The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

10 THE COURT OF LONDON The Marquis de Saint Croix firmly believes that it was by mere accident I addressed myself to him in the first in- stance — ” ‘“And the Marquis de Bellois?’’ exclaimed the prince, interrogatively. ‘His lordship lies under a similar impression,” rejoined Page: “ that is to say, he supposes that it was without any sinister design that I fixed upon him as one of the most proper and fitting refugees to be sounded relative to the proposed incursion into France.”’ ‘““And when I saw you the day before yesterday,” ob- served the prince, “‘ you told me that those noblemen had taken a third into their confidence, the Duke of Villebelle. Is he also without suspicion? ” ‘Entirely, great prince,’ exclaimed the ex-bagman. ‘“‘ And of this he will afford your Royal Highness a sterling proof to-morrow evening, by depositing forty or fifty thousand pounds in your hands.” ‘The devil he will!’ ejaculated the prince, literally bounding upon the sofa with joy. ‘‘ But how has this been brought about? ”’ Mr. Page now explained all that had just taken place at - the lodgings of the Marquis de Saint Croix, not omitting to state how he had absented himself for half an hour on pre- tence of obtaining the consent of his Royal Highness to become the depositary of the duke’s treasure. “You have managed the business in a masterly style,” exclaimed the heir apparent, rubbing his hands gleefully. Then, after a few moments’ pause, he said, ‘‘ But how did you arrive at the conviction that I would agree to become the treasurer of these refugees? ”’ | : ‘‘ Tf I have done wrong,’”’ answered Page, with a smile of sly significancy, ‘‘I implore the pardon of your Royal Highness.”’ ‘No, no, my good fellow,” cried the prince, laughing, “ vou have not done wrong — very far from it. But you are a man of keen penetration.” ‘“Somewhat so, illustrious patron,” returned Page. “ Your Royal Highness condescended to inform me that you were anxious to be avenged upon the Marquis de Saint Croix for persecuting you on account of that paltry sum which he placed in your royal hands; and that the same vindictive CONNIE IOOKS