The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

THE NEGRESS 173 ‘“‘ Yes, sir, it certainly was not the truth,” answered the negress; ‘‘ but I am telling you all the truth now — ”’ “And you must convince me of it,’ rejoined our young hero. ‘‘ I will see this young lady. She shall be restored to freedom; she must be made acquainted with all that has taken place — ”’ ‘‘T have told her sir,’ interrupted the negress, “‘ that she has nothing more to fear, that Sir John Steward is dead, that a new baronet is in possession of the house, and I offered to do everything I could to see her to some place of safety, or to provide her with a post-chaise to take her home — ’’ ‘‘ And where does she live? And what is her name? Who is she? ’’ demanded Christian. ‘‘T know not, sir,’ replied the negress; ‘‘ she mistrusts me, she will not give me her confidence, she will tell me nothing — ”’ ‘And no wonder,” observed our hero. ‘“ But why take measures to effect her egress so secretly from the house? Why not, when Sir John Steward was smitten down by the hand of death, — why not, I ask, have at once given this poor persecuted young lady her liberty? ”’ “Ah! Mr. Ashton,” said the negress, ‘‘ do you not under- stand how embittered Sir Edgar Beverley and that lawyer are against me? And would they not have immediately sent me to prison as the accomplice of the late baronet in keeping this young lady in custody? So I thought I would at least get her quietly out of the house, and then, to tell you the truth, I might shift for myself. You see how candidly I am speaking — I hope you will take it all into account — ”’ “You have been a very wicked woman,” interrupted Christian, ‘“ but I do not hesitate to promise that you shall be suffered to depart with impunity, provided that no addi- tional circumstances transpire to stamp you with any deeper iniquity than that which you have confessed. But now let us conclude the business as speedily as possible. You have yet to explain your presence in this room — concealed here all in the dark — ”’ “ A few words will make you acquainted with everything, sir,’ resumed the negress. ‘‘ The secret entrance to the staircase leading to the prison chamber is in this room. I had just emerged thence at the moment when you burst in, and if your candle had not so suddenly gone out, you EOMINIGIOOKS (CO)