The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

OE aa aS COC THE MYSTERIES. 91 was born of parents who were beggars, and in a mis- erable garret in Lukner’s Lane, St. Giles’s. ‘“ Well,” resumed the Prince, “ I went to the place of appointment—it was the George and Blue Boar, Holborn; and on arriving there, I ordered the land- lord, who immediately recognised me, to show me to a private room. Conceive my annoyance when I learnt that there was not an apartment unoccupied throughout the establishment: the entire building was full of guests. Even the landlord’s own parlour was engaged for a supper-party. There was no help for it—and I was compelled to repair to the com- mercial-room, having previously informed the land- lord that if any one called to inquire for a Mr. Jenkins, the individual was to be conducted straight tome. I had not been long seated in the travellers’ room, as they call it, when I observed, as I was sipping my rum punch, that an insolent rascal of a bagman was surveying me in a very peculiar fashion; and he presently had the impertinence to intimate that he was not unaware who I was. Vainly did I endeavour to rebuke him by reminding him that the mere fact of my being there at all was a suf- ficient indication of my desire to escape vulgar notice: the scoundrel was unabashed, and boldly de- clared that my words had confirmed his suspicion relative to my identity. Indignant and disgusted— repenting, too, of my folly in going thither under any circumstances whatsoever—and observing by the clock that it was considerably past the hour when Foster was to meet me, I quitted the tavern abruptly : but knowing how absolutely necessary it was to make immediate arrangements with that same Foster, in order to prevent him from calling and dunning at Carlton House, I resolved to proceed to his own private residence. I accordingly took a hackney- coach in Holborn: but when some distance up the Edgeware Road, in which neighbourhood Foster dwells, I became aware that I was pursued. In- stantly suspecting some freak arising from the im- pertinence of the bagman—and fearing lest a dis- turbance might ensue and obtain publicity, thereby causing unpleasant mention to be made of my name —TJ alighted, dismissed the coach, and took refuge in the nearest house.” “ A very unpleasant little adventure,” observed Lady Letitia, laughing heartily. “JT only wish that I had been with your Royal Highness,” said Tim Meagles: “ that same insolent bagman should not have escaped with a whole skin. Butthe end of it was, I suppose, that you failed to see Foster altogether ?” “ Precisely so,” answered the Prince. ‘ And now, to make a long story short, I have received a letter from Foster, respectfully apologising for being too late to meet me the other night at the tavern, but assuring me that he is a ruined man unless he can pay a certain mercantile firm in Wood Street the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred pounds by three o'clock to-morrow. Now, can anything be done, Tim ?” inquired the Prince anxiously: “for I pledge you my royal honour that I know not whence to procure half the amount. My name is already talked about in so scandalous a manner—my im- mense liabilities are as notorious as they well can be —and my position, in fact, is so extremely disagree- able at this moment, that I would make any sacrifice to be enabled to settle this Foster’s claim. Only conceive, my dear friends,” added the Prince, looking first at Meagles and then at the Amazon,—* only st hs conceive what a terrible exposure it would be, if Foster was to become bankrupt and in his vexation should proclaim me as the cause of his failure !” “Can your friend manage it in time, Letitia?” asked Meagles, turning towards the huntress, “ As early to-morrow as his Royal Highness may choose to appoint,” was the lady’s reply. “The fact is this,’ resumed Tim, addressing him- self to the Prince: “ our Amazonian beauty here has captivated a French Marquis ——” “ No scandal, Meagles!” interrupted the huntress. “The Marquis de Saint Croix isa friend of Sir John’s —and in that capacity he has visited at our house. He is one of those noble refugees who have been compelled to seek an asylum in England, to avoid the guillotine in their own country.” “Perdition seize those miscreants of French Re- publicans!” ejaculated the Prince of Wales, sud- denly becoming much excited. “ Their pestilential doctrines are making vast progress here: “but, thank God! we possess generals who will not hesi- tate to cannonade the people at the first symptom of arising. Nevertheless, Royalty has begun to fall to a discount ——”’ * Your Royal Highness is wrong to suppose that such is the case in England,” observed Meagles. “* The aristocracy has got such a tight hold upon the millions that a convulsion here is impossible.” “‘ Well—at all events, the throne will last my time out,” observed the Prince; “and I don’t care one damn what follows!”’* “Oh! leave politics alone for the present,’ ex- claimed Lady Letitia; “and let us return to the matter whence you have both digressed. The Mar- quis de Saint Croix, of whom I was speaking, is an old nobleman of very venerable appearance; and he has quite won Sir John’s heart. The consequence is that he is a frequent visitor at our house, as I just now observed; and a few days ago he was saying that he had succeeded in bringing away with him, from his native land, a sum of not less than twenty thousand pounds. He is anxious to lay out his money to the best advantage, and consulted my hus- band upon the subject. Sir John replied that he would mention the business to his solicitor, who might probably know where to place the amount on some safe mortgage, and at good interest. I hap- pened to mention this circumstance to our friend Meagles ——” “ And I immediately suggested that perhaps your Royal Highness would like to take up the sum,” added Tim. “Letitia says that she can manage it easily, and without delay.” ‘“ And what security can I possibly give the Mar- quis ?” inquired George. “Your Royal Highness’s bond will doubtless be sufficient,” answered Meagles. “ And the French nobleman will rejoice in having deposited his money in such good hands,” observeé the Amazon. “He will consider the transaction as a guarantee for the continuation of that hospitality and protection which England has already vouchsafed not only to himself, but to so many thousands of his refugee fellow-countrymen.” “ But the affair must be managed with the utmost secrecy,” said the Prince. ‘“ How can you even pre- vent your husband, Sir John Lade, from knowing Ae # George the Fourth, when Prince of Wales, really did make use of these very words. | | com Clooolkks.con