The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 301: what you’re looking at

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

of, Mrs. Meagles ? Come—answer me. Misfortane, indeed f” And his Majesty sank back again into the arm- chair “TI meant to observe, may it please you, sire,” continued the huntress, after darting a sly glance at Tim Meagies, who enjoyed the whole scene un- commonly,—* I meant to observe that it was a great misfortune for hoth parties :—-for the young lady, because she belongs to a family connected with the peerage—and for his Royal Highness, be- cause he must take “ome immediate step to hush the matter up.” “ And for this pu:pose ne has sent you both to me,” exclaimed the King, once more leaping from his seat, and now flying into a passion. “Upon my word—a pretty misfortune, truly—seductions right and left come te my knowledge—and the hero—always George Prince of Wales! Pretty misfortune, indeed! Young lady connected with the peerage! Who is she, madam?” he demanded, turning abruptly round upon the Amazon as if he were about to snap her head off. “Her name is Oetavia Clarendon, may it please your Majesty,” was the response: “her father fs distantly related to the Lord Marchmont.” “ Ah! the Lord Marchmont—good Tory— staunch supperter—pillar of the throne!” qjacu- lated the King: then growing considerably calmer, he shook his head, saying. “ This affair must ine deed be looked into. Won't do to offend a man like Lord Marchmont—always votes in favour of Tory—would vote black’s white, or white’s black, to please me. Ah! he is a true aristocrat—a ataunch noble— Lord Marchmoat! Well irs. Meagies—I suppose that as yet this misfortune has been hushed up ” “Sach is the case, may it please your Majesty,” answered Lady Lade. “ And what do you propose?—what do you sug- gest ?— what do you require me to do?” demanded the King, resuming his sezt. { |“ To confer the honour of a peerage, with an accompanying pension, upon Mr. Clarendon, the father of this young lady whom the Prince has seduced,” was the response. “ Never !” ejaculated George ITI, his puffy cheeks becoming purple with rage: and, bounding from his chair, he stood for a few moments gazing fero- elously upon the Amazon, but unable to utter another word. “No—never! he at length ex- claimed. “Iam not to be persuaded into such a course as this. What! dishonoar the peerage by selling it, as it were, for a girl’s beauty! Upon my word, Mra. Beagles—no, Meagles—I beg your par- don—Mrs. Meagles—I am surprised that you and your husband should have had the audacity to seek my presence for sach a purpose. Our interview is at an eud—the audience is closed.” And the King, turning abruptly away, was ad- vancing towards th © door of an inner room, when Tim Meagles exclai: ned, “ One word, may it please your Majesty ” “One word?” repea ted the King, stopping short. © What for, sir?--what more can you or your wife fully aware of the seriousne~«—the extreme se. riousness——” gt “The seriousness of whs , 2171” demanded the King, now turning completely round amd retracing his steps towards his importunate visitors : © the eeriousness of what, sir—of what f” he reiterated nervously. “Of his Royal Highness’s position,” answered Meagles, in a firm and resolute manner. “Tt is not I who have placed him in it,” exclaimed his Majesty: “he has done it all himself—ell him- self. You may retire, Mr. Meagles—Meagles—you may retire: any farther colloquy will be useless— quite useless.” ‘ Nay—then your Majesty will drive his Royal Highness to extremes,” said Tim; “and the un- pleasent effects of this affair will not be experienced by bum alone.” “ What de you mean, sir inquired the King, struck by the mingled singularity and audacity of an obssrvation the covert menace of which was unmis- takable : “whet do you mem! Spenk—er: what do yea mean ?* he repeated “} mean, sire,” responded Tim the monarch full in the face, “ that his Royal High- nese the Prince of Wales will net fall alone. If he eink beneath the weight of infaazy and shame, he will drag dewa others with him—yes—even though it be his own father. And that is God’s teuth George III sank upon a chair, gasping fer breath. Was it possible that he had heard aright?—or had his ears deceived him? He closed bie eyes for a few moments, the more easily to comnumme with himself by shetting eut all exterior objects foem his view: vinesd him that it was no delusion—that his ears had not misled him—end that a threat, darkly intelligibie, had been uttered by § darimg man who still stood Then all the vindicuve oiood of the Guelphwrushed to his countenance—tinging even the whites of his eyes and making the orbs themselves seem ready to start out of his head : and, springing from his chair, he threw a furious look upon Meagles, exclaiming, “JT understand you, sir—I understand you! My son has made you the instrument and agent of his own vile undutifulness; and you are base enough to lend yourself to his parricide intentions. But you may return to him, sir—you may return to him— and tell him that I defy his menaces. Yes—I—his father—I—the King—scorn and laugh at this ailly attem pt—to—to——” “Your Majesty should know that hard words de not break bones,” interrupted Tim Meagies, in a tone and manner s0 full of easy defiance that the King was perfectly staggered. “Your Majesty has thought fit to couple my name in an injurious fashion with that of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales: but I am tough enough.to bear all your Majesty has just eaid—and a great deal more.” “This to me, sir!” ejaculated George ITI, now literally foaming with rage. “Begone !”—and he extended his hand towards the bell-pull. —_; “ One word !—only one word more!” cried! sxeagms. “Does your Majesty really wish that a certain cer- tificate should be published to the world———” “I care not!” exclaimed the King, still holding the i = bell-pull. “As my scapegrace son’s boon companion, | “Yes—one word,” exci aimed Meagles, empha- | you are of course in the secret respecting that frag: _ Geally: “for your Majesty does not sppear to be | ment of a document——” OE EE ——————— sD COMIC OOOKS. Com | have to say to me*® One word, indeed — one 1 word [” - ‘SS G