The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

50 THE COURT OF LONDON For had she not received sufficient proof of the unprincipled character of the heir apparent and the extremes to which he was capable of venturing in order to gratify his passions or administer to his selfishness? Had not his heartlessness murdered her parents, and was she not compelled to risk her own life in an appalling manner to escape from his libidinous persecution? All these reflections swept through the mind of the agitated girl, and nearly overwhelmed the hopes that had sprung up in her bosom; and as the moment approached at which his Royal Highness was to be there, a sense of colossal danger grew upon her with almost overwhelming effect. At length she heard a stately step drawing near her cham- ber; the key turned in the lock, the door opened, and the Prince of Wales entered the:room. Closing the door behind him, he advanced with affable mien and extended hand toward the maiden, who stood motionless as a statue and pale as the sculptured marble too, but with her eyes fixed eagerly on his countenance, as if to read her doom in his features. Then, whether it were that she beheld some sinister light in his eyes, or whether some secret presentiment confirmed all her fears and utterly annihilated all her hopes, we know not; but certain it is that, suddenly starting into full and agonized life from that statue-like stillness, Rose Foster threw herself on her knees before the prince, and, extending her clasped hands toward him, shrieked forth, ‘ Mercy! mercy! ”’ ‘“ Silly maiden, of what are you afraid?” exclaimed his Royal Highness, hastening to raise her, or rather, endeavour- ing to do so; but she resisted his attempt, withdrawing vio- lently the hands which he had seized in his own. “ Miss Foster, for I know who you are,” continued George, “ I implore you to tranquillize yourself. Do not entertain so much mistrust concerning me. Do not look upon me with such cruel suspicion. Rise, I beseech you.”’ ‘‘ Does your Royal Highness swear that you come hither with friendly intentions only?” demanded the terrified girl, still remaining upon her knees, but averting herself almost shudderingly from the prince. ‘“T swear!’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ And now rise, Miss Foster, rise and give me your attention and your patience.” GOnGooOo S (C(O)