The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

“ Then I will seck him in that spartment,” sald the Baronet: and turning upon his heel he pro- ceeded along the passage. The page offered no farther remark, maeb less any remonstrance, as he knew that Sir Dongias was not only most intimate with the Prince, bat enjoyed, so to speak, the “ run of the palace.” As the ead of the long passage was the ante- oghamber with the glaes door at which Sir Douglas and Venetia had first exchanged tender looks, on ou that special occasion whea the Prince diverted himself with certain yeung and nobly-born ladies in the magnificent saloon with which that gilass- door communicated. Traversing the aunte-cham- ber, the Baronet at once entered the saloon, which, as we have before stated, was furnished in the most luxurious style, and was decorated by ngmerous chandeliers and Jamps. Cleaing behind him the giass-door with the orimson blinds, Sir Douglas looked around in ex- pectation of beholding his Royal Highness: but the Prince was not there. Indeed, the Baronet saw no one: and he was sbout to retreat, when he noticed that a side-door stood open. His acquaint- anee with Carlton House was so intimate that he knew full well that this door was a secret one com- municating with a staircase having a private outlet towards the park: and indeed the Baronet himself had frequently been present at scenes in the mag- nifcent saloon to which that convenient mode of communication had furnished the accessories of frail female beauty. Seeing, therefore, this little door now standing open, the Baronet immediately felt assured that some pleasant diversion or intrigue was in pro- grees; and fora moment he felt disposed to wait and see whether he should be “one too many ”* ia the expected pastime. But recent events had somewhat steadied his character and sobered his inclinations; and on second thoughts he resolved to retreat from the danger of being lured into some soene of licentiousness or debsuch. He ac- cordingly withdrew, closing the glass-door with the crimson blinds. But obedient ta some sudden impulse of curiosity, he lingered for a moment to peep back into the saloon just to see whether the Priaee was returning. At that same instant the figure of a man emerged from the secret door- way on the opposite side of tho saloon; and to his unspeakable amazement, Sir Douglas Huntiug- don instantaneously recognised the man whom he had first eneountered at the Jolly Waggoner’s, and whom Nell Gibsen had afterwards described to him as being the Pablic Executioner ! Se stupified was Sir Douglas Hantingdon on ob- serving this man im Carlton Heuse, that he was trane- fixed as it were to the spot,—his looks still plunging through the glass-door intotheealoon. Immediately behind the Hangman followed the Prince,—his Royal Highness having lingered for a fow moments in the rear to fasten the door at the foot of the etairease, which had a secret spring known only to himeslf and a few of his most intimate friends, male and female. Mr. Daniel Coffin was not only attired in his San- day’s best, but had evidently endeavoured to make himeelf look as smart and as respectable as possible. Nevertheless nothing could materially mitigate the hang-dog expression of his eountenanee; and the Baronet eould perceive that the Prince, though en~ deavouring to maintain an air of dignified hauteur, was profoundly disgusted at being {a the eompan of such a man. a Sie Dougles Hantiagden wae determined, if pow sible, to ascertain what earthly business the Priace Regent of the Kingdom esuld have te transact with the Public Executioner. The liveliest curiosity had seised upon the Baronet; and at any risk of dis- covery as an eaves-dropper, was he resolved to gratify it. Seeing by the menaer in which the Prines stepped short in the widdle of the saloon and leant against a chair, that he intended te hold his interview with the Hangman in that apartment, Sir Deugias kept his post at the giass-door, throngh whieh he could ebtain a view of all that passed: and by cautiously and gently opening it the least possible distance, he was enabled to overhear the gteater portion of the conversation which transpired. “ Now, my man,” said the Prince, “ be so geod as to tell meat once what it is yea want with me. I received—with how much astonishment [ leave you to guess—-the precious specimen of orthography and penmanship which you sent me, begging this inter- view ==" “‘Yes—and I reesived too the private message your Royal Highness sent by a gentleman in plain clothes,” obesrved the Hangman; “and I felt very much obliged at being told that I might oome here oa this day and at this hour, to have the honoar of talking to your Highness——" “Well, now you are here,” observed the Prinse, with ill-eoncealed impatieoce: “ and the sooner you explain your business the better.” “If your Royal Highness means me to speak in euch a hurry,” observed Coffia, “I shall be se flurried———” “ Well, take your own time, then,” exelaimed the Prinoe, throwing himself in the chair upon the back of which he had been leaning ; “ and I will listen te you as patiently as I ean.” “Well, my lord—I mean Royal Highness—you must let me go back to the beginning,” resumed the Hangman. “Yea knew that day when you and Lady Ernestina Dysart found me locked fast in that queer-fashioned chair at Leveson House; and thea your Royal Highness told me that if I weuld help you and her ladysbip in the scheme you had in hand to get rid of Mr. Dysast, you weuld give me a couple of hundred guiness, Of course I snapped at the bargain. Two hundred guineas wasn't to be sneezed at; and then, too, you promised that the Sheriff should be empowered te offer a free pardon to any man who would accept the office of Jack Ketob. All this suited me uncommon well; and on the day of execution I transmogrified myself into a blaek fellow, 00 as to mix unknown end unreeoguized in the crowd. All went on right enough: the Sheriff made the prosiamation—and I volunteered. My eyes! what a shout the peopl: gave!~-how frightened they was of being baulked of the hanging-shew!— and I dare say they felt uncommes grateful to the blessed institutions of this country that always en- sure them Kings, or Prince Regents, or Queens, that are fond of sending their eabjects to be tucked up like dogs.” “Spare your comments, fellow,” interrupted the Prince, sternly; “and proceed with what you have to say—though for the life of me I caanct wnder- stand why you are recapitulating' all these inci- dente.” y EOMIEHOOOKS. conn