The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

118 THE COURT OF LONDON at once entered the saloon, which, as we have before stated, was furnished in the most luxurious style, and was decorated by numerous chandeliers and lamps. Closing behind him the glass door with the crimson blinds, Sir Douglas looked around in expectation of beholding his Royal Highness, but the prince was not there. Indeed, the baronet saw no one, and he was about to retreat when he noticed that a side door stood open. His acquaintance with Carlton House was so intimate that he knew full well that this door was a secret one communicating with a staircase having a private outlet toward the park; and indeed the baronet himself had frequently been present at scenes in the magnificent saloon to which that convenient mode oi communication had furnished the accessories of frail female beauty. Seeing, therefore, this little door now standing open, the baronet immediately felt assured that some pleasant diversion or intrigue was in progress, and for a moment he felt disposed to wait and see whether he should be “ one too many ”’ in the expected pastime. But recent events had somewhat steadied his character and sobered his inclinations, and on second thoughts he resolved to retreat from the danger of being lured into some scene of licentiousness or debauch. He accordingly withdrew, closing the glass door with the crimson blinds. But, obedient to some sudden impulse of curlosity, he lingered for a moment to peep back into the saloon, just to see whether the prince was returning. At the same instant the figure of a man emerged from the secret doorway on the opposite side of the saloon, and, to his unspeakable amazement, Sir Douglas Huntingdon instanta- neously recognized the man whom he had first encountered at the Jolly Wagoner’s, and whom Nell Gibson had after- ward described to him as being the public executioner. So stupefied was Sir Douglas Huntingdon on observing this man in Carlton House that he was transfixed, as it were, to the spot, his looks still plunging through the glass door into the saloon. Immediately behind the Hangman followed the prince, his Royal Highness having lingered for a few moments in the rear to fasten the door at the foot of the staircase, which had a secret spring known only to himself and a few of his most intimate friends, male and female. Mr. Daniel Coffin was not only attired in his Sunday’s Gomicbdooks (E(0)