The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XVII A STRANGE ADVENTURE Wirnovrt shifting his position in the bed, for he was so far overcome with drowsiness as to be unwilling to make any exertion, the Prince of Wales opened his eyes; but he was instantaneously recalled to complete consciousness, when he beheld the door of the secret staircase open slowly and cautiously. The idea that thieves had dared to break into Carlton House naturally flashed to his mind, and he thrust his hand toward the silken bell-cord which hung behind the curtains, when, to his amazement, he recognized the well- known form of the Amazon as she noiselessly glided into the room. The first suspicion now yielded to the thought that Lady Lade, presuming upon the intimacy of a former occasion when she had disported with his Royal Highness in the bath, was intent upon some frolic; and, all idea of danger being instantaneously dissipated, the prince raised himself in his couch and surveyed the beauteous intruder with mingled feelings of curiosity and indignation. Closing the door as gently as she had opened it, the Amazon, who was dressed in her male attire, approached the couch; and when she saw that the prince was awake and gazing upon her, she took off her hat, smoothed down her glossy hair, and bent upon him a smiling look fraught with a wanton sweetness that immediately disarmed him of his anger. “Pardon me, your Royal Highness,” she said, advancing close up to the bed, ‘ pardon me for this unwarrantable — liberty, this extraordinary intrusion, and deign to hear me while I give a brief explanation of my motive.”’ ‘‘ Beauteous lady,’’ exclaimed the prince, now feeling assured that the Amazon suspected not his treachery to- 151 (C(O) Anyi } KS \