The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

THE INTRUDERS 23 ished the document? Are we to leave Miss Clarendon in his power? ”’ “Can you think of sich 4 a thing for a moment? ” asked Lizzy, in the same subdued tone as that in which the Big Beggarman’s daughter spoke. ‘‘ Has not Lord Florimel behaved in the handsomest manner toward us? Did he not give us five hundred pounds on account for the services we were to perform? And will he not reward us with a pro- portionate liberality when we tell him how we rescued Miss Pauline from the embraces of that wretched voluptuary? His lordship is out of town now; but he will doubtless return shortly — ”’ : ‘‘T am sure I don’t want to help the prince in any of his tricks,”’ interrupted Carrotty Poll. ‘“‘ Heis one of the people’s worst oppressors, and I hate him on that account. Besides, as you say, it is more to our interest to keep right with Lord Florimel.”’ ‘‘ And in addition to all that,” interposed the Kinchin- Grand, who listened attentively to the whispered dialogue of his female accomplices, ‘“‘ you know that Shickster Sal pleaded on behalf of that Miss Clarendon, who, she says, is a nice young lady and oughtn’t to be harmed. Sal has taken quite a fancy to Miss Clarendon; and we mustn’t do any- thing that will displease the Shickster after she’s behaved so well in all this here business.” ‘Then we'll just put a stopper on the prince’s proceed- ings,” said Carrotty Poll, ‘“‘ the moment we’ve got the document safe in our possession. And then we'll deal with those cursed Pages — ”’ ‘‘ And take an instalment of our vengeance,’’ added the Gallows’ Widow, with an ominous look, as much as to imply that a far deeper retaliation than any which they this night sought would be vented in the long run against the ex-bagman and his wife. | | ‘‘ Now, I have finished this paper,’’ suddenly exclaimed the Prince of Wales, who had several times, while engaged in writing, observed with uneasiness the low and earnest whispering that was going on amongst the three intruders. ‘“‘ Let us read it,’’ said the Gallows’ Widow; and taking up the paper, which was duly signed and sealed, she perused it with deliberation, the Kinchin-Grand reading it over her shoulder on one side and Carrotty Poll doing the same on the CONMUE 0)(6)6) cS (GO)