The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 284: what you’re looking at

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

THE PREFECT AND HIS GUESTS 257 on the name of Englishmen. Therefore, availing myself of the fact that he was sojourning in France under a false name, — a circumstance rendering him amenable to the law, — I have been compelled, in my capacity as guardian of the public morals, to incarcerate him within these walls.’’ ‘“‘T dare not disbelieve you, sir, I cannot doubt your word,” said Louisa, gazing vacantly around, as if her senses were abandoning her; ‘“ but yet it appears to me so impos- sible, indeed, it looks so like a monstrous dream — ”’ ‘“‘ Alas! my dear young lady,” said Lord Leveson, as he took her hand with much apparent kindness, “‘ you perceive that it is but too true. Besides which, so high a functionary and so honourable a man as the prefect of police would not possibly be guilty of an injustice, on the one hand, toward the person calling himself Jocelyn Loftus, nor, on the other hand, would he so uselessly deceive or so wantonly afflict a young damsel like you.”’ “ Assuredly not,’’ exclaimed the prefect. ‘“‘ But I forgive these doubts, this uncertainty, this incredulity, which Miss Stanley displays. They are the evidences of that generous confidence and sublime trust which the loving heart naturally reposes in the object of its affections. But as it is my painful duty to put an end to all your doubts, come ‘hither, young lady, come hither.”’ Thus speaking, the prefect opened a side door, and led the way into a little cabinet, or office, where a lamp was burning on a table. And upon this same table lay an enormous book with a black cover. It was thicker and larger than the thickest and largest Bible ever used in a Protestant church; and upon the back of the binding, which was at least a foot wide, were stamped, in dingy gold letters, these words, ‘‘ Le Livre Noir;’’ which, being translated into English, mean, ‘‘ The Black Book.” Opening this huge volume, and hastily turning over the leaves, which were full of manuscript entries in as many different styles of writing as it is possible to conceive, the prefect paused at a particular page, ran his finger down a certain column, stopped at a special entry, and said, ‘“‘ Be- hold, Miss Stanley, the record of the arrest.”’ Louisa threw her shuddering looks upon the ominous page, and hastily scanned the particular lines which were pointed out to her. Those lines comprised an entry which, if trans- COUN a LOOOLK<S (CO)