The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

178 THE COURT OF LONDON which she drew from the bosom of her frock coat gleamed across the eyes of the prince. ‘Touch me, and I strike,”’ she exclaimed, her handsome countenance suddenly expressing an implacable sternness. For nearly a minute his Royal Highness stood gazing upon her, uncertain how to act. His white and quivering lips denoted the fell passions of the malignant coward; for he could have found it in his heart to murder her then and there, had he not dreaded to encounter the sharp poniard which the Amazon displayed so suddenly. ‘“‘ It is useless for us to quarrel thus, Letitia,” he said, at length. ‘‘ Let us come to terms.” ‘““ Yes, but I must dictate them,” was the response. ‘‘ Put up your weapon, and we will look the matter calmly in the face,” cried the prince. “Oh, I am not afraid to give you even the chance of falling upon me unawares,”’ exclaimed the Amazon, as she returned the dagger to its sheath in the bosom of her garment. ‘‘Do you take me for an assassin? ’’ demanded his Royal Highness, flinging upon her a ferocious look. “Since you ask me the question,” replied the huntress, coolly, “‘ I will candidly confess that there are no crimes of which I deem you to be incapable.”’ The prince bit bis lip till the blood stained his teeth. Oh, if he could only have rung the bell and given that woman into custody, if he could only have sent her after Meagles. across the seas! But no, he dared not; for the papers which she possessed contained secrets involving his honour and his heirship to the crown. He was therefore compelled to smother his rancour, stifle his hatred, eat the words that rose to his lips, and swallow the retorts which his indignation prompted. And this was a terrible, terrible humiliation for the first gentleman in Europe to endure. ‘“ Let us keep to the point immediately before us,’ he said, after a long pause. ‘‘ The terms upon which you will sur- render the papers, all the papers without reserve — ” ‘‘ Those terms are easily dictated,’ interrupted the Ama- zon. ‘ In the first place, Mr. Meagles must be restored to his. country and his friends.” ‘‘ T will procure an order from the Minister to that effect,” said the prince. ‘“ T would not trust the government a whit more than I will (Gi) mG 0)(0)(©)