The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 74: what you’re looking at

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

THE TREACHEROUS HINDU WOMAN of occurred so far as the sudden attack upon herself was con- cerned. The condition in which she was found by the female servant corroborated her tale, and Christina, now convinced that the swoon was no simulated one, regretted the reproaches she had addressed to the poor woman. The nurse admitted having left Sagoonah alone for about ten minutes, and thus the manner in which the apparel might have been procured seemed to be fully explained. That the ayah had been practising some stupendous hypocrisy was also apparent, for that she could have so suddenly regained her senses and adopted such energetic proceedings without deliberation and forethought was not to be sup- posed. Mark, on his return from his ineffectual pursuit, was despatched by Christina with the intelligence to Queen Indora at Isabella Vincent’s mansion, and her Majesty returned in all haste to the villa. Thence she despatched a note to Mr. Redcliffe at his lodgings in Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. Let us now return to Sagoonah, whom we left at the moment she -was accosting the first police officer whom she encountered after her flight from the villa. ‘You are a constable,’’ she said, “‘ and it is your duty, I believe, to assist the law and further the cause of justice? ”’ The officer replied in the affirmative, but he was not a little astonished at the mode in which he was thus addressed, especially as through the blue gauze he caught a glimpse of a countenance which, though with a dusky complexion, was nevertheless of extraordinary beauty. ‘“T have some information to give respecting a great offender,’’ proceeded Sagoonah; “‘ but I have learned and read enough of your English customs to be aware that I must address myself to a seaaitanenie Will you conduct me to one?” For a moment the suspicion flitted through the officer’s brain that it was rather to a lunatic asylum than into the presence of a magistrate that the ayah ought to be con- ducted, but still there was more sufficiently collected in her speech to stagger him. ‘‘ What is this information that you have to give?” he inquired. ““T will only tell it to a functionary competent to act upon it,’’ was Sagoonah’s response, ‘“‘ and therefore if you COnnNICLOOOKS (S©)