The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 108: what you’re looking at

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

(eee — ei PR SE A SS SST SSS ha Sh SSS SSS Ss P= ss SSS SSS SS ls SS sss SS eS al RE ES ES a a Paths ERs SP. THE MYSTERI&S. was born of parents who were beggars, and in a mis- erable garret in Luknér’s Lane, St. Giles’s. “ Well,” resumed the Prince, “ I went to the place of appointment—it was the George and Blue Boar, Holborm; and on arriving there, I ordered the land- lord, who ifithediately recognised int, to show me fo a ptivate too. Coriceive my anttoyarice when I learnt that there was not an apattment unoceupied throughout the establishnent: the entire building was full of guests. Even the landlord’s own parlout was enjiged for a Suppet-patty. There was no help fot it—and I Was compelled to répait to the com- méréfal-réviti, Having previously informied the land- lori that if any one called to inquire for a Mr. Jenkins, the individual was to be condacted straight tome. I had not been long seated in the travellers’ room, #8 they call it, when I obsetved, as I was sipping my tum punch, that an insolent rascal of 4 bagman was stirveying me in a véry pectliar fashion; and he presently had the impertinence to intimate that he was not unaware who I was. Vairily did I endeavouf to tebuke him by reminding him that the mere fact of my being there at all was a suf- ficient indication of my desire to escape vulgar notice: the scoundtel was unabashed, and boldly de- clared that thy words had confirmed his suspicion relative to my identity. Indignant and disgusted— repenting, too, of my folly in going thither under any circumstances whatsoever—and 0 by the clock that it was considerabl past the hour when Foster was to meet me, I qnitted e tavern abruptly : but knowing how absolutely necessary it was to make immediate arrangements with that same Foster, in order to prevent him from calling and dunning at Carlton House, I resolved to proceed to his own private residence. I accordingly took a hackncy- coach in Holbomm: but when some distance up the Edgeware Road, in whith neighbourhood Foster dwells, I became aware that I was ptirsued. In- stantly suspecting some freak atising from the im- inence of the bagman—and fearing lest & dis- ight erisue and obtain publicity, thereby causing unpleasant niention to be made of my name —I alighted, dismissed the coach, and took refuge in the nearest house.” “A very unpleasant little adventure,” observed Lady Letitia, laughing heartily. “J only wish that I had been with your Royal Highness,” said Tim Meagles: “that same insolent bagman should not have escaped with a whole skin. But the erid of it was, I suppote, that you failed to see Foster altogether ?” “ Precisely so,” answered the Prince. " And now, to make a story shott, I have received a letter from Foster, respectfully apologising for being too late to meet me the other night at the tavern, but assuring me that he is a rained man unless he can pay a cértain mercantile firm in Wood Street the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds by three o’clock to-morrow. Now, can anything be done, Tim ?* inquired the Prince anxiously : “for I pledge you my royal honour that I know not whence half the amount. My name is already talked about in so scandalous a manner—my im- mense Mabilities are as notorious as they Well can be —and my position, in fact, is so extremely disagree- able at this moment, that I would make any sacrifice to be enabled to settle this Foster's claim. Only conceive, my dear friends,” added the Prince, looking first at Meagles and then at the Amazon,—" only f 91 conceive what a terrible exposure it would be, if Foster was to become bankrupt and in his vexation should proclai m me as the cause of his failure !” “Can your friend manage it in time, Letitia?” asked Meagles, turnirig towards the huntress. * As early to-morrow as his Hoyal Highness may choose to appoint,” was the lady’s reply. “The fact is this,” resumed Tim, addressing him- eelf'to the Prince: “our Amazonian beauty here has captivated a French Matquis——" * No scafidal, Meagles!” interrupted the htintress. "The Marquis de Saint Croix is 4 friend of Sir John’s -—and in that chpacity he has visited at ouf house, He is one of those noble refugees who have been compelled to seek an asylum in England, to avoid the goiotitie in theit owh country.” “ Perdition seize those miscreants of French Re- publicans!* ejaculated the Prince of Wales, sud- denly becoming much excited. “Their pestilential doctrines are making vast progres¢ hete: “ but, thank God! we possess generals who will not hesi- tate to cannonade the people at the first¢ymptom of arising. Nevertheless, Royalty has begun to fall to & discount ——” “Your Royal Highness is wrong to suppose that such is the casé in England,” observed Meagles. “ The aristocracy has got such a tight hdld upon the millions that a convulsion here is impossible.” “ Well—at all events, the throne will last my time out,” observed the Prince; “and I don’t care one damn what follows !"¢ “Oh! leave politics alone for the present,” ex- claimed Lady Letitia; “and let us return to the matter whence you have both digressed. The Mar- quis de Saint Croix, of whom I was speaking, is an old noblemnan of very ventrable a nee; and he has quite won Sir John's heart. The econséquence is that he is a frequent visitot at out house, as I just now observed; and a few days ago he was saying that he had succeeded in bringing away with him, from his native land, a sutii of nut less than twenty thousand pounds. He is anxious to lay out his money to the best advantage, and consulted my hus- band tpon the subject. Sir John replied that he would mention the business to his solicitor, who might probably know where to place the amount on some safe mortgage, and at good interest. I hap- pened td merition this circumstance to our friend ea eee?” “And I immediately suggested that perhaps your Royal Highness would like to take up the surn,” added Tim. “Letitia says that she can manage it easily, and without delay.” * And what security can I possibly give the Mar- quis?” inquired George. * Your Royal Highness’s bond will doubtless be sufficient,” answered Meagles. * And the French nobleman will rejvice in Ra Geposited Kis money in such good hahds,” observ the Amazon. * He will consider the transaction at & guarantee for the continuation of that hospitality and protection which England has already vouchsafed not only to himself, but to so many thousands of his refugee fellow-countrymen.” * But the affhir must be managed with the utmost secrecy,” said the Prince. “ How can you even pre- vent your husband, Sir John Lade, from knowing it?” ® George the Fourth, when Prince of Wales, really did make use of these very words. wpe Ee ee ee ee ‘“ GOLAAL CDOO S COMM