The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

ee Ca a rr are Vor en nig ieee a GOP 920 ey CE, <n Gee nd e ne OC wee ow a, “Yes—bat not so easy to manage, p'r’aps,” ob- eerved the roffian, in a musing tone. ‘*Why not? Haven't you got all the chaps in readiness?” asked John the domestic: “ and are you afeard that an old buffer like Lord Leveson can make any effectual resistance f”’ “ No—not that,” responded the man, whose Chris- tian name appeared to be Daniel. “ But the matter as it now stands looks more dangerous to venture upon. The Prince wouldo’t peach, you xnow: he'd comply with every demand—and hold his tongue. Because, if he did kick up a row—make the thing public—and set the Bow Street runners at work, he would be forced to tell all the circumstances,— how be came down incog. to visit Mrs. Owen and the young ladies—and so forth: and this he would not do, out of consideration for the young ladies them- pelves. -But wito the Marquis its quite different: because there ’s nothing strange in a nobleman of his rank visiting a genteel family like the Owens— and therefore he might safelv give information of all that happens, without fear of compromising the honour of the young ladies. Don’t you see the force of these arguments ?” “T’ll knock down all your reasoning in a moment, Hangman,” said the livery-servant: “for, don’t you see that according to your own showing the Prince will have every reason to hush the matter up for the sake of the ladies ?—and therefore he'll put a seal upon the lips of Lord Leveson—because his lord- ship could not possibly give publicity to the affair without admitting that the Prince was in his com- pany at the time. Do you see that, Dan’el the Hangman {” asked the servant, in a chuckling tone of coarse familiarity. “Well, 1 must say that you've put the thing in the rignt point of view,” observed the ruffian: “and therefore, as 'm a man who soon makes up his mind, I say without farther hesitation that the thing shall be done. I suppose they'll Icave about midnight ?” “That's the hour the earriage is ordered for— and supper is to be served up at ten precisely,” responded the footman. “So there’s no doubt that the Prince and Leveson will be jogging soon alter midnight ?” “Good!” returned the Hangman. “By the gibbet and halter! there’ll be a rum game wp be- fore the sun rises again!” “T hope so,” said John the footman. “But I must hasten back now—for fear of being missed. Good night, Dan’el: I wish you luck, old fellow.” “ There's no fear of that,” rejoined the Hangman. They then separated—the livery-servant retracing his steps stealthily towards the back entrance jnto the house, and the Hangman striking rapidly across the adjacent fields. Meantime the Prince Regent and the Marquis of Leveson had joined the young ladies in the drawing- room of the mansion; and a sprightly conversation bad speedily sprung up. His Royal Highness was seated on a sofa between the eldest Miss Owen and Emma: while Julia and Mary became the more special objects of Lord Leve- eon’s attentions. Mrs. Owen still remained absent from the room—and apparently her society was not much missed. “TI wmnderstand you have been very gay latterly, woung ladies,” said the Prince Regent, after a brief Qarwe in the conversation. “ Balls and dinuer-parties THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. ’ § ! ! at home—dances and soirees abroad—pie-nics in the park—water excursions——” “Qh! everything charming, I can assure you !” exclaimed Miss Agatha, her pearly teeth revealed by the smile that parted her ripe, red, sensual lips. «Bat I can assure you, sir, that we missed you very much.” “You deceitful little puss,” cried the Prince, throwing his arm round her neck and imprinting s kiss upon each warm and flushing cheek—and thea another and another still upon her moist lips;—* I do not believe that you are sincere !” “But I will guarantee Agatha's sincerity, by the experience of my own feelings,” said Emma: then, as the Prince endeavoured to catch her likewise in his arms, she bounded from the sofa and darted away, making the room ring with her merry laugh. The Prince hastened after her: and when she had led him a dance round the table, and from one end af the room to the other, she suffered herself to be driven up into a corner, where she was compelled to yield her lips, as ripe and as luscious as those of her elder sister, to the reiterated caresses of his Royal High- mess. “Oh! what fun a game of blind-man's buff would be !”° ejaculated Miss Julia, starting from her seat, and thus escaping the toyings which the Marquis of Leveson was just beginning to bestow upon her. “ And let tite Prince be blindfolded!” exclaimed Mary, now disengaging herself in her turn from the arm which the old nobleman threw around her bare meck: then running up to his Royal Highness, she took both his hands, crying with childish delighs, “ Will you play, sir” “ To be sure I will!” said the Prince Regent, as he absolutely lifted the young lady up in his arms and | covered her with kisses—despite of her fighting and struggling, which she however accompanied with the heartiest laughter: so that it was easy to perceive she was very far from being offended. “ Now — let me blindfold you, sir!” exclaimed Julia, approaching the Prince with a bandage, the instant her youngest sister had succeeded in escaping from his arms. “With all my heart!” hecried. “But first——” And catching her in his embrace, he culled the sweets of her lips as he had done with regard to her three sisters. . “ Now are you satisfied >” she asked, as with glow- ing cheeks and smiling looks she disengaged herself from his arms: then, having hastily arranged her hair, she said,“ Come, be gentle—and submit to b bandaged like a good boy.” « J will,” returned the Prince, seating himself in a chair, while Miss Jnlia adjusted and fastened the bandage with her beautifu. white hands, which the royal voluptuary kissed every time they touched his face. “Now you may begin, sir!” she cried, darting away and clapping her hands gleefully: and the merry laugh of the four sisters rang like silver beils through the apartment. “T have got a partial head-ache and cannot stand this amusement,” said the Marquis of Leveson—but in the most perfect good-humour: and, quitting the room, he hastened to join Mre. Owen, whom he as certained, upon inquiry of a domestic, to be in the housekeeper’s apartment. It appeared that his lordship was a privileged per son—and he was therefore received by Mrs. Owen —_—e i 2 mee we ee . aera een ene tg a See ElOOO COMM SS