The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

234 REYNOLDS’ WORKS windows of which displayed pictures in rudely executed water colours, representing plum-puddings, as an intimation that housewives by means of thrift in disposing of their dripping, their rags, and their broken glass might at the end of the year save up sufficient to provide the Christmas comes- tible thus illustrated. Nearly opposite the shop just named was a marine-store dealer’s, and both establishments were open, although it was now close upon one in the morning. The light of candles shone dimly forth from the doorways, and every now and then an individual — male or female — might be seen coming from the opposite extremity of the alley and diving abruptly into one or the other of these shops, having, however, in the first instance cast a rapid glance of scrutiny around, to make sure that no police constable was nigh. It required no prompting beyond what their own common sense suggested to enable the two officers to judge that both the marine-store dealer’s and the rag shop were in reality receptacles for stolen goods, and that it was for the accommodation of their patrons they thus kept open so late. Mindful of the friendly constable’s advice, Captain Stanley and Lord Charles Meredith affected to be somewhat the worse for liquor as they advanced within the sphere of light. ‘“ Where the deuce have our wandering steps brought us?” exclaimed Stanley, purposely speaking loud enough to be overheard by the loiterers in front of the two houses of entertainment. ‘“T have no more idea than the man in the moon,’’ re- sponded Lord Charles. ‘“ It was all owing to that last bottle of wine —”’ “ Well, never mind,” cried Stanley, with a well-assumed manner of devil-me-care rakishness. “‘ We must get some- where at last, — that’s very certain.” They were now both surrounded by the flauntingly dressed women whose bullies and flash men purposely hung back, thinking it better to keep aloof until the girls should have got the “‘ swells ” in regular tow. “Treat us to a glass of wine,” said one; “ there’s a dear fellow.” ‘Or what is better, come home with us,’’ exclaimed another, ‘‘ and we’ll send out for the wine.”’ It naturally struck the two gentlemen that this was the sort of scene to which the constable had alluded when he ) CONNIE OO KS (E(0) m