The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

ALEXIS OLIVER 125 power over the Duke of Marchmont, it is this that has en- abled you to plunge into all possible extravagances at his expense, and you have hushed the scruples of your conscience on account of the gold which he has lavished upon you. Now, madam, you may judge to what extent I might be enabled to compromise you by any revelations made from my lips; you can no longer remain insensible of my power to compel you to follow my directions in all things, or else, madam, to give you into the hands of justice as an accessory after the fact in the crime which the Duke of Marchmont instigated against the Eastern lady.”’ “But tell me, sir, tell me, I entreat,’”’ exclaimed Mrs. Oxenden, “‘ how acquired you the knowledge of all these things? ” ‘‘ Providence, madam,’’ answered the lawyer, solemnly, ‘* often suffers the web of crime to be woven throughout long years, and to be shrouded in the deepest mystery. But in the end that same Providence, by its own certain though inscrutable workings, causes the circumstances of the crimes themselves to become the source and the means of their own betrayal; and thus it is in the present instance. Now, madam, I have said enough — I have even said more than [ had intended when first entering into your presence, and it is for you to decide which course you will adopt. I leave not this house without you. I have ordered a post-chaise to be here at eleven o’clock. It now wants a quarter to that hour,’ continued Mr. Coleman, consulting his watch, ‘‘ and in one capacity or another will you presently take your seat in that chaise. It will either be as a prisoner, in the charge of a constable, to repair to Bow Street, or it will be as a witness to appear at that tribunal of which I have spoken.” “ Then I will go with you in the latter capacity,’’ replied Mrs. Oxenden. “Good, madam,” rejoined Mr. Coleman. ‘‘ Make your preparations; I await you here.”’ Mrs. Oxenden left the room and repaired to her bed- chamber, to which she summoned her maid that a few neces- saries might be packed up for the contemplated journey. Though sufficiently ill at ease in her own mind, she neverthe- less now assumed a certain outward calmness of demeanour, and she told her domestic that the visitor was a legal gentle- man who had called relative to some property which had been GOMIIGDOG SS) (S©)