The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

responded Meagies, * But the young lady got clear off, I suppose ?* 826 Camilla Morton was in mourning for the recent loss of both her parents—the name must be an a6- sumed one—and she could be none other than the ‘daughter of those Fosters who perished so lament- ‘ably! Such was the conviction which burst upon ‘me; and I candidly confess that I was staggered for the instant. Something like a remorse sprang up in my breast--—" _“ Aye — likely enough,” interrupted Meagies: “for you must confess that it would not. have been ap agreeable sequence to the tragedy of the parents had you persecuted the orphan daughter to death.” “ Are you in earnest, Tim — speaking so seri- ously” cried the heir-apparent, in amazement at this display of softness and emotion on his friend’s part. . . “Perhaps I may be,” drily. “Qh! in perfect safety,” rejoined the Prince. “The letter which thus made known to me who she really is, was only an epistie from some school-s0- quaintance, written several months ago. And now ae .“ What?” demanded | Meagies. - “To make inquiries who the girl's relatives and friends are,” returned his Royal Highness; “and endeavour to trace her out. I am determined she shall not escape me thus—-—” At this moment Germain entered the room. “What do you want?” demanded the Prince, annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of his observations. “I am ordered to annonnee to your Royal High- | s ness that Mrs, Fitsherbert has taken her departure from Carlton House :”"—and having delivered this message, the valet bowed and withdrew. “ Now, thank God! I am unshackled once more,” exeaimed the. Prince, robbing his nands glee y. “But only for a short ime,” answered rising from his seat. “Ina few months you will Caroline of Brunswick have to lead the Prinoess to the altar.” | And the idea of that upon my marriage weighs ‘soul like a presentiment of evil,” rejoined the heir- apparent, a deep gloom suddenly spreading itself over his countenance. CHAPTER LXXXIX. TER BABGAIN OF CRIME, Iz was between nize and ten o'slock on the Sunday evening following the incidents just related—and although dark clouds were piled upon the face of heaven, yet were they so broken that the moon shone brightly forth from amidst them, silvering the edges of their sombre masses. The Magsman, with his club under his arm, and his hands in his poekets, prowled up and down the road on the western extremity of Hyde Park; and overy timo he passed 2 particular clamp of trees, he mattered in a low hoarse tone, “No one’s made their appearance yet, old feller.” | “ They'll come, I daresay,” was the responsive growl that came from behind the age trunks of the leafless trees, » , . Then no more was said-—and the Magaman re. sumed his walk, which the coldness of the night mask over all the upper part of bis countenance, accosted the Magemsn. “You are puactual,” said the streager and abode and by whom the present appointment was @ I've been a-waiting for you this last half-hour,” responded the Mageman; “ and therefore I'm more than punctual. But what's the business about ” “I presume two dark eyes gleaming intently upon him throagh the holes in the mask. “ As litle particular as a man can be in these hard times,” was the response that he gave. * You have your price for every species of crime which can be suggested to you?” continued the unknown querist. “ There’s nothing you can name that I won't do,” that.! answered the Magsman,--“ provided the rewerd is a fatone. Now do you comprehend me, sir? Fer I suppose you want to be assured as to the lengths which I'm prepared to go, before you open your mind to me,” added the ruffian. “You have acourately divined my * re. the stranger : then, sinking his voloe to the lowoat audible whisper, be said, “ And murder has its price as well as aught beside 7” “To be sure,” exclaimed the Magaman, “For instance, if I thought you was putting s plant upon me now, I'd shoot you through the head as uncere- moniously as I’d eat my dinner ;”"—and the moon- beams glanced on the barrel of a pistol which he drew from his pocket. “ Put up your weapon, my good fellow,” said the nobleman for euch, as the reader will remember, he was—although the Magsman was not aware of the circumstance: “we shall do same basiness to- gether, instead of quarrelling, ere we part.” “So muoh the better. Bat I thought it es well just to let you gee that I don't stand the slightest nonsense,” observed the Magsman. “And now proceed with any more questions you may wish to put to me,” “ From what took place between yéurself end your wife the other night,” resamed the stranger, “it is clear that you incar constant dangers by re- maining in this country. Now, if you had your purse well filled, -would you not like to try your fos- tunes on the other side of the Atlantic f” “In America,” ejaculated the Magsman : and he don for a man of his profession, checking® himself, he. substituted an affirmative auswer—obsecving, “Yea—if it was made worth my while, I ahoujdn’t at all mind visiting them free States which have thrown off the yoke of old George Lil. Bat if a murder is to be he continued with a coolness which made the no- bleman shudder, though he himself had suggested that euch aorime was ju contemplation,;—" it surely CORNICE OOO ©) CO