The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

THE NEGRESS 167 of our language, and an employment which was only too well calculated to enlarge your experiences. Come, speak frankly; the season for artifice and disguise has gone by; you will do yourself no good by attempting to deceive me.”’ As Christian thus spoke he strained his eyes hard to study the countenance of the negress in the gloom of that part of the chamber where they stood, but he could not distinguish any of her features except her eyes. She remained silent, but he could judge that her feelings were those of uneasiness, in- asmuch as she fidgeted nervously. His former suspicions were strengthened; indeed they amounted to the conviction that the woman had not truthfully explained the cause of her presence in the house. ‘““ Now,” he said, ‘‘ understand me if you can or will,” and he spoke with stern decision. ‘‘ You are here for no good purpose, and if you do not give me the most satisfactory explanation, I shall take measures to detain you for the rest of the night, and to-morrow you will be handed over to the care of a constable. Do you comprehend me? ”’ “Yes. Pray let me go, sir,” said the woman, in a voice of entreaty. ‘“Ah! now I am more than ever convinced that you are full of treachery and deceit,’’ exclaimed Christian, ‘“‘ and you must speak out. Again will I endeavour to make myself properly understood by you. Deal with me frankly, and as much mercy shall be shown you as can be displayed under such circumstances as may transpire from the revelations you are about to make, but if on the other hand you persist in refusing explanations, then be not astonished if you find yourself severely treated.” This speech was followed by a silence of nearly a minute, during which the negress was evidently deliberating with herself what course she should adopt. At length she said, hesitatingly and timidly, ‘‘ What if I was to tell you a secret, — avery great secret, Mr. Ashton? ”’ ‘‘ Rest assured that it will be all the better for you,” re- sponded our hero. ‘‘ Come, let me put a leading question or two. Mrs. Oxenden knows of your secret presence in the house? ”’ ‘““ No, sir; on my soul she does not,”’ answered the negress, emphatically. | , | ‘She does not?” said Christian. ‘‘ Then why are you CORnnICLOOOKS (CO)