The Mysteries of London, v. 1/4Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)
General
The Mysteries of London, v. 1/4
Reynolds, George W. M. (George William MacArthur)
London (England) -- Fiction; Penny dreadfuls
The morning journals published an account of the extraordinary attempt
at fraud detected at the Bank on the previous day; and the utmost
curiosity was evinced by an immense crowd that had collected to obtain a
view of the prisoners, especially the female one, as they alighted from
the separate cabs in which they were conveyed to the Mansion House for
re-examination. Eliza's countenance was flushed and animated, and the
expression of her eyes denoted profound mental excitement: Stephens was
ghastly pale:--the lawyer maintained a species of sullen and reserved
composure.
The police-office at the Mansion House was crowded to excess. Sir Peter
Laurie presided; and on his right hand was seated the Earl of
Warrington. Mr. Pakenham was also present, in company with the solicitor
of the Bank of England.
The moment the prisoners appeared in the dock, Eliza in a firm tone
addressed the magistrate, and intimated her intention of making the most
ample confession, in accordance with her promise of the preceding day.
She was accommodated with a chair, and the chief clerk proceeded to take
down the narrative which detailed the origin and progress of this most
extraordinary conspiracy.
Alas! that so criminal a tale should have been accompanied by the music
of that flute-like voice; and that so foul a history should have
emanated from so sweet a mouth. Those words of guilt which trembled upon
her lips, resembled the slime of the snail upon the leaf of the rose.
When the confession of Eliza Sydney was fully taken down, and signed by
her, the Earl of Warrington's solicitor entered into a statement which
placed the magistrate in full possession of the facts of the case.
We shall now proceed to acquaint our readers with the complete history
formed by these revelations.
"The late Earl of Warrington was a man of eccentric and peculiar habits.
An accident in his infancy had rendered his person deformed and stunted
his growth; and, being endowed with tender feelings and acute
susceptibilities, he could not bear to mingle in that society where his
own physical defects were placed in strong contrast with the fine
figures, handsome countenances, and manly forms of many of his
aristocratic acquaintances. He possessed a magnificent estate in
Cambridgeshire; and in the country seat attached to that domain did he
pass the greater portion of his time in solitude.
"The bailiff of the Warrington estate was a widower, and possessed an
only child--a daughter. Letitia Hardinge was about sixteen years of age
when the Earl first took up his abode in Cambridgeshire, in the year
1790. She was not good looking; but she possessed a mild and melancholy
expression of countenance, and an amiability of disposition, which
rendered her an object of interest to all who knew her. She was fond of
reading; and the library at the neighbouring mansion was always open to
her inspection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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