The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

MOTHER FRANKLIN 19 treachery in the present instance, she had faithfully and, as she believed, successfully, performed her part in the drama now in progress. ‘It is all right,’’ she said, taking a seat next to the But- toner. ‘‘ Larry Sampson, having nibbled at the bait for the last three weeks, has now swallowed it completely, and he will be in that gallery at eleven o’clock to-night.”’ ‘ And you don’t think he suspects anything, Nell? ”’ said the Hangman, inquiringly, as he looked at her intently from beneath his overhanging brows. ‘‘T am sure he does not,’’ she answered, with perfect com- posure. ‘“‘ Or if he does, then is he the greatest adept at concealing his thoughts that I ever saw in all my life.’’ “Well, of course, he is all that,’”’? growled Bencull, “ but I should have thought that you was more experter still, Miss Nell, and so you might have seen whether he took it all in for gospel or not.”’ ‘‘ Again I tell you,” said the young woman, now speaking somewhat impetuously, ‘‘ that, as far as I could possibly judge, Larry Sampsgn believed I was performing a, real part. But I suppose that after what occurred on Shooter’s Hill you mean to suspect everything I do and every word I speak? Now, then, I tell you again, and for the last time, that you are wrong. I tried to save Huntingdon because he was the first man, in fact the only man, I ever loved; and what I did the other night I would do over again, for I wouldn’t have a hair of his head injured. But in other matters I would die sooner than betray you, — yes, by God! I would die first.’’ And having worked herself up to a pitch of powerful excitement, she struck her clenched hand so forcibly upon the table that bottles and glasses and tobacco-pipes all danced and rattled as if the floor of the room was upheaving with an earthquake. ‘“Come now, Nell, none of this nonsense,”’ said the But- toner. ‘“‘ We ain’t suspecting you at the present moment. In fact, hain’t we promised to look over what you did t’other night on Shooter’s Hill, if so be we saw that you proved faithful in the little business now in hand? ” “Well, and you will see, too,’ returned Nell Gibson, sulkily. ‘‘ But I suppose you don’t want me to wait any longer? ”’ Connicloooks (C(O)