The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

16 THE COURT OF LONDON character,’ observed Sampson. ‘‘ However, with all that we have now nothing to do; and if the report of the medical men be such as to bear out her ladyship’s statement respect- ing your father’s death, I shall at once tell her that she may consider herself at large again. Hitherto all the circum- stances of our investigation corroborate her tale. There is the bath, evidently convenient enough for a surprised lover to conceal himself in; and if we only fancy the lid closely pressed down, with boxes heaped upon it, it is not astonishing that suffocation should have ensued. Then, too, there is the ladder of silken cords, exhumed with the de- ceased, and serving as additional testimony to corroborate Lady Ernestina’s statements.” In this manner did the Bow Street officer and Sir Valentine Malvern continue to discourse while walking to and fro in the garden. Presently one of the medical men was seen advancing from the villa, and Lady Ernestina, on per- ceiving him, at once concluded that the examination was over. She accordingly issued from the arbour and pro- ceeded to join the group. Her countenance was still deadly pale and bore the traces of much internal struggling and overwrought feeling, as well as great physical depression, but at the same time her demeanour was collected and firm as if she had no fear for the result of the surgical scrutiny. The medical man had joined Sir Valentine Malvern and Larry Sampson before Ernestina came up with them, but when he observed that she was advancing, he waited until she was present, so that she might listen to the report he had to make. He then declared in a solemn manner that from the examination which himself and his professional companion had made in respect to the deceased, there was not the slightest ground for questioning the truth of Lady Ernestina’s story. “In that case,” said the officer, at once addressing himself to Ernestina, “ your ladyship need not consider that I assert any further claim to your presence here.’ “ Your ladyship,” Sir Valentine Malvern hastened to add, ““ may take the hackney-coach and return at once to London. I and the others must remain here for a short time in order to adopt measures for the removal of my deceased father’s remains in as private a manner as possible from the neigh- bourhood.”’ CORRICLOOO (Cl)