The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

130 THE COURT OF LONDON “Your ladyship will ensure the lasting gratitude of Mr. Valentine Malvern,” said Larry Sampson, rising from his seat. ‘‘ ] will take the liberty of calling to-morrow evening to learn the result of your ladyship’s interview with Mr. Dysart, so far as this business is concerned.”’ The Bow Street officer then took his departure, to the infinite rehef of Lady Ernestina, who had passed through an ordeal of harrowing tortures, bewildering sensations, and poignant memories during this interview. But the moment the door of the apartment closed behind Mr. Lawrence Sampson, she flung the anonymous letter into the fire; and as she beheld it flame up and consume, she murmured to herseli, “‘ Thus perish the only evidence that existed of my perfidy toward Dysart.”’ She then bethought herself of Daniel Coffin the Hangman; and returning into the room where she had left him, she found it unoccupied, and therefore concluded he had taken his departure. Banishing him from her thoughts, she now sat down to her writing-desk and penned the ensuing note: “Leveson Houss, Oct. 11, 1814. “Lady Ernestina Dysart presents her dutiful compli- ments to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and humbly requests that his Royal Highness will honour her with a call to-morrow at eleven o’clock punctually. Lady Ernestina is well aware that under ordinary circumstances this demand would savour of the most insolent presumption; but as the circumstances are extraordinary and peculiar, she ventures to hope that his Royal Highness will vouchsafe compliance with her prayer, and that the visit thus besought will be paid with as much privacy as possible.’’ Having sealed and addressed this billet, Ernestina gave it to a domestic to take at once to Carlton House; and as it was now past ten o’clock and she was wearied with the ex- citing occurrences of the day, she retired to her own chamber. But in the meantime, what had aly become of Mr. Daniel Coffin? When left by himself in the dining-room, he suddenly fell into a profound perplexity how to act. The visit of Mr. Lawrence Sampson was, to say the least, alarming; and despite all the reasoning which the Hangman conjured up CONNIE NO KS (E(0)