The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 303: what you’re looking at

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286 though we will endeavour to obtain an interview this evening,” said Meagles. “But remember, my beauty, you will pass as Mrs. Meagies at the hotel at Windsor—and now you comprehend what that means.” . “We shall see all about it presently, Tim,” re- sponded Lady Letitia, laughing. “I suppose that Wasp will tell no tales on our return to London.” “If Wasp were inclined to gossiping, he might have told enough concerning us long ago,” said Meagles. “But neither he nor the excellent Mrs. Piggleberry ever seem to take theo slightest no- tice when you pass the night with me at my ings.” “ Hold your tongue, Tim!” exclaimed the Ama- zon. “It is positively shocking to talk in such a way in the broad daylight,” she added, her merry laugh again ringing musically through the crisp sharp air. “And now tell me, Mr. Scape-grace, why you have undertaken that crusade againt poor Mrs. Fitzherbert, whom the unprincipled George is thus resolved to persecate 2” “Mrs. Fitzherbert has always hated me as sin- cerely as the devil does holy water,” answered Meagles; “and attimes she has been most repul- sively rude and insufferably insolent towards me. Now you know, my charmer, that I have never merited such treatment at her hands: for I have frequently rendered her little services which she ought not to forget. More than ance have I taken her jewellery to the pawnbroker’s for her when she was short of cash and the Prince had none to give her; and I have even given my own security and lent my own money 60 silence her most clamorous creditors. But I donot recollect that I have ever received from her lips a single word of thanks. She has treated me as if I were a lacquey—a Jickspittle —a slave—a servile wretch who wae ocaly fitted to be employed in the vilest offices, and who was too well rewarded by the mere fact of being allowed to perform such services for Royalty. Now, my dear Letitia, could I do otherwise than smart uader such behaviour as this ?” “JT admit that the provocation is great, Tim,” said the Amazon: “ but you are too good-hearted a fellow to cherish vindictive feelings — especially against a poor weak woman, who will shortly find her own husband—for sueh indeed the Prince is— becoming her greatent enemy.” “Were it a mere question of vengeance, my dar- ling huntress,” responded Meagles, “I should scorn—despise the idea, V ta woman is beneath a man. But the conduct which I propose to pursue in respect to Mrs. Fitzher- bert, essentially regards the particular schemes that you andI have formed. Therefore, as it suits my interests—or rather our interest—to league with the Prince against that lady, you can well comprehend that her condact has not been such as to excite any compunction or remorse in my breast so as to induce me to hesitate ere I undertake this crusade against her.” “ But I do not yet comprehend how it will serve our views to adopt such a course,” said the Amazon. “Io a very few words I can explain myself,” an- swered Meagies. “We wish to obtain as complete a hold upon the Prince as possible—do we nos? Well—let him break with Mrs. Fitzherbert—le¢ him marry the Princess of Brunswick—and he is ten thousand times more effectually in our power than at the present moment. For we possess the proofs of his union with Mrs. Fitsherbert — a Catholie——” “I understand, Tim,” interrupted Lady Lade: “an exposure of this marriage would prove ruinous to George, whether as Prince of Wales or King of England—and, as you justly observed, he becomes more completely enmeshed in our snares than ever.” “Then you approve of the course which I have undertaken to adopt ” said Meagies, inquiringly. “Yes—now that I consider it in all iss bearings,” replied the Amason. “Well,” she added, with another merry laugh, “I do really believe that you will die a Duke in the end, Tim. Bat, remember,” abe oxoraimed, her minh subsiding ing iato an areh e,—“ remember that I am also to be a Duchess.” “I have not forgotten our bargain, my love,” ex- claimed Meagies. Thus speaking, he pot spars to his steed; and the party broke into a sharp trot. It was about a quarter to five when they entered the town of Windsor ; and, proceeding direst to the White Hart hotel, they put up their horece at she stables belonging to that establishment. Meagies then made inquiries of the landlord as to the pro- bability of obtaining an- audience af: his that evening: but by the answers he received, he was speedily convinced that he must postpone all hape of seeing the King until the following morn- ing. He accordingly signified his intention of pass- ing the night at the hotel, and the landlord forth- with led the way to a handsome suite of Being thus installed at the White Hart, ia com- pany with the Amazon, Meagles ordered an ex- cellent dinner; while Wasp, who had received a hint to speak of the hantress as his master’s wif, was suitably provided for in the kitchen. By meaas of an exoellent bottle of claret and a pleasant conversation, Tim Meagles and Lady Lade whiled away the time until eleven o'clock, when they retired to rest in each other's arms. At half past nine on the followiag morning they were seated at breakfast; and when the meal was concluded, they sallied forth from the White Hart and proceeded in the direction of the Castle. CHAPTER LXXXIL THB INTERVIEW. WE must now request our readers to accompany Us into a small but elegantly furnished apartment in Windsor Castle. A cheerful fire blased in the grate; and, standing on the rug, with one arm leaning on the mantel, King George the Third was dictating a letter to a young lady of great beauty who was seated at a superb writing-table. His Majesty was at this time fifty-eevem years old. Naturally of a robust and vigorous constitutions, he seemed well adapted to maintain a suecessful struggie against the influence of advancing age: but Care hed accomplished what Time could not do—and had bowed the form and traced wrinkles upos the coum ee ee GCOMIGROO COMM S