The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

THE DEATH-BED | 287 ‘“ You remember that one evening, when attired in female | apparel,’”’ resumed Miss Walters, “ you were insulted in Chancery Lane and that you took refuge in a lockup house. I was following you at a distance, as was frequently my wont, though invariably unperceived by you. You remained in the lockup house, and at the expiration of an hour or two I became wearied of waiting for your reappearance. The bailiff’s follower was standing at the door, and from him [ learned that you were to pass the night at the establishment, -in company with Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady Letitia Lade. Further and more particular inquiries, which I caused to be made, led to the discovery that you were actually sharing the same bedchamber with those ladies, although of course your real sex was unsuspected by either the bailiff or his man. Here was a glorious opportunity, as I thought, to advance another step in the working out of my revenge. ‘“ Straightway to the West End did I repair, and a note, which I hurriedly penned and left at Carlton House, informed the Prince of Wales that Lord Florimel, disguised in female apparel, was sleeping at the sponging-house along with Mrs. Fitzherbert and Lady Lade. But his Royal Highness was not at home when the note was delivered, and I waited in the vicinity of Carlton House until two in the morning to watch for his return. I fancied it to be quite probable that if he felt outraged by the conduct of Mrs. Fitzherbert he would at once repair to the lockup house for the purpose of detecting her in your company, but in this calculation I erred. The prince returned to Carlton House soon after two, and did not. issue forth again so speedily as I expected. I accordingly repaired home to Piccadilly, and lay down until seven o’clock. Then I retraced my way to Chancery Lane to watch the issue of the adventure. Soon after nine the Duchess of Devonshire and the Countess of Desborough arrived at the lockup house, and a little while later his Royal Highness himself made his appearance in a plain ~ carriage. These arrivals I beheld from the window of a neighbouring coffee-house, where I had taken my post. After a time, Lady Desborough and yourself came forth. You entered her ladyship’s carriage, and it was evident from her bearing toward you that she fancied you were really what you seemed, — an elegant lady. Or else, the countess. must be the veriest hypocrite in. existence — ”’ Coin Doo cS m