The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

12 THE COURT OF LONDON of the asylum where her sister is shut up?” asked the heir apparent. | -“ Scarcely a day passes that she does not take a hackney- coach and repair to Stoke Newington to call at Doctor Burton’s establishment and inquire for Octavia,’’ responded Page. ‘‘ But the doctor invariably assures her that some few weeks may yet elapse ere her sister’s mind will be so far restored to a state of equanimity as to justify him in per- mitting an interview between them. And Pauline feels herself so utterly powerless in the matter, and has discovered that the law is so completely on the side of the course which has been adopted, that she now appears to have yielded resignedly to the progress of those events against which she can offer no effectual resistance. Ah, it is a capital law which allows an obnoxious or dangerous person to be locked up for life, on the certificates of a couple of bribeable doctors! ” ‘To be sure it is,’’ exclaimed the prince. “ I do not know how we should get on in the world without the aid of such laws occasionally. The rich and the powerful, the titled and the great, Mr. Page, must have some means of keeping their enemies in subjection and disarming dangerous individuals of their sting.”’ ‘Your Royal Highness argues with the most perfect wisdom,’’ said the obsequious Mr. Page. ‘ But it is now getting on for nine o’clock,” he observed, looking at his watch, “and Julia—that is to say, Mrs. Page — will presently make the young lady so safe that your Royal Highness will find no trouble in enjoying a blissful triumph.” ‘What do you mean?” demanded the prince. ‘“‘ How does your wife intend to proceed? ”’ ‘““ At nine o’clock the supper tray is to be taken up,” answered the ex-bagman, lowering his voice to a mysterious whisper; “‘ and whether Miss Pauline should fancy a glass of port, or a glass of sherry, or only a tumbler of mild porter, the result will be all the same; for our servant-girl is in the secret. She is trustworthy, and we can rely upon her.” ‘I comprehend you,” interrupted the prince, the blood glowing in his veins as he feasted his salacious imagination upon the charms which he hoped that night to defoliate of their virgin innocence. ‘‘ Come, let us be gone! ”’ The prince accordingly summoned Germain, whom he directed to order a plain carriage to be got ready without GOmMmiGcsooks (E(©)