The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 202: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. 185 nine feet high—ten in length—and about six in breadth. The vaulted ceiling —the stone pave- ment—the window double grated, and high up— the tremendous thickness of the wall, as shown by the depth of the loop-hole in which that small window was set—the oaken door which a nail four inches long could not completely perforate,—and the heavy irons which the Magsman wore,—all these appearances struck the milliner, as her glance rapidly embraced them, with the impossibility of any one, however strong and daring, effecting an escape from that living tomb |! Nevertheless, she resolved to accomplish the aim of her visit; and addressing herself to the prisoner as an excuse for advancing into the cell, she said, “I hope you will repent of your errors and confess your crimes, as the only atonement you can make to that society whose laws you have outraged.” “Well, maam,” responded the Magsman, who 24 fully comprehended her motive, aud therefore an- swered her in a respectful tone,—“ I take your ad- vice as it is meant—that is, in good part. But I should wish you to tell me what mercy I am likely to receive by making any confession at all.” Mrs. Brace proceeded to expatiate on the ne- cessity of the prisoner’s averting his thoughts and hopes from this world and fixing them all upon the next; and while she was thus playing the hypocrite for a particular purpose, Harriet, who had already been duly instructed by her mistress, was engaging the attention of Soper in the passage. She asked a thousand questions connected with the prison, and so ably succeeded in occupying him for several minutes, that the milliner easily found the wished- for opportunity of slipping a small parcel into the Magsman’s hand —continuing her religious exhor- tation until he had safely secured it about his own person. “Well, ma’am,” he observed at last, “I’ve lis- OONRANKA ateilo) SS COMM