The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

228 REYNOLDS’ WORKS a few moments’ reflection. ‘“‘ That woman, Lady Christina, is none other than the wife of a man who gave evidence before the committee of peers, — I mean the convict Smed- ley.”’ Our heroine became paler than she was before on hearing this announcement, and she said, “‘ Oh, Captain Stanley, how can I sufficiently thank you for having delivered me from such a wretch? ” “Woman,” said the captain, again approaching Barbara, for she indeed it was, ‘‘ I know who you are. Heaven has decreed that the day of retribution should arrive at last.” ‘Fool, idiot that I was,’’ screamed forth the wretched creature, “‘ for uttering a word that could betray me! But as well die upon the gallows as perish by starvation! And yet,” she continued, now assuming a look and tone of appeal, ‘‘ you might show mercy upon me, young lady, for if I had not preserved those papers which contained the mystery of your earliest days, neither you nor your brother would perhaps have succeeded — ” ‘Silence!’ exclaimed Stanley, indignantly. ‘‘ Make no merit of what you did. For purposes of extortion did you keep those papers.” Two or three other labouring men, who were on the way to their work, now made their appearance upon the spot, and as the woman was evidently of the most desperate character, Captain Stanley considered that she could not have too strong an escort. He therefore ordered these men to conduct her to the village, and there consign her into the hands of a constable, so that a justice of the peace might take cognizance of the case in the course of the day. Bab Smedley poured forth a volley of the most terrible impreca- tions, and Captain Stanley, proffering Christina his arm, hurried the young lady off. This was the second time that he had rendered our heroine a most important service, and she renewed in suitable terms the expression of her gratitude. Was not this an opportunity of which an ad- mirer would take advantage? And Christina looked so eminently beautiful, with the flush of excitement now superseding the paleness of recent terror, that the young officer felt more enamoured of her if possible than ever. She had accepted his arm, but it was natural under the cir- cumstances that she should bestow this degree of confiding CONNICLIOOLKKS (E()