The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 397: what you’re looking at

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

nance of some legal proceedings or the presence of some legal functionaries,—he hastened to pro- cure the assistance of three constables. These officers went with him and Melmoth to the house, which they all unceremoniously entered; and, in spite of the remonstrances, threats, and entreaties ef Mrs. Brace, a search was commenced through- out the premises. In a short time the screams issuing from a particular chamber led the party in that direction :—but on Mrs. Brace's hurriedly whispering to Meagies that the Prince was with Miss Foster and that a scandal must be _avolded, the noise of the struggling between Melmoth and the Prince and the terrible imprecation to whieh the latter gave vent, made the officers fear that violence was being used: and in order to adopt the precautions te preserve the peace as well as to take any offender into custody, they hurried to the scene of action, despite the en- deavours of the two tall footmen to hold them back and the entreaties of Mrs. Brace that they would not push their interference any farther. - The constables, who of course belonged to the parish, instantly recognised the Prince of Wales;— and, their ideas of justice being as immediately ab- sorbed in the notion that as Kings can do no wrong, eo the heirs of Kings must be equally incapable of offending, they at once and without a moment's hesi- tation rushed to his rescue. Melmoth the working man was unceremoniously knocked down and laid senseless on the carpet by the heavy staves of the their assistance in order to interfere with the plea- eures of his Royal Highness, thought that they could not possibly be doing the Prince a greater service than by knocking down the other person ia a similar style. Quick as lightning, therefore, were their bludgeons turned from Melmoth upon Meagles; and the brave defenders of poor Rose Foster were both stretched powerless at her feet. So rapidly had this second act in the drama that the heir-apparent had not the time, even if he had possessed the inclination, to interfere on behalf of Tim Meagles ;—and it was with a species of con- sternation that he beheld the sudden diversion created in his favour by the decided though incon- siderate course adopted by the constables. A strange scene of confusion now followed. Rose Foster had fainted when she beheld her champions go sumunarily and ferociously dealt with ;—and she was borne away by Mrs. Brace and Harriet to an- other chamber. Restoratives were administered to Tim Meagles and the working man ;—and while these individuals were being recovered, the Prince of Wales paced the room with rapid and uneven eng deliberatmg how he should act in regard to That an irreooncileable breach had now suddenly THE MYSTERIES. and the mother’s sudden death. Moreover, the Prince saw that in many other respects he was deeply in the power of Meagies; and he perceived at a glance that his ex-friend would sooner or later stand in the light of an extortioner demanding immenss by menaces —and thus, in every point of view, was it quite clear to the Prince of Wales that if he ever intended to make an attempt to crush Meagies altogether, now was the time! Such were the reflections that with rapid passed, aweep, through the mind of the Prince of Wale during the couple of minutes that he paced with uneven.and agitated steps the ehamber where so many very difficult to arrive at a decision. But even while he was yet wavering how to act, the senior constable, who bore the euphonious name of Bax, accosted him with many low bows, and gave every possible intimation, short of the utterance of words, that he craved permission te speak. “Well, now—what is it!” demanded the Prince, observing that the man was fidgetting round about ns Please your Royal Highness,” said Mr. Bax, with another very low bow, “ these fellers must be took into custody for assault and battery on your Royal Highness’s person. One of ’em I don’t know no- think of,” he continued, pointing towards Meagies: “ but tother,” he added, indicating the werking maa, “is a very notorious character.” “ Who is he, then?” asked the Prince, impatiently “ His name’s James Melmoth, may it please your Royal Highness,” responded Bax; “and he’s one d the most seditious scoundrels in all England. He speaks at public meetings—tells the working-classes they’re oppressed — and denounces all Kings and Princes in a wery savage style indeed, saving the presence of your Royal Highness.” “Ah! then the fellow must be crushed at once— passed, | or de will turn round upon me also,” muttered the Prince to himself. “Damnation seize upon this dilemma into which I have worked myself! Yes— there is no alternative: the seditious villain must be crushed—or he will expose the entire affair at the very next public meeting he attends. But what do you purpose to dof” he demanded aloud, and look- ing Mr. Bax full in the face. ‘‘T know my dooty as well as any man breathing —and seo does my two partners here,” replied the constable. “ Why—what is the facts of the case? We happen to be passing by Mra. Brace's establish- ment—and we ses your Royal standing inside the shop making a few purchases—when in come two ruffins, and without no manner of prove- cation they insults your Royal den wen ow knowing who your Royal Highness was, they pitches into to your Royal Highness—aad your Royal eccurred between himself and Meagles, was evident: | Hi and he knew Tim quite well enough to be aware that he was capable of proving as dangerous an enemy as he had been a valuable friend. The pre- sent crisis was an alarming and a difficult one,—es- pecially as it might lead to an exposure of every- connected with Rose Foster’s deceased parents and the causes which had led to the father’s suicide « Good—good !” the Princan. “I sce that you understand how these little mattess am managed. But are your companions to be equally well depended upon?” - “ Quite, may it please your Royal Highness,” an- swered Bax, “ Then let the two scoundrels be taken into cus (1) LOOO co