The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

° THE MYSTERIZS OF THE COURT. $67 SE <GPPEy mS ym 0 te tw effect his liberation? and if so, was it not a proof that his weil-beloved still cherished his image— was stilt devoted to him? And if she still clang to his memory and still considered herself his be- trothed, was it not an evidence that sbe ne lenger believed him unfaithfal? and did it not appear as if the wheel of fortane had begua te turn in his favour? Such was the first gush of delicious thoughts that were excited by that scrap of paper: but now came the more serious reflection—was he to pat faith in this seemiag token ? or was it the first step in some new intrigne to destroy him? “Describe to me the person of this Eogiishmaa whom you have met,” he said, once more resuming a tone of caution and a look of reserve. “Rather atout—of middle height—and about forty,” returned the nurse: “ great black whiskers aod mustachios—red face and fierce-looking— dressed in a military style—and carries a great stick with a large knob.” “I have not the sligntest idea who he is,” ob- served Loftus, thinking that the deseription was mach more suitable to a Frenchman than to an Engtishman: and aysin he hesitated as to the amount of reliance he ought te place upon the old woman's tale. Bat still he saw not how the token sent to him could possibly form a link in any chain of contem- plated treachery; and much less could he under- stand how he shoutd be compromising himeelf by sending some sign in reply. Besides, where no- thing was risked, nothing would be gained: and if he indeed had friends outside, it was his duty to acknowledge their goud intentions and do all he cuuld to further them. Thoerefure, without any nore hesitation, he at once wrote on the baok of the slip of paper the fullowing words:— ‘“‘ Has Miss Lonisa retarned to Canterbury? or is sho | with her sister in Strateon-street, Londoa ?’* “When are you to meet the Englishman again ?” he asked, as he handed the scrap of paper back to the old nurse. “ This evening at seven o’clook,” was the response. “ Bat in the meantime, do you write to the Prefect and solicit that [ shall remain in attendance upon you.” Lofius hastened to comply with this suggestion ; and in the course of an hour he received a written aaswer from the Prefect, ceuched in the following terms s=—— * Cabinet of the Prefecture of Police. “November 24th, 1814, “gu, beg to inform you that I have received your note, and in reply thereto have to state that the attentions of the nurse shall be continued towards you so long as you remain a prisoner in the Prefecture Bat the medical attendant has this day reported your complete recovery; and I have therefore to inform you that according to the instructions which I have received, you must prepare for removal to another place in the coarse of two or three days, unless you assent to those terms which may at once, empower me to restore yuu toliberty. “I have the honour to salute you, “THE PREFECT OF POLICE." Jocelyn read this note to the old nurse, watching her countenance as he did so: but he oould not dis- cover in her looks anything to make him suspect new plot initiated against him. He now therefere anxiously awaited the result of her next interview with the Englishman; and as seven o'clock ap- proached, his excitement rose to the highest degree. At length she took her departure; and after an absence of more than an bour she made her appear- anes again in the prison-chamber. “I have seen the Englishman,” she eaid; “and I gave him back the scrap of paper on which you had written something, which evidently satisfied him that I was trastworthy. He thereupon took me in a hackney-coach to a house in the Rue du Bac; and in a handsome apartment on the first floor I was introduced to an elderly gentleman with a great brown wig, red whiskers, and a very good set of teeth. He is aleo an Englishmen. A few words passed between him and the gentleman who had brought me hither: bat as they spoke in English I did not understand what they said. I however per- ceived that the one with the black whiskers and mustachios was called Capiai “TI cannot think who they ean be,” said Jocelyn. “ Bat pray ge on.” “The gentleman with the brown wig and rd whiskers desired me to sit down: and he then pro- ceeded to put all kinds of questions concerning the Prefecture—its faternal arrangements, the distri- bution of the buildings, the manner in which they are guarded, and the exact position of your chamber. To ail these queries,” continued the nurse, “ I gave the fullest and most faithful particulars. Indeed, being well aware for what motive I was thus inter- rogated, I told the two gentlemen that it would be to | madness to dream of effecting your escape either by force or stratagem, so long as the Prefecture re- mained your prieon. Struck by this last observation of mine, they asked what I meant; and I proceeded to explain that this very afternoon you had received a letter from the Prefect intimating that you were shortly to be removed elsewhere. This statement seemed to give a new impulse to the thoughts of your English friends; and after conversing together for a short time in their own language, the Captain |. peaned a few hasty lines which‘he bade me give you.” With these words the old woman handed Loftus @ note, the cuntents of which he eagerly perused, and which ran as fullow :— “ The few words you sent just now have been regarded as a token that the bearer is fully trustworthy. Being urfacquainted with your handwriting, it was necessary to receive from you some proof that the littic billet was really delivered to yogs yourself, instead of being placed in tho hands of your gaolers. The words you wrote back, could not well have been forged by any official of the Prefecture, inasmuch as they fovolve questions which none but you | would have been Ifkely to put; and therefore we received them as a tokon that the first litde missive really reached you. It now appears that you are soon to be removed. You | must ascertain, if possible, when tals removal will take . place, and whither you are going. But if you cannot glean these particulars, you need not despair: we shall maintain a constant watch—as wo are pledged to accom. . plish our aim ! * Sites Louisa Stanley has retamed to her residence at . Canterbury, having escaped frum many perils. We are . enabled to assure you that nuthiny which your enemies ’ have devised or done, has ia any way impaired her full confidence in you. . “YOUR FRIENDS OUTSIDE” The joy—the supreme, ineffable joy — which | that she was playing him false or was privy to any Loftus experieuced ou perusing the latter part uf 9 oe eee eee om «+ am = —- en eo SE ee ew itt « es a -O ee ee ae, COMM GOnMGOOOKS