The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 364: what you’re looking at

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

“ Ridiculous!” ejaculated the Prince: and con- fusion was mingled with sternness in his looks— for he knew not whether to think that the butler had really gone mad, or that he was tipsy and therefore forgetting himself. “T can assure your Royal Highness,” said the unfortunate man, “that I am only dealing with facts. The personage alluded to ate and drank all I have enumerated And here he js again !” Yes—sure enough, there was the identical do- mino gliding into the room: but when just about to seat himself at table, he caught sight of Prince Albert—and appearing to stand aghast for a mo- ment, he made for the door. His Royal Highness was instantaneously seized with the conviction that there was something wrong; and hastening forward, he caught the domino by the arni—not rudely, but with sufficient force to detain him. At that same instant the Queen made her appear- ance on the spacious landing outside,—accom- No, 45.—FOURTH sERIBES. = 7 . 7 Capp + ae, a at eee ee : —s a ed i F | ri sis MN HN 7 ra panied by the Grand Duke ot Maxo-Stolburg- Quotha, and attended by several gontlemen and ladies of her household. A piteous groan came from the lips of the domino; and ho fell upon his knees. The Queen was seized with amazement ; and she mechanically took her husband’s arm, as if for protection; for the idea of some contem.- plated but discovered outrage flashed through her mind. ‘The hood fell back from the head of the kneeling culprit; and the Grand Duke of Maxe- Stolburg-Quotha exclaimed in astonishment, “It is Count Frumpenhausen—my Guld Stick !” Prince Albert at once saw that his illustrious relative’s functionary had some tale to tell which would redound little to the credit of either him- self or his ducal master; and he was therefore anxious to avoid anything that savoured of ex- posure in the presence of the company. Hastily making some excuse, he bade Count Frumpen- hausen rise from his knees and follow him toa (CO an (G DOO (CO