The Mysteries of the Court of London by Pauline Clarendon — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

292 THE COURT OF LONDON purchase of the other half, which remains in the possession of that crabbed old rascal, Lightfoot; but this time, Letitia, these negotiations shall be on our own account, and not for the behoof of the prince.” “ Admirable!’’ cried the gay lady, her splendid counte- nance glowing with delight. ‘“ It is upwards of six months, I should imagine, since we first took steps in that matter; and, having failed, the thing has been neglected. But I never learned how the half of the document originally fell into the hands of the prince,’”’ she continued, in an inquiring tone; ‘“‘ and you have often promised to give me an expla- nation.” “ Well, I will do so now, my charmer,”’ returned Meagles; “and the narrative will afford you a little further insight with respect to the character of our friend George. It will, moreover, prove that we are fully justified in obtaining possession of papers for the purpose of overawing him, inas- much as he has not hesitated to adopt the same course with a view to coerce his own father.” ‘“ What! to menace and threaten the king? ”’ exclaimed Letitia, 1n astonishment. “Nothing more nor less,’ responded Meagles, coolly. “Listen. It was a little more than fifteen years ago that the prince — then only eighteen — was one evening walking by himself down Whitehall, when he espied by the lamplight a beautiful young woman who appeared to be surveying the buildings in that neighbourhood as if she were looking for some particular house or government office. He accosted her, and soon got into conversation with the charming stranger. She told him that she had come from Aylesbury on important business, and was anxious to obtain an inter- view with the Home Secretary as soon as possible. The prince assured her that 1t was too late to procure an audience of that functionary; and she finally agreed to accompany him whithersoever he chose to take her. I need scarcely tell you that they passed the night together; and so pleased was the stripling George with his new acquaintance that he was by no means desirous for the amour to terminate there. He accordingly made her certain proposals, offering to maintain her as his mistress, and revealing who he was. The young woman was overjoyed at having captivated the prince; and, in the fulness of her delight, she told him the CONNIE OOO KS (EO) m