The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

ANOTHER INTERVIEW WITH THE KING 61 ancestresses. I allude to the titled descendants of the filthy strumpets who sold themselves to Charles II — ”’ “Enough, sir, enough,’ ejaculated the king, sternly; then, in a more conciliatory tone, he added, ‘‘ Well, you shall have a marquisate.”’ ‘‘ Ah! Tim, I always knew you would rise in the world,” exclaimed the Amazon, in a joyous tone. Then, in a low and hurried whisper, she said, “‘ And you will make me a mar- chioness? ” si ‘What does she say? What does she say?’ demanded the king, his irritability returning, and his habit of reiteration along with it. ‘‘ Lady Lade desires me to bring this interview to an end as speedily as possible,’’ returned Tim, with the utmost gravity; ‘‘ inasmuch as she feels convinced it must prove painful to your Majesty.” “Did she say that? Did she say that?” exclaimed the king. ‘ Well, well, she’s a good creature — a good creature. And now give me the papers, and you shall hear from me in a few days.” ‘““ Don’t be such a fool, Tim,’”’ were the emphatic words © which the huntress now whispered in her friend’s ear. “‘ What does she say again? What does she say again? ” cried the monarch, his nervousness increasing. “* Lady Lade most respectfully suggests,’’ answered Meagles with a low bow, “ that it would be much more business-like to exchange the papers for the patent of nobility, and thus settle the whole thing at one and the same time.”’ ‘“‘Eh, what? You don’t mean to say you can’t believe my word, — my royal word? ” exclaimed the king, becoming purple in the face, and fidgeting about as if he were standing with naked feet upon hot tiles. ‘IT am only afraid, may it please your Majesty,” said Meagles, with another low bow, ‘‘ that were I to deliver up the papers at present, so trifling an affair as the bestowal of a marquisate might slip your Majesty’s memory in the constant hurry, bustle, and excitement of the nation’s business.’ ‘‘ Ah! I understand you, sir, I understand you,” cried the monarch, scarcely able to restrain his spite and malignity at the galling humiliation to which he was thus subjected. “You won’t take my word, — my royal word,—eh? But GoOmiGc Doo <S (C(O)