The moment they stopt, a trollopy-looking maid-servant, seemingly in waiting for them at the door, stept forward, and more intent on telling the news, than giving them any help, immediately began with, “the Thrush is gone out of harbour, please Sir, and one of the officers has been here to”⸺
1814 July, [Jane Austen], chapter VII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume III, London: […] T[homas] Egerton, […], page 143