The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

52 THE COURT OF LONDON of brandy and water, and then show me to my bedroom, for I shall sleep here to-night.”’ These orders were duly complied with, and the moment Tim Meagles was alone in the chamber to which he had been conducted, he fastened the door and sat down at the table to examine the packet of papers which he had taken from the person of the murdered man. But how great was his joy and how indescribable his astonishment, when on the outside letter of the bundle he beheld these words: Correspondence between Miss Hannah Lightjoot and Lady Stamford: together with Important Memoranda and Explan- atory Comments. In the years 1757 - 1758. “By Jove! this promises to be a lucky windfall for me! ”’ said Meagles to himself, as with nervous impatience he un- fastened the tape which encircled the packet; and his hands trembled so from acute suspense that he dropped several of the papers upon the floor. But speedily picking them up again, he addressed himself to the examination of their contents; and in a very few minutes he was involved in the study of the most thrilling, exciting, and interesting correspondence and memoranda that ever engaged his attention. And through what varied transitions of feeling did his mind pass, as he plunged deeper and deeper into those documents? Now he was absorbed by the most touching pathos, then excited by the most frenzied words of despair; now he was enthralled by fervid appeals, then startled by the wildest ravings of grief. Such were the contents of the letters. But presently he found that the important memo- © randa were leading him on to the discovery of secrets of a stupendous character, — secrets intimately regarding the King of England, — yes, secrets which bore the closest reference to the honour, character, and position of George ITI. With increasing wonder and interest did Meagles turn to the explanatory comments; and from them he gleaned a full and complete solution of the mystery for the develop- ment of which the memoranda had already prepared him. Gomicbooks