The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRISONER IN THE DOCK 73 “Mr. Coleman,” asked the magistrate, ‘‘ do you desire to put any questions to this witness? ”’ ‘None, sir,” was the reply. ‘“‘ She best knows the reason that has led her to the perpetration of this black deed of treachery, and she may be left to the punishment of her own conscience.”’ These last words seemed to strike the ayah most forcibly, for she gave a convulsive start, she gasped as if about to say something, and then staggering back from the witness- box, she sank upon the seat a little way in the rear. ‘‘ Prisoner,” said the magistrate, ‘ have you anything to allege wherefore you should not be committed for trial? ”’ ‘‘T have promised,’’ replied Lord Clandon, firmly, ‘‘ to leave myself in the hands of my legal adviser.’’ Mr. Coleman thereupon rose, and addressed the magistrate in the following manner: “Sir, I am perfectly well aware that you have no alter- native but to commit for trial the nobleman who stands before you. But I have already stated that I wish public opinion to be suspended until a better opportunity shall serve for the complete investigation of this unfortunate and intricate affair. Rest assured, sir, that if my client shall reiterate in another place that declaration of innocence which I now make for him here, it is with a fervid reliance upon the justice of that Heaven which may unravel those intri- cacies that human hands, if unassisted, cannot possibly dis- entangle. On the present occasion, sir, no more will be said on behalf of the prisoner.’’ The magistrate then formally decreed the committal of Lord Clandon for trial, and the prisoner walked forth with a firm step to the cab which was to convey him to Newgate. Meanwhile Sagoonah had glided away from the court, availing herself of an opportunity when Lord Clandon was again whispering a few words in the ear of the faithful Mark relative to the manner in which he was to break to Queen Indora the intelligence of his calamity. We must now return to the Duke of Marehmont, whom we left at the moment he issued from the lawyer’s office, leaving Armytage behind. The nobleman had not in the first instance arrived there in his carriage; he had been on ~ horseback to see Madame Angelique, and from her villa he had ridden over straight to Bedford Row, his groom holding ‘ GomiilGaooks (C©)