The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

THE SECRET CONCLAVE 7 he ordered and discussed a pint of sherry; and having thus whiled away about half an hour, he returned to the noble refugees at the Marquis de Saint Croix’s. lodgings. For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with London, we may as well observe that Bury Street was not more than five minutes’ walk from Carlton House; and there- fore Mr. Page had been quite long enough absent to induce a belief that he had succeeded in obtaining an interview with the prince. He accordingly found the three noblemen on the tiptoe of expectation concerning the result of his mission; for they flattered themselves that the course which they had adopted with regard to the prince would lead him to afford their cause all the assistance he might be enabled to vouchsafe it. ‘“‘ T have succeeded, my lords,”’ said Mr. Page, on returning to the apartment; “‘ but not without some degree of difficulty. The prince would not listen to the proposal at first; he declared that he would. never again become the custodian of any foreign refugee’s funds. But when I explained to his Royal Highness how necessary it was that some trustworthy treasurer should be found for the money, inasmuch as no London banker could at present undertake to remit large sums to France, especially in a secret manner, and when I assured his Royal Highness that I was willing to convey the money over to La Vendée when the proper time should arrive, even though I might be compelled to undertake three or four journeys backward and forward for the purpose, then - did his Royal Highness yield to my representations and empower me to return to your lordships with an affirmative reply.” | ‘‘ We owe you a deep debt of gratitude, Mr. Page,’ said the Duke of Villebelle. ‘‘ It is a material point gained. But did his Royal Highness specify a time when I may wait upon him and deposit the funds in his hands?”’ ‘“‘ ‘To-morrow evening, at six o’clock, my lord,”’ answered the ready-witted Mr. Page, who was the last man in existence to be at a loss for a satisfactory reply when one was needed. ‘ Thus far, then, are our plans settled, my lords,’”’ said the Duke de Villebelle. ‘‘ We will now arrange the time of our departure from London and the route we shall adopt to enter -France.”’ ‘‘T will therefore take my most respectful leave of your CONMUCE OOO) eS m