The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

166 THE COURT OF LONDON Foster, the young lady who has the misfortune to stand before you.” “Her name is Rose Foster, then? ”’ observed the magis- trate, inquiringly. “That is her name, your worship,” responded the bar- rister; ‘‘ and I may add that she has been for some weeks in the service of Mrs. Brace, the well-known and highly respectable milliner of Pall Mall. This lady, who, by the way, enjoys the patronage of all the aristocracy, has entrusted me with the defence of Miss Foster; for Mrs. Brace is well assured that there must be some fearful mistake in the charge so far as it applies to the young lady whom your | worship will presently release from custody.” This address was delivered with the insinuating smile which gentlemen of the long robe so well know how to assume at times; and the magistrate nodded once or twice, as much as to say, “ Well, I dare say it will be so; but we shall see.”’ “IT should like to state, your worship,’’ observed Mr. Grumley, in his hoarse bassoon voice, ‘‘ that what Counsellor Sharply says is perfectly correct. I made inquiries down in Pall Mall just now, and Mrs. Brace assured me that a better young gal or one less likely to do wrong never broke bread. Mrs. Brace is a highly respectable lady, your worship, and will come for’ard if required to speak to the prisoner’s character.” “Very well, Mr. Grumley,” said the magistrate; ‘“ we shall see all about that presently. Now let us hear the charge.”’ The Honourable Arthur Eaton stood up and immediately responded to his name, which was called by the clerk. He deposed as follows: “It was about eight o’clock last evening that I proceeded to visit certain buildings which are in progress of construction near Barnsbury Park, on the northern outskirt of London. I was accompanied by my valet, William Dudley. The workmen had previously left, and we were alone, or fancied ourselves to be alone, on the premises. Dudley lighted a lantern, by the aid of which we inspected all that had been done to the edifice since the preceding night. There is a small courtyard in the centre, from which four passages branch off. We were walking along one of these passages, when I took the lantern from Dudley’s hand and paused a COMIClbOoOkS.