The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 384: what you’re looking at

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

CARROTTY POLL’S RETURN 349 “ Well, Poll, what is the matter?” demanded the Beggarman, speaking with the hiccough and the thickness of ebriety. ‘‘ You seem out of sorts a bit. But tell us what you’ve done? ”’ ‘“ Nothing, nothing at all!’’ replied the young woman, who appeared as if she would have given worlds to have had some one to vent her diabolical ill-humour upon. ‘“ The thing has been a dead failure, and what’s more, the Magsman knows all about it.” “Then you must have been and told him, you slut!” exclaimed the ruffian, savagely. “ You’re a liar, father,’ shrieked Carrotty Poll, in the most thrilling intonation of her vixenish voice. ‘“‘ But it’s no wonder that you begin to abuse me, for you’re as drunk as a beast.”’ ‘Well — p’raps I am,” said the Beggarman, chuckling, for he was in that state when the very accusation of being intoxicated appeared a capital joke. “ But, come, we won’t quarrel, Poll,’ he added, more seriously. “ Tell us all that has happened. First, however, let me know whether the Magsman is much put out concerning this affair.’ ‘“ He didn’t seem to care very much about it; but he insisted that you would let Meagles and Lady Letitia go away in safety the moment I came back to give you this message,” observed Carrotty Poll; “for they are good people, and he knows very well that they won’t trouble themselves about you or your concerns.” “ By goles! they’ve gone of their own accord,” said the Beggarman. ‘“ Gone! — what — escaped? ”’ ejaculated his daughter, with unfeigned astonishment. “Yes, mizzled — bolted,” rejoined the villain; and he proceeded to relate the manner in which the prisoners had emancipated themselves, not forgetting to mention the chastisement inflicted upon him by the Amazon. “Ah! she’s a woman of spirit, a splendid creature! ”’ exclaimed Carrotty Poll, who was in such a bad humour with her father that she was rejoiced to hear of his mis- adventure. “ But do tell us all that has taken place in your affair,” again urged the Beggarman. ‘‘ How the devil came it to (C(O) anil Doo (CO)