The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

270 THE COURT OF LONDON But scarcely had one of the domestics begun to administer restoratives to the unfortunate girl who had thus suddenly been made an orphan, when a loud double knock at the door called down the other dependent to answer the im- perious summons. The arrival was Mr. Meagles, who came as the bearer of the money which was to satisfy the merchant’s claim upon the prince. The Amazon had introduced the Marquis of Saint Croix to his Royal Highness’s private apartment at the very moment that the clock was striking one, and ir less than a quarter of an hour the bond was signed and the cash paid down. But the prince was so much pleased with the old French nobleman that he insisted upon his staying to partake of lunch; and when Tim Meagles suggested the propriety of devoting immediate attention to Foster’s business, the prince exclaimed flippantly, “Oh, an hour more or less will not make any difierence to the vulgar trader; you must stay and take a glass of wine, Tim, and then you shall go.” Meagles was forced to comply with his patron’s desire; and it was two o’clock ere he quitted Carlton House to go into the City. But, having a good horse to his gig, he speedily accomplished the distance between the princely dwelling and the merchant’s counting-house. Here he learned that Mr. Foster had not been in town all day, and he therefore resolved to proceed at once to the Edgeware Road. We have, however, seen that he reached Mr. Foster’s private residence too late. And now he learned, with un- feigned horror, the terrible tragedy that had taken place, and which had deprived a young and beautiful girl of both her parents all in a moment. Meagles entered the house, visited the scene of suicide and sudden death, and, hearing that Miss Foster had by this time recovered her senses, solicited a few moments’ interview with her. The man was naturally good-hearted; and the incidents which had just occurred not only shocked him cruelly, but likewise created in his bosom a feeling of interest with regard to the fatherless and motherless maiden. The servant informed the half-distracted young lady that a gentleman who appeared to sympathize deeply with her sorrows desired to see her, and she was accordingly per- suaded to grant the request. CORNIE DOO KS (E(@)