The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 213: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVII THE CELL Ir happened that at the time Barney the Burker was standing at the dock at Bow Street, the Duke of Marchmont was visiting Covent Garden Market, in order to purchase a handsome present of fruits and flowers for Mrs. Oxenden, whom it was vitally important that he should conciliate by every means which suggested themselves, either by sub- stantial bounties or by agreeable little attentions. While he was engaged in making those purchases, the rumour reached his ears that the notorious Burker had been arrested in a Jewish garb, and was then under examination at Bow Street. For an instant a cold terror seized upon the Duke of Marchmont, but the next moment he reflected that the prisoner would not scarcely for his own sake, and at least not in this early stage of the proceedings, confess to other crimes than that with which he was charged, for the same person who mentioned in the fruiterer’s shop the circum- stance of the Burker’s capture, added that the magistrate was merely seeking to establish his identity in order to transfer him to Liverpool. The Duke, having paid for his purchases, and intimated to what address they were to be sent, issued from the market. He dismissed his carriage, which was waiting for him, and wandered for some little while about the adjacent streets, reflecting upon the course which it were expedient for him to pursue, for he felt how necessary it was that he should render the villain some kind of assistance if possible. At length his mind was made up, and he looked about him for a shop where articles of ironmongery were sold. He speedily found one, and entering it, made a variety of purchases, amounting to the value of several pounds. He ordered them to be sent 190 ECORNIClOOKS (E(0)