The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCE, MEAGLES, LADY LETITIA — 253 “Poor old gentleman! he is well-nigh in his dotage,” said the Amazon. ‘‘ He lets me do just as I hke— ” “ And if he didn’t, you'd do it, all the same,’ remarked Tim. “ Most assuredly,” responded the huntress. ‘ But as he is indulgent and good, we never have any quarrels. He only sees with my eyes and hears with my ears; and thus we live happily enough together.” “You are particularly fortunate,’ observed the prince. ‘but we must now proceed to business, Meagles. We have two clear hours before us to chat, and supper will be served at twelve.”’ “I can guess what you require,” said Tim; “ but I sup- pose your wants are not very pressing, or else you would not have sent up a note to my lodgings last evening, post- poning our appointment until to-night.” ‘“ The fact is, that four and twenty hours made no material difference, as affairs stood,’”’ rejoined the Prince of Wales; “but as they now stand, another four and twenty hours must not be allowed to pass away without seeing my coffers replenished. a ‘What is the matter, then? ”’ femanded Meagles. ‘ Any- thing particularly pressing? fi “That poor devil Foster, who lent me the fifteen thousand pounds, you know, — upon my simple note of hand, — three years ago—’”’ began the Prince of Wales, speaking hur- riedly. “Why, I thought your Royal Highness had settled it last Christmas twelvemonth,” interrupted Meagles. ‘* Did I not make an arrangement with him for you? And did I not even find you the money to hand over to him? He agreed to receive the principal, and waive all claim to the twenty-five per cent. interest.” “Jt is perfectly true, my dear Meagles,” resumed George, as he sipped his wine, “‘ that you Hid everything you have just stated; but it ig equally true that the money which you procured for me on that occasion went into some other channel.’’ “And yet you never mentioned that circumstance to me until now,” observed Tim, somewhat reproachfully. ‘“ How can [ possibly undertake to settle these kinds of things for your Royal Highness, when you constantly act ) 1) GOmiGoOoOkSs (EO)