The Mysteries of the Court of London Vol. 4 — page 171: what you’re looking at

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

a a eh te 168 = i of the young ladies bearing the name of Owen has deeply —* within the preciocts of the villa, I have every reason to Delicve; and that therefore such couduct is but too well calculated’ to bring scauda! upon that dwelling—a scandal indeed which hy misapprehension and mistake may attach itself to the Prinoe-s herself, while it is all along only one of her vependants who is to blane——” “Good God!” ejaculated Loftus, starting from his seat as if a flash of lightuing suddenly thrilled thruugh him from head to foot: “I understand it all{ “fis the diabolical working-out of the con- spiracy! Yes, yes—the truth standg revealed be- jure me plain and transparent as it possibly cap be! Madam,” he abruptly exclaimed, turning to- wards Mrs. Roberts, “the construction you have su charitably placed upon the matter is the nght one—and J solemuly assure yuou-that her Royal - Highness the Princess Of Wales is innocent of all o== — rE wee oa == ae eee. 6S oe => wee ew oe oe aud everything that scandal may impute unto her.” Mrs, Roberts gazed upon our hero with mingled astonishment and delight. Indeed, she forgot her own wrongs aud her own sorrows in her joy to think that the injured wife of the Prince Regent not only possessed a chatnpion who embraced her cause so fervently, but who was euabled to vindi- vate her character eo confidently. “Madam,” said Loftus, observing the manner with which she surveyed him, “you have tu a cer- Lain extent imparted your aff clions to me; and | will in return make icuown cér tain secrets to you. You have heard me speak of a cunspiracy: I will } explain what 1 inean—for 1 believe from certain st Pe things which you have said that you can assist me ui the task [ have in hand; aud IJ feel assured that you possess the inclination to do sa.” Jucelyn then proceeded to reveal av that he ' knew concerning the conspiracy on foot against . the Princess, aud of which the three Miss Owens ' were the inst7uments. —-— =< mw ™~ = se SS oe —_ & «eee ees 4% = = ED ee, a ol wees eS -_—=—- =2 Mrs. Roberts listeved with surprise aud indignation: but when our hero had coueluded, sho said with # peculiar emphasis, “Arter all, Lam nov astuuished tu hear that the Queen of Eng‘and is oue of the prime movers of this diabolical wickeduess. 1 have all aluog sus- ‘pected that she was capable of any treachery— any cruelly——” But here Mrs. Roberts checked herself; und Loftus had too much delicacy to put any questions to her as to the opportuaities she night have had of judging so minutely relative to the sccret all sition of vld Queen Charlotte. ; For half-ap-hour longer did the suweurasiien last between Jocelyn aud the lady; and st was past cue u'clock when they quitted the drawing-room to return to their respective chambers, ea eee CHAPTER CLIL THE DOCTORS SECRET. On the following morning Mrs. Robsrts took her bicakfas, m her own room, she beiog much ex. hausted withahe incidents of the preceding even- ing, aud aig account of the late huur to which | ghe had sat up. Loftus aud Dr. Maravelli were ay ascordingly aluue together attable; and when the é ee ee a a cr reel eS EE TERR wae ae 60 ve OP ee Be ree ieee sHE MYSTEBIES OF THE COURT. re meal was over,our hero said‘ to the physician, “1 wish to have some conversation with you on a subject of a very delicate nature and of the utmost importance.” “With much pleusure,” said the doctor, evidently not altogether unprepared for this intimation, espe- cially after the hint which he had given Loftus on the preceding evening, to the effect that if he could be of any service to him his aid should be cheer- fully afforded. “Come with me into my sanctum, where we can talk at greater ease, because secure against interruption.” He thereupon Jed the way into that little parlour which has been before described as fitted up in a manner so sombre as to wear quite a funeral appear- ance. “ Now, Dr. Maravelli,” said Jocelyn, “I wish to treat you as a man of the worlds; and therefore I will at once frankly and candidly inform you that l believe you have it in your power to render me a service for which I gm able and willing to pay hand- somely. You must not imagine that because I am travelling. bumbly—unattended, and without any circumstance of pomp or show—that I am limited in my meaus: for even if my Own resources did not enable me to do what is necessary io the carrying out of my plans, I should not find much difficulty in obtaining from other quarters the supplies need- ful for the parpose.” “And what is this service that you think I can render you?” asked Maravebi, inwardly chuckliug at the preface with which our hero had introduced his business, and which seemed to promise large gains for the unprincipled physician. “In your capacity, doctor,” resumed Loftus, who gaw in the twinkling of Maravelli’s eye, she iu: king devil which personifies the love of gold in the heart of map,—“ you must frequently be called upon to exercise your professional skill under circumstances of great secrecy—and no doubt in proportion to the importance of the secret, 16 the fee placed in your hands?” “T believe that all professional men are occasion- ally placed in such circumstances,” remarked the doctor with a mysterious lok. “ But you especially, within the walls of Geneva,” said Jocelyn, “ considering that you have this spa- cioys establishment fitted up expressly for the accom- modation of ladies who seck temporary retirement, The circumstance bespeaks you to be a man ino whom confidence ia placed; and therefore if ever there be a secret which can be hushed up at home, without the frail one being compelied to seclude herself for a while within these walls, you doubtless of all the medical men in Geneva are the one to be confided in under such circumstances 2” “You seem to understand my repute and my business weil,” said Maravelli, with a smile of still deeper meaning than before. “Now, there is some- thing uppermost in your mind, to which all thia is but a mere preface. Speak candidly at once. IL think that we shall soon understand each other.” “Then, in plain terme,” said Jocelyn, “if you wil) tell me what ia the best paid secret winch has recently been entrusted to you, [ will give you double of treble the amount for the revelation.” , “Gently!” said the.doctor, “ Again I may ob- serve that I ¢Atzé we shall wederstand each other but for me go reveal to you any secreé at random will not do. I have several secreta—secreta regard- IE OT OO TE I a REE ES an aS RE x NRT a PRD a a Ta I cM PU a I I TE TO I ES I I ag a a TO I Oa I I I I PEE TEES Gc Ep aE cI LDOC ( O) cS) CO