The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

THE EAVESDROPPER 91 which she knew would cut the unhappy woman to the very soul, “‘ since you appear to seek an explanation on that head, I don’t mind telling you that Poll Price and myself. were somewhat afraid to venture here alone together any more. I mean, we thought it better and more prudent to bring our young friend with us; because there have been people who’ve come into this house, you know, and never gone out again. In fact, as I told you on the last occasion, it is no secret to us that Peter Grumley lies buried beneath the great flagstone in the back kitchen; and we’ve no doubt that his partner Mobbs, who disappeared so strangely and so suddenly, isn’t very far off.” ‘“My God! my God!’ moaned the wretched milliner, writhing convulsively upon her seat, while her countenance was hideous and ghastly with the most frightful workings of the features. ‘‘ Wherefore recapitulate all this, young woman? ” ‘‘ Because you wanted to know why me and Carrotty Poll were afraid to come alone into this house,” replied the Gallows’ Widow. ‘“ For it is a house of murder, madam, a house of mysterious midnight assassination — a house the very air of which fills even me with horror! ”’ “ Enough! enough!” exclaimed the milliner, covering her countenance with her hands. ‘‘ Spare me, spare me, I beseech you, and tell me the business that has brought you hither now? ”’ “Well, give us your attention,” observed the Gallows’ Widow, her cold-blooded ferocity now sated with the amount of vengeance which her words had visibly inflicted upon the unhappy Mrs. Brace. ‘““ Proceed, proceed,’’ exclaimed the latter; and the with- drawal of her hands from her face revealed features so stamped with all the horrors of conscious guilt, and all the excruciations of a wretchedness which ‘no additional calamity could possibly enhance, that she looked like the corpse of one who had met a violent death and on whose cheeks some hand had plastered the vivid rouge in mockery. “You must know, ma’am,’”’ continued the Gallows’ Widow, “that a certain person who bears the name of Warren, and who is not altogether a stranger to you, will be tried in a few days—” CORnNICLOOOKS (S©)