The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

6 THE COURT OF LONDON discovery of her husband’s guilt; and that in his rage the baronet forcibly expelled Ramsey from the house, killed his wife in a paroxysm of fury, and having set fire to the manor, doubtless for the purpose of concealing the deed of blood, immediately absconded.”’ “The man must be a perfect monster!” ejaculated the commercial traveller who was so well acquainted with Ayles- bury. ‘‘ I have often seen Mr. Ramsey at the bank: heisa handsome young man of some eight or nine and twenty, and very affable. At his father’s death he became head of the firm, and is universally beloved in the town and dis- trict.” ‘“T suppose there will be a reward offered for the appre- hension of the baronet? ’’ observed another of the bagmen. “Of course there will,’ responded Mr. Page; “ and a full description of his person will be published.”’ ‘““ Have you ever seen him? ”’ inquired the previous speaker. “Two or three times,’ answered Page. ‘“ He bears a re- markable likeness to the royal family; and people do say that when his Gracious Majesty was Prince of Wales and so mys- teriously connected with the beautiful Quakeress, Hannah Lightfoot — ” The remainder of the sentence was interrupted by the sudden entrance of the waiter laden with the dinner which Mr. Page had ordered; and as this worthy gentleman had been rendered almost ravenous by the sharp frosty air, he desisted from further observations in order to address him- self to the succulent steak, rich oyster sauce, and smoking potatoes which were now served up. The presence of the waiter reminded those bagmen who were to set out that evening of the necessity of calling for their bills without delay; and the conversation relative to the tragical occurrences near Aylesbury was accordingly inter- rupted by the bustie attendant upon settling scores, remun- erating waiters and chambermaids, putting on greatcoats and comforters, filling flasks with brandy, lighting cigars, shaking hands with those who remained behind, and all the usual ceremonies attendant upon departure. At length the room was cleared of two-thirds of the com- mercial travellers; and as some of those who had just re- turned from their journeys were compelled to retire to their chambers in order to prepare their accounts and papers for COMICOOOKS:.C©