The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 106: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE MYSTERLEZS. was born of parents who were beggars, and in a mis- erable garret in Lukner’s Lane, St. Giles’s. “ Well,” resumed ghe Prince, * I went to the place of appointment—it was the Geoige and Blue Boar, Holborn; and on arriving there, I ordered the land- lord, who immediately recognised me, to show me to @ private room. Conceive my annoyance when I senrnt that there was not an apartment unoccupied throgghout the establishment: the entire building was full of guests. Even che landlord’s own parlour was engaged for a supper-party. There was no help for it—and I was compelled to repair to the com- meorcial-room, having previously informed the land- word that if any one called to inquire for a Mr. Seukina, the individual was to be conducted straight @me. I had not been long seated in the travellers’ ‘oom, as they call it, when I observed, as I was dpping my rum punch, that an insolent rascal of a vmagman wes surveying me in a very peculiar ashion; and he presently had the impertinence to ntimate that he was not unaware who I was. Vainly tid I endeavour te rebuke him by reminding him chat the mere fact of my being there at all was a suf- fcient indication of my desire to eseape vulgar aotice: the scoundrel] was unabashed, and boldly de- slared that my words had confirmed his suspicion ‘elative te my identity. ITndignant and diagusted— epenting, too, of my folly in goimg thither under any tircumstances whatsoever—and observing by the slock that it was considerably past the hour when Fonter wés to meat me, I gititted the tavern abruptly : aut knowing hew abselutely zecessary it was to make mmeéediate arrangements with that same Foster, in order to prevent him from calling and dunaing at Carlton House, I resolved to proceed to his own orivate residence. I aceordingly took a hackney- roach in Holborn: but when some distance up the Edgewere Road, in which neighbourhood Foster dwells, I became aware that I was pursued. In- tantly suspecting some freak arising from the im- gertinence of the bagman—and fearing lest a dis- turbanes might ensue and obtain publicity, thereby eausing unpleasant mention to be made of my name —J alighted, dismissed the coach, and took refuge in the nearcst house.” “A very unpleasant little adventure,” obscrved Cady Letitia, laughing heartily. “I only wish that I had been with your Royal Flighness,” said Tim Meagles: “that same insolent bagman showld not have escaped with a whoie skin. But the end of it was, I suppose, that you failed to vce Foster altogether ?” “ Precisely so,” answered the Prince. “And now, so make a long story short, I have received a letter from Foster, respectfully apologising for being too late to meet me the other night at the tavegn, but assuring me that he is a mined man unless he can pay a certain mercantile firm in Wood Street the som of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds by three o’cleck to-morrow. Now, can anything be done, Tim ?” inquired the Prince anxiously: “fer J pledge you my royal honour that I know not whence te procure half the amount. My name is already talked about in so scandalous a manner—my im- mense liabilities are as notorious as they well can be ~and my position, in fact, is so extremely dicagree- abide at this meeisent, that J would make any sacrifice to be enabled to seattle this Foster's claim. Only conceive, my dear frends,” added the Prinee, looking faat at Mengles and then of the Amason,—“enly een ee ee ( conceive what a terrible exposure it ®ould bo, Fuster was to beeome bankrupt and in his vexatio should proclaim me as the cause of hie failure |” “Can your friend manage it in time, Letitig? asked Meagles, turning towards the huntress. “ As early toemorrow as bis Royal Fiighness ma choose to appoint,” was the lady’s reply. “The fact is this,” resumed Tim, addressing hin ‘self to the Prince: “ our Amazonian beauty here h: captivated a French Marquis ——” * No acandal, Meagles!”’ interrupted the huntres “The Marquis de Saint Croix isa friend of Sir John —and in that capacity lie has visited at our hous He is one of those noble refugees who have bce compelled to seek an asylum in England, .> avui the guillotine in their own country.” “Perdition seize thuse miscreants of French Re publicans!” ejaeulated the Prince of Wales, sud denly becoming much excited. “ Their pestilentii doctrines are meaking vast pyvogress here: “bu thank God! we possess generals who will not hes tate to cannonade the people at the first symptem < arising. Nevertheless, Royalty has begun to fall : a discount ——”’ “Your Royal Highness is wrong to suppose thi such is the case in England,” observed Meagle “ The aristocracy has got such a tight hold upon tt millions that a convulsion here is impossible.” “ Well—at all events, the throne will last my tix out,” observed the Prince; “and I don’t care a damn what follows !’'€ “Oh! leave politics alone for the present,” ¢3 claimed Lady Letitia; “and let us return to th matter whence you have both digressed. The Ma quis de Saint Croix, of whom I was speaking, is a old nobleman of very venerable appearance; au he has quite won Sir John’aheart. The conseqrenc is thac he is a frequent visitor at our house, as I ju now observed; and a few days ago he was sayir that he had succeeded in bringing away with hia from his native land, a sum ef not less than twent thousand pounds. He is anxious to lay out 1: inoney to the best advantage, and consulted my hu: band upoa the subject. Sir John replied that h would mention the business to his solicitor, wi inight probably kaow where to place the amount a some safe mortgage, and at good interest. I ha; pened to mention this circumstanoe to our frien Meagles —..”’ “And I immediately suggested that perhaps yor Royal Highness would like to take up the suin, added Tum. “ Letitia saye that she can manage easily, and without delay.” ‘“‘ And what security can I possibly give the Ma: quis?” inquired George. “Your Royal Highness’s boad will doubtless | sufficient,” answered Meagles. “ And the French nobleman will rejoice in havin dep sited his money in such good hands,’ observe the Amazon. “He will consider the transaction : & guarantee for the continuation of that bospkalit and protection which England has already vouchsafe not only to himself, but to so many thousands of |. refugee fellow-countrymen.” “ But the affair must be managed with the utino, secrecy,” said the Priuce. “ Ilow can you even pri vent your husband, Sir John Lade, from knowir it?” ee ® George the Fourth, when Prinve of Wales, really x! make use of these very words. CONNIE OOO SH aCO