The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH THE KING 55 and while the queen retired to her toilet-chamber to put off her robes, the king withdrew to an apartment denominated the Royal Closet, where he was in the habit of granting private audiences after the more ceremonial levee. Scarcely had the king thus retired to that room, when a page entered to announce that a gentleman and lady, who had delivered their cards, solicited an interview in the most private manner possible. The king took the cards and started visibly when he read the name of “‘ Mr. Meagles ” upon the first; then, examining the other, he was almost inclined to fly into a rage when he beheld the name of ‘‘ Lady Lade.”’ He was about to refuse the audience solicited by those persons; but recollecting how vitally important to himself had been the object of their former visit, when he was staying at Windsor Castle, and trembling with appre- hension lest some new incident had supplied them the means of coercing him at pleasure, he resolved upon seeing them. The page was accordingly instructed to lead them by a private passage to the Royal Closet; and in a few minutes Tim Meagles and Lady Lade once more stood in the presence of George III. For this occasion our friend Tim had habited himself in a complete suit of black; and the riding-whip was dispensed with. Lady Lade wore her widow’s weeds, and truly hand- some did she appear. The king motioned the page to withdraw, and, SO soon as he was alone with his visitors, he said in a petulant manner, where nervous suspense mingled with irritation, ‘“‘ Well, what is it now — what is it now? ”’ | ‘May it please your Majesty,” returned Meagles, ‘“‘ we have sought your Majesty’ S presence on business of the ut- most importance — ‘‘ And why did you elie her with you? Why did you bring her?’ demanded the king, pointing angrily toward Letitia. ‘‘ You told me last time that she was your wife — yes — your wife — Mrs. Meagles — Meagles. But it was all false — all false. George —I mean his Royal Highness — let me into the secret afterward. He was tipsy one night — one night —I mean he was communicative one night — very communicative — and he told’ me who the pretended Mrs. Meagles was. How dare you, sir, — how dare you — dare you — bring that woman to me? ” CONMUC Doo eS (EO)