The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH THE KING _ 63 which his own imagination conjured up. Yes, the monarch who lacerated the millions with knotted scourges now felt his own conscience whipped with scorpions; and he who had no remorse for the countless hearts which his tyranny made to weep so bitterly was now himself inwardly shedding tears of blood in the compunction of his soul for the memory of Hannah Lightfoot. For several minutes did George III thus remain a prey to the most torturing reflections, utterly unmindful of the presence of Tim Meagles and the Amazon, who were all the while exchanging looks of satisfaction at the evident success of their projects. At length the king suddenly recollected their presence; and, ashamed of the emotions to which he had given way, his Majesty wiped away the tears from his cheeks, smothered his harrowing sensations as well as he was able, and, rising from his armchair, said, “‘ Mr. Meagles, you shall have the marquisate as soon as the affair can be ar- ranged.”’ ‘‘ With a pension to enable me to support the title? ’’ added Tim. ‘“ Be it so,’”’ rejoined his Majesty. Then, after a few mo- ments’ deep reflection, he said, ‘‘ But this matter must be managed without scandal, or rather, with as little scandal as possible. You know that you have no ostensible or apparent claims upon the Crown for any reward or recom- pense at all; we must therefore invent those claims. Do you understand me? ”’ ‘To some extent, Sire,’ answered Tim. ‘‘ What does your Majesty propose? ’’ ‘* T will examine the list of extinct peerages without delay,”’ returned the king, speaking in a slow and measured tone; ‘and we will pitch upon some marquisate, to which you shall lay claim. The necessary documents to establish that claim can be easily prepared; and when the matter comes before the proper committee in the House of Lords, I will take care that the decision shall be rendered in your favour. This may be an affair of some months; indeed, it cannot possibly be settled until the beginning of next year, and in — the meantime — ”’ ‘“In the meantime the papers shall be sealed up and religiously kept from every eye,’’ added Meagles. ‘“ It is to your own interest to observe that condition of our COnnICLOoOKS (S©)