The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

294 THE COURT OF LONDON her, nor how long their connection lasted. All I know is that she certainly did not go back to her husband; and perhaps she was very glad to be separated from a fellow who, to judge by his present appearance and manners, was likely enough to have been coarse and brutal fifteen or six- teen years ago.” ‘““He was never a polished diamond,’ remarked Lady Letitia. ‘ But poor Rann made him useful during the few months that their acquaintance lasted; and afterward I totally lost sight of the fellow until I met him last July.” “To return to what we were talking about,’ resumed Meagles, ‘“‘ | must inform you that the prince had the most selfish motives in getting possession of the fragment of the certificate signed by his father, instead of letting the Home Secretary buy it up. For George the Third had already experienced good reason to complain of his eldest son’s extravagances; and the prince thought that it would be as well to hold in his hand the means of coercing his father at pleasure. Accordingly, more than once has he threatened his Majesty to enclose the paper to the queen, unless his demands were satisfied; and as the king stands in awful dread of his royal wife, the prudish and snuff-taking Char- lotte, this menace has usually had the desired effect. But the next time that the prince contemplates using the mys- terious fragment, he will search for it in vain,’ added Meagles, with a laugh of satisfaction. ‘‘ In fact, I have succeeded in getting the king, the prince, and Mrs. Fitzherbert com- pletely into my power.” “Mrs. Fitzherbert! ’’ exclaimed Lady Letitia. ‘“‘ I do not see how she is precisely in your power, Tim. It is true that you have ascertained the real nature of her connection with the prince; but perhaps she would thank you for proclaim- ing it, rather than feel herself aggrieved.’’ ‘Ah! this is another secret of mine, you harum-scarum good-for-nothing,”’ said Meagles, with a sly look. “ But I do not intend to make any mystery of it toward you, Letitia,” he added, almost immediately, ‘‘ now that we have deter- mined to pull together in the same boat. The fact is, that the influx of these foreign refugees has proved of some service; for on the one hand it has thrown upon our shores a Marquis of Saint Croix to lend a good round sum to the Prince of Wales, and on the other hand it has sent amongst CoOmmicoool<