The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 354: what you’re looking at

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

CARROTTY POLL’S RETURN 301 “Devilish provoking!’’ exclaimed the Beggarman. “ But gO on.” ‘Well, several hours passed in this annoying way,” continued Poll; ‘“‘ and at last Ramsey awoke again. He muttered a few inarticulate words, and then began to gaze steadfastly upon me. I was forced to caress him, but he repulsed me with aversion; for he had by this time recovered sufficient power to enable him to use his hands feebly. I whispered to the old nurse that his brain was still wander- ing, and she smiled faintly —I thought, incredulously. Some medicine had been:sent by the doctor, and I was resolved to make an effort to accomplish the purpose in view. I accordingly approached the mantel, turning my back toward the nurse in such a way that she could not see what I was doing, and hastily mixed some of the poison with the draught. Then, advancing toward the bed, I told the nurse to raise the patient in her arms, while I administered the dose. She obeyed me instantly, and [ began to think that my idea of being suspected by her was.- unfounded. But never, never shall I forget the change that came rapidly over Ramsey’s countenance, as he sat up, supported by the old woman. He first gazed on me for a few instants with the most steadfast earnestness; then his features expressed a horror which in less than a minute completely convulsed them, and all in a moment, like a flash of lightning, he recognized me! ”’ “ What — did he say so? ” demanded the young woman’s father. “No, but I saw it in his manner, in his countenance,”’ responded Carrotty Poll. “‘ It was as easy to read what was passing in his mind as if it was a printed book. And then his conduct showed that he knew who I was, in spite of my disguise; for the instant I put the glass to his lips, he re- covered power enough to dash it out of my hand, and exclaim, ‘No! no!’ The nurse let him fall back upon his pillow; and he covered his face with his hands, moaning in a piteous manner. ‘ His brain wanders still,’ I said to the old woman, as I threw the medicine into the fireplace. ‘Why did you chuck it away?’ she demanded, fixing on me a look that seemed to pierce me through and through; ‘I could have made him take it.’ Now, you know that I am not wanting in presence of mind; but I admit that I GONG IOOkKS (GO)