The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 245: what you’re looking at

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

218 REYNOLDS’ WORKS had now desisted from pulling at the bell, “‘ and he will not dare deny it. Butif he did, of what use? Look at his coun- tenance now, — Murder’s very name is written in blood upon it!” The domestics fell shudderingly back a pace or two, for there was something fearful indeed in the thought of being in the presence of the wretch who had committed so terrible a crime. It was the same sensation as if they had suddenly found themselves approaching near a huge coiled-up reptile, to touch the slimy folds of which would have been to send a strong tremor quivering throughout their entire forms. And no pen can describe the mingled horror and anguish, the wild, internal agony that was fast asserting its empire over the previous influence of consternation and dismay, that now held possession of the murderer. ‘“‘ Had you no idea,” proceeded Slater, — who, cool though he naturally were, and calm as he had at first been when taking up his quarters in that room, was now considerably excited, — “‘ had you no idea that the slumbers of such a wretch as you could not possibly be tranquil, and that you yourself ought to have mistrusted them lest they should prove the very season and means of leading you into circum- stances proper for your detection? Would you believe it? ”’ cried the solicitor, glancing around upon those present, “‘ he came stealthily up to the bed, just as he no doubt advanced when about to accomplish his horrible deed — ”’ ‘And as he advanced thither last night,’’ interjected Adolphus, mechanically, at the same time shuddering at the reminiscence itself, as well as at all the associations which it conjured up in his mind. ‘“‘ Ah, last night? ’’ muttered Makepeace, catching at the young earl’s words, and thereby recalled, as it were, to a sense of all the recent past as well as of the frightful present; and then he all in a moment comprehended how it was that measures had been so promptly taken to turn the tables against him. ‘What did he say?”’ exclaimed Mr. Slater, who did not catch the murderer’s words. Then, without waiting for any one to give him a response, and still labouring under a strong excitement, from the effect of the scene which had Just occurred, and which he was now about to describe, he went on to say, ‘‘ Yes, he stole up to the bed, he felt about as if CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)