Again there was that tone of sarcasm about the cook's voice, which created a doubt in the mind of Mrs. Lovett if, after all, he was not merely playing with her, and in his heart utterly disregarding all that she said to him. It is quite questionable if this doubt was not in its bitterness worse than the former anxieties that had preyed upon the mind of the lady; but she found she could do nothing to put an end to it, so she merely said—
"Well, I feel much happier now; so I will go at once and get you the brandy that you ask for." "I hope he will drink it freely—it will aid him in drowning reflection."
"Thank you," said the cook, "I shall expect it with impatience." "Confound her, she can't very well put anything queer in the brandy. I will take care to taste a very small portion of it first; for Sir Richard Blunt has cautioned me particularly to be careful of poison."
"I am going," said Mrs. Lovett.
"Good-bye, madam; I only hope you will be able to carry your benevolent intentions into effect—and," added the cook to himself, "that I may some fine morning have the pleasure of seeing you hanged."
"Farewell," said Mrs. Lovett; and she, too, had her aside as she ascended the stairs, for she muttered—"If I were only a little better assured than I am that you meditated something dangerous, I would steal upon you while you slept, and with a knife soon put an end to all trouble regarding you."
Mrs. Lovett Alarmed At The Strange Faces At Her Window In The Pie-Shop.
Now, it happened that when Mrs. Lovett reached her shop, she saw three people outside the window. The actions of these people attracted her observation. One was a big stout man, of such a size as was rarely seen in the streets of London. The other was a young girl, nicely attired, but with a look of great grief and agitation upon her countenance. The third person of the group was a gentlemanly-looking man, attired in a great coat which was buttoned up to his chin. The big stout man was making a kind of movement towards the door of the pie-shop, and the gentleman with the great-coat was holding up his hand and shaking his head, as though forbidding him. The big stout man then looked angry; and then Mrs. Lovett saw the young girl cling to him, and heard her say—
"Oh, no—no; I said I wanted nothing.—Come away."