The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

240 ~ THE COURT OF LONDON because it is impossible that the old king, blackguard and scoundrel as he is, can fly from his engagements with me. If he did, I could soon enforce their observance.”’ Tim Meagles arrived at this very satisfactory conclusion and at the garden gate simultaneously, and the latter being opened, he issued forth. But just as he was in the act of mounting his horse, he beheld a man with a well-known countenance passing along the Edgeware Road; and once more tossing the reins to Lady Bellenden’s porter, he bounded on foot after the object of his suddenly awakened interest. ‘“‘ Melmoth! ” he exclaimed, clutching the individual by the shoulder. ‘“‘ Ah! that voice! ” cried the working man, as he stopped short and turned with a sudden start. ‘“ Yes, ’tis you, thank God!” and, seizing Meagles by the hand, Melmoth burst into tears of joy at this most unexpected but most welcome encounter. ‘‘ Where can we go to converse for a short time? ” he inquired after a long pause. “‘T have just left Miss Foster. She resides in that hand- some building, and will be truly rejoiced to see you,” said Meagles. ‘‘ Indeed, not ten minutes have elapsed since we were both talking about you. Come along with me, then — ”’ “No, I cannot face that young creature, Mr. Meagles,” interrupted Melmoth, bitterly; and now Tim noticed for the first time that there was something wild and strange in the expression of the man’s eyes. “ Why not? ’”’ demanded Meagles. ‘ You have never done anything to injure her, and she speaks of you with gratitude and warm friendship. Indeed, she has been searching after you and yours — ” ‘¢ Nevertheless,’ interrupted Melmoth, doggedly, “I cannot: think of appearing in the presence of the young maiden, — that is to say, if she is pure, chaste, and innocent as she was when first I knew her.” ‘“ She is — she is — beyond all doubt,”’ exclaimed Meagles. ‘ Then I will not see her,”’ responded Melmoth. ‘ Criminal, vile, polluted, degraded, and infamous as I am,” he con- tinued in a tone of wildly increasing excitement, “‘ I should only shock her delicate nature, outrage her best feelings with | my fearful confessions — ‘“‘ Good heavens! what has happened to you, Melmoth? GoOmichdoo “S m