The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

MADAME ANGELIQUE AGAIN 101 have come to my knowledge which fully justify the pro- ceeding instituted against you. You will find it more to your advantage to go quietly with this young gentleman and the men whom he has brought with him.” ‘Good heavens! what will become of me?’ moaned the wretched Frenchwoman, clasping her hands in anguish. “Oh, pray, have mercy upon me! Let me fly to France! I vow and declare that never again will I show myself in this country — ”’ “Your entreaties are vain,’ interrupted Sir Frederick, sternly, ‘‘and you have to choose between a quiet depar- ture with Mr. Ashton and a prompt arrest in the name of the laws which you have outraged. Which shall it be? Let your decision be quickly given.’ “Oh, what do they mean to do with me?” cried the miserable Frenchwoman, who naturally pictured to herself all kinds of horrors. “At present you can know nothing,’’ answered Sir Frederick, “‘ but I repeat the assurance that you have a better chance of escaping from the vengeance of the law by a docile surrender to present circumstances than by a vain and useless resistance.” ‘This young gentleman seems kind and good,” said the ex-milliner, “and I throw myself upon his mercy. Oh, sir,’ she cried, addressing herself to Christian, ‘‘ pray be forbearing toward a miserable defenceless female! I go with you, I go with you!” Madame Angelique however wrung her hands in anguish as she thus spoke, and she was so overpowered by her feel- ings that the two men were compelled to carry rather than lead her to the post-chaise. Christian conferred for a few moments longer with Sir Frederick Latham, and they then parted, — our young hero entering the chaise, and the merchant remounting his horse, the bridle of which he had hastily attached to a gate on first catching a glimpse of the attack made upon Madame Angelique. The post-chaise drove rapidly away, and Sir Frederick passed around to the front gate of the villa. There he rang the bell, and the parlour-maid quickly answered the sum- mons. ‘“ Do not be alarmed at what I am about to communicate,” — said the merchant, ‘“‘ but your mistress has been suddenly CoOnniclooolkks (S@)