The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

226 TAR MYSTERIRS OF THE COURT. Highness, Mr. Dysart will have to figure at Tuck- up Fair next Monday week, if so be your Royal Highness doesn't mean to let him off. And some- how or another a litt'e bird whispers in my ears that you won't let him off——” “Ah!” cried the Prince—and the ejaculation was echoed, but in alower tone, by Lady Ernestina Dysart. “What makes you assume that, fellow?” he demanded sternly. “Oh! simply because I see your Royal Highness and her ladyship on such very comfortable ternis together,” replied the Hangman,—“ coming into this pleasant range of apartments, for instance— very likely to take a peep into yonder gallery— and at all events whispering together, exchanging sly glances, and seeming on such capital terms that a husband fs better out of the way In such a case. As Coffin thus spoke, Ernestina turned aside her countenance that was crimsoning with mingled indignation and shame: but it did not strike her that it was her own fault if the raffian thus were enabled to allude with coarse flippancy to her amour with the Prince. As for her royal para- mour himeelf. he was for a moment inclined to stopped by your servants as a prowling robber, or to be snapped up by some constable or informer in the streets. No—he must remain here until dusk. I have liberated him from the chair—and he is busy in devouring a quantity of biscuits with which his pocket is crammed. But you look pale “shall be better presently, my dearest George,” answered Ernestina, with a fond look. “But let us leave these apartments and retarn to the Drawing-room. We have already been too long away—and if any of the servants should have entered during our absence, what must they havo thought ” “That I know how to appreciate the beauties of au angel!” replied the Prince, caressing her. “We will return to the Drawing-toom since you desire it: but we must retrace our way through your uncle’s chambers——” “By what means did that dregdfol man obtain access +o these rooms, I wonder ™ sald Ernestina, the thought now striking her for the first time. “By aid of a skeleton-key, he tells me,” answered the Prince: “and I have no doubt his intention was to rob the house, But we will not comliclbooks.com