The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

248 THE COURT OF LONDON could not have failed, from the mere fact of the visit of such a woman as Elizabeth Marks, to draw inferences by no means favourable to her private character. ‘“ Well, this is a most extraordinary interruption to a wery pleasant little conversation which you and me, ma’am, was having together,” said the Bow Street officer, winking his eye with a half-amorous and half-malicious significancy at Mrs. Brace. | “Of what offence is this young woman accused?” de- manded the milliner, summoning to her aid all her mental courage and firmness. “It’s well knowed, ma’am,”’ replied the constable, still retaining his hold upon the prisoner, “‘ that she’s long been in connection with a desperate set of fellows; and there’s three or four things I can bring for’ard against her. But I don’t want to be too hard upon her, and so I shall only accuse her of having aided and abetted in the escape of one Joe Warren from Newgate — ”’ “He picks out that offence, ma’am,” interrupted the Gallows’ Widow, darting a look of mingled hatred and con- tempt upon the constable, ‘“‘ because there’s a reward of fifty guineas offered for the apprehension of the woman who in- timidated and overawed the household of old Shrubsole, the picture-dealer, on the night when Joseph Warren performed the feat that has made his name as famous as Jack Shep- pard’s. And that woman for whom fifty guineas are offered —”’ “Is yourself, Lizzy Marks,”’ exclaimed Grumley; ‘ and so you need not attempt to deny it.” ‘““On the contrary, I glory in it,” rejoined the Gallows’ Widow. ‘“ But take care of yourself, Mr. Grumley. It will prove in the long run an evil day for you when you began to make war upon the band to which I belong.”’ ** We shall see all about that, my dear,” observed the con- stable, in a tone of self-satisfaction. ‘‘ Come, now, let us be off.”’ , ‘Mrs. Brace,”’ exclaimed the Gallows’ Widow, ‘“ pay this fellow fifty guineas, and he will let me go.” ‘“‘ Not I, indeed! ” ejaculated Grumley. “Yes, but you will, though,” returned Elizabeth Marks. ‘Mrs. Brace, you know that I can speak out about certain things if I ike — ” (C(O) MG 6)(0)(0) (©