Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 290: what you’re looking at

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

TOO LATE 273 in her orphan and unprotected state. She accordingly per- mitted him to issue all the necessary instructions for the double funeral, which he proposed should take place as soon and as privately as possible; and ere he took leave of her that evening he insisted upon her retaining in her own charge the few hundreds of pounds which were left out of the fifteen thousand after the liquidation of the debt due to Hodson and Morley. It was past ten o’clock when Tim Meagles returned to Carlton House, where he immediately obtained a private interview with the prince. “Ts anything the matter? ’”’ demanded his Royal Highness, observing that the countenance of his friend was troubled. “The money was ea too late,’’ replied Meagles in a sombre tone. ‘What do you mean? ” exclaimed the prince, impatiently. ‘““ I suppose the poor devil has gone into the Gazette — eh? ”’ ‘““He has gone to another world,’ answered Meagles; “and this affair does not constitute the finest chapter in the lite of your Royal Highness.”’ ‘ Explain yourself, man!”’ ejaculated the prince, stamp- ing his foot with increasing impatience and likewise through rage at the taunt so boldly thrown out against him. ‘“T mean that John Foster has blown his brains out, and that his wife has died of a broken heart,’’ said Meagles, still speaking in a tone of reproach. ‘By heaven! this is awkward,” cried the prince, turning pale. “‘ There will be a coroner’s inquest —a thorough exposure — ”’ “No, I have stopped all that,’’ interrupted Meagles. “I called upon the coroner and said enough to induce him to take no notice of the affair. I likewise bribed the parish beadle, sexton, and clerk very heavily.’ “Thank God!” exclaimed his Royal Highness. “ You are an excellent fellow, Meagles! Of course you have not paid the money to the creditors? Well, perhaps it is better that the vulgar trader should have blown his brains out; it is fifteen thousand pounds saved, and you may keep a thousand for yourself, Tim.” “ Indeed, your Royal Highness is talking uncommonly fast,’ said Meagles, scarcely able to repress a feeling of disgust at the thorough heartlessness which the prince was Gomilchbooks (E(0)