Mary Price; or, The Adventures of a Servant Girl — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

SC. IIT. ] MARY PRICE. 11 Nick. And what’s this dodge you speak of? Birt. Kidnapping. Old Mother Lee herself put me up to it. Every a’ternoon, one of Lord Harlesdon’s nursery maids comes here for a walk with his daughter, the Right Honourable Miss Clementina. So while old Mother Lee tells the servant’s - fortune, we cuts away like vinking with the Right Honourable Miss Clementina, for the sake of the reward that’s sartain to be offered. Nick. And do you suppose as how the young lady will go away quietly with the likes of us? Bitu. Lord bless your soft head! why, she’s quite a little kid—not able to speak a single word. but see; here comes old Mother Lee. Music.—Enter OLD MotTHer LEE, with cloak over her gipsy’s dress, L. MorTHer L. Well, here I am you see, true as the clock to my appointment—and just in time; for yonder comes Lord Harlesdon’s nursery maid, with the child, and by express appointment, for I promised to tell her fortune—so now to appear in my true character. (throws off cloak) You two will watch yonder behind the trees, and see how I manage. Away with you! Musie.—MoTHER LEE, BILL, and NIcK retire behind the trees, R. U. E.— Enter JEMIMA with the CHILD, L. JEMIMA. How very warm it is! Ill just sit down and have tr arest. (stts on bench or seat) It’s very near the time when the * old gipsy woman promised to meet me here, and tell me my fortune. Luckily this is a very lonely spot, so we are not so likely to be noticed. I hope she'll come. MotTuHEerR L. (8., advancing) Good morrow, pretty maid. . (JEMIMA starts) A charming day. You seel keep my promise: * and now at once to business. Cross my hand with silver, and I'll astonish you. JEMIMA. You will! Oh, mother, I am very much obliged - to you indeed. Motuer L. This sweet child, I can see with half an eye, is _ the little daughter of Lord Harlesdon. JEMIMA. The only one. Dear me, you’re as good as a witch. No offence, 1 hope—but pray don’t bewitch me. MoTuHEer L. You have much to hope, but nothing to fear fromme. But you must cross my hand with silver, before I open to your view the book of fate. JEMIMA. Well, now for it. There’s half a crown for you. MoruHeR L. “Tis well. What a pity it’s now broad day- light ;—were we surrounded by the shades of night, I could Co lOOOKS = a C©