The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

154 THE COURT OF LONDON “ Oh, let me kiss those lips which you pout so prettily,” exclaimed the heir apparent, snatching her to his arms a third time. ‘And now, my charming huntress, let me implore you to lay aside this moping mood and converse gaily with me.”’ ‘“ It is impossible to resist you,” said the Amazon, and all in a moment her countenance became radiant, as it was wont to be. “ You say that you have had an evil dream? ”’ “Yes, and I am dull, in low spirits, altogether queer, Letitia. And thus I am really glad you have come to chat with me awhile.” ‘ And I also, since such is the state of the case,” responded the Amazon. ‘“ But this dream of yours— Ah! you start. Well, if the subject be an unpleasant one, I will not again allude to it.” “ Excellent Letitia!’ murmured the prince, pillowing his head upon her shoulder. “There, close your eyes and sleep thus,” said the Amazon; and with the hand of the arm that was thrown around his neck she pressed down his eyelids as if in a half-playful, half-soothing humour. At the same instant, with the other hand, the Amazon took a small phial from the pocket of her breeches and poured a few drops of its dark-coloured contents into the tumbler whence the prince had already drunk the brandy, as just now stated. | ‘‘ Ah, it is sweet to repose thus,’’ murmured the prince. ‘“‘ Sleep then,’”’ replied the Amazon. ‘‘ But— Ah! now you are all wide awake again! — and these kisses — ” ‘* Oh, you are so handsome, dearest Letitia.” “You say so. But—” ‘* But it is true,’’ and he clasped her in his arms. An hour afterward Lady Letitia Lade was standing by the magnificent bed. Glancing toward the prince, who was sleeping a profound lethargic slumber, she murmured to herself, ‘‘ The cold- blooded villain! Oh, that I was compelled to play the hypo- crite with him! But he imbibed the narcotic in the large dram of brandy which I gave him, and he will not awake for hours to come.” Then a smile of triumph played on the moist coral lips CORNICLOOO© (©