The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

160 THE COURT OF LONDON questions or pay any regard to the ejaculations of wonder and curiosity that arose from the assembled frequenters of _ the coffee-house; but proceeding straight up to the bar, he © inquired which was the chamber of the young person alluded to in the preceding conversation. The barmaid had over- heard everything that had been said, and therefore had no difficulty in answering the query thus put; and in less than a minute the constable entered the room to which Caroline Walters had so recently repaired. She instantaneously saw that she was discovered. The ap- pearance of the man denoted his calling, and the unfortunate girl could not do otherwise than divine the object of this visit. For a few moments she trembled, turned very pale, and looked confused; but recovering her presence of mind, she boldly demanded his business. ‘This was at once ex- plained, precisely as she had foreseen; and Caroline affected to laugh at the idea that she was other than what she seemed, namely, a veritable midshipman. But Mr. Crawley was con- fident that he had made no mistake in the matter; and he insisted that she should proceed with him to Bow Street. Caroline was forced to comply; and as she passed through the coffee-room in the custody of the officer, the ardent curiosity of which she found herself the object brought a burning blush to her cheeks. That crimson glow and the downcast look which accompanied it confirmed the suspicion already entertained with regard to her real sex; and on arriving at the police office she was fain to confess the truth in order to avoid the ignominy of being stripped by the searchers. _ She was then placed at the bar, identified as Caroline Walters, and, after a brief examination, committed to New- gate to take her trial for the murder of Mrs. Lindley, the midwife. Gomichboo cS (E(@)