The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

SHE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. “ Yes—LI shall travel without stepping te Dover, where I hope to arrive at about three in the morn- ing. I can then exatch a few hours’ sleep, and sail by the packet-boat at ten oreleven. Let us sit down to dinner, then—for I am sure you must be in want of refreshment after se exeiting aad disagreeable a day.” “* Not disagreeable as to the result of the trial,” observed Lady Dysart, significantly, The unole and niece now repaired to the dining- room, where they continued their discourse as they partook of the repast, until a domestic announced that the travelling-carriage was in readiness. The Marquis then took an affectionate leave of his niece, in whose hands he placed a cheque for 4 sum of money to meet her wants during his ab- sence: and in a few minutes he was whirled as rapidly away as four post-horses and a lightly-con- structed vehicle could bear him. Ernestina remained alone in the dining-room, pondering upon the various circumstances which had occurred within the last few , and re- volving in her mind the plans and ote which they had been so fertile in suggesting. In this manner an hour slipped away—and the clock had struck nine, Yhen a footman entered to announce that a person wished to speak to her ladysisip upon &@ matter of some importance. “A person! Who is #?" she ejaculated, im- patiently. “A man, your ladyship : but he refuses to give his name or state his business.” “Perhaps it is the Marquis whom he wantse-——” “No, my lady: I told him that his lordship had jast left London, and he said it was to your lady- ship he wished to speak.” “Then show him in,” exclaimed Ernestina, won- dering who the individual could be. The domestic bowed and withdrew—but almost immediately returned, ushering in a man dressed in a ooarse style, with a great thick coat, a neckerchief drawn up to his mouth, and a broad- brimmed hat in his hand. The servant retired —the man advanced—and as the light fell upon his features, Ernestina instantaneously recognised the individual who had dug the grave for her para- moar! CHAPTER LX, UNPLEASANT VISITORS. A cotp chill fell upon the lady, as if her flesh had suddenly come im contact with the slimy coile of a serpent: and the celour fied from her cheeks. She ‘was struck as if with an omen of evil—for the ap- pearance of this man, whom she only knew by the name of Jones, and which name she believed to de an assumed one, was indeed but too well calculated of iteelf, apart from any repugnant associations con- — with him, to arouse a mortal terror in her son). “What do you want (—what do yeu reqnire?” she demanded, in a veice that was nearly suffocated by her emotions, * T just want to have a few words with your lady- ship—that’s all,” caid the man: and advancing to- wards the fire, he coolly and deliberately took a seat. Ernestina fell back tn the chais frem which she ew aa Orgy Ge , 215 had started on his entrance: but composing herself as well as she was able, ahe made a sign for him to continue, ; “Your hosbend, ma’am—I mean your ladyship's husband,” he resumed, endeavouring to give his hang-dog countenance an insinuating look, “ has get himself into a precious scrape—and if he don’t mind he'll be a croaker before ten days are over.” * But what do you want with me?” damanded Er- nestina, impatiently. “Vl explain myself all in good time,” he con- tinued. “If yon’re in a hurry, I’on not particularly so— and there’s the difference. Besides, you shouldn’t look se precious glum at an old acquaint- ance. I suppose you know it was me that got up the expedition that night when the Prince and the Marquis were taken to the Manor: and of course you know it was me that dug the grave at the Blackheath villa. Well, I was treated like a genel- man by your ladyship’s husband—he paid me hand- you?” demanded Ernestina, who had shuddered visibly when the wretch alluded to the digging of the grave. “Ah! 1 recollect,” exclaimed the man. “Mr Dysart told me when I was at Beechey Manor that you anly knew me by the name af Jones. Never- theless, my name is no more Jones than your lady- ebip’s is: and as there’sa no ase for any disguise or concealment that I cai see, I may as well explain to you at once that my proper name is Dag’el Cofin——”’ : “What! the Public Executioner!” oried the miserable lady, springing to her feet and gazing apen the man with horror depicted upen her countenance; than, as the account of the burglary at Mrs. Owen's, and which she had read in the acws- papers, flashed to ber mind, she instantaneous) andersteod the cireumstances in which Daniel Coffin had seught refuge at Beechey Manor with the psendonym of Jones. “ Don’t alarm yourself, ma’‘am,” said Coffia, with dimperturbable coolness: “I ain’t come to hang you. But pray sit down again—you see I make myself at home, because I want to speak to you on very particular business; and the more you won't hear me, the longer yan’ll keep me.” Struck by the trath of this remark, and anxious to get rid of her dreadful visitor as soon as possible, Ernestina reseated herself, and again made a hurried motion for him to continue. “Well, my jady,” resumed Coffin, “as I was observing just now, Mr. Dysart bas got into a precious hobble—and as the Recorder will make his repert at the beginning of next week, it will be all dickey with your husband ten days hence if ao be nethiag’s done in the meantime. Now, as Pve watched Old Bailey oases for some years past and am pretty familiar with ‘em, I can tell your ladyship that there’a no hope of a reprieve, much lees of pardon, seeing the jury didn’t recommend himto mercy. It’s clear, then—and there’s no use in deceiving oneself— that he'll be scragged on Monday week: and so, as I’ve a great respect for | him, 1 want to know what you'll give if I help him to escape ont of Newgate.” ‘ “Eacape!” oried Ernestioa, recoiling from the bare idea of a reault which would fatally frustrate all her plans. | COUMIC NOG) SS CO A