The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 297: what you’re looking at

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6 though we will endeavour to obtain an interview this evening,” said Meagles. “But remember, my beanty, you will pass as Mrs. Mengies at the hotel at Windsor—and.now you cumprehend what that means.” “We shall see all about it presently, Tim,” re- sponded Lady Letitia, laaghing. “i suppose that Wasp will tell no tales on our feturn to Loudon.” “If Wasp were inclined to gossiping, he might bave told enough concerning w long ago,” said Meagles. “ But neltherhe mor the excellent Mes. Piggleberry ever seem to take the sligitest av- tice whom youa puss the nigit with me at my lodgiags.° “ Hold your tomes, Tan!” exclaimed the Amia- son, “It is positively shocking to talk in sach a way in the broad deyltight,” she added, her merry laugh again ringing musically throegh the ormp sharp air. “And now tell me, Mr, Sonpe-gtace, wiry you have wmidertaken that crusade againt poor Mrs. Fitsherbert, whom the auprincipled George is then resolved to persecute 7” “Mrs. Fitzherbert has always hated me as sin- ecrely ns the devil dees holy water,” answered Meagies; “and at tices stie has been most repal- sively yude aad insufferabby imsuient towards me. Now you know, my clvarmer, time I bave novrer merited such treatment as her hands: for I have frequemly rendered her Ntthe serviess whith she oterht not teforget. More than enechave | taken her jewellery'su the pawabroke:’s for her when she was short of cash: and the Prince had nene togive hers and I buve even gives my own sesusity and lent my Owa money ‘tw silenes ber most clamorous creditors. But I do mot recollect thet I have ever reosived from her lips aclugte word of thanks. She has treated me as if I werd a nequey~~a lickspitele slave—a servile wretch who wae only Steed to be employed ia the vilest offices, and who was too well rewatved by the mere fact of being allowed to perforns such servives for Reyalty. Now, my dear Jeotitia, vould I do otherwise than emart under seeh behaviour as this 7” “ adnide that the prevocntion is great, Tim,” said the Antaeon: “ but you aretoc geod-hearted a fellow to cherish vindictive feetings — especially against & poor Weak woman, who will shortly find her owa hasbaad—for such hedeed the Printe n~—- Beeousing her greatent enemy.” “ Weve ita mere question of vengeance, my dar- Hag feuutress,” responded Meaglee, “I showd seorn—-despise the iden. VYeuguance against 4 woman is beneath aman. But the condavt whieh I propose to pursue im reepeet to Airs. Fitzher- bert, essentially regards the particelar schemes that you and I have formud. Therefore, as it suits my intereste—or rufher omy interest—to lsagne with the Price against that lady, you can well comprehend that her eonduct has not bess such. as te excite amy eompuiction or remorse in my brent Go an to induee me to heakate ere { undertake this crasade against her.” “Bat I do not yet comprehend how & will serve our views to adopt sueh a courte,” saidthe Amason, -| “Ina very few words 1 ean explain myself,” an. ewered Bicagies. “ We wish to obtain as eomplete 4 bold upon the Priace as posstible--do we noe ? Well—let him break with Mrs. Fitzherbert—det him marry the Prineess of Bruaswick-—aud he is tec thousand times more effectually in our power than at the preseat moment. Jor we posseta the proofs of his union with Mra Fitzherbert — a Catholie—-—” “I umderétand, Tim,” iaterrupted Lady Lede: “aa exposure of this ssarriage would prove suinous to Geerge, wacther ae Priuce uf Wales or King of Bogland—and, as you justly observed, he becomes more completely ia our smeres than ever.” “ Then you approve of the course which I have undertaken to adopt?” said Meagles, inquitiayly, “ Yes~-new that £ cousider it in all its mgs,” eeplied the Amazon. “ Weil,” shé added, with auether erry laugh, “i éu really Bwlinve thas you will die a Deke iu-the end Tim. But, temember,” she exclaimed, her mirth subsiding into am arvh smiile,—“ remember thet 1 am aleo te be a Duchess” “I have aot furgotten cor bargain, my love,” -az- claimed Meagles. Tiras epéaking, he put spars to his ebeed ; and the party broke inte 2 sharp tret. it was.about a quarter to five whet they:entered ‘the towa of Winder; and, proeedding direst to the White Hart hetel, they put up theft horses at the stabice belonging to that establisimmedt. then thade inquiries of the lnmdicrd as to the pro- bebility of obtaiming an audience of Ris Majanty Chat evening: but by the atswets he received, he was speedily convinced that he aust postgeus all hope of seving the Hing anti the followkgy meea- tng. He acoordingly siguified his intention of pas- ing the night at se hotel, asd she landiard forth- with ied the wag to s bandsomé suite of apeftunents. Being thus iastalied at the White Hart, in eom- pany with the simtazon, Meagles ertlered a5 ox- cellent dinker; while Wasp, witc had received a hint speak ef the hantress as his master’s alfe was suitably provided fer iz the kitohen. By means of an excellent bottle of claret and a plossanmé conversation, Tim Meagles and Lady Lado whiled away the time unbdil eleven o’eloek, when they retired to rest im ecadh other's arma. At half past nine on the fullowing md:aing my wore sealed at breaiifast; and whea tite meal was epnéiaded, they eallied forth from the White Hart ad progeeded in the direction of the Caste. out, oo * CHAPTER LXXXIL THE {(NTLA VIEW. We mutt now request our readers te auvethpeny us inte a wmall but elegantly furnished apartaset in Windsor Castle. - A cheorful fire bused in the grate; and, standing on the rag, with one arm leaning on the mantel, King George the Third was dietatng 2. letter tea young lady of great buuuty whe was sedted at « superb writheg-table, His Majesty was at this thue Afy-seven years ebd. Natarally of a robust and vigorous constitution, he seemed well adapted to maimain a suecesshal straggie agairist tire influence of advanving age: bat Case ‘had accomplished what Tiase vould sot do ~and kad bowed the form and traced wrinkles. upen the eoun- ‘tomamen of timt monarel. For, Oh! deep was the wtrow witich hav heat vleerished, aud bitter wee the sentorve which wrung his soal with auguisi:; end there were meomeaty oo eee eee ——y CORNICE OOO Oe CO