Booth, who was extremely good-natured and well-bred, told her that she should not command him twice whatever was in his power; and then, after the usual apology, was going to begin his history, when the keeper arrived, and acquainted the lady that dinner was ready, at the same time saying, 'I suppose, madam, as the gentleman is an acquaintance of yours, he must dine with us too.'
Miss Matthews told the keeper that she had only one word to mention in private to the gentleman, and that then they would both attend him. She then pulled her purse from her pocket, in which were upwards of twenty guineas, being the remainder of the money for which she had sold a gold repeating watch, her father's present, with some other trinkets, and desired Mr. Booth to take what he should have occasion for, saying, 'You know, I believe, dear Will, I never valued money; and now I am sure I shall have very little use for it.' Booth, with much difficulty, accepted of two guineas, and then they both together attended the keeper.
Chapter 10
Table-Talk, Consisting Of A Facetious Discourse That Passed In The Prison
There were assembled at the table the governor of these (not improperly called infernal) regions; the lieutenant-governor, vulgarly named the first turnkey; Miss Matthews, Mr. Booth, Mr. Robinson the gambler, several other prisoners of both sexes, and one Murphy, an attorney.
The governor took the first opportunity to bring the affair of Miss Matthews upon the carpet, and then, turning to Murphy, he said, 'It is very lucky this gentleman happens to be present; I do assure you, madam, your cause cannot be in abler hands. He is, I believe, the best man in England at a defence; I have known him often succeed against the most positive evidence.'
'Fy, sir,' answered Murphy; 'you know I hate all this; but, if the lady will trust me with her cause, I will do the best in my power. Come, madam, do not be discouraged; a bit of manslaughter and cold iron, I hope, will be the worst: or perhaps we may come off better with a slice of chance-medley, or se defendendo'
'I am very ignorant of the law, sir,' cries the lady.
'Yes, madam,' answered Murphy; 'it can't be expected you should understand it. There are very few of us who profess it that understand the whole, nor is it necessary we should. There is a great deal of rubbish of little use, about indictments, and abatements, and bars, and ejectments, and trovers, and such stuff, with which people cram their heads to little purpose. The chapter of evidence is the main business; that is the sheet-anchor; that is the rudder, which brings the vessel safe in portum. Evidence is, indeed, the whole, the summa totidis, for de non apparentibus et non insistentibus eandem est ratio.'
'If you address yourself to me, sir,' said the lady, 'you are much too learned, I assure you, for my understanding.'
'Tace, madam,' answered Murphy, 'is Latin for a candle: I commend your prudence. I shall know the particulars of your case when we are alone.'
'I hope the lady,' said Robinson, 'hath no suspicion of any person here. I hope we are all persons of honour at this table.'
'D--n my eyes!' answered a well-dressed woman, 'I can answer for myself and the other ladies; though I never saw the lady in my life, she need not be shy of us, d--n my eyes! I scorn to rap [Footnote: A cant word, meaning to swear, or rather to perjure yourself] against any lady.'
'D--n me, madam!' cried another female, 'I honour what you have done. I once put a knife into a cull myself--so my service to you, madam, and I wish you may come off with se diffidendo with all my heart.'
'I beg, good woman,' said Miss Matthews, 'you would talk on some other subject, and give yourself no concern about my affairs.'
'You see, ladies,' cried Murphy, 'the gentle-woman doth not care to talk on this matter before company; so pray do not press her.'
