The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

146 THE COURT OF LONDON and, momentarily aghast with dismay, the wretch sat glaring wildly on his Royal Highness. But speedily re- covering his wonted presence of mind, especially when he saw that the prince treated the affair as such a capital joke, he growled forth, “‘ Well, can’t you release a poor devil? I have been fast here ever since ten o’clock last night.”’ “Oh, the fellow will kill me, positively kill me with laughing,” cried the prince, actually writhing with parox- ysms of mirth as he leaned against the wall for support, while the tears streamed down his cheeks now purple from the same cause. “ Oh, this is too good, too rich! Ernestina, why don’t you enjoy it as Ido?” ‘“ Enjoy it, by goles!’”’ growled the Hangman, savagely. “TI don’t think your Royal Highness would enjoy it very | much either. It’s no joke to pass a night locked up in an infernal chair that is worse than the stocks, barring the pelt- ing of the rotten eggs.” ‘“‘ Well, I never laughed so much in all my life,”’ exclaimed the prince, the humorous fit now gradually subsiding. Then, as he closed the door opening from the dressing-room, he said, ‘‘ Ernestina, do you know our captive friend here? I can’t congratulate him upon the pleasantness of his aspect, and if men’s countenances were to be taken as bail, I am very sure his would never be accepted.”’ ‘No, I am quite ignorant who he is,’”’ said Lady Dysart, making Coffin a rapid sign not to contradict the assertion thus boldly ventured. ‘‘ But I dare say he has found his way into the house on some love-adventure with one of the female servants,’’ she added, thus furnishing him with a ready excuse to account for his presence there. ‘“Egad, ma’am, youre quite right,’ exclaimed the Hangman, with a grim smile. “ It was just as you say, and the girl deluded me into this place, where she very politely asked me to be seated, and lo and behold! I was lumbered and limboed in a jiffy. But Dll be even with her yet, the hussy! Only, I hope you won’t make no noise about it.”’ ‘Rest assured on that head,’’ Ernestina hastened to reply. ‘“‘ But on your part, you will never betray’ what you have experienced or seen within these walls? ” “T don’t want to be laughed at for a fool, ma’am,” responded Coffin; ‘“‘ and therefore I shall keep a still tongue in my head. But pray release me.”’ () (COU (E(0) IDOOKS