The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

a 2 oO eee ee ers -memotry’s scorpion-stings: for though time had- THE MYSTERIES. 291 “ Fragment!” repeated Meagles; “fragment did your Majesty say? I beg your pardon, sire—but the whole paper is in our possession—in my possés- sion “Tr’s false, sir—it’s false!” ejaculated George ITT. “ My son has often told me that beforé—but he never could produce more than onée-hali——” “Your Majesty may now, therefore, have an op- portunity of seeing the whole,” said Meagles, in a tone of calm confidence almost bordering upon cool insolence, as he displayed the perfect certificate. “And a very pretty production it would be to print and issue to the world,” observed the Amazon, again coming to her paramour’s assistance. “Ah! you would not dare—no—you could not,” gasped the wretched King, as the proof—the damn- ing proof of his atrocious perjury to Hannah Light- foot was thus placed before his eyes: for a single glance at the document was sufficient to convince him that the missing half was really found, and that no forgery had been accomplished te supply its place. Sinking back into the seat which he had resumed and quitted with such nervous frequency during this memorable interview, the King covered his face with his hands and groaned Aloud in the bitterness of his spirit. He forgot that there were persons present to see and héar him: and even if he had remembered the’ fact, he could not have suppressed that evidence of emotions profoundly excited. For, oh! in the heart of this tyrant King a certain chord had been made to vibrate with ineffable anguish ; and with whirlwind speed had memory traversed the gulf of many, many years,—going back to those days—the days of his youth—when he had loved for the first time—nay, for the only time in all his life—and when he tasted of that drop of balm which turns the gall of this world’s cup into 4 delicious nectar. For such is woman’s affection: and it was the love of a tender and confiding soul which was given to him! Then, although he had learnt to ap- preciate how delicate is the fabric of the female heart, yet had he rudely broken the hallowed tie which bound such 4 heart to him; and he knew that the being who had adored him too tenderly and cherished his image all too fondly, had gone down into a pre- mature grave—the victim of his perjury—a sacrifice to his broken vows! Long years—oh! long and many years had been reckoned and numberéd since then: he had married another—and a numerous family had sprung up around him. But though perfidy may have its hourand seduction its triumph, yet remorse never fails sooner or later to exact its debt. And thus were theré seasons when the soul of this bad King was rent with the anguish of 4 con- science Suffering all the tortuye and crucifixion of passed over his heart, it was only to reveal it, in his old age, like the disentombed city, with all the hopes and passions of an earlier period preserved in the very lava which had choked them? For nearly five minutes did King George III remain thus absorbed in the most exeruciating reflections: and Tim Meagles and the Amazon dared not even exchange glances With each other— for they ielt a secret awe at having thts plimged a crowned monarch into so deep an Abyss of humilia- tion and mental pain. At length the King raised his héad hastily ;—and, sadly altered tone, “Am I to understand that the document which you have shown me will be given up when the demand of my son is complied with?” “Your Majesty cannot expect that I should part with so interesting a relic,” observed Meagles: then, fixing his eyes significantly upon the monarch’s countenance, he added, “ Such a piece of paper, sire, is worth a dukedom.” “ Heaven protect my son—heaven guard him from these extortioners—when he succeeds me!” murmured the King, with a slight access of returning irrita- bility: but, immediately suppressing his rising anger and steadying his trembling nerves with all the effort of which he was capable, he said in a louder tone, “ Mr. Meagles, you will not publish that docu- ment ?—you cannot wish todoso? No—no—I am sure you cannot. And now listen to me attentively —very attentively.” His Majesty paused for a few moments, while both Meagles and thé Arnazon drew nearer towards him. “You are sensible people — both of you—very sensible people, I am confident,” resumed the King; “and you must therefore see that I cannot grant a peerage ih this abrupt, sudden, and extraordinary manner. But I will tell you what I can do, Mr. Meagles—and Mrs. Meagles. I will speak to Pitt about Lord Marchmont—I will tell him that I wish to confer a mark of my esteem on that nobleman— and then he will institute inquiries respecting his lordship’s family and relatives. You understand me—eh? Well, the name of Mr. Clarendon will thus transpire—and all I wart is to be able to bring it on the tapis. The rest is easily managed—easily managed,’ added the King, speaking in a musing tone to himself rather than addressing his words to those whose eats they however reached. “ Yes—yes —there will be no difficulty—no difficulty. Mr. Meagles—Mr. Meagles,” exclaimed his Majesty with startling suddenness after a few moments’ pause, —*you may return to my son and inform him that for the last time [I consent to help him out of his embarrassment. Within a week or ten days 4 peerage shall be offered to this Mr. Clarendon of whom you have spoken. In the interval the most rigid secrecy must be maintained respecting the né- gotiation. I presume that your Mr. Clarendon is as yet ignorant of his daughter’s shame ?” Meagles replied in the affirmative. “So much the better,” continued the King, speak- ing in a more collected manner than he had yet done. “‘ Now, understand me well, Mr. Meagles-—and you also, Mrs. Meagles,—understand me, 1 repeat, when I say that not 4 hint of all this must be bréathed to Mr. Clarendon until my Minister shall have officially communicated my royal will and pleasure with re- gard to him. On the same day that this communi- cation i$ made, the Prince of Wales shall receive a hint to that effect. Then—and not till then, Mr. Meacles—may it be intimated to Mr. Clarendon that this boon of & peerage, With an accompanyin® pen- sion, is the price of his silence and forbearance—— You know what £ mean,” added the monafch im- patiently, as he sprang with characteristic abruptness from his seat. “TJ understand your Majesty fully,’ said Meagies; ; “and I thank your Majesty for the gratious promise of which I shall now be the joyful messenger to ‘his Royal Highness the Prinee of Wales.” The Kine scarcely waited to hear the conclusion beckoniag Meagies to approach, he said in 4 tow and | of this sentence, bat retired to the ihher Toot. LOO (CS) a Gi @)