The String of Pearls (1850), p. 46

"Very good," said Ben; "now we are getting into, the thick of it."
With this Ben took from his pocket a coil of rope, one end of which was a noose, and that he dexterously threw over Mrs. Oakley's head.
"Murder!" she shrieked. "Oakley, are you going to see me murdered before your eyes?"
"There is such a singing in my ears," said Mr. Oakley, "that I can't see anything."
"This is the way," said Ben, "we manages the wild beastesses when they shuts their ears to all sorts of argument. Now, marm, if you please, a little this way."
Ben looked about until he found a strong hook in the wall, over which, in consequence of his great height, he was enabled to draw the rope, and then the other end of it he tied securely to the leg of a heavy secretaire that was in the room, so that Mrs. Oakley was well secured.
"Murder!" she cried. "Oakley, are you a man, that you stand by and see me treated in this way by this big brute?"
"I can't see anything," said Mr. Oakley ; "there is such a singing in my ears; I told you so before—I can't see anything."
"Now, ma'am, you may just say what you like," said Ben; "it won't matter a bit, any more than the grumbling of a bear with a sore head; and as for you, Mr,
Tulip, you'll just get down on your knees, and beg Mr. Oakley s pardon for coming and drinking his tea without his leave, and having the infernal impudence to speak to his daughter."
"Don't do it, Mr. Lupin," cried Mrs. Oakley—" don't do it."
"You hear," said Ben, "what the lady advises. Now, I am quite different; I advise you to do it—for, if you don't, I shan't hurt you, but it strikes me I shall be obliged to fall on you and crush you."
"I think I will," said Mr. Lupin; "the saints were always forced to yield to the Philistines."
"If you call me any names," said Ben, "I'll just wring your neck."
"Young man, young man, let me exhort you. Allow me to go, and I will put up prayers for your conversion."
"Confound your impudence ! what do you suppose the beasts in the Tower would do, if I was converted? Why, that 'ere tiger, we have had lately, would eat his own tail, to think as I had turned out such an ass. Come, I can't waste any more of my precious time; and if you don't get down on your knees directly, we'll see what we can do."
"I must," said Mr. Lupin, "I must, I suppose;" and down he flopped on his knees."
"Very good; now repeat after me.—I am a wolf that stole sheeps' clothing.'
"Yes; I am a wolf that stole sheeps' clothing'—the Lord forgive me."
"Perhaps he may, and perhaps he mayn't. Now go on—all that's wirtuous is my loathing."
"Oh dear, yes—'all that's wirtuous is my loathing.'"
"Mr. Oakley, I have offended."
"Yes; I am a miserable sinner, Mr. Oakley, I have offended."
"And asks his pardon, on my bended—"
"Oh dear, yes—I asks his pardon on my bended—The Lord have mercy upon us, miserable sinners!"
"Knees—I won't do so no more."
"Yes,—knees, I won't do so no more."
"As sure as I lies on this floor."
"Yes,—as sure as I lies on this floor.—Death and the devil, you've killed me !"
Ben took hold of the reverend gentleman by the back of the neck, and pressed his head down upon the floor, until his nose, which had before been such a sufferer, was nearly completely flattened with his face.