The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

“ Fragment!’ repeated Meagles; “fragment did your Majesty say’ I beg your pardon, sire—but the whole paper is in our possession—in my posses- eon———”* “ Ite false, six—it’s false!’ ejaculated George IIL. “ Mv son has often tald me that before—but he never could produce more than one-half——” “Your Majesty may now, therefore, have an op- portunity of seeing the whole,” said Meagles, in a tone of calm confidence almost bordering upon cool. insolence, as he displayed the perfect certificate. “And a vary pretty production it would be to print and iasue to the world,” observed the Amason, again coming to her paramour's assistance. “Ah! you would not dare—no—you could not,” gasped the wretched King, as the proof—-the damn- ing proof of his atrecious parjury to Hannah Light- foot was thus placed before his eyes: for a single glance at the document was sufficient to convince him that the missing half was really found, and that no forgery had been accomplished to supply its Sinking beck inte the seat which he had resumed and quitted with such nervous frequency during this memorable interview, the King covered his face with his handa and groaned aloud in the bitterness of his spirit. lhe forgot that there were persona present to see and hear him: and even if he had remembered the fact, he could not have suppressed that evidence of emotions profoundly excited. For, ah! in the heart of this tyrant King a certain chord had been made to vidrate with ineffable anguish ; and with whirlwind speed had memory traversed the gulf of many, many years,—going back to those days—the days of his youth—when he had loved for the first ime—unay, for the only time in al] his life—and when he tasted of that drop of balm which turne the gall of this world’a cup into a delicious nectar. For such ia woman's afiection: and it was the love of 2 tender and confiding soul which was given to him! Then, although he had learnt to ap- preciate how delicate is the fabric of the female heart, yet had he rudely broken the hallowed tie which bound such a heart to him; and he knew that the being who had adored him too tenderly and cherished his image ail too fondly, had gone down into a pre- mature grave--the victim of his perjury—a sacrifice to his broken vows! Long years—oh! long and many years had been reakoned and numbered since then: he bad married another—and a numerous family had sprung up around him. But though perfidy may have its hourand seduction its triumph, yet remorse never fails sooner or later to exact its debt. And thus were there seasons when the soul -of this bad King was rent with the anguish of a con- scienee suffering all the torture and crucifixion of memory's seorpioa-stings: for though time had passed over his heart, it was only to reveal it, in his old age, like t. disentombed city, with all the bopes and passions of an carlier period preserved in the very lava which had choked them ! For nearly five minutes did King George III remain thus absorbed in the most excruciating reflections: and Tim Meagles and the Amason dared not even exshange glances with wach other— for they felt a secret awe at having thns plunged a erowned monarch into so deep an abyss of humilia- tien and mental pain. At length the King raised his head hastily ;—and, beckoning Meagles to approach, he said in a low and a sadly altered tone, “Am I to understand that th document which you have shown me will be giver up when the demand of my son is complied with f°: “Your Majesty cannot expect that I should par with so interesting a relic,” observed Meagles: thes fixing his eyes significantly upon the monarch’: countenance, he added, “Such a piece of paper, sira $s worth a dukedom.” “ Heaven protect my son—heaven guard him from these extortioners—when he succeeds me?’ murmured the King, with a slight access of returning irrita- bility: but, immediately suppressing his rising anger and steadying his trembling nerves with all the effort of which he was capable, he said in « louder tone, “ Mr. Meaglea, you will not publia? that docu. ment f—you cannot wish todo sof No—ne—I am sure you cannot. And now listen to me attentively —very attentively.” His Majesty paused for a few moments, while both Meagies and the Amazon drew nearer tewards him. “You are sensible people— both of you—very sensible people, I am confident,” resamed the King; “and you must therefore see that I cannot grant a peerage in this abrupt, sudden, ad extraordinary manner. But I will tell you what I can doa, Mr, Meagico—and Mrs. Meagles. I will speak to Pitt about Lord Marchmont—lI will tell him that I wish to eenfer a mark of my esteem on that nobleman— and then he will institute inquiries respecting his lordehip’s family and relative. You underatand me—eh? Well, the name of Mr. Clarendon will thus transpire—and ali I want is to be able to bring it on the tapie. The reat is easily managed—easily managed,” added the King, speaking in a musing ~one to himself rather than addressing his wouds to those whose ears they however reached. “ Yes—yes -~-these will be no difficulty—uno difficulty. Mr. Meagles—Mr. Meagles,” exclaimed his Majesty with startling suddenness after a few moments’ pause, —* you msy return to my son and inform him that for the last time [ consent to help him out of his embarrasament. Within a week or ten days a peerage shall be offered to this Mr. Clarendon of whom you have spoken. In the interval the most rigid secrecy must be maintained respecting the ne- gotiation. I presume that your Mr. Clarendon ie as yet ignorant of his daughter's shame ?” Meagies replied in the affirmative. “So much the better,” continued the King, speak- ing in a more collected meaner thau he had yet done “ Now, understand me weli, Mr. Meagles-—and you aleo, Mrs. Meagies,—understand me, I repeat, when I say that not a hint of all this must be breathed to Mr. Clarendon until my Minister shal] have officially commanicated my royal will and yieasure with re- gard te him. On the same day that this communi- cation is made, the Prince of Wales shall receive a hint to that effect. Then—and not till then, Mr, Meagles—miay it be intimated to Mr. Clarendon that this been of a peerage, with an accompanying pen- sion, is the price of hic gilence and forbearance—— You know what I mean,” added the monarch ine patiently, as hesprang with characteristic abruptness “J understand your Majesty fully,’ sad Meagles ; “and I thank your Majesty for the gracious proinise of which I shall now be the joyful messenger to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.” The King scarcely waited to hear the conclusion of this sentence, but retired to the inner room. Sa eS ECOMICOOOKS (SG CO