The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 353: what you’re looking at

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

300 THE COURT OF LONDON prove a failure? And how was it that the Magsman heard anything about it? ”’ “ T’ll explain the whole business in a very few words,” said the young woman; “ and then I shall be off to bed — for I’m tired, and ill, and disgusted.” ‘“ And why the deuce are you sie ”” demanded her father, brutally. “Because you've managed the ne affair badly,’ replied Poll. “‘ But I’ll tell you what has happened. The Kinchin-Grand ferried me over to Execution Dock; and I told him to make his boat fast.and go somewhere in the neighbourhood to amuse himself, but to mind and go down to the wherry every hour to see if I was there waiting for him. Well, I went on to the Mariners’ Arms and played the tragedy heroine to perfection,’’ continued the young woman, getting into a better humour at the remembrance of her skill in enacting the part to which she alluded. ‘“ I inquired amidst a torrent of tears for my ‘ beloved husband,’ —taking very good care, however, to ascertain that he still continued speechless, before I went up into his room. And when I got there, | found to my annoyance that the officious landlady had provided a nurse to attend upon him. I threw myself upon him, and kissed him, I can assure you, with a very great deal of sincerity; for he is really an un- common handsome young man, and I don’t wonder at Lady Stamford’s taste. He was quite conscious, but unable to move or speak. However, I saw that he was amazed by my caresses, especially as, thanks to my disguise, he could not form the least notion who I was. At last he closed his eyes, as if to collect his ideas and ponder who I could be; and I seized that opportunity to tell the old nurse that he was touched in the brain and had not recog- nized me. But it struck me that the woman eyed me with suspicion; she seemed to have an idea that something was wrong, although she couldn’t perhaps tell what. Ramsey fell asleep, and we sat watching by his side. Several times I suggested that certain things should be done, in the hope of getting the old wretch to leave the room, if only for a moment; but she always found some excuse for sticking at her post. I could have strangled the crone outright,” added Poll, bitterly; ‘‘ but I was compelled to be civil to hei, and this put me into a still worse humour.” ECORNIECLOOOKS (EO) m