The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

56 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘‘ As a witness to see fair play, your Majesty,’ answered Meagles, with an undaunted firmness. ‘“‘I have been so scurvily treated on a special occasion by your Mayjesty’s eldest son, and the Home Office plays such queer tricks at times, that I resolved to bring a witness with me. And as the business is of a most private and confidential character, I thought your Majesty would be better pleased if I brought a friend who knows all my secrets, rather than a stranger.”’ “Ah! fine talk — fine talk!” ejaculated the king, in that jerking manner which was peculiar to him. Then, as he surveyed the Amazon from head to foot, he said, in a musing tone, ‘“‘ Well, upon my word, she looks as well — yes, quite as well — quite as well in those widows’ weeds as in the male apparel; quite as well. A fine woman — a very fine woman. Pity she’s no better than she should be — no better than she should be,” he added, these last words being inaudible alike to Meagles and the object of the monarch’s musings. ‘“‘ And now what’s the business — what’s the business? ’’ he demanded aloud, turning abruptly at the same time toward Meagles. ‘“ Accident has thrown in my way certain important papers which intimately regard your Majesty,’ was the reply, delivered in a firm and measured tone. ‘““ Papers — important papers— what papers?” ejacu- lated the king, growing more and more nervous. “ This is the second time you’ve come to me about papers. More exactions, eh? More nonsense to bother your sovereign about,eh? Come,sir, what are these papers? Come—speak!”’ “ Correspondence, may it please your Majesty, memo- randa, and explanatory remarks relative to a certain lady whose name cannot do otherwise than awaken disagreeable reminiscences in the mind of your Majesty.” And as Meagles thus spoke, his looks quailed not beneath those which the monarch fixed intently upon him. ‘Ah! you always harp on the same string — same string,” cried his Majesty, the colour coming and going in rapid transitions on his puffy cheeks, and his whole manner exhibiting a painful nervousness. ‘‘ What papers have you got, sir? They are all forgeries — all forgeries — and I defy you. Go about your business — about your business,”’ and the king, turning abruptly away from Meagles and the Amazon, walked to the farther end of the room. | Gomicdooks (E(0)