The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIES. rope—and excjaimed, “ No—no—I am better now —J assure you that Iam! But there are moments when this sudden indisposition, to which I am sub- fect, seizes upon me with excruciating agoni¢s.” ‘The Barl. immediately rallied, and the Prince ‘was fally-satisfied-with the explanation which had been given. They remained conversing together for s few minutes, longer; and then Lord Des- Jhorough in person condgcted his Royal Highness t9 ‘the chamber prepared for him. | The chande}iers were extinguished im the dining and drawing-rooms—one by one, but In quick suc- gession, the domestics ascended to their rooms— one by one also the lights disappeared from the win- _ dows of their respective chambers; and in a short time a profognd silence reigned throughout the spacious mansion. | The church-clocks were procjaiming the hour of one, when the door of the Prince's apartment was _opened glowly and cautiously ;~and his Roya! Highe nessa stole into the passage, where a lamp was bgrning. | | “Bat seareely had he crossed the threshold, when an ejaculation of surprise fell upon his ears ;— ‘and, to‘his horror and dismay, he found himself face to fgce with the Magsman! Pee @MAPTER LAIL | THE-FRANCE. AND THE MAGSMAN. ‘Roorep to the spot—paralysed, as it were—trans- : fixed .by the yaried feelings which the, sudden ap- ’ paritidn of this ruffian eoojured up in his mind all in a moment,——the heir-apparent could not utter a word, but stogd gazing in speechless terror and ' surprise on the hang-dog countengnce which, once seen, could neyer be forgotten. |" «Well, I'm. blowed if this isn’t the rammest lark ‘I. ever knew In my life™ said ‘the Magsman at length ; for, well aware that the Prince would pot , venture tq alarm the hopse and, give him inte custody, he was as free gud independent as pos- sible. | “For heaven’s agke, come this way!” whispered his Royal Highvess, now recovering the powers of speech, and uttering these words in a voice of mingled entreaty and command. | | The Magsman accordingly followed the Prince into the bed-cbamber, the door of which his Royal Highness carefully closed. | Scarcely, however,,had that door shat, when the Countess of Desborough came atrily and lightly down the passage—but with trembling Jimbs, a ,eountenance ghastly pale, and a bosom apheaved with the suspended breath. For she had left her own door ajar—she had heard that of the Prince open, in spite of the caution which he ob- served—then she had heard the ejaculation of sur- prise which had fallen from the Magsman’s lips, but which her fancy, influenced by the sudden terror that _geized upon it, tortured into an exclamatiqn of rage—mext gauie the sounds of whispering voices and lastly the door of the heir-apparent’s cham- ber closed again. Ske looked forth into the passage: no.gna was there. Her fears rose to an intolerable height. She felt convinced that her husband, sus- ,pecting the understanding into which the Prince rae drawn her, had watched in the passage—had £23 intercepted bis Royal Highness as he was gbout to seek her apartment—and had fuliowed him into his own chamber, either to cover‘him with reprogches, or perhaps for some more desperate purpose. For Eleanor pad heard of duels fought across tables, by persons halding handkerchiefs between them so thatthere should -be po ‘flinching and no retreat ‘without the imputation ‘of cowardice : she had also read of injured husbands taking the law in their own hands in a very summary manner, and shooting without remorse those adventurous gallants who had either debauched their wives or endeavoured to seduce them ;—and, knowing the high feelings and exalted sentiments which her husband enter- tained, she wag struck with the gppalling idea that he would not hesitate to wreak his vengeance, on his treacherous guest, all Prince and heir-apparent though he were! | Quick as lightning did this train, of, reflections sweep across the mind of the unhappy lady, con- vulsing her whole form with angyish, blanching her cheeks, and syspegding her very breath: and, under the ,influence of that fearful conaternasion, did she hurry alang the passage-~step .noiselessly up, to the door. of the. Prince's chamber—apply her ear to, the key-hole—aad listeg with the atten- tion of an awful interest to what was taking place within. But her feelings, so tensely wrung—so exaru- clatingly tried, speedily experienced a baqundless relief in qne sense,—ajthough only to pndergo a painfyl transition iqta a state of ineffable wonder- ment, indignation, and deep humijiation. Let us however describe the scene that took place.,in the chamber at the doar of, which the nobie, elegant, and handsome Countess of Des- borough. was playing the part.of eaves-dropper. ‘What are you doing in this house ?” demanded the Prince, after. a long hesitation how he ahoulid address the ferocious ruffian who, leaning against the bed-post, surveyed him with cool defiance. “TI suppose I've just as much right to ask you the same question,” was the jnsolent . response : “seeing that it’s no more your house than it is mine.” “Do you forget who I am, asirrah?” exclaimed the Prince, the words hissing throygh hig set teeth —for he was quivering with a rage that was all the more furious because of its utter impotency. “Well, I can’t .say that I do,” answered the Magsman. ‘“ You're the heir to the throne-yand a precious ram heir you are,.too. But it scems that you forget who I am: and go I'M just tell you. My name's Joseph Warren—I don't Esquire myselt, you see: better known by intimate friends ag Joa the Magsman. My wife is that dear soul, wha now pagses.in the fine world.as Mrs. Brace, and whom you've done me the honour ta make your mistress. Yes—and I haven't the slightest doubt that she's your go-between—and pander—and procuress— and everything elue good and agreeable. Lord bless ye! d’ye think I can’t read the secret of that fine establishment she keeps, and all those pretty girls, that she has about her. .But why da you stand looking at, me in that savage style? I’m.only tell- ing you the truth. By the bye, J must thank your Royal Highness for the. five hundred guineas you sent me three. or four weeks ago through my wife——”" “Wretch! will you make an end of this hideous —- emia COMIC OO© SS G