The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

174 THE COURT OF LONDON becoming crimson with indignation. ‘ But permit me to inquire whether that latter weakness on my part to which you allude —I mean my visit to this chamber last night — engendered any misgiving in your mind? ”’ ‘““In good sooth, my sweet friend,” said the prince, still maintaining an ironical tone in revenge for the proud bearing and severe looks assumed by the Amazon, “ in good sooth, I was inspired with some partial misgiving and vague suspi- clon of a sinister purpose on your side, not, however, by the circumstance of your kind visit of love and pleasure, but by the mystery attending your disappearance.” ‘“‘ And the brandy which we drank together?” said the huntress, now smiling with malicious archness. ‘““ Ah! by Jove, I remember,” exclaimed the prince, start- ing uneasily. ‘‘Come, my dear Letitia,” he continued, suddenly assuming a conciliatory tone and manner, “ tell | me what is the meaning of this change in your aspect toward me, and how I have offended you. For that there is some- thing wrong — ”’ | | “You are well aware,” added Lady Letitia, finishing the sentence for him. “ Well, it is useless to bandy words in this manner; and therefore I will at once confess that I had a special and sinister purpose in visiting your Royal Highness during the past night, and that purpose I accom- plished.”’ ‘Yes, you became my bedfellow —”’ began the prince, unable to suppress a sneer. ‘‘ A truce to flippancy,” exclaimed the huntress. ‘ This matter is serious, and your Royal Highness beholds before you a woman who is as strong in her resolution to work out a settled plan as she is frail and yielding in the school of love. Ina word, then, I have vowed to effect the restoration of Meagles, or at least to avenge him.”’ | ‘* Ah! it is as I more than half-feared,”’ muttered the prince, changing colour. Then, fixing upon the Amazon a look full of that fiendish malignity which formed no inconsiderable element of his disposition, he said, ‘‘ Beware how you wage war against me, Letitia, for I will crush you as if you were a worm.” “TI defy you, by Heaven! I defy you!” exclaimed the huntress, her eyes filling with a more than usual radiancy, her countenance becoming of the richest carnation. ‘“‘ Nay, (Of @) mG 6)(0)() (C(O) —— le ES —