The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 297: what you’re looking at

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Ps though we will endeavour to obtain an interview this evening,” said Meagies. “But remember, my beauty, you will pass as Mrs. Mengies at the hotel at Windsor—and.now you cumprehend what that means.” “We shall seo all about it presently, Tim,” re- sponded Lady Letitia, laaghing. “1 suppose that Wasp wi:l tell no tales on our ¢eturn to Loudon.” “If Wasp were inclined to gossiping, he might bave told enough concerning w long ago,” said Meagles. “But ueitherhe mor the excellent Mes. Piggleberry ever seem to take the sligitest av- tice whom youa puss the nigit with me at my lodgiags.° “ Hold your tones, Tan!” exclaimed the Ania- son, “It is positively shocking to talk in sach a way in the broad deytight,” she added, her merry laugh again ringing musically throegh the ormp sharp air. “And now tell me, Mr, Sonpe-gtace, wiry you have wmidertaken that crusade againt poor Mrs. Fitsherbert, whom the auprincipled George is thes resolved to persecute 7” “Mrs. Fitsherbert has always hated me as sin- ecrely as the devil dees holy water,” answered Meagies; “and at tieses stie has been most repal- sively rude aad insafferabby insulent towards me. Now you know, my clvarmer, time I bave novrer wievited such treatment as her hands: for I have frequemily rendered ber Ntthe services whith she otazht not teforget. More than enechave I taken her jewellery'su the pawabroker’s for her when she was short of casi: and the Prince had nene togive hers and I buve even gives my own sesusity and lent my Owa money ‘tw silenes ber most clamorous creditors. But I do mot recollect thet I have ever reosived from her lips aclugte word of thanks. She has treated me as if I werd a lnequey~~a lickspitele siave—a servile wretch who wae only fiteod to be employed ia the vilest offices, and who was tio well rewatded by the mere fact of being allowed to perforns such servives for Reyalty. Now, my dear Jeotitia, vould I do otherwise than entart under seeh behaviour as this 7” “3 adnide that the prevocntion is great, Tim,” said the Antason: “ but you aretoc geod-hearted a fellow to cherish vindictive feetings — especially agulnst a poor weak woman, who will shortly find her own hausbaad—for seeh hedeed the Printe n~— becousing her grentent enemy.” “ Were ita more question of vengeance, my dar- ag feuutress,” resposded Meaglee, “I showd seorn—-Gespise the iden. VYeuguance against 4 woman is beneath aman. But the condavt whieh I propose to pursue im reepeet to Airs. Fitzher- bert, espentially regards the particelar schemes that you and I have formud. Therefore, as it suits my interects—or rafter our interest—te leagne with the Priicé against that lady, you can well comprehend that her eonduct has not besn such. as te excite amy eompuiction or remorse in my brent Go as to induee me to heskate ere [ undertake ¢his crasade against her.” “Bat I do not yet comprehend how & will serve our views to adopt sueh a courte,” saidthe Amazon, -| “In avery few words 1 ean explain myself,” an. ewered Bicagies. “ We wish to obtain as eomplete 4 bold upon the Priace as postible--do we noe ? Well—let him break with Mrs. Fitzherbert—det him marry the Prineess of Bruaswick-—aud he is [' Qec thousand tines more ——_~ our power than at the present moment. dfor we posseta the proofs of his union with Mra Fitzherbert — 9 Casholie———” “I umderétand, Tim,” iaterrupted Lady Lede: “an exposure of this ssarriage would prove suinous to Geerge, wacther ae Priuce uf Wales or King of Rogland—and, as you justly observed, he becomes more completely chmeshed ia our smeres than ever.” “ Then you approve of the course which I rai undertaken to adopt?” said Meagles, i “ Yes--new that I cousider it in all its beariugs,” eepled the Amazon. “ Weill,” bhé added, with auether merry laugh, “i éu really Bwlinve thas you wil die a Deke iu the end, Tim. But, témember,” she oxclaimed, her miirth subsiding into am arvh smile,“ remember that 1 am aleo to be a Duchesa” “I have aot furgotten cor bargain, my love,” -az- claimed Meagles. Tiras speaking, he put spars te his ebeed ; and the party broke inte 2 sharp tret. it was.about a quarter to five winet they:entered ‘the towa of Windser;: and, proeedding direst to the stables belouging to that extallinimmedt. then trade inquiries of the mmdicrd as to the pro- bebility of obtaiming an audience of Ris Majanty Chat evening: but by the atswets he received, he was speedily convinced that he aust postgeus all hope of seving the Hing anti the followhkgy meea- tng. He acoordingly siguified his intention of pess- ing the night at se hotel, asd she landiard forth- with ied the wag to s bandsomé suite of apeftunents. Being thus iastalied at the White Hart, in eotn- pany with tise SAumazen, Meagies ertlertd an ox- cellent dinker; while Wasp, witc had received a hint t speak ef the hentress as his master’s alfe was suitably provided fer iz the kitohen. By means of an excellent bottle of claret and a | plossanmé conversation, Tim Meagles and Lady Lado whiled away the time unbil eleven o’eloek, when they retired to rest im eadh other's arma. At half past nine on the fullowing mdraing timy were sealed at breaiifiast; and whea tite meal was eoneiaded, they eallied forth from the White Hart aud proseeded in the direction of the Oastle. nmi aa ¥* CHAPTER LXXXIL THE (NTLA VIEW. We mutt now request our readers te auvuhipeny us inte a emall but elegantly furnished apartaset in Windsor Castle. - A cheorful fire bused in the grate; and, standing on the rag, with one arm leaning on the mantel, King George the Third was dietating 2. letter te a young lady of great beauty whe was seated at « superb writheg-table, His Majesty was at this tlue Afy-seveh years obd. Natarally of a robust and vigorous constitution, he seemed well adapted to maimain « suecessfal straggic agairist tire influence of advanving age: bat Case ‘had accomplished what Tiase vould sot do ~and kad bowed the form and traced wrinkles. upen the eoun- ‘temames of timt moznareti. For, Oh! deep was the wtrow witich hiv heat vlerthed, ed bitter wee the sentorve which wruag his soal with suguisi:; end there were memeaty oo eee eee —— CORNICE OOO a a a a ai aL ET Esa