The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

NEWGATE 159 and entering the carriage, drove home to Albemarle Street, rejoicing at the success of her interview with Dysart and the security of mind into which she had so completely but so artfully lulled him. In the course of the afternoon the governor visited the prisoner’s cell; and having inquired with all possible respect and courtesy after his health, he said, “I think, Mr. Dysart, that I shall not exceed the bounds of duty by dropping a hint that may serve to tranquillize your mind.” ‘You are very good, my dear sir,” exclaimed the prisoner. “ And this hint — ” “Ts to the effect that you need not apprehend a very severe carrying out of the law,’’ responded the governor, with a knowing look. ‘‘ The fact is, sir, I am a little in the confidence of certain persons high in authority — ” ‘Ah! I understand,” said Dysart, seeing in this mys- terious hint on the governor’s part the realization of the announcement made to him by his wife. ‘‘ It has been whispered to you that a reprieve and pardon may be con- fidently relied upon.” ‘‘Hush!”’ observed the governor, placing his finger to his lip in a meaning manner. ‘Say no more,” exclaimed Dysart, joyfully. ‘‘ I under- stand you, sir.”’ ‘But not a word to the turnkeys, not a word even to your friends,” said the governor; “ for this is of the nature of astate secret, Mr. Dysart, and if I have ventured to drop a hint, it is because I do not like to see you linger in suspense.” Thus speaking, the governor withdrew, and Mr. Paul Dysart sat down to his dinner as pleasantly and as com- fortably as if his pardon had already been proclaimed to the world. Meantime Lady Ernestina had returned home to Albe- marle Street, and she also enjoyed her dinner that day with as much zest as her husband experienced in Newgate. At about nine o’clock in the evening, Mr. Lawrence Sampson was announced, and the lady received him with her wonted affability. ‘‘ Sit down, Mr. Sampson,”’ she said, with a gracious stoop from the pedestal of her aristocratic hauteur, “and take a glass of wine. I have seen my poor husband to-day, and broke to his ears the matter which you mentioned to me Com | on | Go)(aVo) “S (CO)