the door, but he knew full well that she could not enter, for he had locked it, as already observed. But, ah! what sound was it which next met his ear? The key itself was turning in the lock, and this could not be effected by any one on the outside of the door, — the individual must be in the room itself. He started up; the extremity of the chamber where the door was situated was involved in almost complete obscurity; vet through the gloom he could distinguish some shape, — a human one. He had no superstitious terror; he sprang from the bed. There was a half-stifled cry, or rather shriek, from the lips of the person who was endeavouring to open the door; at the same moment Christian’s hands clutched her garments, for she was a female, and she fell upon her knees, beseeching his mercy. This woman was the negress. “ Silence,”’ ejaculated Christian. ‘‘ I will do you no harm. Remain quiet for a moment.”’ | | Locking the door again, he drew forth the key to prevent her escape until he had questioned her, and then he pro- ceeded to huddle on a portion of his clothing. “Now,” he said, “ will you tell me what you are doing ‘here?’? | : EOMINIGIOOKS (CO)