The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

FINALE OF THE SYCAMORE EPISODE rf be looked upon as one of the genteel little frailties of which human natur’ is susceptible in this sublunary spear.”’ Having thus wound up his truly beautiful and highly edifying speech, — wherein by an ingenious implication he conveyed to the prisoner the precise charge for which he was captured, — Mr. Shadbolt took a pinch of snuff, and affected to be a long time in partaking of that refreshment, which was another piece of delicate consideration on his part, the purpose being to afford Mr. Sycamore leisure to compose his feelings. “Am I to go with you?” asked the wretched man, his countenance white as a sheet and his whole form trembling nervously. ‘“‘In course you be,” growled Mr. Withers, who seemed offended at the bare idea of the necessity for such a pro- ceeding being doubted. “Hold your tongue, Withers,’ said Mr. Shadbolt. ‘“ The fact is, my dear sir, we would cheerfully do without you if we could. It grieves us to disturb you at dinner, but it is impossible to dispense with your society, now that we have had the honour of forming your acquaintance. But no one need know anything about it. And look you here, sir,’’ he added, suddenly lowering his voice to a mysterious whisper, and drawing the prisoner partially aside, “just tip my friend Withers five guineas, and he’ll leave those handcuffs that he’s got with him all snug at the bottom of his coat pocket. Excuse me, too, for observing that I am not exactly above accepting the same little compliment for myself, as you might possibly suppose I am.” “ You will let me keep all I have about me — or all I may get? ’’ said Sycamore, who, now that the bitterness of his arrest was past, began to recover his self-possession. “ You shall experience just such treatment, sir,’’ answered Mr. Shadbolt, “‘ as we should show our own brother if he got into trouble and we was charged with the business.” Sycamore drew out his purse and handed five guineas to Mr. Withers, who was thereupon most graciously pleased to suffer his countenance to expand into a more amiable ex- pression than it had hitherto worn; while Mr. Shadbolt, on receiving a similar gratuity, proclaimed his conviction that Mr. Sycamore was a regular gentleman and should be treated as such. CORnNICLOOOKS (CO)