The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

284 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Now, what was that affair about a certain Isabella Vincent, who was carried off from a farmhouse somewhere in Kent, down to Ramsgate? ”’ ‘“ Heavens! what, is this known too?” cried the French- woman. “ Well, it was certainly done by agents of mine.” ‘Well, then, you see that it is known,’ proceeded Shad- bolt. ‘‘ And then there’s something else too. Ah! and now I know why you talk of a lady at Bayswater. Did you not have some young person — a Miss Ashton, I think — carried off from a villa down in that neighbourhood, and she was rescued by a young nobleman? ”’ ‘‘ All this is true!’ exclaimed Madame Angelique; and then in a musing manner she added, “‘ But if the Lady Indora gave the information about Christina Ashton, how could she possibly know all the other circumstances? ”’ ‘You may be quite satisfied,’’ answered Shadbolt, ‘‘ that this Indian lady of whom you are talking has nothing to do with the business, so it is no use running your head any longer against that post. I tell you that it all comes from Coleman the lawyer, who 1s acting for a rich client behind the scenes. Well, you see, ma’am, these circumstances I have been mentioning — and others that are known to the com- missioners — have made the matter serious enough. Your enemies are too powerful, and they will break up your estab- lishment for you if you don’t break it up for yourself. You say you are pretty warm; why not retire at once? Go to France.”’ Madame Angelique looked bewildered, and in the con- fusion of her thoughts she was led to confess that on account of certain incidents with regard to the decoying of young women from France, Belgium, and some of the German states, it would be very inconvenient, or even perilous, for her to set foot on the Continent at all. ‘“‘ Well, then, remain in England,’’ ejaculated Mr. Shad- bolt. ‘“‘ Now I will show you how the matter stands. There is to be a prosecution, if my report shows that there is evi- dence to support it. Of course the commissioners think that I come here only as a spy, and not to give you any private advice. They imagine that whatever I told them after my first visit here was only gleaned in the course of conversation, and not on account of any private understanding betwixt you and me. They believe they can rely upon me, and so EORMIClIOO KS (E(0) i a on a ee