The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

152 THE COURT OF LONDON ward Tim Meagles, although he was curious to learn what effect that individual’s sudden disappearance had produced upon her, as well as the conjecture which she might have formed relative to the cause of it, ‘‘ beauteous lady, if you come to me as the representative of the goddess of love and pleasure, you are truly welcome; for not only am I passion- ately enamoured of your charms, but I am likewise far from displeased at the sudden and unexpected presence of such agreeable company, inasmuch as I have only just awoke from a dream which troubled me not a little.” “My dear prince,’ said the Amazon, seating herself on the edge of the bed, and fixing upon him a look full of volup- tuous languor, ‘‘ I came but to consult you as a friend and concerning a friend. If, however, you wish to receive me in another and more tender capacity, I am your Royal High- ness’s obedient servant now, as I was a few weeks ago in yonder bathroom.” ‘You are looking gloriously handsome to-night, Letitia,” said the prince; ‘‘ and were I an anchorite — which, thank Heaven, I am not— you would assuredly tempt me to sin.”’ ‘But do permit me to give you some little explanation of this most extraordinary intrusion,’’ exclaimed the Amazon, disengaging herself from the embrace in which the prince had caught her, though not without having permitted him to cull a few kisses from her moist red lips. ‘“ The fact is,” she continued, reseating herself upon the bed, but a little farther off than before, ‘‘ some days have elapsed since our mutual friend Meagles disappeared most strangely and un- accountably from his lodgings.”’ ‘Well, I have missed him too,’ ejaculated the prince, colouring deeply as he spoke; but as the Amazon was looking downward at the moment, he flattered himself that his con- fusion passed unperceived. ‘‘ At first,’”’ continued Lady Letitia, ‘‘ I was not at all un- easy, because there might be a thousand reasons for his temporary absence from home. But when a couple of days passed and no tidings were received from him, I began to fancy that he must be in prison — arrested for debt, perhaps — and unwilling to let his friends know of his tribulation. I accordingly visited the Bench and the Fleet, and then made the round of every sponging-house in London — ”’ COMICOO©