The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

CHRISTIAN AND ALEXIS 139 ‘‘ Ah? ever since that dreadful night,’”’ said Stanhope, in a voice that was tremulous with mingled fear and horror, “‘ I have entertained the most terrible suspicions in respect to a certain personage, — I mean the Duke of Marchmont. Tell me, is anything transpiring — ”’ ‘‘ Ask me no questions,”’ interrupted Christian, ‘‘ but pre- pare at once to accompany me from this. house to a place whither I shall take you. If you value your own safety, your compliance is the only means of ensuring it. Refuse, and you know the alternative.”’ Christian walked to the window. It was an improvised and aimless movement at the instant, but as he glanced through the panes, he beheld a police constable slowly passing on the opposite side of the street. ‘‘ Refuse, Mr. Stanhope,” he exclaimed, ‘‘ and the presence of that officer makes you aware of the alternative to which you will have to submit.”’ Stanhope mechanically started from his chair, and likewise glancing from the window, beheld the officer opposite. It naturally struck him that Christian had purposely ensured the man’s attendance there, and with a ghastly countenance, he said, in a hoarse voice, — ‘“‘ Spare me, I entreat you! Bid me do what you will, and I obey blindfold.” “J, at least,’’ answered Christian, impressively, ‘‘ am in- capable of ordering you to accomplish a crime. Great have your misdeeds been, and if you would avoid their conse- quences, you will now come with me. Your absence from London may last some days; if there be any one to whom you wish to convey an intimation to this effect, write a note at once, and it shall be duly delivered.”’ Stanhope, availing himself of this permission, penned a few lines to Marion, and at the same time Christian sat down at the table and wrote to Marion’s sister, Amy. When the two letters were sealed, he rang for one of the servants, and bade the girl take them immediately to the post. ‘“ Now come with me,” he said to Wilson Stanhope. ‘“‘ We will proceed by railway to the nearest point of our ultimate destination, and beware how you attempt to escape, for at the first evidence of such an intention, I will mercilessly give you into custody.” ‘You have nothing to apprehend on that score,” replied CORnNIECLOOOKS (©)